The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
Tottenham plan cross-London raid on Rice
Tottenham are planning a £35 million move to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice, reports the Daily Express, but they might have to battle Premier League rivals Liverpool for his signature.
Mauricio Pochettino is allegedly planning for life without Christian Eriksen next season, and Hammers star Rice could be the perfect replacement. Eriksen’s contract runs out in 17 months, and with Real Madrid among the many clubs alleged to be keen on the Denmark star, Pochettino feels Rice could help fill the void.
Rice has been in impressive form this season, and despite signing a 5½-year deal in December, Spurs feel the lure of Champions League football, and a new stadium, could be enough to tempt the 20-year-old away from West Ham if Liverpool don’t steal a march on the London club’s plans.
Eriksen bound for Barca or Madrid?
Speaking of Eriksen, his refusal to sign a new contract this season has fuelled speculation about his future, and yet while many reports suggest Real Madrid are the likely suitors, journalist Ian McGarry says Barcelona could swoop in for the talented Dane instead.
Barcelona apparently already have made contact with Eriksen’s representatives and are rumoured to have offered him double the money he’s earning at Spurs.
Eriksen is approaching the final year of his contract, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy may feel now is the right time to cash in on the 26-year-old, particularly as boss Pochettino has identified a list of potential replacements, including the aforementioned Rice and Adrien Rabiot.
Hamsik left out of squad as switch moves closer
Napoli star Marek Hamsik has been left out of the squad to face Fiorentina this weekend amid reports his move to Chinese club Dalian Yifang nears completion.
Hamsik has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League outfit all week, but Napoli postponed the transfer over an issue related to the payments of the proposed €20 million deal.
However, Calcio Mercato is reporting that any outstanding issues between the two clubs have now been smoothed over and that Hamsik has travelled to Madrid for a medical.
Should Hamsik depart the Italian giants, it will bring to an end to his 12-year sojourn with the club, who are second in Serie A behind Juventus.
Gunners eye in-demand left-back
Reports have suggested that Arsenal boss Unai Emery will have a small war chest to play with in the transfer market this summer, and Mundo Deportivo said that the Gunners will use some of that money to sign Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo.
Grimaldo is considered one of the most talented full-backs on the continent, and with Arsenal enduring a torrid campaign of injuries to their back line this season, the 23-year-old could be a welcome addition.
Manchester City also have been linked with Grimaldi, who was a graduate of Barcelona’s fabled La Masia youth academy. Composed on the ball and with good technical ability, Grimaldi seems a perfect fit for the North London club.
He also likes to attack, and he has even been deployed in a wide midfield position at times this season, which sits well with Emery’s attacking philosophy while playing out from the back.
Tap-ins
– Chelsea and Manchester United could be locked in a battle to sign Douglas Costa this summer, says The Daily Star. Costa was a target for Jose Mourinho, but it looks like United could finally make a move for the tricky winger at the end of the season.
– Liverpool and Chelsea are to battle it out for the signature of Brescia’s 18-year-old Sandro Tonali this summer. Chelsea have been heavily linked with the youngster, but they could face a hefty fee if Brescia win promotion to Serie A, suggests Inside Futbal.
– It has been widely accepted that Eden Hazard is on the move this summer, but recent comments in The Times made by the Belgian about boss Maurizio Sarri along with new signing Gonzalo Higuain could lead supporters to believe he could actually stay — news that would delight worried Chelsea fans.