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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Real Madrid eye Juventus’ Miralem Pjanic
It could have been Pjanic on the streets of London if the Juventus midfielder had joined Chelsea earlier this summer. But it looks like it could be now Madrid instead — which doesn’t quite work with the song.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has been the subject of a £60m bid from Real Madrid according to Tuttosport. But Juventus value him closer the Cristiano Ronaldo stakes, at around £100m, and reportedly want to offer him a new contract to stay in Turin.
The 28-year-old has impressed at Juventus since joining from Roma in 2016 and Real are looking for a midfielder to replace Matteo Kovacic who did join Chelsea on loan, and potentially Luka Modric if he departs for Inter Milan.
Liverpool keen on Rabiot, but Barca may frustrate them
Liverpool could move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the winter — but only if Barcelona don’t beat them to it before summer windows close in Europe.
The Mirror, citing reports in France, says manager Jurgen Klopp “is a keen admirer” but, with the Premier League window having closed last week, must hope that Barca do not make a move.
The La Liga champions have until the end of the month to finish their transfer business, but Liverpool “hope to land Rabiot on a pre-contract agreement in the winter with a view to him joining next summer.”
Rabiot has a year remaining on his PSG deal and will be free to talk to overseas clubs from January.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo reports that defender Ragnar Klavan is likely to leave Anfield in the near future.
It says Liverpool are ready to listen to offers for the former Augsburg player, who could now return to the Bundesliga.
Chelsea’s Loftus-Cheek wants to stay amid loan links
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a wanted man with several European clubs, including Schalke, keen to bring him in on loan — but they face disappointment, according to the Telegraph.
It says Loftus-Cheek, who helped Crystal Palace to Premier League survival last season, is “extremely unlikely” to be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge and wants to stay and fight for a place in Maurizio Sarri’s lineup.
Schalke are hopeful that the arrival of Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic at Stamford Bridge for the season might persuade Chelsea to let the England international leave.
But the Telegraph says “Tiemoue Bakayoko‘s loan move to AC Milan has helped create space in the squad” and Loftus-Cheek — who Palace had wanted to re-sign — is keen to battle for a first-team role.
Valencia to land Goncalo Guedes
Valencia are closing in on the signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Goncalo Guedes, according to reports in Spain and France.
No buy-out option was included in the deal that brought the Portugal international winger to the Mestalla stadium on a season-long loan from PSG last year, but the La Liga club are keen to bring him back permanently.
Guedes, under contract with PSG until 2021, played just once for PSG in Ligue 1 following a €30m move from Benfica last January. However, he was a regular under Marcelinho at Valencia, scoring four goals in 29 league appearances and setting up nine more to help them qualify for the Champions League.
According to reports, Valencia will pay in the region of €45m to sign Guedes.
United’s Darmian poised for Italy return
Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian is “on standby” for a move from Old Trafford before the Serie A window closes on Friday, the Manchester Evening News reports.
It says Darmian wants to leave after three years at United and has set his sights on a return to his native Italy.
The 28-year-old, who started the 2-1 home win over Leicester on Friday, has been linked with Juventus, Napoli and Inter Milan, and the Evening News says United “are prepared to let him depart, provided they receive an acceptable offer.”
Tap-ins
— Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is considering his Craven Cottage future after being left out of the squad for the opening weekend’s game against Crystal Palace, according to the Mail.
Bettinelli, a key to the Londoners’ promotion, has seen new keepers Sergio Rico and Fabri arrive over the summer and the report says “he may look at alternatives to continue his progress, with a host of clubs waiting to swoop.”
— Birmingham’s hopes of signing Besiktas striker Alvaro Negredo could be over, says the Birmingham Mail, which reports that he is in negotiations with Rayo Vallecano.
Former Manchester City striker Negredo, who also had been linked with both Cardiff City and Leeds United, now appears poised to return to his boyhood club.
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