Borussia Dortmund are probably the most active club in this transfer window up until now in terms of completed transfers. The Bundesliga outfit have already notched up Sebastian Rode, Marc Batra and Emre Mor and have announced yet another signing today. Tuchel and co. are certainly leaving no stones unturned in terms of bolstering their squad after the departures of key players in the form of Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels.
Chelsea and Manchester City meanwhile continue to be linked with almost every other player, and there’s fresh news in regarding the future of the much wanted Robert Lewandowski.
Here are the transfer news and rumours from June 16th.
Serie A
- Juventus have identified Belgium’s Alex Witsel as a transfer target to strengthen their midfield, according to Tuttosport. The Zenit St Petersburg midfielder is tied up with the club till 2017, but has confirmed of his desire to leave this summer. Reports have suggested that the player has attracted interest from Roma and Premier League club Stoke City.
- Roma, Napoli, and Fiorentina are all racing for Legia Warsaw’s Ondrej Duda, as reported by Football Italia. The 21-year-old midfielder is impressing at Euro 2016 with Slovakia, scoring in their first game against Wales which ended 2-1 in favour of the Brits. Initial reports had suggested that the player was heading to Napoli possibly influence by Slovakian team-mate Marek Hamsik, but Roma are now being tipped favourites to bag Duda’s signature.
- According to Tuttosport, Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner is being chased by both Manchester City and Chelsea. The 32-year-old was being targetted by Antonio Conte but Pep Guardiola has also joined in the race to sign the player. City are believed to be offering €10million, but Juventus are hoping to sell the player for €15million.
English Premier League
- Yaya Toure is ready to see out the final year of his contract at Manchester City, according to the Mirror. The former Barcelona man will earn £220,000-a-week wage if he does decide to stay. Toure was set to become one of the first victims to face the axe under Guardiola’s reign, but the paper now reports that the Ivory Coast international hopes to stay at the club for the next season.
- Arsenal are lining up a £27million bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Gotze, according to the Sun. Carlo Ancelotti, who will take the reins at Munich next summer, has already told Gotze to look for a club elsewhere since the German international does not fit his future plans. The Gunners will face tough competition from Liverpool to sign Gotze, as the player is likely to be interested in a reunion with former manager Jurgen Klopp.
- Everton have reportedly made an offer to Roma to sign the Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The report suggests the Toffees have made an offer in the region of €38million. Roma are yet to confirm the offer and are not keen on selling the Dutchman. Everton are looking to strengthen their squad with the futures of Romelu Lukaku, John Stones and Ross Barkley in doubt and Ronald Koeman is keen to bring in a world-class midfielder.
La Liga
- Former Barcelona forward Pedro, currently plying his trade with Chelsea has spoken about the possibility of a return to the Catalan Giants on loan, with Barcelona interested. In an interview with beIN Sports, Pedro said: "Hopefully (I can return to Barcelona) but I know it's hard. I have already spoken about it with the president (Josep Maria Bartomeu) when we (Barcelona) were in the (Cup) final (when Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 last month) and spoke to all the people who want me there.
"It's complicated, but I've always said that I would like to retire at Barcelona. However, I know it's difficult because the years go by and the club has the best players in the world, it is a very demanding club and to return is complicated. But I do not rule it out either."
- Real Madrid’s Denis Cheryshev has completed his move to back to former club Villareal. The 25-year-old has signed a five-year contract after the clubs reportedly agreed on a transfer fee of £8million. A statement on Real's website read: "Real Madrid and Villarreal have agreed the transfer of the player Denis Cheryshev .
"The club wishes to thank him for his dedication and professionalism over the years and wish him luck in his new career."
- The Sun has reported that Pep Guardiola wants to sign £14million Spain star Nolito next. The Celta Vigo forward was a part of Barcelona during Guardiola’s first two seasons in charge, and the Spanish mastermind is keen to bring the player to Manchester City.
Rest of Europe
- Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Lorient left-back Raphael Guerreiro. The Portuguese signed a contract today which keeps the player at the Bundesliga club till 2020. BVB sporting director Michael Zorc gave a statement following the transfer: "Raphael Guerreiro is a technically skilled player, who feels at home in several positions. We are very happy that he chose Borussia Dortmund."
- Robert Lewandowski is ready to consider a move to Premier League, according to the Daily Mail. It is claimed that the Poland international is frustrated at Bayern Munich and is willing to look for other alternatives. Lewandowski is reportedly a boyhood Liverpool fan and will relish a reunion with former manager Jurgen Klopp. Real Madrid and Manchester United are also said to be interested in the 27-year-old striker.
- Besiktas could raid Liverpool for Mario Balotelli and Martin Skrtel this summer, according to Sky Sports. A Turkish publication, Fotomac, has quoted Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola as saying: "I've offered Mario to Besiktas. We are awaiting an answer but we are confident. I'm quietly sure. In the past, they did everything to sign him.”
