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.
Man City to reel in Rodri and break transfer record
Reports in The Telegraph claim Manchester City are prepared to smash their transfer record by splashing out more than £60 million for Atletico Madrid midfield enforcer Rodri.
The 22-year-old has been identified by City manager Pep Guardiola as the long-term replacement for the ageing Fernandinho, and with Atletico unwilling to sell their midfielder for anything less than his €70 million release clause, City will have to eclipse the £60 million fee they paid Leicester for the signing of winger Riyad Mahrez.
City are also keeping tabs on Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele, but Rodri remains the priority for the holding midfield position. Guardiola initially earmarked Ajax’s Frenkie De Jong as the heir to Fernandinho’s throne, but Barcelona have beaten him to the signing of the Dutchman. That deal has served to sway Barca away from a deal for Rodri, paving the way for City to bag their target.
Real considering cut-price Bale deal
Spanish outlet Marca claims Gareth Bale is playing out his final days as a Real Madrid player, with the Welshman looking certain to leave the club this summer.
However, Bale’s disappointing displays for Los Blancos this season have left Bernabeu bosses worrying that they won’t be able to recoup a significant percentage of the €101 million fee they paid to sign him from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2013.
Manager Zinedine Zidane has endured a fractious relationship with Bale during his two spells in charge of Real, and the Frenchman is keen to dispose of the 29-year-old to help fund a summer revamp.
But Bale still enjoys a great reputation amongst the Premier League’s top clubs, and it’s believed that Madrid would consider a loan deal for their faltering forward, with a view to a permanent deal.
Roma in the hunt for Hazard (not that one)
Serie A side Roma are plotting a summer move for Belgian midfielder Thorgan Hazard — the younger brother of Real Madrid-bound Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard.
The 26-year-old has just over a year remaining on his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach, and Calciomercato claims Roma’s hierarchy have identified the playmaker as a potential replacement for Cengiz Under, with the Turkey international looking increasingly likely to leave the Stadio Olimpico in the coming months.
However, any significant investments in the squad are heavily dependent on the club’s qualification for next season’s Champions League. Roma currently lie in sixth place in Italy’s top flight, but are just one point behind AC Milan, who occupy the final qualification spot for Europe’s elite knockout competition.
Gladbach haven’t given up hope of tying down their prize player to a new contract in Germany, but they too are struggling to qualify for European football for next season, which could prove disastrous in their attempts to keep the Belgium international.
Tap Ins
– Arsenal manager Unai Emery is set to swing the axe on several of his first-team squad as he looks to raise funds for a Gunners summer spending spree. The Daily Mail believes defender Shkodran Mustafi heads the list of potential departures, along with midfielders Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
- AS claims Real Madrid are considering loan moves for young duo Brahim Diaz and Jesus Vallejo ahead of next season. Diaz has made just six appearances for the club since signing from Manchester City at the turn of the year, while Vallejo has been involved in just 16 games in the last two seasons, following a successful loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt.
– Juventus are plotting a move for Benfica’s Spanish full-back Alejandro Grimaldo, after failing in an attempt to lure Real Madrid’s Marcelo to Serie A. It is believed a fee of around €40 million will be enough to secure a deal for the Barcelona youth product, according to reports from Calciomercato.