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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 following the Jan. 31 deadline day.
TOP STORY: Bayern plan summer Sane, Firmino moves
Bayern Munich are said to be plotting ambitious moves to snap up Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino and Manchester City winger Leroy Sane as they look to begin “a new era of dominance” in the Bundesliga, The Sun has reported.
Liverpool were reportedly in pole position to land RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, leaving Firmino facing increased competition for playing time at Anfield, and according to the report, Bayern see that deal as a key opportunity to tempt the Brazilian with a move to the Allianz Arena.
Manager Hansi Flick is said to be readying a £75 million bid for the Liverpool ace after identifying him as his top transfer target, while the German side are also still keen on signing long-term target Sane after last summer’s overtures failed to result in a deal.
Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola has spoken of his desire to keep hold of Sane, who is back in training following a knee injury early in the season, but the Germany international might opt to move back to his homeland if Bayern come calling.
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09.28 GMT: Inter Milan are on the verge of signing former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano on an emergency loan, according to reports in Italy.
First-choice goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, who is regarded among the best in Serie A, has been on the bench for the past two games due a broken finger, with Daniele Padelli starting against Udinese and AC Milan.
However, Padelli was at fault for Milan’s opener in Sunday’s epic derby, while there were question marks over his role in the Rossoneri‘s second goal.
Thankfully for the 34-year-old, Inter stormed back to win 4-2 (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.) and claim three extremely valuable points as they battle for the title.
08.58 GMT: Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer told supporters at a fan club meeting that Cristiano Ronaldo would be too old to join the Bavarians.
Ronaldo is under contract at Juventus until 2022 and will be 37 by the time his current deal expires. But with Bayern going into a summer transfer window in which they are expected to spend big, some fans have been dreaming of signing the Portugal international.
When asked about potential summer transfers at a fan club meeting earlier this week, Hainer ruled out a move for Ronaldo.
“Many names are linked with us by the media,” Hainer said in quotes reported by Passauer Neue Presse. “Cristiano should be a bit too old for us.”
– ESPN+ obtains Bundesliga rights from 2020
08.31 GMT: The agent of Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has kept the prospect of a return to AC Milan open this summer.
Brazil international Thiago Silva, 35, left the San Siro for PSG in 2012 at the same time as Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With the Swede now back at Milan, Paulo Tonietto hinted that his client could reunited with him at the end of the season when his contract at the Parc des Princes expires.
“His love for Milan is great, but nothing has been decided — yet,” Tonietto told Milancafe24. “Everything is possible.”
08.00 GMT: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said Gareth Bale is “an important player” who will “give us a lot until the end of the season” after he returned for their La Liga win at Osasuna.
Bale had been left out of the squad entirely for the derby win over Atletico Madrid last weekend as well as the Copa del Rey defeat to Real Sociedad in midweek, despite being fully fit and available for selection, leading to renewed speculation about his future at the Bernabeu. The Wales international played over an hour in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory on Sunday before being substituted.
“He is an important player,” Zidane said a postmatch news conference. “He has shown it. He hasn’t played the last three games and he played 70 good minutes defensively.
“Everyone wants us to have a problem with Gareth, but there isn’t one. I’m happy with his game. Offensively and defensively he gave everything. He was a bit short physically at the end, that’s why he came off. We know the player he is and he’ll give us a lot until the end of the season.”
PAPER TALK (by Liam Wheeler): Liverpool to prioritise Havertz deal
Speaking of Premier League and Bundesliga switches, the Express says Liverpool have made Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz their main transfer target this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to add some creative flair in the middle of the park.
The 20-year-old has impressed in the Bundesliga this season and is said to have caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich believed to be among those interested in the youngster, who has scored four goals and two assists.
But according to the Express, it is the Reds who are the most desperate to recruit Havertz, though Klopp will turn to former Anfield fan favourite Philippe Coutinho if the attempts to sign his compatriot do not come to fruition.
Better still, any deal for Coutinho could be struck at a significantly reduced price as Barcelona look to recover whatever costs they can at the end of his loan spell with Bayern, as the Catalan side prepare summer moves for Neymar or Lautaro Martinez.
Even though Bayern are unlikely to exercise their purchase option on Coutinho, there are other teams interested in signing the 27-year-old, with the Daily Star reporting that Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain and Serie A side Juventus are also in the mix.
The Star suggests that Juventus see Coutinho as a strong option to add some flair to the Turin club, and PSG are keen to add to their ranks, with questions hanging over the futures of some of the club’s biggest stars.
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Tap-Ins
— Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri has opened talks about a new contract with ex-Tottenham target Paulo Dybala, as the Italian side appear to have made a complete U-turn regarding the striker’s future. Dybala, who has previously been linked with Manchester United, was on the brink of joining Spurs in the summer, but the Mirror reports that he could stay in Turin after hitting 11 goals this season.
— Hellas Verona could lose a host of loan stars this summer, with plenty of fellow Italian sides ready to cash in, Calciomercato.com reports. According to Calcio, Kosovo defender Amir Rrahmani is expected to return to Napoli, and Sofyan Amrabat will end his stay at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. Midfielder Matteo Pessina will likely be brought back to Atalanta with Juventus reportedly ready to buy.