Cristiano Ronaldo joining Juventus and Riyad Mahrez signing for Manchester City has stolen all the headlines, but there are plenty of other transfer whispers heard in the background.
Gonzalo Higuain could join Chelsea in the aftermath of the Ronaldo deal, at least according to Fabio Capello. The Italians might be forced to sell and it’s not out of the question Higuain will be the one to go, as his wage is one of the highest in the team.
Liverpool is set to open talks with Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri. Stoke’s relegation has made Shaqiri available for a cut-price deal thought to be worth around €15 million. Shaqiri would provide depth behind Mohamed Salah and would serve as the Egyptian’s backup.
Peter Crouch is also said to be on his way out of Stoke, with Australia’s A-League as the proposed destination. It’s quite possible we see Fernando Torres playing for Sydney FC and Peter Crouch wearing a Melbourne Victory jersey.
PSG’s Grzegorz Krychowiak is another player Jurgen Klopp has marked as a transfer target. The Polish international spent last year on loan at West Bromwich Albion and would be an ideal replacement for the departed Emre Can.
Georginio Wijnaldum has become increasingly unhappy in recent months. He sees Jurgen Klopp’s decision to sign Naby Keita and Fabinho as a lack of faith in him. He is now looking to link up with former PSV coach Philip Cocu in Fenerbahce.
Nabil Fekir and Paulo Dybala are two more players closely associated with moves to Liverpool, although neither of their teams are likely to sell.
Marco Asensio was connected with a move away from Real Madrid, but Ronaldo’s departure has likely put a lid on any team’s hopes of acquiring the young star.
“Marco does not move, he stays at Real Madrid. He is growing a lot and I think next season will be very important for him in Madrid.” –Calcio Mercato
Danish defender Jannik Vestergaard is set to become Southampton’s fourth summer signing, following the acquisitions of Mohamed Elyounoussi, Stuart Armstrong and Angus Gunn. The 25-year-old has been a regular for Hoffenheim, Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach over the past five years.
Everton are now getting closer to signing a central defender also. Colombia’s World Cup star Yerry Mina is looking for first team football and is nearing a move to The Toffees for a reported €24 million.
Cesc Fabregas and David Luiz could be heading to Italy. The Brazilian is stuck in Chelsea, where he was in the doghouse under Conte. Napoli’s new boss Carlo Ancelotti is willing to offer him a lifeline. Fabregas’s name has been mentioned in the negotiations between Napoli and Chelsea, involving Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho. The Spanish midfielder could be part of a swap deal.
Jean Michael Seri is on his way to Fulham. The in-demand Nice midfielder has been chased by several European giants, including Chelsea and Arsenal, but according to transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio, he’s headed to newly-promoted Fulham instead. His addition would be a coup for The Cottagers.
David Ospina could be leaving Arsenal. The acquisition of Bernd Leno was a clear sign that Unai Emery did not see Ospina as his No.1 keeper. As a result, the Colombian national football team goalkeeper has been open to offers and Boca Juniors have made a thought to be in the €7 million range.
Girondins Bordeaux’s Malcom is still a hot commodity. The question is which team will step up and secure his signature. At the moment, it looks like Roma and Tottenham are the two clubs most likely to be able to do so.
Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri will join Saint-Etienne, while Lyon is tracking WBA’s Nacer Chadli.
Rumoured contract renewals
Leicester City doesn’t want to lose Harry Maguire and they are ready to make him the highest player in the club in order to keep him at the King Power Stadium. Mahrez’s transfer has offered some financial wiggle room, so the club will use it to make sure they keep the emerging star.
Chelsea will try to do the same thing by offering N’Golo Kante a new contract only a year after buying him from Leicester. If agreed, the Frenchman’s weekly wage will rise from the current €135.000 per week to €225.000.