Pogba, Hazard and Sane lead stars to watch in summer transfer window
Despite reports suggesting Real Madrid don’t want Gareth Bale, the star’s agent says he’s not going anywhere. The FC boys discuss what it will take for Bale to move on. (2:09)
The Premier League summer transfer window opened just after midnight GMT on Thursday, and it promises to be a busy summer for all of the leading clubs. Who will arrive and who will leave before the 2019-20 season kicks off on Aug. 10?
We point out the players whose will-they, won’t-they transfer sagas could drag on until the final minutes of the window.
— Transfer window: When does it open and close?
— Grades: Tracking every big summer signing
The Spain No. 1 is stalling on a new contract at Manchester United and could leave on a free transfer next summer. United have enquired about the availability of Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, so if Juventus or Paris Saint-Germain formalise their interest in De Gea, a deal could be done.
The Manchester United midfielder is likely to be at the heart of the biggest transfer saga of the summer. Real Madrid want the Frenchman, who has done nothing to play down the prospect of a move. United insist that he is not for sale, but a bid north of £100 million could tempt the club to sell.
Bayern Munich are keen to sign the Germany winger as part of their rebuild, and though City will not welcome a bid, the 23-year-old has grown frustrated with his lack of starts under Pep Guardiola. At this point, a move back to the Bundesliga this summer cannot be ruled out.
It’s another summer of uncertainty for the Real Madrid winger, but while Zinedine Zidane is prepared to offload the Welshman, Bale’s £600,000-a-week wages are likely to scare off most clubs. Bale will be 30 in July, so this is a huge summer for the former Tottenham man, who could struggle to find a new club.
Joao Felix
Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus are all trailing the Benfica attacking midfielder, who, at 19, is regarded as one of the emerging stars in world football. Benfica don’t want to sell, but a bidding war is likely to end with the player moving to the biggest spender.
Real Madrid and Manchester United are both monitoring Eriksen’s contract situation at Spurs, with the Dane yet to sign a new deal. Eriksen has 12 months to run on his current contract, and Spurs face the decision of whether to cash in now or risk losing him for nothing next summer.
The Belgian centre-half can leave for a bargain £25 million before the final two weeks of this summer’s transfer window due to a clause in his contract. Alderweireld is another Manchester United target, so Spurs must negotiate a new deal quickly or risk him leaving for the knockdown fee.
The Leicester centre-half is on the radars of both Manchester City and Manchester United. Brendan Rodgers will be backed to strengthen his squad by Leicester’s owners, but after refusing to push for a move to United last summer, Maguire might see this window as his time to move to one of the game’s biggest clubs.
Steve Nicol takes a look at the latest summer transfer rumours in Transfer Rater, including the possibility of PSG adding a couple more big stars to the fold.
The Atletico Madrid forward rejected a move to Barcelona last summer, but the Spanish champions are expected to hold off Premier League interest from Chelsea and Manchester United to sign the France international this summer.
Saul Niguez
Both Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in the Atletico Madrid midfielder, but his €150 million escape clause could prove too much for fans of the 24-year-old. United are favourites to sign him if they can secure a lower fee for the Spain international.
The Chelsea forward has said he has made a decision on his future but won’t reveal his intentions until after the Europa League final against Arsenal on May 28. With Hazard still stalling on a new deal and Real Madrid hovering, a move to Bernabeu is now the most likely outcome.
Matthijs De Ligt
Barcelona are the favourites to sign the 19-year-old Ajax captain, but Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United are also pursuing the centre-half. A big money offer from any of the Premier League trio could knock Barca out of the running.
Juventus are struggling to persuade the 25-year-old Argentine that his future is in Turin, and the forward is on Manchester United’s long list of targets, especially with the emergence of Moise Kean as a preferred attacking option. Juve remain keen on moves for David de Gea and Pogba, so Dybala could be used to land either of those top targets.
The Brazilian has become unsettled at Barcelona after being the target of intense criticism by the club’s supporters. Barca are prepared to sell the former Liverpool man but will want to recoup a large chunk of the £142 million fee paid to sign him from Anfield in January 2018.
Manchester United have a long-standing interest in the England winger, who has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest properties in his two seasons at Borussia Dortmund. The German outfit rated Sancho in the £100 million bracket, which means United could be forced to spend on other areas.
Tottenham have been tracking the Valencia midfielder all season, but Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as rivals for the 22-year-old’s signature. Mauricio Pochettino is determined to strengthen his squad this summer and has identified Soler has a key target.
Inter Milan have shown an interest in the Manchester United forward, who has admitted his desire to play in Serie A in the future. Lukaku has been in and out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting team, so a move could happen if United are able to find a proven replacement.
Liverpool abandoned a move for the Lyon midfielder due to a failed medical last summer, but the France international has proven his fitness this season and is attracting the interest of Juventus instead.