The summer transfer window is approaching, 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: Koulibaly prefers Barcelona move
Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly is eyeing a summer move with Barcelona his favoured destination, according Diario Sport.
The centre-back has one year left on his contract and his wish is to leave in a mutually beneficial transfer due to his long-standing relationship with the Serie A club, rather than leaving as a free agent in 2023.
Barcelona are aware of they are Koulibaly’s No. 1 choice, but they have not yet made a move as they are waiting to see what Napoli do.
While Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus have all made an effort to start talks, Camp Nou is the Senegal international’s favoured option.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez is keen to strengthen the heart of his backline and wanted Sevilla‘s Jules Kounde, but a €65 million transfer fee and strong interest from Chelsea will likely inhibit a move.
On the other hand, Koulibaly’s transfer fee would be around €35m, and his ability to play on the left of the central pairing will prove useful if Clement Lenglet or Samuel Umtiti leave Barca.
Napoli want Koulibaly to stay and have offered him a new contract, but it seems clear that the defender won’t renew.
Barcelona could try to include a player as part of the deal, with Napoli open to the idea of incorporating Miralem Pjanic either on loan or a permanent transfer.
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LIVE BLOG
08.30 BST: Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini is set to sign a deal with LAFC this week, following his exit from Juventus, a source has confirmed to ESPN.
The 37-year-old defender, who is third on Juventus’ all-time appearances list behind Alessandro Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon, announced earlier this month that he would be moving on from the Turin giants at the end of the season.
Chiellini joined Juve in 2004 from Livorno, going on to win nine league titles and five Italian Cups during his time in Turin.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is watching Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount‘s contract situation, after the England international’s talks stalled following the club’s sale to new ownership, claims The Sun. Liverpool and Manchester City are said to have also made discreet enquiries about the 23-year-old.
- Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku‘s representatives have met with Inter Milan to discuss a possible return to the San Siro, reports Sky Sports Italia, though they would have to open negotiations with the Blues’ new ownership. It is expected that only a loan move would be possible financially, while any transfer would reportedly need to be completed by July to take advantage of tax breaks.
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Juventus are in a strong position to sign Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, with Paris Saint-Germain pulling out of a potential deal and Manchester City being a no-go, according to Calciomercato. With Pogba’s contract running out at the end of this month, Juventus are set to offer a contract of at least three years on €8m-per-season plus bonuses. It would put the Frenchman alongside Matthijs de Ligt as their biggest earner.
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Lazio want to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek if either Sergej Milinkovic-Savic or Luis Alberto depart, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. The Serie A outfit would offer the Englishman €4m-per-year, while Chelsea are expected to want a transfer fee of at least €20m. Despite this making any move difficult for Lazio, they will prioritise him if either of their midfielders leaves.
– It seems increasingly likely that Nayef Aguerd will join West Ham United, and Foot Mercato has suggested that Stade Rennais see Lyon centre-back Jason Denayer as his replacement. Belgium international Denayer is edging closer to the exit door at Lyon with his contract ending on June 30, and while there is expected to be competition from English clubs who would be able to offer more lucrative financial packages, Rennes are hoping they will be able to persuade Denayer to stay in France.
