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.
TOP STORY: Juve likely to pip United to Benfica star
Manchester United’s race to shore up their leaky defence could see them enter a bidding war for Ruben Dias. The 21-year-old is another prodigy to emerge at Benfica and has already been targeted by the likes of serial Serie A winners Juventus.
But United’s defensive ineptness has encouraged the club to throw its hat into the ring. According to Portuguese newspaper Record, United have opened negotiations with the Portuguese giants over the player, although Benfica look set to play hardball in demanding that whoever comes in for him shell out the €60 million release clause in his contract.
And time is not on United’s side. Juve are understood to be in pole position to sign Dias and the promise of Champions League football is a sizable carrot — one that United are unlikely to be able to offer, unless something remarkable happens in the last couple of weeks of the season.
Atletico Madrid are also reported to have been keen on the player. But Diego Simeone’s side is now understood to be focusing its attention on landing Porto defender Felipe instead.
Lala land? – Arsenal and City both in the hunt for Strasbourg star
Arsenal may be trailing Manchester City by a country mile in the Premier League, but the two clubs are reportedly neck-and-neck in the chase for Strasbourg defender Kenny Lala.
The 27-year-old has shone in Ligue 1 this season and has turned the heads of some of the biggest names in European football. And while Arsenal looked to have a clear run at the player this summer, party-poopers Manchester City have now come along and rained on their parade.
French outlet le10sport reports that City are keen to bring Kenny to the Etihad in the summer, with Pep Guardiola looking for a right-back to keep Kyle Walker on his toes. All of which will come as news to Arsenal, who had been hoping to nab the player after a season that has seen Hector Bellerin out of action since suffering a serious injury against Chelsea back in January.
The defender has previously been linked with a move to Newcastle, while Serie A side Lazio have also been sniffing around for his services.
Danilo lining up Inter move
Manchester City full-back Danilo could be off in the summer — with Inter Milan his most likely destination. That’s the rumour being fuelled by Gazzetta dello Sport, which claims that the City defender has already agreed a “four to five year contract worth a tidy €3.5m a year.”
That’s yet to be ratified by City but would be understandable for a player who is desperate for first-team football, having seen his path to the first team at the Etihad blocked by the sizable figure of England star Walker.
Mind you, there is no done deal yet, with City holding out for between €20m and €25m for a player who has spent more time on the bench than the pitch this season.
Tap-ins
– Toronto FC is negotiating a deal with U.S. men’s national team defender Omar Gonzalez that could see him return to MLS, according to a report by The Athletic.
– Could Fernando Torres be set for a final groundbreaking move before calling time on his career? Apparently so. According to AS Mexico, Torres could be set for one last hurrah with Atletico. No, not that one, Mexican outfit Athletic de San Luis.
– Former Spurs youth teamer Ruben Lameiras, who is currently at Plymouth, could be on his way to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux. At least that’s what The Guardian reckons.
