A roundup of the key transfer stories of the day. Todays news includes Juan Cuadrado, Thibaut Courtois, Ivan Perisic and Keita Balde Diao.
Transfer Rumour Roundup: Juan Cuadrado, Ivan Perisic, Keita Balde
Arsenal have had a £17 million bid for Juventus’ Juan Cuadrado rejected, according to Bleacher Report. However, the Italian outfit have a £30 million valuation of the player. The Colombian winger is likely viewed by Arsene Wenger as a replacement for star man Alexis Sanchez. Who has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich this summer. While more of a wide man than a forward, if Wenger sticks with the 3-4-3 formation which he used towards the end of last term then expect Cuadrado to replicate his stunning form in the Italian champions’ similar system in the Premier League.
Contract Issues?
The Times are reporting that Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois’ contract talks have stalled over wage demands. The Belgian number one’s current contract is around £100,000 a week. Whilst he believes that he should be on similar wages to Spanish counterpart David De Gea. Hazard is highest paid Chelsea player, with a £200,000 a week contract. It is thought that Courtois is looking to be closer to that figure than his current salary. Still with two years left on his contract, it would be surprising if Chelsea let an integral part of their title winning sides walk due to financial matters.
Ivan Perisic is already planning for life in the UK, as Manchester United continue to work on a deal for the Croatian. The Manchester Evening News understands that while United and Inter Milan are currently unable to agree on a fee for the player, Inter’s ‘Financial Fair Play’ compliance could be in jeopardy if they don’t raise £25 million from player sales; which should see talks speed up. The Croat would add power and pace to an already devastating attacking force in Manchester. Inter Milan value Perisic at around £44 million.
Merseyside Sell-Offs?
Everton’s summer spending looks set to continue. The Merseyside outfit are keen on Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, having already completed signings of Jordan Pickford and former Ajax captain Davy Klaassen. Swansea don’t want to sell the Icelandic, as he was responsible for 40% of his teams goals last season. Nevertheless, it was always going to prove difficult to keep the former Spurs man from the clutches of top teams. Everton could see their summer spending eclipse £75 million if a deal is reached.
Liverpool are looking to raise £60m in a squad exodus this summer. According to The Times, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno and Lazar Markovic could all leave the club this summer. Liverpool have a £30 million valuation on Sakho, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace. A sizeable sum for a player who doesn’t contribute to the squad, but Liverpool are yet to identify his replacement. Something of concern for Liverpool fans, as Dejan Lovren should not be without starting competition. Interestingly, Virgil Van Dijk is still the bookmakers favourite to sign with Liverpool this summer (Sky Bet).
Spurs Strengthen?
Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race for £30 million rated Lazio winger Keita Balde Diao. The Daily Mirror suggests that Mauricio Pochettino views Keita as a complement to Heung Min Son on the other side of his 3-4-3. Transfers for Eric Lamela and Moussa Sissoko are largely viewed as busts. The 22 year-old Senegalese international would add further youth and athleticism to an impressive Spurs outfit. Some reports suggested that Keita was holding out for a transfer to Italian champions Juventus. However, with their signing of Douglas Costa that move seems to be in tatters. Amid interest from Spurs and both teams on Merseyside, it will be interesting to see if and where the winger moves to.
The Daily Mail is reporting that Celtic centre-back Jozo Simunovic is a target for newly promoted sides Newcastle and Huddersfield. The 22 year-old was a key part to Celtic’s unbeaten domestic season last year, and is looking to find further success in the Premier League. Brendan Rodgers values the defender at around £8 million.
New Hull City boss wants to be reunited with Liverpool misfit Lazar Markovic. Arriving on Merseyside three years ago, Markovic has spent his last two seasons out on loan. Struggling to find any first team football at Liverpool, the £20 million they could receive from any potential deal is clearly a bigger part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans than the Serbian. (Daily Mirror)
Young Keeper on the Move?
Gianluigi Donnarumma has rejected a new £80,000 a week deal with AC Milan, Gazzetta delo Sport reports. His current deal expires in 2018. Agent Mino Raiola wants the Italian star to try and force a move to one of Europe’s bigger clubs. Although, at only 18 years-old, he would do well to establish himself at a rebuilding AC Milan side, as they look to get back to their former selves.
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