[ad_1]
-
Nick JuddTransfer writer
The winter transfer window is closed, but now it’s time to look ahead to the summer! Here are the new rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City in battle for Aouar
Lyon wonderkid Houssem Aouar is attracting plenty of interest from England, with Arsenal joining Liverpool and Manchester City in the race for his signature, according to The Sun.
– Stream new episodes of ESPN FC Monday-Friday on ESPN+
– Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+
The 21-year-old is considered one of the hottest properties in Europe and as well as a trio of English clubs queueing up to sign him, he’s also being watched by the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid.
Aouar impressed in action against Manchester City in the Champions League last season and was even described by City boss Pep Guardiola as “incredible.” This season he’s scored three goals in 25 appearances in all competitions.
Liverpool are supposed to be long-term admirers of the France Under-21 international and are even alleged to have started talks with his representatives, though this week’s news that the English top flight league leaders are halting all contract talks and transfer activity could see that contact come to an end.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also keen, though Arsenal’s small transfer budget could be an issue.
Europe’s top clubs lining up for left-back Hernandez
Marca are reporting that AC Milan could cash in on left-back Theo Hernandez this summer, with a whole host of clubs interested in signing the former Real Madrid player.
Hernandez only moved to the Italian giants last summer, but he has impressed in the 25 games he’s played, scoring six goals in all competitions.
Real Madrid are unable to buy Hernandez back and didn’t insert a sell-on clause when they sold him, and so won’t be able to make any money should Milan decide to sell. All of which has got the Rossoneri thinking about profiting from a player who could help them strengthen in more pressing areas.
Barcelona and Arsenal are both interested in the left-back position having shown interest in Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa, and so could be interested in Hernandez too, while Juventus and Manchester City are both said to be monitoring the situation.
Inter to attempt audacious Messi swap?
The Lauro Martinez to Barcelona story continues to rumble on, but Sport have raised the stakes by reporting quotes from former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, who has suggested Inter might attempt to take Lionel Messi in the other direction as part of the deal.
Inter are resigned to the fact that they may will likely wave goodbye to Argentine striker Martinez, with the Blaugrana having chased him for months and the player seemingly keen to go. However, Moratti has suggested that the club could try and pull off an audacious swoop, or at least try and stall the deal by demanding they sign Messi in return.
Messi is coming towards the end of his contract in 2021 and has fallen out with club officials this year, and Moratti says stranger things have happened.
It goes without saying that Barca would be unlikely to let him leave, while persuading the player to go would, you imagine, prove tricky.
Inter keen on Aubameyang
A more believable signing for Inter perhaps would be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has reportedly decided to leave Arsenal this summer, according to Gazetta dello Sport. The Italian daily believes Inter lead the way to sign the wantaway Gabonese striker.
Aubameyang’s contract only has one more year left to run, which is one reason why Arsenal might decide to sell if their contract extension talks continue to falter.
The Gunners are keen to keep their captain and talisman, but so far talks between the two parties have not gone well, with Aubameyang seemingly unimpressed by the club’s transfer plans and seeking a new challenge.
Inter boss Antonio Conte is keen to take advantage. The Nerazzurri have been linked with Aubameyang for several months and with the player himself making overtures about leaving, that could now spark a tangible offer from the Italian capital.
Tap-ins
– The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in signing Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, who is out of contract in 2021. The 32-year-old could leave the German giants this summer and if that’s the case, that could spark a bidding war between the London rivals. Boateng is out of favour at Bayern after he was fined for breaking coronavirus guidelines.
– The list of clubs interested in Valencia attacking prodigy Ferran Torres is growing, with Goal reporting that Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool all enquiring with Valencia about the potential availability of the 20-year-old.
Share this post if you enjoyed! 🙂
Read more at this link (News Source).
