The domestic season is over and the Euros are just around the corner but that won't stop clubs from trying to strengthen their squads. Jose Mourinho's arrival is imminent and there are several players on his radar already.
Arsenal recently confirmed the signing of Granit Xhaka and Wenger will be sure to step up his chase for other transfer targets. There is also big Zlatan news, as well as news from Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Here's a roundup of all the news and rumours from Europe
Serie A
– Silvio Berlusconi has rejected Mario Balotelli’s plea to stay at Milan and says he will return to England according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. "There will be many departures because players such as Alex, [Philippe] Mexes, [Kevin-Prince] Boateng and Balotelli are at the end of their contracts.” he told the news outlet.
– Barcelona Duo Dani Alves and Javier Mascherano are edging closer to a switch to Turin giants Juventus. El Mundo Deportivo and Sport have both claimed the Brazilian’s Catalan career is coming to an end with his agent also reportedly saying a pre-contract agreement has been reached.
– Miralem Pjanic is reportedly set to leave Roma this season with a host clubs reportedly after him. So AS Roma are now lining up Newcastle United midfielder Wijnaldum according to Italian News outlet. Forza Roma. The Dutchman was named Holland’s player of the season when he was with PSV.
– And finally, Yaya Toure has reportedly rejected two bids from Chinese clubs and is also not interested in a move to Inter Milan either. The Italian club are interested in bringing the Ivorian but Zanetti denied that a deal is close when he spoke to Mediaset ahead of a charity event
Premier League
– Zlatan Ibrahimovic has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is going to join Manchester United after he chuckled for a good 10 seconds when asked if an offer had come in for him. The striker is good friends with Mourinho
– United have also reportedly launched a massive £54 million bid for Atletico’s midfield star Saul Niguez according to the DailyMail. With both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Michael Carrick’s futures in doubt, Mourinho is looking to overhaul his midfield once he takes over.
– Good news also for Arsenal fans. As per Sky Sports,Mesut Ozil is not interested in leaving the club this season and is set to discuss extending his contract after the end of the Euros.
– Liverpool can also get encouragement after Bayern Munich’s CEO told Mario Goetze to reconsider his commitment to the club. Speaking to kicker he said, “Mario has to consider for himself whether he wants to constantly get minutes.We made everything clear to Mario. He knows what the club thinks and he knows what the future coach thinks.”
La Liga
– Antoine Griezmann’s agent has stirred up more speculation about the Frenchman’s future. He has refused to rule out a move away from Atletico. Speaking to French newspaper L'Equipe he said, “He's heard offers from different clubs who have shown a firm interest in him.”
– Barcelona have decided to target Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin amid all the rumours of Dani Alves leaving the club. Bellerin is one of La Masia’s youth products and the Catalans are planning to do yet another Fabregas according to Goal.com
– Finally, Real Madrid are targeting Thibaut Courtois according to Sportsmail but the Belgian has said he will stay at Chelsea if nothing unusual happens, meaning he has almost shut the door but leaving little room for Los Blancos
Rest of Europe
– Dortmund are targeting FC Lorient left back Raphael Guerreiro. ESPNFC has stated that their vice president Alex Hayes has revealed the interest from the club but that Liverpool are also interested in his signature.
– Porto’s Yacine Brahimi is also close to an exit with Liverpool set to be favourites to sign the impressive winger according to A Bola. The move is reportedly close with a deal of around £45 million set to be agreed between the two clubs.
– According to Le Parisian, Paris Saint-Germain are in pole position to sign N’Golo Kante from Leicester City. The midfielder had a whirlwind of a season with the English champions with Arsenal the most interested but PSG have reportedly stolen a march by offering a better financial package
– Dirk Kuyt has signed a 1-year extension with Feyenoord. The Veteran Dutchman played for six seasons at Liverpool before leaving in 2012 and eventually joining Feyenoord last season.
