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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. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
TOP STORY: Arsenal look north of the border for reinforcement
Celtic lost manager Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City on Tuesday, and things could get worse for the Bhoys faithful in the summer if reports in the Scottish Sun are to be believed.
The newspaper is reporting that Arsenal have been tracking highly rated left-back Kieran Tierney for two years and that Unai Emery is ready to meet the club’s £25 million valuation of the defensive star in the summer.
Tierney has grown in stature since being awarded his chance in the first team under former boss Ronny Deila, and Tierney was alleged to have been a target for Everton last summer. He is currently under contract until 2023.
Should the Gunners land their man, it would represent Celtic’s biggest sale since Moussa Dembele (who was mightily unimpressed with Rodgers’ defection to Leicester) moved to Lyon for £20m.
LIVE BLOG
08.30 GMT: River Plate attacking midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero has put pen to paper on a new contract that ties him to the Buenos Aires giants until June 2022.
As part of the deal, his release clause has increased from $22m to $30m. The Colombia international, who scored in the return leg of the Copa Liberadores final to help his side beat Boca and clinch the title in December, has been a reported target of Real Madrid since the summer. River exercised a €3.2m purchase option on Quintero last year to acquire his rights from FC Porto.
Diario AS recently reported that Madrid are continuing to monitor Quintero’s performances.
PAPER TALK (by Richard Edwards)
Ola set to make Italian move permanent
Chelsea wing-back Ola Aina is on the verge of making his loan move to Italy more long term, says the Sun.
The Nigerian has impressed for Torino in Serie A this season to the extent that Maroons officials are ready to take up the option of a permanent move for the youngster for just under £9m. He has made 24 appearances since his switch from London, and he scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win against Udinese earlier in February.
Aina, who starred at Hull City in the Championship last season and who attracted interest from Queens Park Rangers and PSV Eindhoven in the summer, admitted he is loving life and football in Italy. And with Cesar Azpilicueta blocking the 22-year-old’s path to the Chelsea first team, Aina could feel his prospects are better served at the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium.
Southampton keen on Red Bull Leipzig striker Augustin
Southampton are joining the race to sign Red Bull Leipzig striker Jean-Kevin Augustin, reports the Daily Mail. The 21-year-old French under-21 international continues to attract admiring glances from England despite firing just six goals in 23 appearances, and he could cost the Saints an eye-watering £35m.
Saints were among the clubs who enquired about Augustin’s services on transfer deadline day, alongside West Ham United and Everton; but the Bundesliga club ignored any advances, instead insisting they saw the former Paris Saint-Germain frontman as part of their plans to finish in a Champions League place.
Augustin worked with Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl at Leipzig last season, when Augustin netted 12 goals in 37 appearances.
Tap-ins
– Arsenal loan signing Denis Suarez admits he would like to make his loan move from Barcelona more permanent, despite being yet to start a game for the Gunners. The Mirror reports that Arsenal would have to pay a reported £17m to keep the midfielder, who told his YouTube channel he wants to become “an important player for the club.”
– Cristiano Ronaldo has told Tuttosport (via the Manchester Evening News) that he is happy in Turin, pouring cold water on any rumours linking him with a return to Manchester. Ronaldo has scored 21 goals in 34 appearances for Juventus, and he reportedly has told friends he is content in Italy.
– Juventus have no intention of bringing back Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain to Italy, reports the Sun. Chelsea have the option to extend his loan or sign him on a permanent deal, but if Chelsea decide against keeping the 31-year-old, Juve reportedly will look to offload him in the summer.
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