Ederson could be on his way to the Premier League (Image: Getty Images)
If the conclusion of the Premier League season and the approaching World Cup weren’t enough, football supporters will shortly be able to feast on an abundance of transfer news and speculation. It’s a matter of weeks before the summer window bursts open, and it could prove a hectic one.
The Premier League’s major powerhouses will be seeking to complete deals, and potentially swiftly, to avoid paying the ‘World Cup tax’ on stars who excel in North America in June and July. The likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea will also be busy over the coming months, with billions set to be spent across Europe. Express Sport brings you a round-up of the latest transfer news and rumours…
Bargain fee emerges
Man United’s faithfulness to the Atalanta ‘supermarket’ could enable them to secure a cut-price deal for midfielder Ederson. The New Balance Arena has been a frequent destination for United scouts in recent years. Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund have arrived from the Serie A club, so they have a 50 per cent success rate, given the latter appears destined to remain at loan club Napoli.
Having been quoted nine-figure fees for players on their midfield long-list, like Elliot Anderson, the highly-regarded Ederson, could be available for the reduced price of £43m, according to reports in Italy.
FOLLOW EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Barca to poach Pedro?
Joao Pedro has barely had time to settle in at Chelsea, though few players seem to stick around at Stamford Bridge for long these days. According to reports from his home country, Barcelona view him as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, who appears to be heading to Saudi Arabia.
Globo Esporte reports that Barca sporting director Deco has intensified his pursuit of Pedro. Chelsea, for their part, are said to have no desire to sell, though they’ve made plenty of such proclamations over the past couple of years, haven’t they? Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, who is being mooted for a return to the Premier League, is also reportedly on Barca’s wish-list.
Joao Pedro is attracting attention (Image: Getty)
Gunners want Hammer
West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes appears destined to depart the Hammers this summer, regardless of the outcome of their relegation battle.
Man United and PSG have previously been linked with the Portugal international, but Arsenal are also in contention to secure the 21-year-old, according to The Times. Arrivals at the Emirates Stadium will be balanced by departures, with out-of-favour midfielder Christian Norgaard likely to be shown the door.
Liverpool’s Isak solution?
Having splashed almost £500m last summer only to regress considerably, Liverpool are poised to open the chequebook once more, with strengthening their forward line among their chief priorities.
RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and PSG’s Bradley Barcola are potential targets, as is another Leipzig star, Antonio Nusa, a left-sided player who could prove crucial to unlocking the best from £125m man Alexander Isak, according to The iPaper. The Norwegian could be available for approximately £50m, though his valuation would rise sharply should he impress at the World Cup.
Antonio Nusa is on Liverpool’s radar (Image: Getty)
Spurs set for bidding war
Tottenham’s transfer activity will, naturally, depend heavily on whether they find themselves playing Arsenal or Lincoln next season. With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven potentially heading for the exit door regardless, reinforcing the backline will be a priority.
Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, 23, has been identified as a target, with his club appearing to want a bidding war for the Bosnian international, who is also attracting interest from Juventus and Inter Milan, reports Sky Italia.
City to be offered Real fighter
Manchester City could reportedly be handed the opportunity to sign Real Madrid bad boy Federico Valverde this summer, according to sources in Spain. The Uruguayan appears destined to depart Los Blancos following his brawl with Aurelien Tchouameni.
City have previously registered interest in Valverde and, according to AS, have been placed on alert in the aftermath of the bust-up. However, Real would reportedly demand around £100m.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde’s bust-up is set to lead to one or both of them leaving the club (Image: Getty Images)
Villa looking for Soule
Aston Villa are pursuing Argentine attacking midfielder Matias Soule, 23, from Roma, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The development follows the conditions for Dutch winger Donyell Malen’s loan switch from Villa to Roma being activated, converting it into a permanent transfer.
There are indications that the Soule deal could be concluded sooner rather than later, enabling Roma to incorporate the sale in this season’s FFP balance sheet.