The summer transfer window is in full swing, but there’s plenty of work to be done, given the flurry of international tournaments that have occupied the attention of some of this summer’s biggest targets. Which players are likeliest to move before the 2019-20 campaign? David Amoyal rates the top rumours from around world football in the latest edition of our summer Rumour Rater.
– Transfer to-do lists: What the big clubs need
- Where did Premier League clubs fail in transfer window
Neymar to Barcelona: 60%
The Brazilian will almost certainly leave France in the next few weeks. PSG’s sporting director Leonardo confirmed his club is ready to move on from Neymar, who was absent for PSG’s first game of the season against Nimes. While Barcelona have a frosty relationship with PSG, they are determined to beat rivals Real Madrid in the race for Neymar by offering a substantial amount of cash plus a package of players that could include a combination of Ivan Rakitic, Philippe Coutinho or Nelson Semedo.
Philippe Coutinho to Bayern Munich: 40%
Moving the Brazilian international’s substantial salary would help Barcelona in their pursuit of Neymar, even if they don’t include him in the deal with PSG. Coutinho has been offered to multiple teams in recent weeks and while Arsenal, Juventus and Inter passed on the opportunity to sign him, Bayern Munich are interested. One thing to note is Bayern’s willingness to acquire starters on loan with an option to buy, for example James Rodriguez and just recently Ivan Perisic.
Paulo Dybala to PSG: 40%
While the Argentina international failed to agree to terms with Manchester United and Tottenham before the window closed in the Premier League, he’ll still likely leave Juventus this month. The eight-time defending Serie A champions are looking for a more classic No. 9 and could make a substantial amount on his sale to fund such a move. Paris Saint-Germain have identified Dybala as the ideal replacement for Neymar and he’s intrigued by the possibility of living in France’s capital while playing in a league that he deems less physical and more suited to his style than the Premier League.
Keylor Navas to PSG: 30%
After parting ways with Gianluigi Buffon, PSG are exploring the possibility of bringing in another experienced goalkeeper to tutor Alphonse Areola. One name being evaluated is Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas, who is reportedly not thrilled about the possibility of spending most of the season watching Thibaut Courtois from the bench. Should the French side fail to land their main goalkeeping target — Gianluigi Donnarumma — the talks between the clubs, apparently already ongoing for Neymar, could also touch upon the Costa Rican shot-stopper.
Mauro Icardi to Monaco: 5%
After signing Romelu Lukaku and sending Ivan Perisic on loan to Bayern Munich, Inter are now focussed on finding a new team for their former captain. Antonio Conte has indicated that Icardi is not part of his plans and the Nerazzurri would certainly prefer to see Icardi move abroad rather than to a Serie A rival. While it’s true Monaco made a recent inquiry, the Argentine striker continues to make it clear that he would only accept Juventus as a potential destination.
Dejan Lovren to Roma: 60%
While the suggested move to Milan never materialized, the Liverpool defender could still find himself playing in Serie A. Roma manager Paulo Fonseca continues to publicly state that landing a centre-back is a priority and while the Italian club have given up on signing Toby Alderweireld due to price, they are optimistic they can close a deal with Liverpool for around €15-20 million now that Lovren has lowered his wage demand to €3 million-a-season after taxes. As an alternative, Roma are also pursuing Daniele Rugani who is on his way out at Juventus.
Mesut Ozil to D.C. United: 25%
The German No.10’s struggles both on the pitch — where he is having a hard time gelling with his teammates in Unai Emery’s system — and off the pitch could drive him away from the Emirates in the not so distant future. With Wayne Rooney leaving in January, D.C. United want to bring in another marquee player from the Premier League and Ozil could be the perfect replacement in terms of image and impact for the MLS side. For his part, the 30-year-old could be open to a future in the U.S. league, so much so that his agents reportedly already travelled overseas in order to discuss a possible transfer for January.
Steven NZonzi to Galatasaray: 50%
After acquiring him just one year ago, Roma are reportedly ready to move on from the French international. The Giallorossi already acquired two defensive midfielders this summer in Amadou Diawara and Jordan Veretout and are now determined to move NZonzi’s salary before the window closes. While there’s also interest from Fenerbahce, Galatasaray are the favourites to sign him since they have agreed to match his current wages and can offer him the opportunity to play in the Champions League.
Frank Ribery to Fiorentina: 30%
After signing reliable starters in Pol Lirola and Milan Badelj, the Tuscan club’s new owner Rocco Commisso wants to make a splashy signing. Fiorentina made an offer to the French winger over the weekend, but they face competition from Lokomotiv Moscow and Saudi club Al-Nassr FC who are willing to pay him considerably more. Ribery, 36, will have to decide if playing in a top league for a lower wage than he’s being offered elsewhere is the right decision at this stage of his career.