Clubs are slowly turning their eyes toward the summer window, and Transfer Talk has the updates on all the latest rumours.
Wenger targets Fekir, Werner
Lyon and France international midfielder Nabil Fekir could be in line for a move to the Emirates this summer, with the Mirror reporting that Arsene Wenger has made him his No. 1 target in the summer.
Wenger wants to get a deal in place ahead of this summer’s World Cup — where Fekir is expected to play a role for Didier Deschamps’ squad — and is willing to pay €45 million for the 24-year-old.
If Fekir were to join Arsenal, he’d be the second Lyon star to leave Ligue 1 for the Premier league after countryman Alexandre Lacazette made his £52.7m move to the Gunners last summer.
And that’s not the only move Wenger has in mind for the summer, with The Sun reporting that RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is also on the Arsenal manager’s wish list. However, the report says Wenger can expect competition from Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea for the 21-year-old, who Leipzig value at £50m.
Liverpool have Wanyama interest
A surprising report from the Mail suggests that Liverpool could be plotting a sneaky move to lure Victor Wanyama away from Tottenham.
Wanyama played a big part in Spurs’ lineup during their second-place finish in the Premier League during the 2016-17 season, but he’s been reduced to more of a substitute role this campaign.
And the report says with Emre Can likely to leave in the summer, Jurgen Klopp will need a strong holding midfielder to shore things up in the middle of the park.
The report goes on to quote former Reds captain Steven Gerrard, who now coaches Liverpool’s youth team, as backing the move, saying: “I think Liverpool would benefit from a monster of a central midfielder, a holder.
“A Wanyama-type player who does sit in and is disciplined, and he would give more protection to the back four.”
Hart open to Man City exit
It’s been a rough return to England for Joe Hart and now The Sun reports that he’s willing to go back to Europe to find a game after being dropped to the bench while on loan from Man City to West Ham.
Hart, who has one year left on his deal at the Etihad, spent the 2016-17 campaign on loan with Torino. And the outlet reports that he’s willing to do “what is right for him and his young family,” as he seeks to stay in the reckoning for Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer.
The paper adds that “there is still some chatter Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea could be interested but [Hart’s] been around long enough not to be waiting by the phone.” Hart, who turns 31 in April, started for England at the 2014 World Cup and at Euro 2012 and 2016.
Tap-ins
– Toronto FC are cleared to secure the services of Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ager Aketxe. The defending MLS Cup champions brought the 24-year-old to BMO Field on a free transfer and signed him to a two-year contract.
– Cedric Bakambu has said the completion of his move to the Chinese Super League is “just a question of timing.”
Bakambu, who left Villarreal in January, has been on a winter training camp with Beijing Sinobo Guoan, whom he is set to join for €40m, in Portugal.
– The New York Red Bulls finally completed the signing of rising Argentine star Alejandro “Kaku” Romero Gamarra on Friday, after weeks of uncertainty.
The 23-year-old winger, who joins the Red Bulls as a young designated player and will wear the No. 10 shirt, moves from Atletico Huracan, who had announced his $6.25 million transfer in December.
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