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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 following the Jan. 31 deadline day.
TOP STORY: Mertens
Napoli star Dries Mertens is unlikely to sign a contract extension at the club, reports the Daily Mail, and the news has alerted Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to the Belgian star’s availability this summer.
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Mertens is available to leave the Italian side on a free transfer at the end of the season should he turn down the contract extension offered to him, which is what the outlet suggests will happen.
Mertens was linked with several clubs in January, including Chelsea, and the fact that he didn’t leave suggested that he was keen to stay in Italy. Reports in Italy say that Napoli have offered Mertens £3.3m a year but that the player wants £6.3m a year, and that talks between club and player are not going well.
Inter Milan are also said to be interested in Mertens’ services, which could see multiple clubs scrambling for his signature come May.
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Barcelona refusing to give up on Willian Jose
Barcelona are desperate for strike cover with Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele both missing for extended spells through injury, and despite Real Sociedad’s financial demands for Willian Jose, the Blaugrana aren’t willing to give up on their preferred target, reports Marca.
Barca have looked into other options, but the Brazilian remains their No. 1 target and they’re keen to complete the signing before the end of the week. Dembele is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday and Suarez is already sidelined until the end of the season. Barca could be able to proceed with the signing of a new striker if the incoming player is based in Spain and if the Spanish Football Federation gives them permission.
Jose’s buyout clause is €70 million, which is too much for Barca. The price is said to be negotiable, but the club has a lot of work to do to make the deal happen.
Barca’s other options include Alaves forward Lucas Perez and Real Betis forward Loren Moron.
Jose plots summer spending spree
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is planning a summer of change in north London, and in particular he is looking to replace his defence, reports the Express.
The Spurs manager is looking to spend £120m on rebuilding his back line, and at the top of his list is Benfica’s Portuguese international and centre-back Ruben Dias. Mourinho is also keen to sign Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake alongside him.
The Portuguese is also interested in signing Norwich’s in-demand full-back Max Aarons on one side and Nice’s Youcef Atal on the other. The two could cost around £40m between them.
The news could spell the end for experienced pros Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. Alderweireld’s contract runs out in the summer and, ultimately, Mourinho wants more pace in his defence.
Spurs could face competition from Liverpool and Manchester City for Dias, while his buyout clause of £80m also could prove to be a stumbling block.
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Juve to spend whatever it takes to land Guardiola and Van Dijk
Juventus are plotting a move to take Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to Turin, with money not an object, reports the Sun. They’re also keen to spend up to £150m to land defender Virgin van Dijk to lure the former Barcelona coach to the Serie A holders.
Juve appointed Sarri only last summer, but club bosses are desperate to appoint Guardiola, and they’re prepared to spend whatever it takes to get him. President Andrea Agnelli believes Guardiola is the missing link when it comes to Juve lifting the Champions League.
Guardiola is on around £15m a year at City and insists he wants to stay, but Juve believe there is a chance of signing him until he puts pen to paper on a contract extension.
Tap-ins
– Monterrey sporting director Duilio Davino seemed to make a not-so-veiled reference to Inter Miami’s protracted pursuit of striker Rodolfo Pizarro. He told reporters in Monterrey’s airport: “Without doubt it is an uncomfortable situation — it seems to have been badly managed. FIFA don’t allow clubs to talk to players with a contract — it’s worrisome. In the end, the player will decide. We want him to stay, but we can’t make him be here, so the decision will be his.” As usual, watch this space.
– Henrikh Mkhitaryan will return to Arsenal this summer unless the Gunners reduce his asking price, reports the Sun. The London club are asking for £20m for the Armenian, and while he’s keen to stay at loan club Roma, the Italians aren’t prepared to meet the fee. That would leave Arsenal needing to find another buyer for a player who doesn’t appear to figure in boss Mikel Arteta’s short- or long-term plans.
– Watford star Abdoulaye Doucoure believes he’ll join a Champions League club in the summer and that his employers won’t stand in his way. That’s from the Mirror, which adds the French midfielder has been a target for Paris Saint-Germain and Everton in previous windows, and with Doucoure in fine form in recent weeks, he believes he can secure a big move when the current season ends.
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