As the Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus rumours continue to gain momentum, ESPN FC’s Craig Burley explains why he’s not sold on the move.
The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
Juventus could table £88m Ronaldo offer
Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus could be happening, with Sky Sports reporting that the Italian champions are considering submitting a bid of around £88 million to Real Madrid.
Juve are said to be weighing up whether a move for the Portugal captain “is feasible from a financial point of view.”
Speaking after the Champions League final win over Liverpool in May, Ronaldo said there would be an announcement on his future “soon” and Sky says Juventus “have made the first move to lure him away from the club he joined in 2009.”
Marca poured fuel on the fire on Wednesday evening, reporting that that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes are set for an urgent meeting over the Portuguese’s future, set to take place late Wednesday night or Thursday morning, a meeting that could be decisive in determining whether the player will leave Madrid.
The Madrid-based outlet also added that it is “looking unlikely that [Ronaldo] will remain a Los Blancos player.”
LIVE BLOG
22.07 BST: That’s going to do it for Wednesday’s live edition of Transfer Talk. Thanks very much for joining us, and be sure to check back in a few short hours when we return with the latest gossip pulled from Thursday’s back pages.
21.30 BST: Liverpool are hopeful of completing the signing of Netherlands youth international Ki-Jana Hoever, sources have told ESPN FC.
Hoever, 16, would join the Reds from the youth ranks at Ajax, where he played at Under-17s level.
20.41 BST: After a season on loan at Sampdoria, Gian Marco Ferrari is returning to Sassuolo, but the 26-year-old’s 30-appearance campaign with Samp has attracted Everton, West Ham and Spartak Moscow, according to Corriere dello Sport.
19.54 BST While Fenerbahce has submitted a hefty offer to bring Jack Wilshere to Istanbul, the Mirror reports that West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has already spoken to the former Arsenal midfielder, who will now wait on the Hammers’ offer before making a decision on his next club.
19.17 BST: Kevin-Prince Boateng is set to complete a transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt to Sassuolo to be closer to his partner and their son, Goal.com reports.
18.40 BST: Real Sociedad will attempt to sign Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal this summer, Spanish outlet AS reports. The 32-year-old has another year remaining on his contract, and reportedly had no intention of leaving North London. But the report states that the San Sebastian club has already spoken with the player’s representatives, and will set out to convince both Monreal and the Gunners that a transfer is in both parties’ best interests.
18.13 BST: Ever Banega has no intention of leaving Sevilla, according to Marca. The Argentina international has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks, but the 30-year-old is said to feel comfortable in Seville, and is even considering adding a year to his existing contract, which expires in 2020.
17.36 BST: The Mirror reports that Craig Dawson has handed in a transfer request now that West Brom have dropped to the Championship, amid the 28-year-old refusing to join up with the Baggies’ preseason training camp in Portugal, while Burnley and West Ham have both lodged bids for the defender.
17:09 BST: Everton and West Ham are interested in signing Sassuolo defender Gian Marco Ferrari, who impressed while on loan at Sampdoria last season, according to Corriere dello Sport.
16:41 BST: Manchester United ‘have an agreement’ with Alex Sandro ahead of a potential deal with Juventus, according to Duncan Castles.
16:15 BST: One player who won’t be moving anywhere is Crystal Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey, who has signed a new three-year deal to stay with the south Londoners.
15:50 BST: Goalkeeper Ben Foster‘s return to Watford, where he spent two seasons on loan in the mid-2000s, has moved a step closer, according to the Mirror, which says the Hornets are “poised to complete” his £2.5 million signing from West Brom.
15:30 BST: Brentford have turned down a £1.5 million offer from Championship rivals Derby for attacker Florian Jozefzoon because it falls far short of their valuation, Sky Sports reports.
15:15 BST: After impressing at the World Cup, Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson has been sold by Danish team FC Randers to Azerbaijan champion Qarabag.
