The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow live with our daily blog throughout the summer.
TOP STORY: Arsenal lead race for Gotze
Arsenal are the front runners to sign Mario Gotze from Borussia Dortmund, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Gunners will be joined by Everton, West Ham, Newcastle and Leicester to battle for the 26-year-old, who decided the World Cup final four years ago.
Gotze’s career has stagnated since then, but a move to the Premier League could reinvigorate the former Bayern Munich midfielder, with an £18 million fee likely to be enough to convince Dortmund to sell.
LIVE BLOG
10.45 BST: Manchester United have already made a couple of new signings this summer in Fred and Diogo Dalot, but jose Mourinho will also be looking to shift out a few players as he refreshes his squad.
To that end, Metro reports that United defender Chris Smalling could be on his way to West Ham United, with the London club monitoring the situation. A Smalling exit would leave a nice slot in the squad open for, say, Toby Alderweireld to step into.
10.15 BST: Gareth Bale is happy at Real Madrid and keen to work under new head coach Julen Lopetegui rather than seek a move back to the Premier League, a source has told ESPN FC. Bale, who scored twice after coming on as a substitute in the Champions League final last month, had put his future with Madrid in doubt by revealing he would seek assurances over his role in the team.
Manchester United are long-term admirers and remain interested in a move for the former Tottenham player. They will be at the front of any queue this summer should Madrid sanction his sale. But following the resignation of coach Zinedine Zidane in the wake of the club’s third successive Champions League triumph, a source close to Bale has told ESPN FC that he is ready to grasp the opportunity of proving himself to Lopetegui, who was unveiled by Madrid on Thursday after his dismissal as Spain coach on Wednesday.
10.00 BST: Someone who isn’t having such a good World Cup so far is Ilkay Gundogan. The Germany midfielder, along with Mesut Ozil, continues to face jeers from his own fans and criticism in his homeland for being pictured with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month.
However, that hasn’t stopped the Manchester City being targeted by Barcelona this summer as a replacement for the departed Andres Iniesta, according to The Sun.
09.30 BST: Russian players are so hot right now after their stunning 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Thursday’s World Cup opener,
CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, who scored the final of those goals in second-half injury time, says he is flattered by reported interest from Juventus.
“For now I want to focus on the World Cup and Russia,” the 22-year-old said. “I am honoured and pleased by interest from Juventus, but I want to have a great World Cup.”
09.10 BST: Antoine Griezmann‘s bold move to channel his inner LeBron James by announcing he would be staying at Atletico Madrid a TV special entitled “The Decision” has put a few noses out of joint.
The France forward has since explained that he chose to remain in Madrid after receiving assurances that Atletico would invest heavily this summe rin an attempt to win the Champions League final in their own backyard next season.
“I want to win the Champions League,” Griezmann said. “We have lacked something to win things. It seems like bad luck, but it’s not bad luck. We have lacked something. To always be second or third… if they [Atletico board] bring teammates we can win the Champions League… They are doing everything possible for the team to keep improving. Making a huge effort to reinforce, and [that is why] I want to stay.”
08.50 BST: Julen Lopetegeui is having quite a week. Let’s recap:
Monday: He’s Spain manager
Tuesday: He’s appointed by Real Madrid
Wednesday: He’s fired by Spain
Thursday: He’s unveiled at the Bernabeu:
Friday: He’ll have a meeting with Jorge Mendes about a potential summer move for Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea (if El Transistor is to be believed).
08.25 BST: Marseille are talking to Nice and agent Mino Raiola over a move for Mario Balotelli, according to RMC.
The 27-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool forward is out of contract at the end of this month, although it remains to be seen how Patrick Vieira’s arrival as head coach will affect the Italian’s future.
08.00 BST: BELGIUM STAR HAZARD BREAKS SILENCE ON LA LIGA TRANSFER LINKS! That’s right, Thorgan Hazard has suggested to L’Equipe there is substance behind rumours that he could join Valencia. The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has been linked to the Spanish side as he prepares for Belgium’s World Cup campaign alongside elder brother Eden.
“If you have seen it, it’s not for nothing, but I don’t want to talk about that for the moment,” he said. “I’m thinking about the World Cup and afterwards, we’ll see. I also have a contract with Monchengladbach.”
PAPER TALK: Chelsea want Rugani despite uncertainty over Conte future
Chelsea are pushing ahead with plans to sign Daniele Rugani from Juventus.
The Blues want the Italy international regardless of Antonio Conte’s future as manager, as potential replacement Maurizio Sarri is also a fan of the 24-year-old, the Mirror says.
A £26m offer could tempt the Old Lady, with Chelsea eyeing reinforcements at the back with David Luiz tipped to leave.
Rugani struck up a fine relationship with former Napoli boss Sarri during his loan spell with Empoli, and the two could now be reunited at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Inter draft Dembele plan
Mousa Dembele could end up at Inter Milan for a year before heading to China, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Tottenham star is looking for one last big-money contract at 30 years old and with just one year remaining on his contract.
The Nerazzurri have an elaborate plan to boost their midfield without further deepening their Financial Fair Play problems. Inter would take Dembele to the San Siro for a season before sending the Belgian to sister club Jiangsu Suning.
Tap-ins
– Juventus could make a shock move for Patrick Van Aanholt with the possibility of Alex Sandro leaving, sources tell ESPN FC. The Brazilian has been linked with Manchester United, and should Juve receive the right fee, they would sanction the move and bid £25m for the Dutch international, claims the Sun.
– Roma appear to have opened the door to selling Alisson by making an enquiry to Paris Saint-Germain for Alphonse Areola. Corriere dello Sport believes Napoli are also keen on the French goalkeeper, with the Giallorossi likely to pocket €75m for their Brazilian No.1.
– Leicester are lining up a move for Solomon Kvirkvelia to further boost their back line. The Mirror claims that Claude Puel now wants the 6-foot-5 Lokomotiv Moscow star, who could partner Jonny Evans at the back after his £3.5m move from West Brom. If Leicester sign the Georgia international it could spell the end for Wes Morgan, who has just one year remaining on his deal.
– Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson is on Fiorentina’s radar after an impressive spell at Bari, according to reports in Italy. The 22-year-old contributed two goals and as many assists after moving from Celtic, and could now make the step up to Serie A.
Be the first to comment