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There has been no shortage of entertainment in this transfer window. Despite the clubs being hit severely in a financial sense by the Covid pandemic, the rumour mill hasn't seen an off day as yet. With almost three weeks remaining in this edition of the summer transfer window, we could still see several players change clubs.
We have already seen some high-profile signings this summer with Chelsea splashing the cash to secure major reinforcements. Several European giants continue to be linked with some big stars and amid all the speculation, we take a look at 5 big transfers that could still happen this summer.
#5 Sergio Reguilon - Manchester United/Sevilla
The Real Madrid left-back was so impressive for Los Blancos in the 2018-19 season that he displaced Marcelo from the first team and became a regular feature in the starting lineup. However, following the return of Zinedine Zidane, Reguilon fell down the pecking order.
Zidane signed Ferland Mendy and sent Reguilon out on loan to Sevilla. The 23-year-old left-back was excellent for Sevilla as well and played an important role in the Andalusians' triumphant UEFA Europa League campaign.
However, he is now back at Real Madrid and seeking an exit after being deemed surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu. Manchester United are likely to snap him up but the deal has its own set of complications. Real Madrid reportedly want to include a buy-back clause and the Red Devils are not going to accommodate that.
In addition to that, Manchester United are not willing to match his €30 million price tag as signing a left-back is not a priority for them right now. Meanwhile, Sevilla can only afford to take him on loan as they are not in a position to sign him on a permanent basis.
#4 Gareth Bale - Tottenham Hotspur/Manchester United
That Gareth Bale does not have a future at Real Madrid is well known now. The Welshman has grown disillusioned at Real Madrid and has even discredited his own club on multiple occasions.
The Welshman, who was tipped to be the immediate successor to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, has not been able to reach the heights expected due to an injury laden stint in the Spanish capital. He has also fallen out of favour with manager Zinedine Zidane and does not have a great rapport with any of his teammates.
He is reportedly keen on making a return to the Premier League and Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have been identified as interested parties. Spurs are looking to strike a permanent deal while the Red Devils are more keen on landing him on loan.
Manchester United are looking at Gareth Bale as an alternative to Jadon Sancho while Jose Mourinho and co. are desperate to bring in attacking reinforcements.
#3 Kalidou Koulibaly to Manchester City
Pep Guardiola is desperate to find a new partner for Aymeric Laporte and Manchester City have been pursuing Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly all summer. However, City and Napoli remain far apart on their valuation of the Senegalese international and as such, a deal has not happened yet.
Manchester City are hoping that Napoli will lower their asking price towards the end of the transfer window but the Serie A outfit has so far remained adamant that Kalidou Koulibaly will continue to be at the club unless his price tag is met.
Though Koulibaly, at 29 years of age, does not fit the profile of the players that Manchester City usually try to sign, they are well wary of his attributes that have made him one of the best defenders in the world over the last 5 years and are still looking to engineer a move for him.
#2 Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool/Manchester United
Thiago Alcantara is arguably the best deep-lying playmaker in the world currently and it is then no surprise that two Premier League giants are in the race to sign him. Thiago had reportedly come close to signing an extension at Bayern Munich before pulling a 180 and deciding to leave instead.
Liverpool are the favourites to sign him as Jurgen Klopp is desperate to add him to the mix in order to add more creativity to his midfield. Manchester United are interested because of Thiago's obvious qualities and the fact that he is available for a cut-price deal.
However, both teams seem to be waiting to run down the clock in order to strike a deal for much cheaper than the €30 million that has been quoted as Bayern Munich will be forced to cash in towards the end of the transfer window.
#1 Luis Suarez to Juventus/Atletico Madrid
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Ronald Koeman and is now inching closer towards an exit. Andrea Pirlo is keen on bringing him to Juventus and reports have suggested that the Bianconeri had come close to signing him.
However, Atletico Madrid have also emerged onto the scene now causing Luis Suarez to assess his options. Suarez reportedly also wants Barcelona to pay him the money that's due to him for the final year of his deal if he is to terminate his contract and join Juventus like Barca want him to.
Suarez had not planned on leaving Barcelona this summer and has felt betrayed by the way the club has handled the matter. He recently said,
“There has been talk of some names that the president suggested, changes that could be made, but nobody has told me that they want to get rid of me.
"If that is what the club wants it would be nice if the director responsible for these decisions spoke directly with me. It’s better than leaking if I’m one of the players they want to leave. We’ll see what happens.”
