With the World Cup now over and the top European leagues only a month or so away from starting back up, all attention shifts to the transfer market. Which players are likeliest to move in the near future? David Amoyal rates the top rumours from around world football.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Real Madrid: 35 percent
After facilitating Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Serie A, Jorge Mendes is working as an intermediary to deliver a young star back to the Galacticos. While the Portuguese super-agent doesn’t technically represent the Serbian midfielder, he has a great relationship with both Real Madrid and Lazio — he has been tasked by the Italian club to broker a deal for at least €100 million. Milinkovic-Savic could be part of a rebuild at Real Madrid centered around younger players, but a late push by Manchester City cannot be discounted quite yet.
Milinkovic-Savic is one of the world’s top midfielders.
James Rodriguez to Real Madrid: 30 percent
Coming off an impressive debut season in the Bundesliga while on loan, Real Madrid are considering taking James Rodriguez back to the Santiago Bernabeu. While his father believes that James could have better luck in his second stint with Los Blancos, especially with Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo gone, the German giants are determined to trigger the €55 million buy option in his loan deal to keep him at Bayern.
Alisson to Liverpool: 65 percent
The Brazilian keeper had agreed to personal terms with Real Madrid, but the Merengues so far haven’t been willing to meet Roma’s asking price of €70 million, which allowed an opening for Chelsea. But in a more recent development, the Reds have surpassed the Blues in the race for Alisson, as they have a well-established relationship with Roma and can offer him the added opportunity of playing in the Champions League. In a sign that the deal is getting closer to the finish line, Alisson has already spoken personally to Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool are not giving up on signing top target Alisson of Roma.
Domagoj Vida to Liverpool: 25 percent
After adding some quality reinforcements to their midfield, the Reds have shifted their focus to bolstering the backline. One of the names on Jurgen Klopp’s list is that of World Cup finalist Domagoj Vida, currently of Besiktas. Liverpool have presented a reported €20 million offer to reunite the Croatian with national team centre-back partner Dejan Lovren at Anfield, but the Turkish club seems determined to get the most out of the player’s good performances in Russia, setting the value of the 29-year-old at €30 million.
Suso to Chelsea: 35 percent
While the Spanish winger’s exit clause expired over the weekend, he could still be on his way out at Milan. Suso’s performances dipped considerably once Gennaro Gattuso replaced Vincenzo Montella, and after signing him on a free transfer, Milan could turn a massive profit should a club come close to matching the value of his €40 million clause. New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri sees him as a good fit in his system, but Suso could be a target for Real Madrid since their manager, Julen Lopetegui, coached him with Spain’s youth teams.
Alvaro Morata back to Serie A: 70 percent
The Spanish striker has made it clear that he would like to return to Italy after an up-and-down first season at Chelsea, but with Juventus landing Cristiano Ronaldo, returning to his former club is now next to impossible. Morata could, however, join Napoli, with concerns about Arkadiusz Milik’s ability to lead the attack for a full season and Dries Mertens’ fit in Carlo Ancelotti’s formation. Milan could also be an option for Morata, but the Rossoneri would have to make a few substantial sales (Suso, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Andre Silva and/or Leonardo Bonucci) before being able to even consider such an expensive move.
Ivan Perisic to Manchester United: 15 percent
After his excellent performances at the World Cup, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see the Croatian international linked to the Red Devils once again. While Mourinho has never hidden his admiration for Perisic, the winger’s current club, Inter, is in a far different financial situation than last year, when Manchester United were first linked to him. The Italian club no longer have to raise funds to meet their Financial Fair Play parameters, and Perisic would have more incentive to stay after they qualified for the Champions League. Only an obscene offer would make them consider parting ways.
After an impressive end to the World Cup, Ivan Perisic could be back on Jose Mourinho’s transfer wish list.
Ante Rebic to Manchester Utd: 30 percent
One of the protagonists of Croatia’s impressive run in the World Cup, the Eintracht Frankfurt forward has become a target for Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach seems keen to add a physical player to the squad, one who could play both as Romelu Lukaku’s backup and on the wing and, after showing interest in Marko Arnautovic and Mario Mandzukic, he could ponder a move for the 24-year-old Rebic. At the moment, however, it seems unlikely that the Red Devils would spend more than £40 million for a striker, considering that they currently have plenty of options at that position.
Nikola Kalinic to Atletico Madrid: 75 percent
The Croatian striker is looking for a fresh start after struggling in his first season at Milan and getting sent home by his national team at the beginning of the World Cup. Diego Simeone has never shied away from bringing players in with supposed character issues, and the deal for Kalinic is expected to be completed on the basis of a loan with a forced option to buy set at €20 million. This would also allow Milan to shed some payroll at a time when they are dealing with uncertainty at the ownership level.
Franco Vazquez to West Ham: 20 percent
Despite already making a statement with the ambitious signings of players such as Issa Diop, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson, West Ham’s busy summer transfer window is far from over. One target they are currently eyeing is Sevilla’s attacking midfielder Franco Vazquez. The Hammers have already made an approach to the Andalusian club, but Sevilla’s asking price of around €35 million and the London club’s record-breaking signing of Felipe Anderson could cool Manuel Pellegrini’s interest in signing him.
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