The summer transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Real Madrid will look to get Davies next year
Real Madrid are willing to hold out until 2025 to strike a deal for Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies, reports Sport.
Real Madrid are in the market for a left-back to replace Ferland Mendy, with Davies emerging as a priority target for the summer for the Spanish club, who have kept tabs on the former Vancouver Whitecaps player for over a year.
The Canada international sees his contract with Bayern expire in 2025, and the German club are aware that he will not agree on a new deal. Bayern have reportedly attempted to agree a new deal with Davies on several occasions, but the player is keen on parting ways with the club in the upcoming transfer window.
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Therefore, the Bavarian outfit will have to facilitate a departure for the full-back at the end of the season, to ensure he does not leave as a free agent next year.
Sources have told ESPN that while Madrid remain keen on Davies, they are unwilling to pay more than €40 million ($43.5m) to sign him this summer and are prepared to wait another year to acquire his services on a free transfer. Davies’ desire is to join Madrid, sources added.
Real Madrid have showcased interest in the 23-year-old, but the report indicates that Los Blancos are only willing to splash out €40m at the end of the season, falling short of Bayern’s asking price of between €50m to 60m.
It is reported that Madrid are willing to wait until 2025, to bring Davies to the club on a free transfer, leaving Bayern in the upcoming transfer window.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Bayern Munich are plotting a potential summer approach for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, reports Relevo. The Dutch midfielder has been on the radar of the Bavarian outfit since last season, and they could approach him in the upcoming transfer window. It is reported that De Jong is content at Barcelona, however, the Catalan club could be open to a departure. Barcelona must raise €100m before the end of June to ensure LaLiga Financial Fair Play compliance, with de Jong a potential candidate to depart this summer. The report reveals that Barcelona are aware that they can likely secure a fee between €60-70m, which would significantly help their efforts of raising €100m before July.
– Liverpool are set to see the trio of Adrian, Joel Matip, and Thiago Alcantara depart the club at the end of the season, reports Football Insider. The trio will see their contracts expire at the end of the season, and it is not expected that they will be offered new deals. The report indicates that goalkeeper Adrian has only been at the club to cover for Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher, but the 37-year-old will depart this summer. Meanwhile, defender Matip picked up a long-term injury, which means any new deal that he was expecting to be offered is off the table. It is reported that Thiago is one of the higher earners at Liverpool, with the 32-year-old not doing enough to justify his current salary.
– Internazionale are showing interest in Real Madrid defender Nacho, ahead of the summer, reports Fabrizio Romano. It has been reported that Nacho has informed Los Blancos that he will leave the club at the end of the season, with his contract expiring in June. The tweet indicates that Inter are monitoring the situation, having tried to strike a deal for the 34-year-old last year. However, Nacho is reportedly keeping his options open and is also considering options outside of Europe.
– Real Madrid have identified Lille defender Leny Yoro as a priority target for at the end of the season, reports Fabrizio Romano. With Nacho informing the Spanish outfit of his desire to depart the club this summer, upon the expiration of his contract, Madrid are in the market for a replacement for the 34-year-old. The tweet indicates that Yoro has been identified by Los Blancos as a target, with the club already making contact with the 18-year-old’s agent, amid Paris Saint-Germain’s interest. However, it is reported that Lille’s asking price will be key regarding the chances of a deal being struck.
– Chelsea are willing to offload forward Raheem Sterling in the upcoming transfer window, according to Football Insider. The 29-year-old is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2027, however, the report suggests that Chelsea are considering offloading the England international this summer, following a disappointing season with the Blues. Despite this, it is reported that due to Sterling’s lucrative contract at Chelsea, there are a very limited number of clubs within Europe who can afford to strike a deal for the former Manchester City player, which dampens the chances of a move this summer for Sterling.