The winter transfer window is closed, but now it’s time to look ahead to the summer! Here are the new rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Barcelona and Real Madrid battle for Kante
As well as a new proven goal scorer, Barcelona are also on the hunt for a new “leggy midfielder” and, according to Mundo Deportivo, their search has focused on Chelsea‘s N’Golo Kante.
The Blaugrana are in need of a powerful and physical player who can not only get around the pitch, but also add some aggression to the centre of the park in the absence of Arturo Vidal, who is predicted to leave this summer.
With Ivan Rakitic also leaving, the Barca hierarchy believe Kante fits the bill perfectly, and would slot seamlessly into the club’s way of playing. In order to get the 29-year-old, they feel a possible swap deal might work better than a simple purchase, which is where Philippe Coutinho could come in. Chelsea are believed to be interested in the attacking midfielder, and so a deal that works for both parties could be on the cards.
However, AS claims Real Madrid are also keen on Kante as competition for Casemiro, though Rennes’ 17-year-old wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga is their main target, while Lille’s Boubakary Soumare is also being considered.
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08.34 BST: Corinthians’ Duilio Monteiro Alves has been speaking about the prospect of the Brazilian club landing PSG striker Edinson Cavani when he becomes a free agent in the summer: “We have to think big. If we had not done so in the past, we would not have landed the likes of Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.”
08.00 BST: Arsenal are closing in on PSG left-back Layvin Kurzawa, says the Daily Star.
Kurzawa, 27, is a free agent in the summer and has reportedly made the decision to move on from PSG after falling out of favour this season. Arsenal have Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac already, but both have struggled with injury this season and the Gunners can’t pass up a good free transfer.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Sane edges closer to dream Bayern move
The Mirror is reporting that Manchester City flyer Leroy Sane is closing in on a switch to Bayern Munich this summer.
The protracted transfer — with Bayern having chased Sane for more than a year — appears to be nearing completion, with the City winger’s representatives stepping up their efforts to secure the 24-year-old a dream move.
Bayern are reportedly ready to offer £70m for Sane, which is half the amount City were looking for last summer before he picked up his knee ligament injury in August. Sane has missed the whole 2019-20 season so far which might have put off some suitors from signing him at all, but which has simply enabled Bayern to get him at a lower price.
Sane had refused to sign a new deal at City and, with just 12 months left on his existing contract, it’s believed that Man City manager Pep Guardiola would rather cash in than lose him on a free in 2021.
Sane’s falling price could also be a consequence of the coronavirus, which is expected to see players’ market values drop significantly this summer.
Martinez must ask to leave, Inter owners say
The latest on Barcelona’s hunt for Lautaro Martinez finds Inter Milan‘s Chinese owners declaring he must ask to leave, or clubs must pay his buy-out clause, reports both Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport.
Inter are resigned to losing their star man but are hoping to maximise the deal amidst the threat of falling transfer fees.
Inter are intent on winning Serie A next season if they fail to overtake Juventus this time around and if they are to sell Martinez, they’re hoping to get as much as they can so they can start planning for next season with a healthy transfer kitty.
They have now told the player’s representatives that he must ask to leave or risk losing out on his dream move to Barcelona, where he’ll line-up alongside compatriot Lionel Messi.
Inter are contemplating a swap deal involving Antoine Griezmann or a move for Arsenal striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
Tap-ins
— West Ham are contemplating a move for Napoli‘s Mexico international Hirving Lozano, according to Marca.
Lozano has been a disappointment since joining the Italians from PSV Eindhoven last summer and he could now be used as part of a deal that takes Hammer Felipe Anderson in the opposite direction. Anderson has failed to set the Premier League alight since joining from Lazio, which means the deal could work for both clubs and players involved.
— Chelsea are keen to sign AC Milan skipper Alessio Romagnoli, but their hopes could be dented by the Rossoneri’s latest attempts to keep their talisman at the San Siro. Calciomercato reports that Milan officials are making a concerted effort to get him to sign a new contract that would take him past 2022.
— Napoli are keen to sign Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, according to Calciomercato. Napoli are preparing to welcome new signing Andrea Petagna to the club in the summer but are looking for a high-profile name to help fire them above their Serie A rivals. Jovic has scored just one goal since his big move to Madrid from Eintracht Frankfurt, but Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is said to be considering giving him more game time when the season restarts.