The English transfer window is closed, but the rest of Europe is still open for business, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
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Emery’s Arsenal rebuild hits snag
Unai Emery has been told Arsenal must cut their wage bill — and that could put a dent in his rebuilding plans at the club.
Arsenal spent £70 million on new signings last summer, but the Mirror reports that the bigger issue is player contracts. The paper goes on to list some of the big figures on the payroll — Mesut Ozil on £300,000 a week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan each on around £200,000 a week — and says the club will be out to balance the books during the next transfer window.
This could be why Arsenal are said to be open to allowing Mohamed Elneny to join Marseille ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline.
Leicester close to new deal for Maguire
Harry Maguire is close to agreeing a new £75,000-a-week contract with Leicester, following Manchester United’s failed bid to sign the England defender.
The Telegraph says the sides are in “advanced” talks and a resolution could come later this month.
United manager Jose Mourinho had targeted Maguire (among many, many centre-backs) during the summer transfer window, but Leicester held firm that they would not sell.
One-and-done for short English window?
Premier League clubs could abandon the new-look transfer window after just one summer, according to the Mirror.
The paper cites “at least two clubs” that voted to close the window before the start of the season but now believe it is a mistake and that the league should go back to the Aug. 31 deadline, restoring the competitive balance with Europe’s other top leagues.
Premier League chiefs will discuss the window at their meeting next month. A club must be the first to propose a change back to the old system, and that would then require 14 clubs to vote in favour.
Tap-ins
– Marko Grujic’s future does not appear to be with Liverpool this season, but according to the Evening Standard it won’t be with either Cardiff City or Middlesbrough. The Serbian, who rejected a move to both Championship clubs, “will be allowed to leave Anfield on a temporary basis this month,” says the report, “though the Reds are keen for a contract extension to be signed before any departure is sanctioned.”
– Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts is set to join Spanish club Girona on a season-long loan deal, sources have told ESPN FC. Roberts, 21, has spent the last two seasons on loan at Scottish champions Celtic, who had been keen to sign him for a third year.
– Roma have made France international Steven N’Zonzi their 12th new signing this summer. The World Cup winner landed in the Eternal City from Sevilla on Tuesday to undergo a medical, having already agreed personal terms with the Giallorossi, and was presented later in the evening.
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