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.
Milan to offer €40m for ex-Liverpool target Fekir
Nabil Fekir‘s curious career currently finds him at Spanish side Real Betis, but Italian side AC Milan are said to be preparing a €40 million bid for the Frenchman, according to Calciomercato.
The report states that Milan are preparing a serious bid for the enigmatic attacking midfielder, who was seemingly set to join Liverpool last year before a failed medical scattered the deal.
The France international and World Cup winner has impressed after having scored seven goals and adding six assists in 22 La Liga appearances this season.
The only potential sticking point could be Fekir’s sell-on fee, with Betis having to give French side Lyon 20% of any money raised. There is also the small matter of Fekir’s seemingly ludicrous buyout clause, which is rumoured to be as high as €100m.
PSG to also go for Aubameyang
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a move to Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, but Tuttosport suggests Paris Saint-Germain are also in the hunt.
The French champions-elect are already preparing for life after Inter loanee Mauro Icardi, who is looking increasingly likely to return to Italy rather than stay at PSG.
And if that’s the case, Tuttopsort says PSG sporting director Leonardo will turn his attentions to the Gunners’ Gabonese striker. In fact, PSG are rumoured to have already made contact with Arsenal in the winter transfer window as they prepared themselves for Edinson Cavani‘s possible exit, and so have a head start on United and others.
If Icardi does return to Italy as predicted in the summer, expect PSG to ramp up their interest in Aubameyang, and to offer more than United’s reported £50m offer, namely somewhere close to £70m.
Barca target upstart Upamecano
Barcelona are preparing to strengthen their back line this summer and French outlet le10sport reports that RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano is at the top of Quique Setien’s wishlist.
Upamecano has become one of the best defenders in the German top flight in the last three seasons and as such he’s developed a growing list of admirers that includes Arsenal as well as Barca. His performance against Robert Lewandowski in Leipzig’s goalless draw with Bayern Munich in February only served to further enhance his reputation.
However, le10sport believe Barca are in a stronger position to sign Upamecano, one of Europe’s most coveted defenders.
Arsenal had a bid for the 21-year-old Frenchman rejected last summer, while Barca have more chance of meeting the player’s £72m release clause.
Tap-ins
– Everton are spending the enforced break plotting their summer transfer moves and the Liverpool Echo suggests that Carlo Ancelotti and director of football Marcel Brands are targeting Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes. Thee 22-year-old has been a key player for the French side as they chase Champions League qualification for next season.
– Juventus and Napoli are in the race to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso. The France international is contracted to the Bavarian club until 2022 but is believed to be on his way out of the club this summer. Le10sport says that the Serie A rivals are both interested in the former Lyon man, and are both prepared to pay €35m to get him.