The winter transfer window is closed — but now it’s time to look ahead to the summer! Here are the new rumours floating around following the Jan. 31 deadline day:
– Transfer grades: Man United get a ‘D’ for Ighalo
– Miller: The good, the bad, and … Man United
– O’Hanlon: How Liverpool dominate transfer ‘value’
Arsenal to resume chase for Umtiti in the summer
While Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was successful in bringing in two new defenders in the January transfer window, he’ll have to wait until the summer to resume his quest to sign Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti, says Le Parisien.
The Gunners’ boss added Pablo Mari from Flamengo and Cedric Soares from Southampton to his dwindling defensive ranks, but Arteta was also keen for some proven quality with Champions League experience.
He turned to Barca’s Umtiti, who turned down the Gunners in this transfer window in the hope of securing more first-team football in the second half of the season under new boss Quique Setien.
Umtiti, 26, has played just 10 games this season but he believes he can work his way back into what he says is the best club in Europe.
Chelsea face fresh battle for Mertens in the summer
Frank Lampard failed in his quest to bring Dries Mertens to Chelsea in this January transfer window and while the Blues boss looks set to renew his efforts at the end of the season, he could face pressure from Mertens’ employers, Napoli.
Mertens, who was also eyed by Barcelona and Inter Milan, is out of contract at the end of the 2019-20 campaign which could see a host of clubs join the race for his signature. He is free to talk to clubs from Feb. 1 ahead of any summer move.
However, Italian platform Calciomercato says that Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis is preparing to offer the Belgian international a new contract, which could scupper Chelsea’s plans.
Napoli’s deal is reported to be for two years and worth €5 million per season, though he may feel he can cash in elsewhere is he leaves on a free transfer instead.
More teams to battle for Cavani in the summer
Chelsea may drop their interest in signing PSG striker Edinson Cavani after he snubbed a move to Stamford Bridge in this transfer window, but Marca suggest the Uruguayan could have the pick of a growing list of suitors.
Manchester United and MLS side Inter Miami are said to be among those who fancy adding the striker’s firepower to their squads at the end of the current campaign.
PSG were reluctant to sell the striker this season after Atletico Madrid were unable to meet the player’s wage demands, despite lodging an €18 million bid for him.
The 33-year-old is available on a free transfer in the summer, which will no doubt see more clubs join the clamour to sign him.
Tap-ins
– Manchester United’s pursuit of Birmingham City wonderkid Jude Bellingham will continue in the build-up to the summer, reports The Independent. United have put together a £20 million package which includes £8.5m up front, £11.5m in add-ons, £5m after 50 appearances and £2m after his first goal. The package is unlikely to meet Birmingham’s valuation, which means United may need to return to the drawing board.
– Juve are already working on plans to bring back Paul Pogba in the summer, suggest Calciomercato. The Frenchman will have just one year left on his contract and with his United career seemingly heading towards an anti-climatic finish, Juve hope to bring the midfielder back to Turin alongside Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali. Key to both deals will be agent Mino Raiola, with whom Juve have a good relationship.