The Premier League transfer window has closed, but the rest of Europe remains open for business. Plus, it’s never too late to look forward to January! Click here to view the latest transfers and keep up to date with the latest gossip below.
TOP STORY: Italian clubs baulk at Sanchez economics
A string of Italian clubs are reportedly keen on a move for Manchester United outcast Alexis Sanchez, but the Daily Mail claims all interested parties are being put off a move by the Chilean’s enormous wages.
The 30-year-old wants to leave Old Trafford after a disastrous 18 months at the club, but a complicated contract that sees him take home around £560,000 a week is now believed to be a major obstacle for any potential suitors hoping to put an offer on the table.
The likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli have all been credited with an interest in the former Barcelona and Arsenal forward, but none of the trio are willing to pay a substantial transfer fee, or even offer close to what the player is currently pocketing in wages.
The Red Devils are now faced with the prospect of subsidising Sanchez’s salary to help facilitate a deal that would see him leave the club.
Maguire snubbed City in favour of United
The Mirror claims Harry Maguire turned down a big-money move to Manchester City in favour of a switch to Man United.
Following several meetings with City chiefs, the 26-year-old was reportedly offered a five-year deal worth around £280,000 a week at the Etihad. The contract would have made the former Sheffield United man the highest-paid defender in the world.
Maguire, however, had already made up his mind, and opted for a switch to Old Trafford to play for the club he supported as a boy, in a deal worth £80 million.
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The England international signed a six-year contract at the club worth around £190,000 a week, in a move that will see him potentially earn substantially less than he could’ve done had he opted to join Pep Guardiola’s side instead.
Lovren edges closer to Roma move
Calciomercato reports Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is closing in on a move to Serie A side Roma.
The Croatia international has started the season out of the Reds’ side, with manager Jurgen Klopp favouring both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for the second central defensive slot alongside Virgil van Dijk, and that has helped cement his decision to look elsewhere for regular playing time.
The Italian outlet claims an agreement will be reached in a matter of days, with Roma bosses hoping to clinch a deal worth around €25m.
The Giallorossi were previously interested in signing Juventus’ Daniele Rugani as they look to revamp their back line following a disappointing campaign last time out, but with a deal looking dead in the water, the Romans soon switched their attention to World Cup runner-up Lovren. The former Lyon man is expected to sign in time for the start of Roma’s Serie A season on Aug. 25.
Tap-ins
– A string of European clubs are keeping tabs on Dinamo Zagreb’s Spanish attacking midfielder Dani Olmo, and the player’s father has told Calciomercato that he believes now is the right time for his son to depart for a top European club. The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona.
– The Daily Mail reports Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland is looking to seal a move to a European club in the next fortnight, after failing to secure a transfer to a Premier League side over the summer. The 26-year-old is hoping to save his England career, with the European Championship less than a year away.
– AC Milan are in the market for a right-back, with the club set to ship out Andrea Conti to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, and Calciomercato reports the Rossoneri are lining up Tottenham Hotspur full-back Serge Aurier as a replacement.
