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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: Bayern set to pounce for Werner
Earlier Transfer Talk reported that Bayern Munich could switch their attentions from Leroy Sane to Timo Werner, and that interest could be boosted by tonight’s news that Liverpool are to put all potential transfer interest on hold, according to the Daily Mail.
Liverpool have frozen all recruitment — and contract negotiation — plans as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus. It is alleged that Werner has a release clause of £51 million that has to be activated in April. That looks unlikely to be done by Liverpool, though they have made no secret of their admiration for the RB Leipzig striker.
Werner too has been effusive of both the Liverpool players and boss Jurgen Klopp, but it looks as though his move to Anfield could be in danger of collapsing.
Liverpool have been linked with Werner since January and have been busy in the last 12 months completing a range of contract extensions, but they won’t continue any more until there is clarity on the end of the season and beyond — a situation that works in Bayern’s favour.
Madrid planning Mbappe bonanza
Real Madrid have placed Kylian Mbappe at the top of their shopping list and while Florentino Perez remains confident he can land his man, he faces difficulties, explains AS.
Mbappe is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2022 and Perez is desperate to rebuild his Madrid side around the World Cup winner. The good news for Perez is that Mbappe has rejected contract renewals twice in the last two months, while PSG themselves have stopped all talks during the coronavirus.
Moreover, PSG’s board are keen to reduce the club’s wage bill, with Mbappe earning €20m a year. PSG, like all clubs across Europe, are facing unique pressures as a result of a loss of matchday ticket sales and falling broadcasting rights.
However, Real face the same challenges and they may need to offload players before they’re in a position to lodge a bid for their top target. Zinedine Zidane has admitted wanting to offload 12 players, but he could face a waiting game before he’s in a position to spend the sort of money that will tempt the Parisiens to sell.
Busy Bayern ready to pounce as Ter Stegen talks stall
Bayern Munich continue to watch on with interest as Barcelona continue talks with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Sport suggesting the negotiations aren’t going well.
The Spanish title suggests that club officials met the player’s agent Gerd Vom Bruch, and that the two sides are still miles apart when it comes to agreeing numbers.
Ter Stegen wants to double his existing salary and Barca know they will have to move on the amount they’re currently willing to spend in order to prevent their prized keeper from moving on. However, Barca and Vom Bruch have now met five times, and the trouble for the Catalans is that they’re already at their salary limit, according to the report.
Barca remain confident they can come to an agreement, but Bayern Munich continue to wait in the wings to pounce should the discussions continue without progress.
Tap-ins
– Last night we revealed that PSG are keen to land Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio. Leonardo is desperate to add the attacking midfielder to the Parisien’s squad, but they might face competition from Jose Mourinho at Tottenham, if Corriere dello Sport are to be believed. The Italian paper are suggesting that the Portuguese manager is a huge admirer of the Serb’s technical ability, and that Manchester United could also be interested.
– Juventus remain keen to explore the possibility of signing Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, according to Calciomercato. Juve’s Chief Football Officer Fabio Paratici is potentially planning for life after Cristiano Ronaldo and he’s keen to offer Jesus regular football, which is something the Brazilian has not enjoyed at City under Pep Guardiola. In return, Paratici could try to sweeten the deal by offering Douglas Costa in the other direction.