Nothing can dampen the never-ending nature of transfer talk. Here’s a look at the wildest rumors that made the rounds this week.
Lingard attracting interest from trio of clubs
Manchester United is listening to offers for Jesse Lingard, according to The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson. The club is raising funds to meet Borussia Dortmund’s valuation of Jadon Sancho, who has joined a United players’ WhatsApp chat. Sure he has. Apparently, the crucial goal in the 7-1 aggregate win against LASK wasn’t enough to save Lingard’s hide.
Lingard has virtually no role on the team due to the addition of Bruno Fernandes, the emergence of Mason Greenwood, and his own radical downturn in quality. He is reportedly attracting interest from Newcastle, Roma, and Borussia Monchengladbach. The bidding starts at €10.
Speaking of United afterthoughts, the Red Devils have also offered oft-injured central defender Eric Bailly to AC Milan, who, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, are kindly responding, “Thanks but no thanks.”
City’s summer shopping boosted by €330M budget
Manchester City are not content to call it a day following the signings of Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres. Sky Sports says the Champions League quarterfinalists are monitoring Napoli center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, because there are worse approaches than signing every defender ever.
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is being monitored as a potential understudy for Sergio Aguero, while The Athletic reports that City have made an approach for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix as part of a €330-million summer shopping spree that presumably doesn’t include Jesse Lingard.
Torreira tempts treble of Serie A suitors
Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira is eyeing a return to Serie A, and Fiorentina are happy to comply. The plucky Uruguayan has seen his playing time decrease under Mikel Arteta, and that’s not likely to improve, especially amid enduring interest in Atletico midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Gunners are unwilling to accept less than the €30 million they paid for Torreira in 2018. However, Gazzetta says Fiorentina are keen to pony up, and that Atletico are also interested. Swap, anyone? Additionally, the Daily Mail reckons AC Milan and Torino are both monitoring Torreira.
James among pair of Real Madrid departures
James Rodriguez’s spell at Real Madrid looks done amid reports from El Golazo de Gol claiming the Colombian is set to join rivals Atletico for around €15 million. Los Colchoneros president Enrique Cerezo said, “I have no idea whether he will end up coming,” which means it’s definitely happening.
Joining James on the way out at Real is left-back Sergio Reguilon. He looks set to join Chelsea over Everton on a €22-million move after a stellar loan at Sevilla, as Frank Lampard and Co. shift their focus from Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell. Reguilon certainly looks the part and did this midweek. Decent.
Blues’ dues require swift sales
Chelsea are enamored by West Ham’s Declan Rice, and the Daily Star reports that the Blues will offload Jorginho to Juventus to raise the €72 million needed to pry Rice from David Moyes’ clammy grip. Bear in mind this surfaced before Jorginho’s former tutor Maurizo Sarri was sacked by Juve.
The Blues have opened talks with Champions League debutants Rennes over a €22-million sale for defender Fikayo Tomori, per L’Equipe. Tomori’s place on the market is bizarre considering Chelsea’s stable of elite defenders (none). We can soon expect a decent signing for Les Rouges et Noirs.
Old Lady eyes young talent amid squad renewal
Juventus have a habit of poaching top talent from their foes, which perhaps explains why the Old Lady is now fascinated by Lyon’s Houssem Aouar after the Frenchman played a vital role in bouncing the nine-time reigning domestic champs from Europe.
Aouar, who is also on Arsenal’s and City’s radar – the latter of which feels less likely after Ferran Torres’ signing – is valued at €60 million, says L’Equipe. In an attempt to refresh a stagnant squad, Juve continue to monitor Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul and Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, per JuveFC.com.
Bits and bobs
The Express has the latest in the Thiago Alcantara saga, reporting that the midfielder has held a second round of talks amid continued links with Liverpool, while Le10Sport says Paris Saint-Germain will try to scupper the Reds’ €30-million move for the Spaniard.
According to Turkish outlet NTV Spor, Barcelona – who are strapped for cash – are prepping a €40-million bid for Leicester center-back Caglar Soyuncu, whose plummeting stock aligned with the Foxes’ second-half slump. That’s gonna be a no from me. A return for City’s Eric Garcia makes more sense.
Another central defender whose name has popped up in transfer talk is towering Monaco teen Benoit Badiashile. RMC Sport claims Bayer Leverkusen have offered €20 million and forward Kevin Volland for the 19-year-old also associated with United and Real Madrid.
An exclusive report from SPORTSWorldGhana says the New York Red Bulls are set to sign Samuel Tetteh from sister club Red Bull Salzburg following the 24-year-old forward’s loan spell with Austrian laser eye correction outfit LASK. If that doesn’t get you excited, nothing will.
