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: Manchester United eye Brooks bargain
Bournemouth are looking to sell stars including Callum Wilson, Josh King and David Brooks in the summer, and Manchester United could be set to rekindle their interest in the latter, according to the Sun.
Brooks, 22, will be a wanted man if the Cherries give him the green light to move on. He played 33 games in all competitions last season and scored seven goals, adding five assists, but he has missed this campaign with a serious ankle injury.
However, United and Tottenham Hotspur are both keen to seize upon the sale on the south coast and add Brooks to their midfield weaponry.
The Sun reports that Bournemouth are changing tactics in terms of their transfer strategy and, instead of signing players with big reputations for big fees, they’ll be looking to sign younger players they can sell for a profit.
As well as Wilson, King and Brooks, Bournemouth look set to shift Dominic Solanke and Jordon Ibe too.
LIVE BLOG
09.00 BST: Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser has a contract which ends in the summer and TEAMtalk says that Arsenal are confident of signing him.
Fraser, 26, has been linked with the Gunners over the past 12 months and admitted that his form this season has taken a dip as a result of all the speculation. But that speculation could end this summer if he moves on.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Clubs battle it out for Gotze
Roma have joined a host of clubs in the chase for World Cup winner Mario Gotze, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Gotze is due to leave Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer at the end of the season and clubs across Europe are falling over themselves to add his experience to their squad.
The Germany forward has scored three goals in 13 appearances this season and is unlikely to be offered a new contract, and so he is set leave on July 1 after his existing contract expires.
Roma director Gianluca Petrachi has already held discussions with the player, according to Corriere dello Sport, though the Italians face pressure from AC Milan, Everton and West Ham United.
The 27-year-old is keen to stay in Europe at this stage of his career and reignite his stalling form on the big stage, rather than move to MLS or Qatar.
Firpo out, Kurzawa in at Barcelona?
Sport are suggesting it could be all change in the left-back area at Barca, as they report that Napoli are interested in Junior Firpo, while Barca themselves are looking at signing Paris Saint-Germain’s Layvin Kurzawa to compete with Jordi Alba.
Napoli sporting director Cristian Giuntoli has enquired about how about much Firpo might cost, and the club is allegedly planning on making an offer in the next few weeks.
Napoli don’t have a huge transfer kitty to spend, and the coronavirus outbreak will have hampered that further, but Firpo is their No. 1 priority. They have explored the option of getting him on loan, but Barca want a permanent deal.
Meanwhile, Barca are keen on Napoli’s Fabian, but the predicted £100m price tag is too steep; so instead, they’re looking at Kurzawa, who is out of contract this summer.
Kurzawa is represented by Kia Joorabchian and Barca have had positive reports on a player who they feel is good enough to challenge Alba.
Tap-ins
– Marca believes that wantaway Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic will stay in Spain and sign for Atletico Madrid. Atletico are looking for players out of contract this summer in a bid to avoid spending huge fees, and Rakitic certainly fits the bill. Atletico were interested in signing him in both 2011 and 2014, but now the Croatian might feel the time is right as he looks to stay in La Liga.
– AC Milan are on the hunt for a new striker this summer, and at the top of the wanted list is Arkadiusz Milik, reports Calciomercato. The Poland international’s contract expires in 2021, though Napoli aren’t prepared to sell him for less than €40m.
