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.
TOP STORY: Man United, Arsenal interested in Thomas Partey
Premier League sides Manchester United and Arsenal have joined Inter Milan in the chase for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey, writes Mundo Deportivo.
Ghanaian Partey was in excellent form for Atletico before the season was suspended, and while his teammates have been making the headlines and scoring the goals, Partey has been indispensable for Diego Simeone.
Atletico are looking to extend the midfielder’s contract beyond 2023 and increase his buyout clause, which currently stands at €50 million.
However, the longer Atletico take to secure their man, the better chance other clubs might have to meet that clause and steal him this summer.
England’s top clubs in chase for Chukwuemena
Manchester United and Liverpool are chasing Aston Villa‘s 16-year-old wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka, reports The Sun, while The Athletic suggest that Manchester City are also interested.
The Villains are still trying to urge the youngster to stay by persuading him he has a better path to first-team football at Villa Park, but their task is getting harder as more clubs join the chase for his services.
The England U17 star has been described by Villa CEO Christian Purslow as “probably the best 16-year old in England right now,” and it is hoped that Villa’s proposed new academy could help keep the box-to-box midfielder in claret and blue. The Sun reports that Villa have held contract discussions with the youngster.
– Stream new episodes of ESPN FC on ESPN+
– Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+
Zidane joins chase for Upamecano
More on today’s suggestion from AS that Real Madrid have joined clubs such as Arsenal in targeting RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.
Arsenal tried to sign the in-demand 21-year-old defender earlier this season, but a whopping £72m release clause priced out the Gunners. Of note, that release clause is set to drop to £55m this summer.
Zinedine Zidane, like Mikel Arteta, is keen to reinforce his back line, and Upamecano’s consistency in the Bundesliga, aligned with star performances in the Champions League, have persuaded him that Upamecano can cut it at the highest level and compete alongside Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.
However, it is unlikely that Upamecano would break up Zidane’s first-choice duopoly quickly, which could offer Arsenal the upper hand. The Frenchman would be a likely starter if he was to move to north London, and they may feel his buyout clause makes him more affordable.
Tap-ins
– Newcastle United are considering a move for Burnley winger Dwight McNeil this summer, reports the Newcastle Chronicle. The Clarets value the 20-year-old at £35m, and although they don’t want to lose him, he could be allowed to leave the club this summer. McNeil has scored two goals in 29 appearances this season, and he is represented by the same agency as several other Newcastle players. McNeil is said to have interested both Manchester United and Chelsea as well as Newcastle.
– The Mirror says Napoli are considering a bid of £42m for West Ham United winger Felipe Anderson to replace Jose Callejon, who is expected to leave the club this summer. Callejon is a man in demand, and Napoli are keen on Brazilian Anderson even though he has two years left on his existing contract. Hammers boss David Moyes is keen to shake up his squad this summer.
