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Transfer Turnstile: The latest on Lemar, Costa, Rodriguez, Perez, Ceballos, and Mahrez

The transfer rumour mill is a fast-paced smattering of elements of truth mixed up with a whole lot of smoke. Nonetheless, sifting through the mess can be fruitful (sometimes), so let’s take a look at the transfer turnstile that was today.

The latest on Lemar, Costa, Rodriguez, Perez, Ceballos, Sakho, and Mahrez

1. Arsenal hot on Lemar

Two news outlets have been touting a potential transfer or Thomas Lemar from Monaco to Arsenal over the past two days. With the recent signing of French striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, Gunners fans are keen to see the trend continue. To compound the importance of bringing in more talent, is the recently revealed hefty price tag that Alexis Sanchez has placed on himself. Reports indicate the Chilean is demanding a £400k per week wage, which is over £100k more than what the club offered recently. With a wide gap between the two sides, perhaps a second key signing in Thomas Lemar, coupled with a re-signing of Mesut Ozil, would ease the pain of losing one of the game’s top strikers. Lemar is a coveted prize in this transfer market, and landing him would be quite the feather in the twilight of Arsene Wenger’s career at the club.
~Michael Kovacs – @LWOSWorld

2. Costa to Juve

Douglas Costa appears to have joined Juventus on loan for a €10m loan fee. Rumours suggest an obligation to buy for €30m at the end of the season. With Juan Cuadrado being linked with a move to big spenders AC Milan, this move makes sense. Given Serie A restrictions on signing Non-EU players and the number of rumours surrounding this deal, expect it to go through before Juventus depart for their North American tour.
It appears that Douglas Costa will be heading to Serie A to play for Juventus.
Kieran Doyle – @kierdoyle

Google translate: “Now, the transfer of Douglas Costa to Juventus Turin is just ahead of our information”

3. PSG in the James Rodriguez sweepstakes?

With the emergence of Sergio Assensio, James Rodriguez found himself on the fringes of the Real Madrid squad for much of the 2016/17. With players such as Assensio, Isco, and Gareth Bale all available as interchangeable attacking players, there isn’t much space for the Colombian midfielder. As shown by his exclusion from the Champions League Final squad in Cardiff last month. Both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have reported interest in Rodriguez and it looks unlikely that he will remain a ‘Galactico’ come September. With PSG reportedly making Philippe Coutinho their top transfer target, they are certainly in the market for a top-tier playmaker. With Liverpool unlikely to sanction a sale of their best player, one would expect Unai Emery sees Rodriguez as a more than competent Plan B.
~Will Frost – @willfrost_

4. Lucas Perez for a return to Deportivo?

Deportivo La Coruña are reportedly looking to re-sign Arsenal forward Lucas Pérez, a season after he was sold to the Gunners for £17million. Los Branquiazuis president Tino Fernández has recently stated that he would ‘like for Lucas to return. I’m convinced that he will return to Deportivo one day’. With Pérez’s opportunities at Arsenal few and far between, and with the addition of juggernaut striker Alexandre Lacazette, Arséne Wenger is reportedly open to selling the 28-year-old. Despite impressing in various performances both as a centre-forward and as a winger for Arsenal, Pérez only made two starts in the Premier League in 2016/17. The Spanish forward netted four times in domestic competitions, and scored a further three goals in the Gunners’ Champions League campaign. What’s clear at this point is that a return to Estadio Riazor is a distinct possibility, where for his boyhood club, where he scored 18 goals in the 2015/16 La Liga season.

~Aidan Semple – @LWOSAidan

5. RM ink Dani Ceballos from Real Betis

It appears that Dani Ceballos, the Real Betis starlet, has snubbed rumoured offers from Barcelona to sign a lengthy deal with rival Real Madrid. The midfielder will sign a six-year deal, which will be announced on Monday. It is likely he will be ready in time to join Zidane’s squad for their preseason tour in 12 days’ time.

6. Leicester’s reported £40-50m tag on Mahrez a turn-off

Rumours of Riyad Mahrez leaving Leicester City have been swirling for the better part of a year after his helping the club to a Premier League title. But his manager, Craig Shakespeare, has issued a stern warning for his Algerian playmaker regarding his public comments about leaving the club:

“It can be disappointing when players go public with it but I think you have to understand the modern game. Sometimes outside influences are secondary behind that and there can be reasons for that. Him coming out, we know where it stands, but ultimately he’s contracted to the football club. He has to be professional.”

A number of clubs have been circling, but have been put off for what many feel are far too hefty a price tag of £50m.

7. Sakho on the move to Crystal Palace?

After playing a vital role in securing Crystal Palace’s safety in the Premier League, Mamadou Sakho looks increasingly likely to join Palace on a permanent basis. The strong CB turned himself into a fan favourite at the end of last season, creating a pivotal relationship with both James Tomkins and Scott Dann to keep the club up. The move to Palace would be a good opportunity for Sakho, further developing him as a player where he is guaranteed first team football. This deal seems very likely to happen.
~Ross Pizzey – @RossPizzey3

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