The coronavirus pandemic has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the new rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Juve and Barca discuss Roberto-Pjanic swap
Juventus are in talks with Barcelona about several potential transfers, including part exchange deals, and it would appear as though the Blaugrana are willing to let Sergi Roberto leave, according to Sport.
The two clubs are reported to be in contact with each other about the possibility of swap deals that would benefit both clubs, and the La Masia graduate is one of two players to interest Juve, alongside Arthur. Roberto’s representatives are aware of Juve’s interest, and Barca’s willingness to sell, but there remains work to be done for the deal to get over the line.
Barca are keen to bring in midfielder Miralem Pjanic in return, and so any talk at the moment is about a swap deal rather than any fees changing hands.
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13.16 BST: Remember when Man United goalkeeper David De Gea was considered the best in the world and Real Madrid were ready to do whatever they could to sign him?
12.07 BST: Lille striker Victor Osimhen is on the radar of Leicester as they search for Jamie Vardy’s long-term replacement, says the Mail.
Osimhen, 21, is valued at around £60m but the Nigeria international is also of interest to Juventus and Inter Milan.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton have followed the striker this season, as he bagged 18 goals and six assists in 38 appearances.
Leicester are reportedly also interested in signing 18-year-old midfielder Filip Krastev from Bulgarian side Slavia Sofia for around £4.5m.
11.13 BST: Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund as his contract is set to expire in 2021, says the Daily Mirror.
Saka, 18, has made a fine start to life in the Premier League this season and has been linked with both Man United and Liverpool.
Dortmund make a habit of signing the top young players in Europe, though, and could persuade the left-back to move.
10.52 BST: Former Chelsea forward Diego Costa told ESPN Brasil that he thinks Antonio Conte could never last a full season at a club like Real Madrid.
Costa left Chelsea at the end of the 2016-17 season following a row with Conte and returned to Atletico Madrid — the club he had left to join Chelsea in 2014.
“We [Conte and I] had problems off the pitch, but I think he is a really good manager,” Costa said. “I have no hard feelings towards Conte. But to be a top, top manager, he needs to change the human side of his management. He is very suspicious. At a like, say, Real Madrid, he would never last a season.”
10.05 BST: Timo Werner or Jadon Sancho? It’s a tough choice for Liverpool.
09.26 BST: Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a move away as his contract expires in 2021, but his father has urged him to sign a new one.
Chelsea are closely monitoring the Gabon international with a view to making a move this summer, sources have told ESPN, while Barcelona are also keen as they seek a replacement for Luis Suarez.
However, Pierre-Francois Aubameyang, posted an image on Instagram of his son signing his first Arsenal deal with the caption: “You know what you have to do bro @aubameyang97.”
09.00 BST: Rafael da Silva has watched from afar as his former club Manchester United have slipped from the top of domestic and European football, but tells ESPN why transfers are to blame.
Without a title for seven years, overtaken in England by Manchester City and Liverpool and not even regular qualifiers for the Champions League let alone contenders, the Brazilian, who was sold to Lyon by Louis van Gaal in 2015, says he has seen plenty of mistakes made at Old Trafford as United have attempted to recover from the loss of Sir Alex Ferguson.
”It has taken too long to get back on track,” Rafael tells ESPN. “It’s been seven years [without a Premier League title]. We did some things wrong. We started signing expensive players and giving them a lot of money. I don’t agree with that. Just because a player costs £150 million does not mean he’s good for the team. It depends on the character of the player.”
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Cavani hot property but could stay in Paris
Edinson Cavani has been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain when his contract ends this summer, with a number of clubs keen to snap him up, but L’Equipe are reporting that the striker is still waiting for an offer from the Parisiens.
Moreover, should he receive the offer, Cavani is likely to consider it carefully before deciding on his next move.
Cavani was close to joining Atletico Madrid in January, but is reportedly happy with life in the French capital. The Uruguay international is also said to be open to offers, though, and as well as Atletico, Boca Juniors and Newcastle United are keen.
Spurs interested in Rakitic
Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho is following developments around the future of Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, according to Mundo Deportivo.
With the Croatian expected to leave Camp Nou this summer, Spurs have joined a growing list of clubs keen to add him to their midfield. As well as Spurs, the likes of Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Napoli are also on the list of would-be suitors.
Rakitic has two more years left on his contract but Barcelona are keen to sell, though Rakitic himself is reportedly prepared to wait until the season ends before making a decision.
Spurs have already been in contact with Barca about Arthur, but they’re also looking for midfield reinforcements. And with Barca interested in Tanguy Ndombele, there could be mileage in a swap deal.
Tap-ins
– Barcelona and Manchester City are interested in Benfica‘s 22-year-old defender Ruben Dias, according to Record. Dias’ agent is Jorge Mendes, who has offered the player to Barca as a potential replacement for Samuel Umtiti. The stumbling block for Barca and City could be the player’s €100m buyout clause, which is too rich for both clubs.
– Inter are still harbouring hopes of signing Paulo Dybala, a player they’ve been targeting for five years, says Calciomercato. Dybala is a popular player in Turin and the Juve hierarchy would be unlikely to sell the Argentine to their main rivals. However, Dybala’s contract runs out in 2022 and as yet the player and club are yet to agree on an extension — which is enough to keep Inter interested.
– Burnley‘s financial problems have got rival clubs ready to pounce for manager Sean Dyche, according to the Sun. Burnley are struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has alerted both Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Villa would be keen to land Dyche if they can avoid relegation if and when the Premier League season restarts, while Crystal Palace are aware they need to look for a long-term replacement for Roy Hodgson at some point.