The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
Top Story: Everton to splurge on Tierney
In their ongoing search for a new left-back, Everton are reportedly readying a sizable £25 million bid for Kieran Tierney of Celtic.
New manager Marco Silva and director of football Marcel Brands are busy plotting a grand overhaul of the Toffees squad this summer and both see Tierney as the ideal long-term successor to Leighton Baines, as per the Telegraph.
Still only 21 but with almost 100 senior appearances for Celtic already tucked under his belt, Tierney has been crowned the SPL Young Player of the Year for the past three seasons running.
Will £25m be enough to coax the Bhoys into parting with such a prodigious young talent? It’s unlikely, but time will tell if an agreement can be reached.
Dortmund face competition for Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa’s miserable tenure at PSG is set to come to a long overdue end this week when the winger’s contract finally expires, thus rendering him a free agent once again.
The Sun claims that Borussia Dortmund are eager to snap up the 31-year-old but may face competition for his signature from an unlikely rival.
Ben Arfa is currently training with French amateur side U.S Castetis-Gouze, who are preparing to offer the former France international a contract.
The deal is supposedly worth £700 a month and includes bonuses of £18 per goal and £27 for successfully getting an opposition player sent off.
Looks like Dortmund are going to have to step up and break the bank if they want to get their man.
Mignolet to discuss future
Liverpool are set to hold talks with Simon Mignolet over his future at the club, but only after the Belgium international’s World Cup campaign has drawn to a conclusion, the Guardian reports.
The 30-year-old fell behind Loris Karius in the pecking order at Anfield last season and is therefore keen to ascertain what first-team opportunities he is likely to be afforded heading into the 2018-19 campaign.
“I am going to look at my situation when I come back from the World Cup,” said Mignolet, whose team plays Japan in the round of 16 on Monday. “I didn’t play in the last few months at Liverpool, so after the World Cup I will look at everything. I can’t say much more. I don’t know how long I will have off after the tournament. I need to speak to the manager about that.”
The Reds have already been linked with Allisson of Roma and Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid this summer with the acquisition of a new No. 1 goalkeeper a priority for Jurgen Klopp and his team.
Cillessen wants out at Barca
Barcelona have supposedly been put on alert by the not-entirely-shocking revelation that Jasper Cillessen wants to leave the club this summer.
Sport cites sources close to the Dutch international murmuring that he intends to leave during a window wherein many top teams are potentially looking to reinforce their goalkeeping stables.
However, one major stumbling block may prove to be the €60m buyout clause in Cillessen’s contract at the Camp Nou, which is a little on the rich side for a stopper who made just one league appearance last season.
Tap Ins
– The Seattle Sounders completed the signing of Raul Ruidiaz on Friday, after the forward finished playing at the World Cup with Peru.
– Having brought in Ki Sung-yueng on a free transfer from Swansea this week, the Telegraph reports that Newcastle are hoping to tie up deals for Chelsea winger Kenedy (who spent last season on loan at St James’ Park) and Valon Berisha, playmaker in chief at Red Bull Salzburg.
– Antoine Griezmann has revealed his ideal career path ends with him playing in Major League Soccer by the time he is in his early 30s.
The Atletico Madrid forward, 27, is well-known for his love of the NBA and makes frequent trans-Atlantic trips at the end of the European football season to indulge his passion for basketball.
Chris covers the funny side of the game for ESPN FC in the Toe Poke blog.
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