Chelsea and Manchester United have been in the thick of things in the Football transfer window this week. The Blues continue to be linked with defensive signings as the incoming Antonio Conte looks to strengthen the team’s back line.
On the other hand, Jose Mourinho has an uphill task of restructuring Manchester United’s falling squad and looks to bring in world-class talent to turn the fate of the club around as soon as possible. Atletico Madrid also seem to be delivering on their promise of spending big this summer following their repeated shortcomings at the last stages as they lost a second Champions League final in three years last season.
Here are the transfer news and rumours from June 17th.
Serie A
- Roma may hold on to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for another season, as Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Arsenal is willing to extend the Poland international’s loan deal. However, the report suggests that there could be a problem with the deal due to the Szczesny’s wages. It is claimed the Gunners have no intention of paying part of Szczesny’s wages as they did in the previous deal.
- Juventus’ Roberto Pereyra is being linked with a move away from Turin by multiple reports, but the destination seems to be different in the reports. Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that the Argentine might be heading to England with Watford and Swansea interested while Tuttosport reports that he may be used in negotiations with Zenit St Petersburg to sign Axel Witsel.
According to the reports, Juve will be making an offer of €20million plus Pereyra to secure the deal.
- Inter Milan defender Juan Jesus is reportedly being targetted by Chelsea, according to Mediaset. Roma defender Antonio Rudiger was a prime target for the Blues but Rudiger’s injury setback has made them look elsewhere. Jesus has been rumoured to nearing an exit from the San Siro.
English Premier League
- Manchester United are targeting Basel striker Breel Embolo this summer, according to German publication Bild. United have reportedly been in talks with the 19-year-old’s representatives and are expected to put in a bid in the next few weeks. There has been an offer from Red Bull Leipzig too, but United can offer a more lucrative financial package and are in the pole position to sign the player.
- According to the Daily Mirror, Leicester City are closing in on £12million Nampalys Mendy as a replacement for in-demand N'Golo Kante. A number of clubs including Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in signing Kante and Claudio Ranieri sees Mendy as an ideal replacement.
- Arsenal have joined the race to sign Fulham striker Moussa Dembele, as claimed by ESPN FC. The 19-year-old will be out of contract at the Craven Cottage next month and has refused to sign a new deal with the club.
- Manchester United are also monitoring German international Julian Draxler, reports the German publication Bild. Draxler is reported to be open to a move away from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg despite signing a five-year deal with the club which has alerted Jose Mourinho, who is looking for world-class players to strengthen his squad.
La Liga
- Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Nicolas Gaitan for a reported deal worth €25million.
"Atletico Madrid and Benfica have reached an agreement for the transfer of Nicolas Gaitan to his new team," said a statement from Atletico.
- Real Madrid are plotting a move for West Ham’s Dimitri Payet. The Spanish giants have reportedly been monitoring the player at Euro 2016, and Zinedine Zidane is said to be the midfielder’s fan. Payet has been brilliant this season, scoring 12 and assisting another 12 for West Ham.
However, his agent Mark McKay said earlier this week that only a massive bid would see his client leave the Hammers. “As far as I am concerned, he's been happy at West Ham and it's down to West Ham that he's in the position that he is in," McKay said.
- Neymar is attracting interest from “three big clubs”, but is happy to stay at Barcelona, according to his former agent Wagner Ribeiro. Speaking to a Brazilian radio, Ribeiro said that there are as many as three clubs who are willing to pay Neymar’s £158million release clause.
He refused to comment on the issue any further, saying: “I cannot say any more in this conversation because it is confidential. I can only assure you that Neymar is happy in Barcelona."
Rest of Europe
- Fenerbahce are on the verge of signing Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, according to reports in from ESPN FC. The Turkish club has reportedly put in an offer of €7 million which Liverpool have accepted. Skrtel played only four games for Liverpool after January following an injury picked up in a defeat to Watford in December and was well down the pecking order in Jurgen Klopp’s plans
- Newcastle United are eyeing a swoop for Gimnastic de Tarragona striker Jose Naranjo, reported by Sky Sports. Manager Rafa Benitez is keen on the 21-year-old, who scored 15 times for Gimnastic to help them finish third in last season’s Segunda table.
It is believed Naranjo has a £2.38million release clause in the deal he signed when joining from Recreativo in 2015, a fee well within Newcastle's summer budget.
