The coronavirus pandemic has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Liverpool on brink of signing Thiago
Liverpool are not expected to make too many moves into the transfer market this summer, but Sport is reporting that a surprise move for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara is close to being agreed.
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The 29-year-old, who has been at Bayern for seven years, wants a new challenge and negotiations are said to be very advanced between the two clubs and the player.
Bayern have asked for €35 million to allow the player to head to the Premier League, though Liverpool are hoping to agree a more structured transfer fee.
Meanwhile, according to Talksport, Liverpool are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping options with Trabzonspor‘s Ugurcan Cakir.
The Reds are hoping to strengthen in an effort to protect their Premier League trophy and were linked with a move for Cakir in January. Klopp would like to send the player out on loan immediately with Cakir cited as a player for the future. One Turkish news outlet also suggests that Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Leicester City are also interested.
LIVE BLOG
14.39 BST: Could United States star Weston McKennie be about to head to the Premier League? Sky in Germany reports that the Schalke 04 midfielder is eager to move to England ahead of the 2020-21 season with a fee of £18m mooted. The 21-year-old started his career in MLS with FC Dallas before moving to Germany to join Schlake’s youth setup in 2016. He has since made 75 Bundesliga appearances.
14.07 BST: Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has called off negotiations over renewing his contract with the club and is ready to leave the Catalans when his deal expires in 2021, according to reports from Spanish radio network Cadena Ser.
Sources confirmed to ESPN’s Moises Llorens that Messi is said to be angry with Barcelona’s front office about leaked media reports that appeared to make him seem responsible for events at the club. But surely it can’t be over. Can it?
2:13
Sam Marsden explains why Lionel Messi may be looking for a way out of Barcelona.
13.30 BST: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had said he expected William Saliba‘s loan at Saint-Etienne to be extended to cover the French Coupe de France final later this month, only for the deal to fall through. But could it be resurrected?
2:00
Julien Laurens explains William Saliba’s loan situation, with Saint-Etienne wanting to extend his stay.
12.56 BST: The Daily Telegraph reports that Chelsea could be about to step up their interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz. He could play his final game for the club on Saturday when Leverkusen face Bayern Munich in the German Cup final. He is valued at £90m, but Bayern remain favourites for his signature.
12.20 BST: Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri appears surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues linked to Ben Chilwell and Lucas Digne. Emerson is now attracting interest from Internazionale, according to Sky Sport Italia, who this week added Real Madrid defender Achraf Hakimi to their squad.
11.43 BST: Mauro Icardi has rejected the suggestion he could have moved to Juventus or Napoli rather than sign permanently for Paris Saint-Germain from Internazionale. The Argentina international has put pen to paper on a long-term deal at PSG after spending last season on loan at the Ligue 1 club.
“As soon as I arrived from Italy to Paris, my decision was Final,” Icardi told Le Parisien. “The option to buy could only be activated this season but for me, everything has been decided since last season.”
11.11 BST: The Daily Mirror is reporting that West Ham United, buoyed from their victory over Chelsea on Wednesday, are hoping to raid their west London rivals for England international Ross Barkley. Hammers boss David Moyes was in charge at Everton when Barkley came through the youth ranks and is eager for a reunion. Would Barkley be ready to swap Chelsea for West Ham, though?
10.30 BST: Bayer Leverkusen defender Leon Bailey seems to have been a feature of Transfer Talk since the beginning of time. And he’s back! Sky Sports reports that Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United will all send scout to the German Cup final on Saturday to watch the player. We’re not sure why, after all this time, scouts would need to watch this one game to make their minds up, but we shall see.
Sky Sports reports that he could be available for a knock-down £20-30m with the coronavirus crisis suppressing the transfer market.
09.51 BST: Manchester United have turned down AS Roma‘s offer to extend Chris Smalling‘s loan spell for a further season, according to Sky Italy. As it stands, Smalling returns to United at the end of the Serie A season on Aug. 2 and does not have an extension to play in the Europa League later that month. Roma reportedly offered United €3m to keep Smalling for the 2020-21 campaign and include a €14m purchase option to be made effective in the summer of 2021.
However, United want to sell Smalling this summer. Roma coach Paulo Fonseca hopes Smalling can remain Roma for at least another season. Smalling, 30, made his 24th league appearance for Roma in Thursday’s 2-0 defeat at Udinese. He is tied to the Red Devils until June 2022.
09.15 BST: This week’s Insider Notebook has a look at Paul Pogba‘s future at Manchester United. He’s rarely been happier and is keen to stay at the club, sources have told ESPN, with the turnaround in his mood in part due to his relationship with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
08.30 BST: We’ve been waiting for this one, a full year in fact, but it’s finally a done deal. Manchester City winger Leroy Sane has completed his move to Bayern Munich. Sane has signed a five-year contract with the German champions after a €49 million (£44.2m) deal was agreed with City. The fee could rise to €60m and also includes a 10% sell-on clause.
PAPER ROUND
Sevilla lining up Kepa loan deal
Following the reports from France on Thursday that Chelsea are contemplating a move for Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan, the Blues could be set to send Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan to Sevilla FC, according to the Sun.
Kepa conceded three goals against West Ham United earlier in the week and so finds himself under fresh pressure, with his future in southwest London unclear.
The Sun are reporting that Kepa may be willing to accept a loan move away from the club in an effort to try and build his confidence, or even move in a permanent deal.
Sevilla, who are fourth in La Liga, are keen to add the Spaniard’s services to their squad but his £150,000-a-week wages could be a potential stumbling block. Moreover, with four years left on his six-year contract, a permanent fee is likely to be sizeable.
Chelsea may have to consider paying a proportion of Kepa’s salary if they’re keen to offload their record goalkeeper this summer.
Zouma linked to Everton return amidst PSG interest
Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma could return to his old loan club Everton, according to French outlet Le10Sport.
The 25-year-old defender spent the 2018-19 season on loan at the Toffees and Carlo Ancelotti was obviously suitably impressed. A return would suit Zouma too, with the player in and out of the Chelsea side this season.
Zouma would appear to be behind Fikayo Tomori and has subsequently dropped down the pecking order.
However, Ancelotti is not alone in his admiration. Paris Saint-Germain are also interested, while Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be keen.
Frank Lampard is said to be thinking about letting Zouma go as he looks to refresh his own squad, while Zouma himself is keen to get more first-team football.
Tap-ins
– RB Leipzig are keen to sign Manchester City left-back Angelino on a permanent deal, according to RB Live. Angelino was a regular under Pep Guardiola but has impressed after moving to Germany at the end of the January transfer window on loan. However, though the Bundesliga side are keen to keep him, the two clubs are said to be far from a final agreement.
– Jude Bellingham finally looks set to be announced as a Borussia Dortmund player this week with the German club confident they’ve landed the exciting youngster for an initial £20.7m, as revealed by ESPN last week. Bellingham is expected to agree a five-year deal, much to the disappointment of Manchester United, who were also keen to land the 17-year-old.