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.
Juventus looking at Jesus signing this summer
Juventus are keen to sign Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus to replace Gonzalo Higuain, according to Calciomercato.
The Bianconeri’s chief football officer Fabio Paratici was keen to tempt the Brazilian striker away from the Etihad Stadium in January but could not persuade City to enter into discussions.
However, while Jesus remains a favourite of City boss Pep Guardiola, Paratici believes that the Spaniard could be tempted to sell in the summer as City look to freshen up their own squad after a disappointing Premier League campaign.
With Higuain set to leave Juventus this summer and rumours growing about the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, Juve will be keen to land a marquee signing, of which Jesus fits the ball. He’s scored 18 goals in all competitions this season.
Juventus target “new Pirlo” Tonali
Juventus are not just looking to looking to freshen up their frontline this summer, they’re also looking to build a new midfield too. And if reports linking Ronaldo with a move away from Turin this summer are true, the club could have a significant war chest to play with.
Tuttosport say the first name on Juve’s midfield most-wanted list is Brescia star Sandro Tonali, who has been linked with a number of clubs in recent weeks, including Manchester City. Tonali, whose appearance and Lombardi roots have seen him compared to Juve favourite Andrea Pirlo, is enjoying an incredible first season in Serie A, and he’s forced his way into the Italy squad.
Despite the box-to-box midfielder’s young age — he’s just 19 — he could cost up to €60 million.
Unfortunately for Juve they’re not alone in their admiration for Tonali, and Inter Milan, City and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen.
Juve do have a couple of players filed under “Plan B,” though. Their list includes Rome duo Nicolo Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini, plus Fiorentina duo Federico Chiesa and Gaetano Castrovilli.
Barca reach agreement for Martinez
Tuttosport are reporting that Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle for Inter Milan striker and long-term target Lautaro Martinez.
Martinez has arguably been Inter’s most important player this season as they’ve challenged Juventus at the top of Serie A, and the Argentine striker has been the focus of many club’s attentions, not least Barcelona.
The Spanish giants appear to have edged forward in their ongoing pursuit for the 22-year-old and Tuttosport believe there is an agreement in principle between the player and the Blaugrana, who now have to persuade Inter to part with their prized asset.
It looks as though Barca will have to part with €111m in order to activate his release clause.
Tap-ins
– It looks as though Arkadiusz Milik‘s time at Napoli is coming to an end. Unwilling to sign a new deal and with his existing contract running out in 2021, Napoli might accept somewhere in the region of €50m for his signature to avoid losing him on a free, according to Calciomercato.
– Talking of Milan, they also look set to take a risk on Nantes’ impressive 20-year-old midfielder Imran Louza this summer, write Calciomercato. The youngster has scored two goals and added two assists in two appearances in Ligue 1 this season. Milan are likely to lose Lucas Biglia and Jack Bonaventura, and Louza has good feet and vision, both of which have impressed the club’s chief scout Geoffrey Moncada. Louza is likely to cost €10m.