LIVE: Transfer Talk: Napoli, Milan leading race for USMNT’s Balogun
The summer transfer window might not be open yet in Europe, but teams are getting ready for it, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
Folarin Balogun is a man in demand in Italy, with two Serie A giants — champions Napoli and rivals AC Milan — battling it out for the Arsenal youngster’s signature, according to the Mirror.
Napoli in particular are keen as they plan for life without star striker Victor Osimhen, who could leave this summer after an astonishing season. The recent Italian champions see Balogun — who scored 20 goals for Stade Reims in Ligue 1 matches on loan from Arsenal this season — as a potential suitor for Osimhen.
Among the clubs who are eyeing the 24-year-old Osimhen include Manchester United, Newcastle United, Chelsea and even Arsenal, who could include Balogun in any swap deal.
AC Milan, in contrast, are keen to sign more young players with big potential, and the 21-year-old Balogun certainly fits that bill. Balogun was called up on Thursday to the United States men’s national teams roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League final four round.
With both Italian clubs having made their interest known, Arsenal could be tempted to let Balogun leave only if they receive what they perceive to be the right offer. The Gunners are said to be looking for at least £30 million, which they’ll immediately offer to boss Mikel Arteta as he looks to strengthen his own squad for another title push.
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09.11 BST: If they do end up moving to Saudi Arabia, both Benzema and Messi would be following the path taken by Cristiano Ronaldo. The striker has confirmed he will stay with Al Nassr next season, but said that the Saudi Pro League (SPL) needs to improve to become one of the world’s top leagues.
“The league is very good,” Ronaldo said in an interview with the SPL. “But I think we have many, many opportunities to still grow. The league is competitive. We have very good teams, very good Arab players, but they need to improve a little bit more the infrastructure. Even the referees, the VAR system, should be a little quicker. I think other small things they need to improve.
“But I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here. And in my opinion if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top five league in the world.”
With Benzema, Messi and other high-profile players linked with moves to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo said such big-name arrivals will accelerate the process of improving the league
“If they are coming, big players and big names, young players, ‘old players,’ they are very welcome because if that happens, the league will improve a little bit,” he said.
08.36 BST: Another elite player who has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League is Lionel Messi, and on Thursday Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier confirmed that the Argentina captain will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
ESPN reported last month that Messi would leave PSG when his contract expires this summer, with the forward considering a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, the city rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. A return to Barcelona has also been mooted as well as a potential move to MLS club Inter Miami, who fired coach Phil Neville on Thursday.
Galter told a news conference ahead of PSG’s final Ligue 1 match of the season against Clermont Foot: “I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes.
“This year, he has been an important part of the team, always available. I don’t think any of the comments or criticisms are justified. He’s always been there for the team. It’s been a great privilege to accompany him throughout the season.”
– Messi models new PSG kit, even though he’s leaving
Alex Kirkland reveals that Real Madrid were not expecting to lose Karim Benzema this summer.
08.00 BST: There has been plenty of news over the last 24 hours involving some of the game’s biggest stars potentially moving to Saudi Arabia, not least sources telling ESPN’s Julien Laurens that Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires this month to join Al Ittihad.
ESPN reported earlier this week that Benzema was offered a two-year contract worth €400m to move to Saudi Arabia in January, the same deal as Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United.
Benzema, 35, has spent 14 seasons at the Bernabeu, becoming the club’s second-highest goal scorer and winning five Champions Leagues, four LaLiga titles and the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
The centre-forward had been expected to stay at Madrid for one more season until June 2024 but is opting instead to accept a new challenge. Madrid are in advanced talks to sign Joselu on loan to replace Mariano Diaz, but they will look for someone else to bolster the attack.
Benzema refused to be drawn on the reports on Thursday as he received the Marca Legends award at a ceremony.
“Why do I need to talk about my future? I am at Real Madrid. Not everything that you read on the internet is reality,” he said. “For the time being I’m here. I’m enjoying my time. There is a game on Saturday, and I train tomorrow.”
– Defender Joao Cancelo has ruled out a return to Manchester City and a permanent move to loan club Bayern Munich, according to Sport. The report states that the 29-year-old is instead keen on moving somewhere new with Barcelona in the mix to sign the left-back on a permanent deal. Cancelo believes his time at the Etihad Stadium is over following his temporary switch to the Bundesliga, but he’s said to favour a move to Camp Nou than a return to the Allianz Arena. Barcelona, however, would struggle to sign Cancelo on a permanent basis as a result of their precarious finances, which means — if interested — he might have to join the Catalan club on loan, and after having agreed a reduction in his salary.
– Manchester United are looking to reinforce their attacking options for 2023-24 and Erik ten Hag is in talks with Atalanta‘s Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Randal Kolo Muani, according to the Athletic. Ten Hag is looking beyond existing Reds forwards Wout Wehgorst and Anthony Martial who between them scored just 11 goals in 59 games this season. Ten Hag believes he needs to upgrade his strike force for United’s return to the Champions League, and he is making various plans alongside — or beyond — the desire to sign top target Harry Kane. Hojlund, 20, has scored eight goals and added four assists in Serie A this season, and has also scored five times for Denmark in the last international break. Muani, 24, scored a remarkable 23 goals and added 17 assists in 43 appearances, but could demand a transfer fee of up to €80m. Hojlund better fits the Reds’ desire to move for a developing player and would also be the perfect solution should United succeed in their pursuit of Kane.
– Chelsea have rejected an offer of £30m from Brighton & Hove Albion for defender Levi Colwill, according to the Daily Mail. Colwill, 20, had an impressive season as he made 22 appearances at the heart of the Seagulls’ back line while on loan. Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi was understandably keen to make the defender’s move a permanent one this summer. However, Chelsea have responded by saying that Colwill, a product of their academy, isn’t available at for transfer with Blues boss Mauriccio Pochettino said to be a big fan of Colwill.
– Girona are looking to steal a march on their rivals by making early moves in the transfer market, and the Spanish side are eyeing a potential double swoop for Barcelona duo Pablo Torre and Estanis Pedrola, according to Mundo Deportivo. Attacking midfielder Torre, 20, featured in just over 300 minutes for Xavi Hernandez’s side this season, while 19-year-old forward Pedrola scored seven goals in 14 appearances for Barcelona B. Barca could be interested in letting both players leave, particularly as they’re looking to boost their own transfer funds, but a loan spell for one or both seems more likely.