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The summer transfer window is now officially open! With a whole host of big-name players from across the globe set to move clubs, we take a look at the latest news and rumors concerning Premier League clubs and players, as your favorite players get linked to some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Manchester United and Liverpool have had contrasting seasons. While Jose Mourinho has guided the Red Devils to a second place and the FA Cup final which they lost to Chelsea 1-0, their best finish since Sir Alex Ferguson left, the team has been criticized for its bland and tepid style of play, with supporters calling for yet another summer of change in order to fight for the title.
Liverpool, on the other hand, has been phenomenal in front of goal, scoring at will. A superb European campaign will culminate in a Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kyiv.
Their league form, however, hasn't been the best, finishing in fourth, and this transfer window will provide further opportunities to bolster an indifferent back-line, while further strengthening their attack.
With players like Neymar, Lewandowski, and Griezmann being backed to make big-money moves, here are five players whom you could see coming to the Premier League very soon!
#1 Djibril Sidibe to Manchester United
The Monaco full-back has made France's World Cup squad, and a report in Le10 Sport claims that Mourinho could move for the 25-year-old.
Manchester City spent £150m on full-backs last summer, before steamrolling the Premier League in fine fashion and Mourinho is set to copy Pep Guardiola this time around by splashing out on new defenders. United, this year's losing FA Cup finalists have already been heavily linked with Juventus star Alex Sandro.
The French star would ease a lot of pressure off of Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, being more than capable of playing on both sides.
Quick and decisive going forward, Sidibe would also provide a substantial goal threat from crosses, having scored twice and assisted 6 in the league this season.
The young full-back would certainly be a massive upgrade on the likes of Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw, with the former set to move to Juventus.
A good showing in Russia could see the young man's transfer value sky-rocket, with a whole host of other clubs rumored to be interested.
#2 Nabil Fekir to Liverpool
Nabil Fekir looks set to have played his final game for Lyon this weekend, reports the Daily Star. The playmaker has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks, and Saturday's game against Nice could have been his last in a Lyon shirt.
Manager Bruno Genesio had dropped a huge hint that the clash would be Fekir's last for the Champions League hopefuls, telling Lyon's official website:
"We have to put aside everything related to emotion. For some, this may be the last game. It must give (those players) even more strength because you have to say: ‘(I will) leave by qualifying this team in the Champions League."
The winger has had a terrific season, scoring 23 goals and assisting 8 across all competitions and has been picked in Deschamps' WC squad, with the coach's words only fueling further speculation.
"Nabil is an incredible player. He impressed me technically," said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, in 2015.
Fekir's stock has greatly risen since then, with Real Madrid also rumored to be interested. The dynamic winger can terrorize opposition defenses with his pace and trickery and would be the perfect prototype for Klopp's heavy-metal football.
Playing in a fluid front four with Mane, Firmino and Salah would make Liverpool unstoppable, and serve a huge purpose in a sustained assault on the Premier League title.
"Fekir is a player with great potential. I consider that he can bring us something different. He plays in a different role to the others. He can score and set up others to score well," France manager Didier Deschamps said in March, 2015.
Apart from his usual goal threat, Fekir has chipped in with vital assists, from which the likes of Salah and Firmino can make merry.
#3 Gianluigi Donnarumma to Liverpool
According to Italian publication TuttoMercato, Liverpool is serious about prising 19-year-old Donnarumma away from AC Milan. Liverpool apparently sees the Italy international as the man to play in goal for them for the next decade or more. And Donnarumma is said to have been the main topic of conversation when Jurgen Klopp met with super-agent Mino Raiola.
Donnarumma is widely regarded as being the successor to Buffon in the national team. One of Italy's most exciting prospects, he is also one of the most promising young footballers of his generation.
"He seems predestined to become a great goalkeeper," said legendary Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff
Pundits have praised the teenager's physical strength and technical abilities, apart from his mental composure and smart decision making. Former Milan keeper Giovanni Galli praised the young keeper for his intelligence, consciousness, and professionalism, despite his young age, calling him "potentially world-class."
With both Mignolet and Karius guilty of putting in indifferent performances, the teenager's arrival would provide Klopp with a dominating figure in goal. Despite his tall stature, he has quick reflexes and is good at stopping penalties.
Of some concern, however, would be, his ball control and distribution, as well as his positioning, key aspects of Klopp's heavy metal football, with the goalkeeper expected to launch quick counter-attacks for Salah and co.
However, Liverpool would gladly acquire his services as he offers a long-term option and could follow the likes of Ederson in taking the Premier League by storm.
#4 Fred to Manchester United
Reports in Sky Sports have claimed Manchester United will sign Shakhtar's Brazilian midfielder Fred in this window.
“As it stands, there’s a good chance that Fred will be the main midfield recruit for Manchester United in the summer, with another one coming in for sure if Marouane Fellaini cannot be convinced to sign a new contract. He’s definitely bringing Fred in. He’s the guy that would be a starter, if the deal goes through, with [Paul] Pogba and [Nemanja] Matic in a three-man midfield,” said transfer expert Duncan Castles.
The 25 year old Brazilian has been linked with Manchester City in the past, as well and the World Cup in Russia could be the perfect stage to showcase his talents, not just in front of a global audience but also for potential suitors.
If he were to arrive at United, Mourinho would immediately deploy him in a three-man midfield, teaming up with Matic and Pogba. The Brazilian, along with Matic, could thus work in tandem, breaking up opposition attacks and quickly passing the ball to the likes of Pogba, Rashford, and Sanchez. With Herrera failing to contain the brilliant Hazard in their 1-0 FA Cup loss, Mourinho's wish for a new midfielder got strengthened further
With Michael Carrick having retired and Fellaini set to depart, a defensive midfielder would be at the top of Mourinho's shopping list, considering that Herrera and McTominay will only be alternatives and squad players.
The key to Chelsea's title triumph in 2017 was the Kante-Matic midfield fulcrum, and the purchase of Fred could help with United's midfield woes. The Brazilian also has an eye for goal and could provide great advantage from set-pieces, despite having scored just twice in the last campaign.
#5 Ousmane Dembele to Liverpool
Barcelona are prepared to sell Ousmane Dembele this summer just a year after he joined the club and are already contacting potential clubs they could sell him to, according to reports by the Mirror. Juergen Klopp has been rumored to be obsessed with the winger, ever since he joined the German’s old club, Borussia Dortmund.
With PSG also interested, Spanish radio station RAC1 claim that Barcelona is ready to cut their losses on a player who has netted just three times in La Liga this season.
The French winger – who has been linked with Liverpool recently – moved to Camp Nou from Borussia Dortmund in a deal that could reach £135million, although he missed much of the start of his maiden campaign through injury, scoring only 5 and assisting 6.
After returning to full fitness he still struggled to hold down a first-team role in Ernesto Valverde’s side, with Philippe Coutinho frequently preferred on the right wing.
"During the game we agreed a deal? I would be surprised about that to be honest. But no comment. ‘What was the second name? Oh! [Dembele] is on the market? Is he on the market? Now I am interested! I never comment on transfer rumors. I’ve said already much more than I usually say," said Klopp, when asked about the Frenchman.
The 21-year-old's pace and dribbling prowess will bolster an already fearsome Liverpool attack, with Klopp keen to find a proper Coutinho replacement. Dembele would fit perfectly into the role of a wide attacker, cutting in to either free up space or take shots himself.
A player gifted with energy, Dembele would love to make runs in between lines and behind the opposition defense, making Liverpool even more potent on counter-attacks.
