Nothing can dampen the never-ending nature of transfer talk. Here’s a look at the wildest rumors making the rounds this week.
Barcelona’s Suarez smooths path to Juventus
Luis Suarez is attempting to force a move to Juventus on a free transfer or for a cut-rate fee as the Uruguayan enters the final year of his terms with Barcelona, according to radio personality Guillem Balague.
Gazzetta dello Sport claims Suarez is trying to mellow his arrival and has reached out to current Juve captain Giorgio Chiellini to “clear the air” after the striker bit the Italian during a group-stage match at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Might not want to turn the other cheek this time, Giorgio.
MLS pair eye hefty move for Higuain
Should Suarez complete a formidable front three with Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain’s long-awaited Juventus exit will be all but cemented, and the Argentine could be set for a lucrative move to MLS.
The Athletic says a reunion with Federico at D.C. United is in the cards, adding that they are also eyeing Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. Elsewhere, ESPN FC says Inter Miami fancy Higuain after the expansion team signed former Juve mate Blaise Matuidi without using their last DP slot.
Roma target Piatek as Dzeko stand-in
In the event Edin Dzeko leaves the Eternal City, Roma are targeting current Hertha Berlin and former AC Milan goal-scorer Krzysztof Piatek as a substitute striker, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Inter Milan and Juventus have been linked with Dzeko, per Tuttosport, while Italian journo Gianluca Di Marzio reckons Juventus will attempt to sign Edinson Cavani on a free transfer after his wages proved too costly for Benfica and Atletico Madrid.
Sokratis signing paves way for Koulibaly exit
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal defender Sokratis – who has slid even further down the Gunners’ center-back depth chart following the addition of Gabriel Magalhaes – will spurn Roma’s interest to join Napoli.
Sokratis’ arrival at the Stadio Sao Paolo could trigger Kalidou Koulibaly’s exit. As such, The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano speculates that Napoli are awaiting a massive €75-million offer for the Senegalese center-back from Manchester City, who are no strangers to splashing the cash for defenders.
Inter need to make sales to fund Kante addition
Staying in Italy, Inter boss Antonio Conte’s desire to reunite with former Chelsea pupil N’Golo Kante endures, though according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nerazzurri will first need to make a slew of sales.
Last season’s loaners Ivan Perisic, Joao Mario, and Dalbert are the first on the chopping block, while Milan Skriniar, Christian Eriksen, and Marcelo Brozovic could become available, as well. It’s unlikely Bayern Munich will seek a permanent deal for Perisic following the acquisition of Leroy Sane.
United ‘might settle’ for Reguilon loan
Sergio Reguilon was stellar in Sevilla’s Europa League semifinal defeat of Manchester United, and naturally, the club that relies on Luke Shaw in the left-back role “might settle” for a loan for the Spaniard, courtesy the Daily Mail.
Famed Sevilla director Monchi told Marca he would like Reguilon to return for a second loan on the spin from Real Madrid. The 23-year-old doesn’t appear to have a chance of usurping Ferland Mendy in the capital, though Real’s board are keen to keep him on the books as his value continues to appreciate.
Confusion aplenty over Thiago transfer
Bayern boss Hansi Flick and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have both publicly declared Thiago Alcantara’s intentions to seek a new challenge, something the Spaniard denied ahead of Saturday’s tilt with Ukraine, per the Mirror.
Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in Thiago, with the Reds reportedly leading that chase. ESPN UK alleges that Ronald Koeman is adamant that Barca sign Liverpool midfielder and countryman Georginio Wijnaldum, who is the odd man out should Thiago move to Anfield.
Lyon await another summer of turnover
Flush with cash following Kai Havertz’s opulent Chelsea transfer, Bayer Leverkusen are looking for a midfield upgrade in the form of Lyon’s Jeff-Reine Adelaide, who recently admitted “it’s difficult to imagine my future at Lyon” after Rudi Garcia did not start him in any of Les Gones’ post-restart fixtures.
Sticking with Lyon news, Paris Saint-Germain missed out on Leicester City-bound Timothy Castagne and could now shift their focus to Lyon and France right-back Leo Dubois, according to Le Parisien. Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin was also the subject of a reported bid from PSG earlier in the week.
Bits and bobs
Aston Villa near a €22-million move for Brentford star and Championship Player of the Year Ollie Watkins, per Football Insider, and had a bid for Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson denied, according to TalkSport. Also, cherubic Cherries winger Ryan Fraser is off to Newcastle, if anyone cares.
The Mirror claims Arsenal have offered French duo Matteo Guendouzi and Alexandre Lacazette in a swap deal for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, while Fabrizio Romano reckons Gunners half-pint Lucas Torreira could make way in the midfield by sealing a switch to either Torino or Fiorentina.
Finally, TEAMTalk reports that Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, West Ham, and Watford are interested in towering Salernitana defender Jean-Claude Billong, who once played for New York Red Bulls reserves and has been likened to Chris Samba, which isn’t exactly high praise.
