The summer transfer window is here, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Man United eye Stuttgart striker Kalajdzic
Manchester United need to strengthen up front and Sky Germany reports they are interested in signing Stuttgart’s 6-foot-7 striker Sasa Kalajdzic.
Kalajdzic, 25, missed most of last season through injury, but still scored six goals in 15 games. Overall his 22 goals in 48 Bundesliga games suggest a player who has plenty of potential, with Stuttgart’s sports director Sven Mislintat (formerly of Arsenal) claiming that it is “not very likely” the club will be able to keep hold of him.
West Ham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton are also reported to be interested in the Austria international, but he would prioritise a move to United.
Kalajdzic’s contract expires in 2023, meaning that his transfer fee will be around the €25 million region.
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09.21 BST: Landon Donovan is among the finalists to take over as manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, sources have told ESPN.
One source said that the Quakes are in the final phase of the interview process with five candidates plus the existing coaching staff in consideration. The source added that San Jose has interviewed over 10 people in the process.
The Quakes parted ways with Matias Almeyda back in April, and since then have been managed on an interim basis by Alex Covelo.
Donovan, 40, is in his third season managing the San Diego Loyal in the second-tier USL Championship, with the team positioned in third place in the 14-team Western Conference with 34 points from 19 matches played. In addition to his managerial duties, Donovan is also the co-owner and executive VP of soccer operations.
In 2021, Donovan was among several names linked with the Real Salt Lake job, but he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration, with the post eventually going to his former U.S. international teammate, Pablo Mastroeni. Donovan has also pursued other MLS jobs in the past.
08.44 BST: Luis Suarez has said that he has received “five or six” offers from teams in Major League Soccer, but has denied the idea he could end his career with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
Suarez, 35, is without a club after leaving Atletico Madrid this summer, and in an interview with Radio Sport 890 he said he would decide his next team in the next two weeks. The Uruguay striker said he had listened to the offers he had received from the United States, but added that he wanted to be in the best shape possible for the World Cup in Qatar.
“The thing is that some possibilities are for January, I have to analyse everything,” Suarez said, after confirming that he had received multiple offers from the US. “The market in MLS is very complex, some clubs want you but they don’t have the slots, and so it would have to be for January. Other clubs want you now but I have to evaluate if they have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
“I’m not closing the door to anyone and I’ve listened to all the offers. But if some MLS teams don’t qualify for the playoffs, they end their season in the first week of October, and that’s not useful for me because I would stop for a month ahead of the World Cup, which wouldn’t be good for me.”
08.00 BST: Melbourne Victory have signed former Manchester United winger Nani for the 2022-23 A-League Men’s season.
The 35-year-old spent eight years at Old Trafford, winning the 2008 UEFA Champions League title as well as four Premier League crowns and four FA Cups.
Nani has made 112 appearances for Portugal and was a member of his country’s 2016 European Championship victory alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Most recently the veteran spent last season at Venezia in Italy’s Serie A, making 10 appearances in his solitary campaign with the Venice-based outfit.
– Lynch: Melbourne Victory gambling on Nani ‘sugar hit’
Giorgio Chiellini is excited by the idea of Christian Pulisic joining his former team Juventus.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Nick Judd)
– The future of defender Matthijs de Ligt continues to be shrouded in uncertainty, with Bayern Munich keen to land the 22-year-old but currently unable to agree on a transfer fee with Juventus, according to Calciomercato. Bayern are keen to get the deal over the line and have subsequently sent sporting director Hasan Salihamodzic to Turin to meet Bianconeri chiefs and Rafaela Pimenta, De Ligt’s agent. Bayern Munich have so far offered €60m plus a further €10m in bonuses, but Juventus are seeking at least €80m. The two clubs continue to negotiate, with Juventus seemingly keen on replacing the Netherlands international with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Bayern also face pressure for De Ligt’s signature from both Chelsea and Manchester City.
- After terminating the contract of Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, Inter Milan are now looking to sort the future of defender Milan Skriniar, according to Calciomercato. The Slovakia international is wanted by Paris Saint Germain, but the French champions so far haven’t been willing to meet the Italian’s €70m valuation. PSG have however reached an agreement with the player himself over personal terms and are expected to lodge a bid of more than €60m next, as talks continue.
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Napoli are tracking Brighton & Hove Albion defender Leo Skiri Ostigard, says Gianluca Di Marzio. He believes the Italian side are close to finalising a permanent transfer worth €6m, plus €4m in bonuses, for a deal. Ostigard, 22, has never played a game in the top flight for the Seagulls, but he has caught the attention of a number of clubs this summer. And now, it would appear as though that after several failed attempts, Napoli are now closing in on their target. Ostigard is keen for more first-team football after spending half a season with Genoa in 2021-22.
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Carney Chukwuemeka’s sensational summer is set to get even better, says journalist Fabrizio Romano. The 18-year-old Aston Villa midfielder is reported target for Barcelona, having already helped England lift the U19 European Championship. Chukwuemeka started all five games as England’s Young Lions romped to victory in Slovakia, and even scored in the final against Israel. He’s now into the final year of his contract at Villa Park and Barcelona consider him a player with huge potential.
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Chelsea are looking to bolster their wide attacking options with one new forward, according to the Telegraph, and Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry has emerged as a target to replace Hakim Ziyech. Blues’ boss Thomas Tuchel has been hopeful of luring Raphinha from Leeds United, but the Brazilian looks likely to join Barcelona for a fee of €70m. Gnabry has one year left on his contract and the 26-year-old former Arsenal star could cost around €40m, as he hasn’t been able to agree terms on a new contract. Gnabry spent five years in north London, and has scored 20 goals in his last 34 Germany appearances.
– Fulham are closing in on the capture of defender Kevin Mbabu from Wolfsburg, according to the Evening Standard. The Premier League newcomers are in advanced stages in negotiations to bring the Switzerland international right-back to south London. The 27-year-old, who spent four years with Newcastle United, is in the last year of his contract and is looking for a new challenge.
