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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: Arsenal set to move for Partey
Thomas Partey was outstanding in Atletico Madrid’s stunning Champions League win at Anfield on Wednesday night — and now Arsenal appear intent on bringing him to England on a permanent basis.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta is planning a summer swoop for the Ghana international and is willing to shell out the £45 million release clause needed to secure his signature. Arsenal are on the lookout for a defensive midfielder as Arteta prepares for his first full season on the Emirates’ bench following the dismissal of Unai Emery back in December.
The 26-year-old has been impressive for Diego Simone’s side in both La Liga and the Champions League this season and was instrumental in Atletico’s comeback against Jurgen Klopp’s men on Merseyside. Now in his fifth season in the Spanish top flight, Partey has proved he has what it takes to thrive at the very highest level.
Partey has been linked with a move to England before, with Manchester United among the teams reportedly interested. After watching him get one over on Liverpool, Arsenal fans will hope that Arteta’s transfer chase is a successful one.
LIVE BLOG
09.15 GMT: A report in Tuttosport claims that Juventus will rival Tottenham and Arsenal for the signing of Chelsea star Willian. The Brazil international has yet to renew his contract at Stamford Bridge, though boss Frank Lampard wants him to stay.
PAPER ROUND
Clubs eye Real Madrid outcast Jovic
Most of the speculation in football at the moment revolves around whether the season will actually be completed. But elsewhere on the continent, it appears that Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic is a man in demand — despite his underwhelming performances at the Bernabeu since his big money move from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.
Los Blancos shelled out €60m for the 22-year-old but the Serbian star has failed to make an impression under Zinedine Zidane, playing just 770 minutes this season. Mind you, scoring just two goals since August has hardly had him banging down the door to the Madrid first team. According to AS, though, that dismal record hasn’t put off a host of suitors as Madrid look to offload him at the first available opportunity.
Jovic hasn’t even made it into the Madrid squad for the past three La Liga matches and has now fallen behind Mariano in the Madrid pecking order.
AS reports, though, that Napoli, as well as a number of Premier League clubs, are interested in his signature.
Tap-ins
– Will Paul Pogba still be at Manchester United next season? The answer to that is yes, according to Ole Gunnar Solksjaer after his club’s mauling of LASK behind closed doors in Austria this evening. Speaking after the club’s 5-0 win, Solksjaer was unequivocal. He said: “Paul is our player, he’s got two years left on his contract — a year plus the option of another year.”
– Crystal Palace look set to snap up Samuel Oguntayo from non-league side Kingstonian — and are ahead of Manchester City in the race for his signature. That’s according to the Sun, which claims that the Eagles sent scouts to watch the 17-year-old winger in action in a 4-2 win against Cheshunt on Wednesday night.
– Inter Milan look set to make the signing of Stefano Sensi permanent, with Calciomercato claiming that the Nerazzurri will hand Sassuolo £25m to ensure that the midfielder stays at the San Siro. The report states that a contract is on the table and ready to be signed.