With the transfer window closing across Europe tonight, Last Word on Football looks at potential deadline day deals. Among those discussed are Shinji Kagawa and Giovanni Simeone, whilst there is also the latest on loan moves for Celtic and Rangers.
FTN: Latest on Kagawa, Markovic, Simeone, Benkovic and Solanke
Kagawa to Leave Dortmund
Shinji Kagawa looks set to end his second spell at Borussia Dortmund. Kagawa has made 97 appearances since returning in 2014 but played a sparse role during pre-season and was not included in the squad for last weekend’s season opener. Instead, new manager Lucien Favre has turned to younger players such as Jadon Sancho and Christian Pulisic.
Sevilla are the favourites to land Kagawa. New manager Pablo Machin Diez has changed Sevilla’s approach to a 3-4-2-1 system and has rotated the attacking midfielders in his opening games. Kagawa’s signing would provide further strength in depth.
Markovic to Leave Anfield
Lazar Markovic’s unsuccessful spell at Liverpool is drawing to a close. The Serbian winger joined in 2014 for £20 million. After only 19 appearances, Markovic has endured loan spells at five different clubs since 2015. His most recent loan was with Anderlecht, who are keen to renew the loan deal. However, Markovic’s preferred destination is believed to be PAOK. With only a year left on his contract, a loan move would likely see Markovic leave for free at the end of the season.
Simeone to Join Simeone?
Diego Simeone remains keen to bring his son, Giovanni, to Atletico Madrid. The La Liga side had a €40 million bid rejected earlier in the summer but are considering a renewed offer. The Fiorentina striker scored 14 times last season and opened the campaign with a goal last weekend. With the Argentinian under contract until 2022 and interest from Tottenham earlier in the summer, Fiorentina are reluctant to sell. Instead, they will try to hold on to the striker, whose value will only increase.
Loan Deals for Celtic and Rangers
Celtic and Rangers are both hoping to end the window with a loan addition. Celtic will announce the capture of Leicester’s Filip Benkovic today on a season-long loan. The central defender joined Leicester from Dinamo Zagreb last month and made his debut on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup.
Rangers are in talks with Liverpool regarding striker Dominic Solanke. Steven Gerrard, who has already used his Liverpool connection to loan Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Kent, was told no when enquiring about Solanke. However, with Divock Origi’s move to Dortmund falling through, Solanke may now be available.
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