Products You May Like
The winter transfer window is closed, but now it’s time to look ahead to the summer! Here are the new rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Barca turn attention to Aubameyang
Barcelona are considering downgrading their summer transfer targets as a result of COVID-19, which could mean stepping away from such players as Neymar and Lautaro Martinez and instead focusing on Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsenal are increasingly resigning themselves to losing their top striker in the summer, and Spanish title Sport believes Barcelona are at the front of the queue for the Gabon international’s services.
Aubameyang has one year left on his contract, so Arsenal are keen to sell him this summer rather than lose him on a free in 2021. The Gunners are expected to ask for €55 million, but Sport suggests that bargain-hunters Barca believe they can knock that price down further.
Barcelona met with Aubameyang’s representatives in January, but Arsenal were reluctant to lose their talisman midway through the season. Aubameyang has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and, with such an impressive record in both England and Germany, would fit seamlessly into Barca’s attack.
LIVE BLOG
10.19 GMT: Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic could be set to depart Italy this summer and he’s got a number of suitors according to Calciomercato.
Pjanic, 29, has been in Turin since 2016 but has slipped down the pecking order this season amid the emergence of Rodrigo Bentancur.
As a result, both Chelsea and PSG are keeping tabs on the Bosnia-Herzegovina playmaker, with a view to landing him for around €60m.
09.30 GMT: Tottenham wouldn’t sell Harry Kane, would they?
08.35 GMT: Naby Keita could return to RB Leipzig just two years after leaving for Liverpool, German outlet Bild speculates.
The Guinea international could be allowed to leave Anfield with manager Jurgen Klopp planning a squad overhaul, while Bild suggests that the 25-year-old’s willingness to accept a pay cut and a reasonable transfer fee would be crucial for the midfielder’s return to Germany’s east.
Should Keita return, he will likely not reunite with Timo Werner, who is available for a bargain release clause of just over €50m this summer and has been strongly linked with Liverpool.
Leipzig are already preparing for life after Werner and Sport Bild says 17-year-old Sparta Prague attacker Adam Hlozek and 18-year-olds Kaio Jorge, of FC Santos, and Mohammed Daramy, of FC Copenhagen, are candidates to succeed the Germany international.
08.00 GMT: Riyad Mahrez has been linked with a move away from Manchester City in the summer and, with that in mind, the club have reportedly set his price tag at £80m says the Sun.
Mahrez, 29, has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and could opt to move in order to get a guaranteed first-team place. The winger has plenty (possibly too much) competition at City, although the club are also likely to offload Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich in the summer.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
North London clubs to battle it out for Smalling
Chris Smalling has been in superb form following his loan move from Manchester United to Roma, and Gazzetta dello Sport believe his consistency in Serie A will see Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur battle it out for his signature in the summer.
Everton are also believed to be interested in bringing the central defender back to the Premier League, as he has been a rock in the 21 games he has played so far in Italy’s top flight.
Smalling is under contract until 2022 at United, though it isn’t clear whether he has a future under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United, though, are expected to clear the decks in an effort to fund a huge summer spending spree.
Roma are also keen to hang on to their man, but Smalling could favour a return to England as he targets a return to the national team ahead of Euro 2021.
Team Icardi keen on Italy return
Mauro Icardi and partner Wanda Nara are returning to Italy this summer and not staying in Paris, Calciomercato reports.
The Italian site suggests that Icardi will decide against prolonging his stay in the French capital and a permanent €70m move and instead will try to secure a move back to Italy.
As it stands, Juventus and Napoli lead the charge for the prolific striker, though he isn’t against staying at Inter Milan. Icardi’s contract with the Nerazzurri runs out in June 2022, so he could spend two more seasons at San Siro, but Calciomercato believes a move to Juve is his preferred option.
Inter fans are divided about the prospect of Icardi’s return, but a lot could hinge on the future of hot property Martinez.
— Transfer grades: All the big moves rated
— When does the transfer window reopen?
— All major completed transfer deals
Tap-ins
— Italian clubs are forming an orderly queue for the services of FC Salzburg midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian 19-year-old is a wanted man after impressing this season, and Juventus, Inter, Napoli and AC Milan are all said to be interested, Calciomercato reports.
— Expect Gareth Bale‘s name to fill the transfer pages again in the next few months, as Marca is reporting that Real Madrid are willing to let the Welshman go this summer. Bale has struggled to assert his authority in the team this season and he finds himself behind Vinicius Junior in the pecking order. He has played just three games in 2020 and hasn’t scored since September.
— Ashley Young is set to extend his loan spell at Inter Milan for another season, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Young has played in five games since his loan move from Manchester United in January, scoring one goal and contributing two assists, impressing boss Antonio Conte enough to offer the 34-year-old a one-year contract extension.