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A lot of big news has come out from the press today as a host of top European clubs are close to finalising some deals, while some others are only just beginning talks. So without further ado, let's begin.
#5 Serie A
Rafinha's father speaks up about his son's Inter move
Inter are back in the top 4 mix of the Serie A after a considerable amount of time in the shadows. They are now trying to strengthen their team and have targeted Rafinha Alcantara. The player’s father himself has confirmed that he will be joining Inter on loan.
“He just wants to do what he loves at an excellent club,” Mazinho, Rafinha’s father and agent, told Globo Esporte.
“Rafinha wants to join Inter because he simply wants to play.”
“It’s very difficult to get into the Barcelona side as there are so many players. He also had the bad luck of getting that knee injury over the last two years.
“He just wants to play, feel happy and do what he loves at an excellent club like Inter.”
“Rafinha has a contract with Barcelona until 2020. We’re drawing up a pre-contract with Inter until 2021.”
The report claims that Inter will sign Rafinha on loan and will have the option to make the deal permanent by the end of the season for €35 million with an additional €5 million a add-ons.
Juventus looking to sign Cavani
Corrirere dello Sport reported that Juventus want Edinson Cavani. The striker is upset at not being allowed to take the penalty against Dijon, as scoring that would have made him PSG’s record goalscorer. As a result, he may leave with Juventus lurking around.
#4 Bundesliga
Giroud to be offered to Dortmund
It looks apparent that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is desperate to leave Borussia Dortmund. The Germans want €70 million for their star man, but Arsenal are unwilling to spend that much.
As a result, according to The Independent, Arsene Wenger has offered veteran striker Olivier Giroud to Dortmund in a bid to lower the price for the Gabon captain.
Speaking about Aubameyang, Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has criticized the Gabonese international for his behaviour.
"I think footballers are very privileged, all the more if you see how hard many people have to work for their salary,” Heynckes was quoted saying by Goal.
Heynckes added: “So, I think professional ethics and morals belong to this. You have to see what's going on in the society. Things which happened with Aubameyang and [Ousmane] Dembele I see very critically. The clubs which sign those players have to be aware; they [Aubameyang and Dembele] could do the same to them. I would refuse to sign such players. Football is a team sport; you can't just be selfish and follow your own goals. You have to think about the fans as well.
Can wants to join Bayern
Meanwhile, according to Mirror, Emre Can has so far been apathetic to the constant approaches of Juventus because he wishes to rejoin Bayern Munich, the club where he started his senior career.
#3 La Liga
The secret meeting and more about Madrid
Real Madrid seem to be willing to do anything to get their squad to another level with the help of some record signings. After Barcelona acquired the signatures of Yerry Mina and Philippe Coutinho in this window, the pressure is on Madrid to do something in the market.
Diario Gol reported Florentino Perez has had talks with Ramy Abbas Issa, the representative of Mohamad Salah, over a possible transfer of the Egyptian to the Bernabeu. While Real are willing to pay €70-80 million for the forward, Liverpool would want a fee in the range of what Barca paid for Coutinho.
Meanwhile, Don Balon reported that Florentino Perez wants to hijack Barcelona's move for Gremio midfielder Arthur. Finally, the same outlet report that Cristiano Ronaldo knows who his successor could be—and that is Eden Hazard, who is the plan B for Perez should he fail to pull off a transfer for Neymar.
El Bernabeu that the injury of Jesus Vallejo has prompted the Blancos to sign another centre-back in the summer and one of the names mentioned is Leonardo Bonucci, who has a strong advocate in Sergio Ramos.
A secret deal for Barcelona
It seems as though today is a day of secrets as Sport reveal that Antoine Griezmann will be Barcelona’s first summer signing. Indeed, if any of the two sides pull out of the transfer now, then the guilty party will have to pay a penalty for it.
However, Barcelona have come out and completely denied these reports on their official website.
#2 Ligue 1
Rejection for Rennes
Apparently, West Ham United’s striker Diafra Sakho feels undervalued at his club. He believes that he isn’t paid as much as the other strikers of his calibre in the Premiership. As a result, he wants to leave. Keeping this in mind, Sky reported that Rennes made an offer for him, which the Hammers have rejected.
PSG chase United target
Lassana Diarra is a free agent and is being eyed by Manchester United and, mainly, Paris Saint-Germain. The French giants have lost Thiago Motta to injury and want Diarra to take his place for the short term instead. According to ESPN, the French giants are close to signing him.
#1 Premier League
Arsenal bid for Dortmund star
German clubs are like an open book and always reveal their transfer rumours, be it Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, who have officially confirmed Arsenal’s first bid for their star striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
"I can confirm that there has been a first request from Arsenal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and we are not commenting on the sums,” Hanz-Joachim Watzke was quoted on RuhrNachrichten.
Bale makes the transfer rounds again
Gareth Bale wants to leave Madrid, say Don Balon, and he has to choose between two options: Chelsea (in a swap deal for Eden Hazard) or Tottenham. The problem, however, is that Bale doesn’t want to betray Spurs by joining another London club and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino isn’t a fan of Bale due to his persistent injuries.
Speaking of Gareth Bale, Don Balon don’t seem content with the earlier report as they also believe that Jurgen Klopp is a fan of the Welsh international and wants him at Anfield.
A bit of Chelsea
Meanwhile, Gianluca Di Marzio claims that Dzeko has agreed to join Chelsea as the Blues are negotiating a deal for left-back Ederson Palmieri as well.
