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Gab Marcotti’s most exciting transfers this window
Gab Marcotti lists his best stories of this transfer window.
The summer transfer window is now open in Europe and there is plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, made deals!
TOP STORY: Al Nassr teases Man Utd’s goalkeeping plans
Al Nassr has submitted an offer to Andrew Onan as they look set to compete with Manchester United for the goalkeeper, reports CBS Sport.
The 27-year-old Internazionale player was a standout player as Nerazzurri reached last season’s Champions League final, leading to interest from Man United and Chelsea as both Premier League clubs look for new No.1s.
However, Al Nassr has now prioritized the signing of the Cameroon international, with current goalkeeper David Ospina expected to miss a significant part of the upcoming season due to injury.
The Saudi side was previously linked with a move for David De Gea, whose contract at Old Trafford expired at the end of June. But in a major blow to United coach Erik ten Hag’s plans, Al Nassr have now turned their attention to Onana.
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LIVE BLOG
10.23 BST: Flamengo attacking Pedro have turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, globe sports reports.
Pedro, 26, played for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup after an impressive year with Flamengo, scoring 29 goals, including 12 in the Copa Libertadores. He has a €60m release clause. and is under contract with Flamengo until December 2027.
Al Hilal offered Pedro six times the amount he earns at Flamengo, but the sporting project has not convinced the player.
The Saudi Pro League side, who hired former Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus earlier this week, are not giving up on Pedro. Al Hilal are hoping to convince the player to move to Saudi Arabia and will make a new offer.
Marcotti: Gvardiol could be better than Dias for Man City
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss Josko Gvardiol’s potential move to Man City from RB Leipzig.
City are yet to make an official offer for Gvardiol, but have been encouraged that the 21-year-old wants to move to the Etihad this summer and that he is potentially available for the right fee.
RB Leipzig value the highly-rated Croatian centre-back at €100m, although it is likely that City’s first bid will be significantly lower.
“Josko and his advisors have sent us a request for a transfer to Manchester City,” RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl told the Leipziger Volksnachrichten newspaper.
“We are in talks with Manchester. There is nothing more to say about that at the moment.”
09.12 BST: Celtic winger Who has joined Al-Ittihad on a three-year contract, the Saudi Pro League champions announced on Monday.
Financial details were not disclosed, but Scottish media reported the transfer fee to be £25 million ($31.73 million).
Al-Ittihad announced the deal by publishing a video of coach Nuno Espirito Santo watching Jota’s goal.
Al-Ittihad will participate in the Club World Cup, which will be held in Jeddah in December, as champions of the host country’s league.
Jota, 24, becomes Al-Ittihad’s third signing after the Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante – The best of N’Golo Kante.
08.30 BST: America’s striker Brendan Aaronson is close to finalizing a loan to Union Berlin, a source told ESPN.
Aaronson joined Leeds United from FC Salzburg last year in a transfer worth around 25 million pounds ($30 million), but after Leeds were relegated from the Premier League this season, he sought a move elsewhere. Union Berlin finished fourth this year in the Bundesliga and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
In his only Premier League season, Aaronson appeared in 36 out of 38 games, scoring once and registering three assists.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Naples Kim Min Jae is getting close to a move to Bayern Munich, according to journalist Fabricius Roman. The 26-year-old defender will undergo a medical in Germany on Wednesday after agreeing personal terms with the Bundesliga club over a week ago. Bayern will then trigger the South Korea international’s release clause and he is expected to sign a contract until June 2028.
– Villarreal will target Tottenham Hotspurs Davidson Sanchez as they look to replace the Aston Villa-bound Pau Torres, Relief reports. Spurs are reportedly set to part with the 27-year-old centre-back for €15m, with Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Spartak Moscow all interested in the Colombian international.
– Paris Saint-Germain are ahead of Chelsea in the pursuit of Celta Vigos Gabriel Veigareports Guardian. The 21-year-old midfielder has been identified as a potential replacement for Mason Mount, who is set to join Manchester United. Veiga has also attracted interest from Manchester City, Liverpool and Barcelona. But the Ligue 1 champions are stepping up their efforts to sign the Spain Under-21 international, who scored 11 goals and provided four assists in LaLiga last season.
– Free agent Wilfried Zaha keeps his options open after agreeing terms with no less than four clubs, acc Sky Sports. Crystal Palace are looking to extend his stay at Selhurst Park and have offered a four-year deal, while Lazio, Fenerbahce and Al Nassr have all made offers for the Ivory Coast international.