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: Man United target £60m Chiesa
The Daily Mail reports that Manchester United are interested in signing Italy international Federico Chiesa from Fiorentina this summer.
The report claims that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent out his personal scout Simon Wells to watch the Fiorentina winger, who is the son of the legendary Italy striker Enrico Chiesa, play last weekend.
The 22-year-old is reportedly valued at £60 million and has also attracted interest from Italian champions Juventus. He has 21 goals in 121 Serie A matches.
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10.45 GMT: Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir has been linked with Liverpool in the past, but Sheffield United, Everton and Southampton are keen to get in ahead of the Reds.
Cakir, 23, has one cap for Turkey would cost around €30m, but Fotospor report that Sheffield United have already had a €13m bid rejected. The Blades are unsure if they’ll be able to keen Man United loanee Dean Henderson for another season, so want to get a backup sorted.
Turkishfootball says Everton and Southampton are waiting in the wings for a player also scouted by Tottenham and Lille.
09.38 GMT: Former Newcastle winger Florian Thauvin is out of contract in the summer of 2021 and Marseille look keen to move him on so they can recoup a fee.
According to Calciomercato, Valencia want Thauvin as a replacement for young superstar Ferran Torres, who is on the radar of a host of top European clubs.
09.00 GMT: Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has some time on his hands as he’s out injured for four months, so he’s been speaking to RAC1 about his future and other things.
On signing a new striker, like Inter Milan’s 22-year-old Lautaro Martinez, he said: “They didn’t listen to me [laughs]. If it would have been up to the players, a No. 9 would have arrived a while ago. I have been saying it would be good to sign another striker. A young player who can learn, who will accept their role and will be ready for when I leave the club.
“I think Martin [Braithwaite], and I’ve spoken about it with my teammates, is going to surprise people. Because people only look at the fact he’s come from Leganes, but he has a great CV with the national team. He’s at a great level. And with the players he has around him here, he will be able to demonstrate the potential he has.
“I think he has the qualities to do my role, because right now we don’t have a No. 9. Antoine [Griezmann] is not a No. 9. And that damages the team. We have spoken about it. It’s much easier with a No. 9 that distracts the centre-backs. Someone who goes to the near or far post when the full-backs get forward to leave space for [Lionel] Messi. Look at the majority of goals he scores from just inside the box, coming from deep.
On his own contract, which expires in 2021, Suarez added: “I am really happy here, my family are more than happy here … I’m at the club I’ve always wanted to be at and I feel useful. The decision has to come from the club because I want to stay. And next season, if I play 60% of the games I am available for, I renew [my deal] automatically. The club’s still not said anything to me but, with everything they have on now, I understand they’re not concerned about a player still in contract.”
PAPER TALK (by James Capps)
European heartbreak jeopardises Arsenal summer recruitment
Arsenal’s early exit from the Europa League is set to do serious damage to Mikel Arteta’s transfer plans this summer, the Sun writes, with moves for three players now in major doubt.
The Gunners could now find themselves at least £60m worse off following their exit to Greek side Olympiakos at the round-of-32 stage on Thursday, with the Londoners now set to bank only £15m in prize money from European governing body UEFA.
Arteta had hoped to launch summer bids for Dayot Upamecano of RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah and Gent striker Jonathan David, but the huge loss of European income could mean the Spaniard has to go back to the drawing board as he looks to finalise his transfer wishlist ahead of the close season.
Atletico eyeing surprise Willian swoop
Atletico Madrid are closely monitoring the contract situation of Chelsea midfielder Willian, according to Tuttomercatoweb, with manager Diego Simeone preparing a summer swoop for the Brazilian on a free transfer.
The report suggests a two-year contract offer is on the table from Frank Lampard’s side, but the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger wants an additional 12 months on top of that and, with talks appearing to stall yet again, Atletico are set to make their move in the coming months.
There is also interest in the Brazil international in Russia, with Lokomotiv Moscow reportedly considering a move, and the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham have also been credited with an interest in recent weeks.
Willian has been a mainstay in the Chelsea side since signing from Anzhi Makhachkala in the 2013-14 season, and has made more than 300 appearances for the West Londoners, winning five major trophies in the process.
Jesus heading for Juventus?
Calciomercato reports that Juventus are interested in signing Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, with the club’s sporting director Fabio Paratici growing increasingly impressed with the Brazilian’s displays during a string of scouting visits.
The 22-year-old shone in City’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in midweek, but is reportedly frustrated at playing second fiddle to Sergio Aguero for the lone starting berth at centre-forward. Despite a lack of consistent starts, Jesus has notched 18 goals in all competitions this season and Barcelona are also reportedly keeping tabs on the former Palmeiras man.
The Brazil international, however, is said to be uninterested in leaving the Etihad this summer and has pledged that he will only depart the Premier League champions if Pep Guardiola decides to sell him.
Tap-ins
– Lazio have knocked back an approach from West Ham for 31-year-old striker Felipe Caicedo, according to Calciomercato. The former Manchester City forward has scored eight goals in 20 Serie A appearances this season, but the Italian side have no intention of selling him.
– Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso is already making plans ahead of a busy summer of transfer activity and Calciomercato reports that his side are closing in on a deal for Fiorentina captain German Pezzella. The 28-year-old is already said to have agreed terms with Napoli, but a fee is still yet to be agreed between the two clubs.