15:00 BST: Atletico Madrid are set to complete the signing of goalkeeper Antonio Adan from Real Betis in a deal worth around €1m, Marca reports,with the former Real Madrid player expected to serve as a back-up for Jan Oblak.
14:45 BST — DONE DEAL: Bournemouth under-21s striker Mikael Ndjoli has joined Scotish side Kilmarnock on a six-month loan.
14:29 BST: Torino have confirmed the signing of Armando Izzo from Genoa:
Izzo al Toro https://t.co/IYAyTKj3Uv #SFT pic.twitter.com/nG0wvjBOos
— Torino Football Club (@TorinoFC_1906) July 4, 2018
14:07 BST: Simone Zaza has agreed a €2.5m-a-year-deal to return to Serie A with AC Milan, according to Gazzetta dello Sport
13.50 BST — DONE DEAL: Inter Milan have announced the signing of Argentina international forward Lautaro Martinez from Racing Club. He has signed a contract until June 2023.
Official: #WelcomeLautaro! 📣⚫🔵
The Argentine has signed a five-year contract ✍
👉 https://t.co/MvR9YJh9US #InterIsHere #FCIM pic.twitter.com/cLbheVvJ66
— Inter (@Inter_en) July 4, 2018
13.45 BST: More on what seems to be the increasing possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo could be on his way to Juventus — the Real Madrid star has been looking for a house in Turin for the last couple of weeks, according to Marca.
13.30 BST: Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong will not be moving to Barcelona this summer, Sport reports, saying the Dutch club “have remained firm and refused to transfer him.”
13.15 BST: Portugal defender Bruno Alves is nearing a move to Parma from Rangers, according to reports.
13.00 BST: Stoke defender Moritz Bauer has signed a new five-year contract at the club and said: “The way last season ended was bitterly disappointing, but I want to be part of the squad that helps Stoke City back into the Premier League.”
13.00 BST: Ostersunds midfielder Ken Sema could be on his way to Watford after the two clubs agreed a fee, Sky Sports reports.
12.45 BST: Newcastle United could be set to break their transfer record in a move for West Brom striker Salomon Rondon, who has a £16.5 million release clause in his contract at The Hawthorns. to the club. Venezuela international Rondon, also interesting Besiktas, is a key target for Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, the Birmingham Mail reports.
12.15 BST: Real Madrid have denied speculation that they will bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, issuing an official statement that said: “Given the information published in the last few hours regarding an alleged agreement between Real Madrid C.F. and PSG for the player Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid would like to state that it is completely false. Real Madrid has not made any offer to PSG or the player.”
12.00 BST: Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi has said he would like to see Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo join the club amid increasing speculation linking him with a move.
11.45 BST: Sevilla director of football Joaquin Caparros has confirmed that Barcelona want to sign Clement Lenglet, but told Marca: “There is something to make clear, something we’ve already said — Sevilla aren’t transferring Lenglet.”
11.15 BST: CSKA Moscow are favourites to sign striker Abel Hernandez following his departure from Hull, the Hull Daily Mail reports.
10.45 BST: West Ham are stepping up their summer transfer plans — Sky Sports reports that they have made a £20 million offer for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
10.30 BST: Mundo Deportivo reports that Roma could make a move for Barcelona keeper Jasper Cillessen if they lose Alisson Becker, who has been heavily linked with both Real Madrid and Liverpool.
10.15 BST: Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar must join Real Madrid if he is to win the Ballon d’Or, former Brazil international Rivaldo has said.
Earlier this week, Real denied a report on Spanish TV that said they had made a €310 million offer to sign the ex-Barcelona player, but Rivaldo told Sport Bild the 26-year-old Brazil captain must leave France in order to become the world’s greatest attacker.
09.50 BST: Championship sides Norwich and Derby are both reported to be interested in a season-long loan move for Chelsea midfielder Kasey Palmer. Palmer spent part of last season at Derby and also helped Huddersfield win promotion to the Premier League.
