Nothing can dampen the never-ending nature of transfer talk. Here’s a look at the wildest rumors making the rounds this week.
Bayern rekindle Hudson-Odoi attraction
Bayern Munich’s knack for landing prized targets can be in part attributed to patience. Manchester City’s Leroy Sane neared a transfer last summer before tearing his ACL in the preseason, and Bayern waited until the following July to get their man for a pittance of the original fee.
Bayern are again eyeing Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, per the Daily Mail. The 19-year-old was close to a Bayern switch before the Blues handed the teen a €200K per week deal. Juventus are also reportedly keen.
Costa tapped to torment Turkish top flight
New Fenerbahce sporting director Emre Belozoglu played with Diego Costa at Atletico Madrid for six months in 2013, and according to an AS report citing Turkish sources, that could be enough for him to make the Istanbul interchange. Luis Suarez to Atleti? Sure.
Costa’s deal is running down and Fenerbahce need a striker after selling Vedat Muriqi to Lazio. A match made in heaven, or hell. Whichever. Also, Gianluca Di Marzio says Roma winger Diego Perotti is off to Fenerbahce for a cut-rate €2.5-million fee, and same goes for Udinese’s Stefano Okaka.
United desperate for help in wide spaces
With Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho unlikely to make the Old Trafford pilgrimage this year, and Gareth Bale off to Tottenham, Manchester United remain keen on strengthening in wide areas. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the window hasn’t gone to plan. Things you hate to see.
Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman, Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic, and Juventus’ Douglas Costa are being considered, per ESPN UK. United could also sign German midfielder Sami Khedira, with The Sun reporting Juve are happy to terminate the 33-year-old’s deal and save €6 million in wages.
Liverpool set for high-profile reinforcements?
Kylian Mbappe has told Paris Saint-Germain he would like to leave at the end of the season, and the Frenchman’s next destination could be Liverpool and not Real Madrid, according to the The Times. Apparently Mbappe is keen to play in either England or Spain. Major spoiler alert. Sorry, Estonia.
The Reds seek a short-term attacking boost with a loan for Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele, according to Spaniards Sport, while ESPN UK reports that the Premier League holders still fancy Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. The Independent reckons Manchester United want Sarr as well.
European big boys eye Alli departure
Taken off at the half against Everton amid a drab display and left at home as Tottenham traveled to Bulgaria, Dele Alli could be on the way out. According to the Daily Mail, Inter and PSG are monitoring the 24-year-old. Antonio Conte’s fascination with turning Inter into an English side continues.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho says the first team has “too many players” and still, the north London lot are seeking a striker understudy for Harry Kane. Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl shot down reports of Danny Ings’ move to Tottenham, while Eintracht Frankfurt’s Bas Dost has also been linked.
Milan beat Barca to Depay punch
Barcelona need to shed some deadweight before signing Lyon’s Memphis Depay, and according to Gianluca Di Marzio, AC Milan could beat the Catalan colossus to the Dutch attacker. The Rossoneri are considering a package deal that would see Lucas Paqueta sent the other way. Paqueta, pack it in.
Elsewhere in Milan news, Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is nearing a loan move to the San Siro amid interest from Fiorentina. Torreira represents an alternative to Tiemoue Bakayoko, who fancies a return to Milan while Chelsea continue to demand no less than €30 million for the Frenchman.
Bits and bobs
The Evening Standard says Crystal Palace have chatted with Brentford over a €27-million transfer for Bees star Said Benrahma that’s funded by Alexander Sorloth’s sale to RB Leipzig. Should the Eagles flop in their pursuit of the dazzling Benrahma, Sassuolo stud Jeremie Boga is under consideration.
Edouard Mendy is off to Chelsea and Rennes need a ‘keeper to backstop a maiden foray in the Champions League. According to Foot Mercato, failed attempts to sign Granada’s Rui Silva could see Les Rouges et Noirs shift their focus to Eintracht’s Kevin Trapp or Reims’ Predrag Rajkovic.
Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin is set to join Besiktas, per NBC Sports. Yedlin, who starred for the Seattle Sounders before moving to Spurs in 2014, was also linked with a return to the two-time MLS champs as well as FC Cincinnati, Atlanta United, LA Galaxy, and expansion side Austin FC.
