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Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. Some of the biggest clubs in Europe are making big moves in the transfer window and we have quite an exciting transfer news roundup to shuffle through today.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 2 July 2019.
Antoine Griezmann to be announced next week
According to the latest reports, Barcelona will announce Antoine Griezmann as their latest signing in the coming days. The Catalan giants had been waiting for the release clause to drop from €200 million and as of July 1st, the World Cup winner's updated release clause is €120 million.
However, Barcelona are now waiting until next week to announce the signing of Griezmann who had earlier conveyed via social media that he will not be at Atletico Madrid beyond this summer.
Griezmann will sign a 5-year contract which will see him earn €6 million per season. Griezmann had renewed his contract prior to the World Cup which saw the release clause being raised to €200 million. But Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin later afforded Griezmann with a potential out by allowing it to fall to €120 million from July 1, 2019.
Barcelona are delaying the announcement as they want to dedicate this week to the unveiling of Frenkie De Jong. Barca had agreed a deal with Ajax in January and the youngster who impressed heavily last season and caught the attention of several top clubs with his performances in the UEFA Champions League will be unveiled at the Camp Nou shortly.
Speculation surrounding Griezmann's future has been rife and earlier reports had suggested that the Barcelona dressing room was divided about the Frenchman's arrival as they weren't impressed with his documentary which elaborated upon his decision to snub Barcelona when they came knocking last summer.
However, those rumours have now been put to bed and Griezmann is all set to become a part of the star-studded team of Ernesto Valverde.
Manchester United set to beat Manchester City to Harry Maguire
If the latest reports emerging from England are anything to go by, Manchester United's transfer window is shaping up nicely. Having already signed the exciting winger Daniel James from Swansea City and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace, the Red Devils are now in pole position to sign Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire.
Manchester United's centre-back problems have been well documented. They were desperate to sign Maguire last summer but the board refused to back Jose Mourinho. Now it looks like the board has realized that a top centre-back is the need of the hour and are keen on backing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and giving him the squad that he wants.
Manchester City were being closely linked with the England international. However, the report claims that Manchester City have been put off by Leicester's asking price which is in the ballpark of the £75 million Liverpool paid for Virgil Van Dijk in the 2017-18 season.
Manchester United are reportedly sorted on the financial front and are ready to go and snap up the 26-year-old.
Raheem Sterling reveals he is open to playing abroad in the future
Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has gone on to become one of the most important players under Pep Guardiola. He has become a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. Now the Englishman has revealed that playing abroad has always been a dream of his.
Sterling said that he remains committed to the project at Manchester City though he is not sure about where his future will take him. He told GQ,
"I love it here [Man City]."
"This is one of the best clubs in the world and I'm here for the long haul. But you just don't know what happens in the future. I'm still young and, like I say, I am loving every minute.
"Ever since I was a kid, 100 per cent it's always been a dream of mine to play abroad somewhere. It would be nice one day to finish training and go home and sit in your garden and eat some dinner."
Arsenal submit Wilfried Zaha bid as his brother pleads with Crystal Palace to let him leave
Arsenal have submitted an opening bid for Wilfried Zaha. David Ornstein has revealed on Twitter that the Gunners are not offering any players in exchange and are likely to have the bid rejected as the Eagles remain keen on pricing Arsenal out of the deal and continue to demand a hefty transfer fee.
The situation is expected to become ugly as the player grows increasing drawn to making a switch this summer. Meanwhile, Zaha's brother has pleaded with Crystal Palace to let the player join the Gunners and realize his dream. He said:
“Wilfried will always hold Crystal Palace and their fans in the highest regard and all the support they have given means the world to him. It is my brother’s dream, though, to play for Arsenal.
“Given all that Wilfried has given to Crystal Palace to help them remain a Premier League club, I hope Palace will be able to see their way to agreeing a deal with Arsenal that allows Wilfried to realise his dream of playing European football for the club he has supported since childhood.”
The Eagles want an amount in the ballpark of £80 million.
Manchester United agree personal terms with Bruno Fernandes
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport, Manchester United have agreed terms with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes. However, they are yet to agree a fee with Sporting who want around €70 million for their player.
According to several reports, Manchester United are reportedly not keen on matching Sporting Lisbon's valuation of Bruno Fernandes. Sporting want €70 million but the offers that have been tabled have only hit €50 million.
Sporting find themselves under immense pressure as they stand to face severe criticism should they lose Bruno Fernandes for cheap in a transfer window where their rivals, Benfica, sold young talent Joao Felix for €120 million.
However, given the current circumstances, Sporting will be forced to sell Fernandes to Manchester United for less than half the price of Felix. If the deal does go over the line, and it looks like it will as of now, Manchester United will have pulled off a stunning piece of business.