09.30 BST: Liverpool have been linked with a potential move for Barcelona’s Colombia defender Yerry Mina, who scored his side’s equaliser against England on Tuesday night, the Mirror reports — but the Liverpool Echo pours colds water on that rumour, saying: “Expect Mina to stay put.”
09.15 BST: Tottenham are among a number of clubs interested in making a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, reports in France suggest.
09.00 BST: Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi is set to move to Lazio, according to reports.
08.45 BST: West Bromwich Albion are one of three Championship clubs interested in former Ipswich forward David McGoldrick, the Birmingham Mail reports, with the others being Bristol City and Aston Villa.
08.30 BST: Sky Sport Italia reports that Inter Milan have made contact with the agent of Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian. Darmian has also been linked with Juventus and Napoli.
08.15 BST: To Liverpool, where striker Daniel Sturridge seems increasingly likely to leave Anfield and reports in Turkey have said Besiktas are ready to offer £10 million for him. However, the Liverpool Echo reports that a bid of nearer £15 million might be needed.
PAPER TALK: Chelsea ready to sell Willian to Barca
Comings and goings aplenty seem likely at Chelsea despite the uncertainty surrounding their managerial situation, and Willian could be the most eye-catching departure.
The Telegraph reports that Chelsea “are open to selling the Brazil international to Barcelona” and would rather see him go to the Camp Nou than Manchester United.
It says they “would be prepared to cash in” if Barca meet their £60 million valuation but could yet do a deal with United if forward Anthony Martial is part of it.
Sky Sports says Chelsea have “turned down a bid in excess of £50m from Barcelona,” with the La Liga champions having begun their attempts to sign Willian some three months ago.
With Chelsea in talks to sign CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, the Telegraph reports that Danny Drinkwater could be on his way for £30m, while David Luiz may head out as Juventus defender Daniele Rugani comes in.
City poised to wrap up dual midfield deals
Manchester City are on the verge of a double swoop that will see Jorginho and Riyad Mahrez arrive at the Etihad Stadium, the Mirror reports.
With Italy midfielder Jorginho having been left out of Napoli’s preseason squad, a deal that had seemed in danger of collapse is now set to be done for £48m.
City “did not want to pay much more than £40m and have agreed a compromise after nearly two months of haggling,” with the player ready to sign a five-year deal.
Mahrez, who saw a move from Leicester fall through in the winter, is set to get his wish for an initial £60m, and the Premier League champions will end up paying “less than the £80m Leicester demanded in January.”
Fulham closing in on Mitrovic move
His goals played a huge part in getting Fulham back to the Premier League, and now the Londoners are set to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic permanently, the Telegraph reports.
It says a deal for the Newcastle striker, who scored 12 goals in 17 matches on loan at Craven Cottage last season, is set to be completed when he returns from holiday. Fulham “believe they have agreed a fee in principle with the Magpies, although there are still details to thrash out.”
A move would break their transfer record, with Newcastle thought likely to want £20m for Mitrovic.
His sale could help a Magpies move for Alassane Plea with an improved offer for the Nice striker — also a target for West Ham — a possibility. Newcastle are also interested in a permanent move for Chelsea’s Kenedy after his successful loan spell.
Tap-ins
– LA Galaxy want to shore up their back line by signing U.S. and Stoke defender Geoff Cameron, according to Yahoo Sports. The Galaxy previously offered the 32-year-old a two-year deal worth $1 million per season, but that was turned down.
– Southampton’s record signing Guido Carrillo is to join Spanish side Leganes on loan next season, according to Sky Sports. It says the striker, who cost the Saints £19m, is not in manager Mark Hughes’ thinking and has been omitted from the club’s preseason tour plans.
– Everton manager Marco Silva has no intention of selling defender Mason Holgate and sees him as part of a new-look squad, the Liverpool Echo reports. England youth international Holgate, who made 21 appearances last season, “will compete for a place in central defence as well as being able to offer cover at right-back.”
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