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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: Barca eye double forward swoop
Barcelona are looking to revamp their forward line following injuries to Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele, and Calciomercato claims the Catalan giants have all but confirmed Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez and Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar as their primary targets.
The Italian publication believes the double deal is reliant on the La Liga champions selling Antoine Griezmann, who has failed to set the world alight since signing from Atletico Madrid almost a year ago, and reports in recent days have linked the Frenchman with a move to Inter Milan.
The 22-year-old Martinez has emerged on the Barca radar in the past six months, and has continued to impress in an excellent season that has seen him score 16 goals in all competitions. Neymar, meanwhile, is itching for a return to Spain after growing increasingly disillusioned with life in the French capital.
Buckle up folks, last summer’s endless saga looks set for a reboot in 2020.
LIVE BLOG
09.00 GMT: Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has signed a new contract that commits him to Goodison Park until 2025, the club announced on Friday.
Calvert-Lewin, 22, has seen his career take a major upturn since Carlo Ancelotti arrived, scoring eight goals in 11 games since the Italian took over as manager.
“I am in a very privileged position to be Everton’s No. 9, I wear it with pride and enjoy it every time I pull on the shirt,” Calvert-Lewin told evertontv. This is a very proud day. It is emotional, really.
“I wasn’t born here but I love where I am and the position I am in and I love playing for Everton Football Club.”
✍️ | DCL 2025! #EFC 🔵 pic.twitter.com/A1CGJO0tZa
— Everton (@Everton) March 6, 2020
PAPER TALK (by James Capps): Ciao Bella as Chelsea lead chase for German ace
The Sun claims Chelsea are in talks to sign highly-rated German youngster Armel Bella-Kotchap from Bundesliga 2 side VfL Bochum.
The 18-year-old has earned rave reviews for his performances in the German second tier, and his form has seen his value rise to around £6.5 million over the course of the season.
Chelsea have established themselves as the favourites to secure the Paris-born teenager’s signature after making contact with the player’s representatives in recent weeks. However, Frank Lampard’s side also face competition from fellow Premier League big-hitters Manchester City and Tottenham, as well as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Despite Bella-Kotchap recently signing a new deal at Bochum, reports claim the second-division strugglers are willing to cash in on their prized asset in the summer.
Milan to move for Myron
AC Milan are keeping tabs on AZ Alkmaar striker Myron Boadu, and could make a move for the highly-rated youngster in the summer, Calciomercato reports.
The 19-year-old Dutchman has had a stunning season for the Eredivisie side, scoring 20 goals and assisting on 13 others in all competitions, in a run of form that has helped propel his side to a tilt at the league title.
The forward fits perfectly with AC Milan’s long-term strategy of signing young players from abroad, and the Rossoneri are hoping that their close links with super agent Mino Raiola will help seal a deal for the Dutch international.
A move for Boadu, who netted on his senior debut for the national side in a 5-0 hammering of Estonia last November, is expected to cost in excess of €20m.
Tap-ins
– Reports at Calciomercato claim Lazio, Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund are interested in Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud. The 33-year-old’s contract at Stamford Bridge looks set to expire at the end of the season and he is free to talk to clubs outside of England about a free transfer in July.
– Corriere dello Sport claims Napoli are set to launch a summer bid for Fiorentina midfielder Jordan Veretout. The Aston Villa flop was believed to be the subject of tentative interest from Gennaro Gattuso’s side in January, but reports in the Italian media suggest a bid in the close season is likely to be more concrete.
– Juventus are applying the finishing touches to a €55m offer for Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports in Italy. Complications in Roma’s attempts to tie down the 20-year-old to a new long-term contract at the Stadio Olimpico mean the Giallorossi could now be set to cash in on the player.