The transfer window may have slammed shut, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
Lukaku heading to Paris?
Romelu Lukaku could be on the move this summer, and Calciomercato reports that Paris Saint-Germain are front runners for the Inter Milan star’s signature.
The report states that Inter’s uncertain future, with the club’s owners reportedly in talks over a private equity sale, which could see the former Manchester United man leave for a new challenge.
Prospective new owners at the San Siro may attempt to balance the books as a priority and, with Lukaku the highest-paid player, they could look to save on his €7.5 million-a-season salary.
Of course, there would be no shortage of takers. PSG have earmarked him as their new No. 9, while Manchester City need to replace Sergio Aguero.
The Daily Telegraph reported last month that the Premier League leaders are interested in signing Lukaku, while on Monday The Athletic reported that the Belgium international’s time at cross-city rivals United is unlikely to be an issue in any potential move.
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– ESPN+ viewer’s guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more
LIVE BLOG
13.24 GMT: Manchester City have not given up on signing Lionel Messi on a free transfer this summer but will wait until March or April before sounding out the situation regarding the Barcelona forward, various sources have told ESPN’s Moises Llorens and Rodrigo Faez.
Messi, 33, is out of contract in June and has been free to negotiate with other clubs since Jan. 1. City led the chase for the Argentina international last August when he asked Barca to let him leave but the Premier League leaders have kept a low profile in recent months.
In contrast, Paris Saint-Germain have been making a lot of noise about their desire to sign Messi at the end of the season.
City will bide their time and see how the situation develops, even if PSG have taken a different approach, an approach which sources at Barca have told ESPN is completely the wrong way to try and seduce Messi.
12.56 GMT: Atletico Minerio’s director of football Rodrigo Cateano has revealed that Brazil midfielder Fernandinho has an offer to continue at Manchester City as part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.
Caetano denied reports that his club is negotiating the possible signing of Fernandinho and said: “There’s a lot of talk about Fernandinho because he is at the end of his contract. He is a very good player on the pitch and even better off it. There is even conversations for him to be part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.
“But should he decide to return to Brazil, he would give preference to [former club] Atletico Paranaense. He is an interesting player because he is very good on and off the pitch. But we have no negotiations underway with Fernandinho or his entourage at this time.”
Fernandinho, 35, becomes a free agent this summer.
12.14 GMT: Sergio Ramos‘ injury will not affect the terms of his contract talks, according to reports Mundo Deportivo.
The Real Madrid captain underwent surgery on Saturday to repair damage to his left meniscus that had seen him sidelined in recent weeks.
Ramos has yet to sign a contract extension with Madrid with his current deal expiring in June. The setback, which will keep the 34-year-old out of action until April, will not, however, change Ramos or Real Madrid’s stance on contract negotiations.
Real Madrid have offered Ramos a two-year contract extension but a reduction of his wages of 10% because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Spain international has reportedly no intention to lose €1.2m of the €12m net he currently gets per season.
11.29 GMT: While Manchester City have their sights set on Romelu Lukaku, The Athletic reports that they are also considering a move for Southampton’s Danny Ings to boost their striking options.
Ings, 28, has less than 18 months left on his contract at St Mary’s and so far there has been no breakthrough in talks over a new deal.
The England striker has 29 goals in 55 Premier League appearances since making his permanent move from Liverpool in 2019, and appears to be over the injury problems that hampered his time at Anfield, making him an attractive prospect for the top clubs.
10.36 GMT: Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars is set to leave the Dutch giants at the end of the season, with former clubs Barcelona and Arsenal both potential destinations, Mundo Deportivo reports.
Overmars has been in his current role in Amsterdam since 2012, but his contract expires this summer.
Mundo Deportivo reports that the 47-year-old could be recruited by Barca to replace Ramon Planes, depending on who wins next month’s presidential election. One candidate, Victor Font, has already pledged to hire Jordi Cruyff for the role if he wins the ballot on March 7.
– Eredivisie on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)
1:43
Gab Marcotti reflects on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s impact at Milan and how he has adjusted his game this season.
09.53 GMT: AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli says he thinks “it’s right” that striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is given a new contract by the club. Ibrahimovic scored his 500th club goal in Milan’s 4-0 win over Crotone in Serie A on Sunday (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.).
“Seeing how Ibra trains, we can’t be surprised, because he’s a champion. It’s difficult to maintain his current form, as when he’s been in shape and started, he almost always scored two goals, but this is what he’s like,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
The 39-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is one of only three active players — after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — to have scored 500 goals at club level.
“Zlatan is happy with us and I think the best thing about this team is that the players are happy,” Pioli said when asked about a new deal for the Swede. “We are with a huge club, everyone wants to do well and I think it’s right that he continues playing, and that he does it with us.
“He is an athlete who is highly motivated, is scrupulous in the way he looks after his body with everything from diet to recovery. He’s tired, but you don’t stay at this level for this long without looking after yourself.
“It’s almost a race nowadays between the players to get to training early and leave later than anyone else. We’re enjoying ourselves and want to give our best.”
09.00 GMT: Juventus would like to keep striker Alvaro Morata at the club next season, but on another loan rather than a permanent deal, AS reports.
Morata, is currently in his second spell at Juve, on loan from Atletico Madrid. The Spain international has scored four Serie A goals so far in 2020-21.
AS reports that, while Juve have an option on the loan deal to re-sign the player they first brought to the club in 2014, financial restrictions make another year on loan the preferred option.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Son extension talks ongoing
Tottenham Hotspur are looking to extend striker Son-Heung Min‘s contract and talks are said to be ongoing and without issue, according to Sky Sports.
Son is already contracted to the north London club for another two years, but such is his importance to the club that they want to keep him in the long term.
Son was on the scoresheet in Tottenham’s 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion and he combined well with the returning Harry Kane. Spurs believe keeping Son is key to keeping Kane, and they hope the partnership can lead the front line for years to come.
Jose Mourinho, when asked about Son’s contract discussions after his side’s victory, said talks are “not a problem.”
Mourinho also admitted that the club would wait for the “right moment” to pursue an outcome to the ongoing discussions.
Tap-ins
– Chelsea are keen to keep Thiago Silva at the club for another year and talks are ongoing, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Chelsea board have been delighted by Silva’s impact since joining the club and see him as a strong leader in the group. Silva will discuss the option of another year with his agents, and a final decision will be made soon.
– The Athletic believes six Liverpool players could be sold in an effort to raise funds amid a shaky financial situation that forced them to bring in reinforcements in defence on loan. Reserve keeper Adrian and Marko Grujic, currently on loan at Porto, are said to be among those exiting Anfield.
