The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
When does the transfer window close in the Premier League and the top European leagues?
PSG happy to spend big on Kante
With money apparently no object, Paris Saint-Germain are preparing to flex their financial heft in a bid to lure N’Golo Kante from Chelsea, having installed the World Cup winner as their main transfer priority.
The Blues had hoped to curb PSG’s interest by making Kante their highest-earning player with a new contract worth £290,000 per week, but the Daily Mail reports that the Ligue 1 champions are preparing a massive offer of their own. Indeed, it has claimed the Parisians would be willing to offer the diminutive midfield scrapper an “even better salary” than the enormous deal on the table at Stamford Bridge.
Of course, the real winner — whichever way this pans out — is Kante, and who could possibly argue that he doesn’t deserve it?
Man United shift focus to Mina
After being told in no uncertain terms by Leicester City that Harry Maguire is not for sale, Manchester United have made Yerry Mina their prime defensive target, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Jose Mourinho has balked at the €90 million price tag for Maguire and will “focus all his attention” on completing a more reasonable €40 million deal for Mina, over whom Barcelona are willing to barter.
However, it’s also mentioned that Everton and Lyon are interested in acquiring the Colombian international’s services, so United are likely to have to move quickly if they want to get their man before the window closes on Aug. 9.
Chelsea refusing to give up on Higuain
Returning to Chelsea, the Blues are still convinced they will be able to sign Gonzalo Higuain, despite the Argentinian’s having agreed to join Milan.
Higuain is on the cusp of joining the Rossoneri on a season-long loan from Juventus, but the Mirror claims that Chelsea are planning to throw a late, late spanner into the works by submitting a rival offer at the 11th hour.
The initial phase of the ploy would involve concluding a deal to sell Olivier Giroud to Marseille for around £20 million (negotiations are said to be “active”), with that money then used to gazump the financial package Milan are offering for Higuain.
With Alvaro Morata once again misfiring in front of goal in Wednesday’s International Champions Cup defeat to Arsenal, perhaps it’s little surprise that Maurizio Sarri is so desperate to sign an alternative.
Tap-ins
— The Sun reports that West Ham have failed with their opening attempt to lure Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez to the London Stadium after having a £25 million offer rejected by the Spanish side. However, with manager Manuel Pellegrini desperate to bolster his attacking ranks, the Hammers are likely to return with an improved offer for the Uruguay international.
— West Ham man Cheikhou Kouyate is close to joining Crystal Palace, with the Mirror reporting that the Senegal international is due to undergo a medical on Thursday, and the fee is expected to be in the £10 million range. After losing Yohan Cabaye to Al Nasr at the start of the month, Palace are hoping to bring in another central midfielder alongside Kouyate before the start of the season, with Maxime Gonalons (Roma) and Danny Drinkwater (Chelsea) mentioned in passing.
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