The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but you can click here to review all the deals. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
Hazard signing announcement to follow ‘in days’
Real Madrid are set to announce the signing of Eden Hazard in the next few days, according to Spanish outlet Marca.
They’re reporting that Madrid are close to announcing the capture of the Belgian following the signings of Rodrygo Goes and Eder Militao. That would make Hazard their third capture, with both clubs and the player all said to be in agreement.
Hazard has rejected three contract renewal offers at Stamford Bridge and with just one year left on his contract, Madrid are reportedly set to pay up to €100 million to land their man. Last summer, Chelsea demanded €200m for their star player, but Mateo Kovacic’s loan move in the other direction has sweetened the relationship between the two clubs.
Barca target Brazilian ace
Barcelona are considering moving for Everton’s Brazilian ace Richarlison, reports Marca. Eric Abidal has stated that an attacking player remains a priority for Barca this summer, as they look to offer some assistance to Luis Suarez, and the Blaugrana have been following Richarlison as one of four reported targets.
Richarlison has scored 12 goals since his move from Watford last summer and his form has seen him called into the Brazil squad. Any move for him would see Barca have to fork out in excess of €50 million, though the two clubs do have a good relationship as a result of the Toffees taking Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes to Merseyside.
Richarlison would certainly cost Barca less than Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who United are unwilling to sell. Other reports today have suggested Barca could try and tempt United with a swap deal, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stated he sees Rashford as part of United’s future.
Rodriguez agent in talks as move looms
James Rodriguez‘s future looks set to become clearer in the next few days with his agent Jorge Mendes set to sit down with Bayern Munich officials, according to Calciomercato.
Rodriguez is coming to the end of his two-year loan spell at Bayern and rumours have been circulating that the Colombian star could leave parent club Real Madrid on a permanent basis.
And yet while Bayern could state their intent to keep Rodriguez in Germany, a move to Juventus or Napoli could be more likely. Rodriguez was voted Bayern’s player of the month for March and has been enjoying arguably his best form since he moved to Germany in 2017. However, he was dropped for the key clash with Borussia Dortmund, and his father-in-law has been reported to have suggested Rodriguez would prefer Napoli.
Tap-ins
– Cash-strapped Roma are bracing themselves for a mass exodus as Europe’s top clubs continue to circle around their stars. Calciomercato are reporting that Inter are set to bid for 22-year-old Lorenzo Pellegrini, while there are three clubs battling it out for Greek centre-half Kostas Manolas. Manchester United, they say, are favourites to land the former Olympiakos man ahead of Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
– Europe’s top clubs have been put in high alert following Cristiano Ronaldo‘s reaction to Juve’s Champions League exit last night. Both La Republica and Gazetta dello Sport have suggested that Ronaldo was furious with the nature of his side’s defeat at home to Ajax, and are even reporting that he could consider leaving halfway through his four-year contract at the end of next season, if the club don’t sign reinforcements in the summer.
– Is Rafa Benitez staying at Newcastle? That’s the question on the lips of many Geordies, but they look set to get their answer with the news that the Spaniard is set to be awarded a transfer kitty of up to £100m over the next two years.