With less than a month to go for the summer transfer window opening, it was yet another busy day with news streaming in from across the globe. With Leicester City signing Ron-Robert Zieler and Denis Suarez set to re-join Barcelona from Villarreal, the transfer market was once again buzzing with rumours and speculations today with the rumoured Zlatan Ibrahimovic transfer rumour at its pinnacle. Here are some of the most popular rumours from across the leagues.
Serie A
Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio said that the club was interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure. But, he also made it clear that they were in no rush to seal the deal as they sorting out a change in ownership. “Yaya Toure is a player that we really like. But first we have to sort out the ownership change," Ausilio told reporters. This would be the first step in their bid to move from their last season’s fourth position finish.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Francesco Totti will be signing a one-year extension at Roma. The 39-year-old's spell at Roma, which dates back to 1989, seemed to be coming to an end with his contract up this summer. But reports state that Totti had finally settled his differences with manager Luciano Spalletti, and would be playing for one more year at the Stadio Olimpico.
According to Metro, Barcelona right-back, Dani Alves has now confirmed that he’s set to hallmark a transfer to Juventus. Though the deal is yet to be official, Alves has almost clearly stated about this move. The Brazil international is leaving after eight great years at Barcelona and said that he was happy with his move to Turin.
English Premier League
Manchester United is apparently all set to complete the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and could conclude a deal before the start of Euro 2016, according to Sky sources. United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ibrahimovic's representatives were reportedly finalising terms on a one-year contract, with Jose Mourinho resolute to make the Sweden international his first marquee signing at Old Trafford.
Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Jamie Vardy and is almost done with negotiations with Leicester City about signing the striker according to a Sky Sports report. The 29-year-old England striker has a £20m release clause in the fresh four-year contract he signed in February and the Gunners are equipped to meet that clause. Arsenal is making this move after Manchester United turned down the chance to bid for the player, with Jose Mourinho seemingly only wanting to sign one striker this summer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In a shocking report on Daily Star newspaper, Manchester United is apparently planning to bid for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. The newspaper says that United have already made two approaches in the last three weeks for the Argentine, but that any move would be in view of United reaching the Champions League for the 2017/18 season. The deal would unquestionably top the £85m world-record fee paid for Gareth Bale by Real Madrid in 2013 if it materialises.
La Liga
Barcelona has now put forth their interest in Samuel Umtiti following the reported transfer of Marc Bartra to Borussia Dortmund, reports Mundo Deportivo. Barca’s now needs a new centre-back as a necessity rather than an option and have now decided to go ahead with a deal to sign Lyon’s Umtiti. The La Liga champions are now in the procedure to finalise the signing of the Cameroon-born centre-back, who will sign a five-year contract at the Camp Nou.
According to UOL, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has guaranteed defender Danilo that he would not be sold in this summer transfer window. Danilo, who had joined Real Madrid in a €31.5m deal last summer, suffered a difficult first season at the club. He was recurrently whistled by his own supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu and had ended up losing the right-back position to Dani Carvajal under manager Zinedine Zidane.
Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa might be Rafa Benitez’s first signing at Newcastle, according to the Daily Mail. Benitez had signed Arbeloa when he was in charge of Liverpool, and with present right-back Daryl Janmaat anticipated to leave following the club’s relegation, the Spaniard has become his favourite target for the position.
Rest of Europe
Borussia Dortmund have signed Barcelona centre-back Marc Bartra. The Bundesliga club activated the €8 million release clause in the 25-year-old's contract, which the La Liga champions could not reject. A statement on Barcelona's website said: "FC Barcelona wish Marc Bartra all the best in his new phase of his career as a player and he will be invited to say goodbye to the fans personally at the start of next season."
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has disclosed that Hatem Ben Arfa, was a priority for the Ligue 1 runners-up for the coming transfer window. He is out of contract at Nice and had displayed consistent performance in the last season. He said that a final decision would be made at the end of the week. After an exceptional season, had relaunched his stalled career, Ben Arfa has also been linked to Barcelona.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has turned down speculation that he will be leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer. There had been reports that the 26-year-old had recently been left out of the Gabon team as he was in the process of changing clubs. "I feel really good in Dortmund, I don’t know what the future brings but I feel really good,” he told German website Fussballtransfers which is a clear indicator as to how he is not unsettled in Dortmund.
Russell Slade is apparently in talks to become the next manager of Charlton Athletic, according to Sky Sports. Slade had left his position as Cardiff's head of football earlier today.
