Here’s our round-up of the day’s transfer stories
UNITED STILL KEEN ON SANCHO
Manchester United have come up with a new plan to sign Jadon Sancho, after their last one went pear-shaped.
According to 90min.com, the Red Devils want to get a deal wrapped up before next year’s European Championships, when the England winger’s value could shoot up. Having missed out on him last summer, the club hope to confirm the deal in January, before allowing Sancho to spend the rest of the campaign in Dortmund – just as Christian Pulisic did before joining Chelsea.
The move has been given greater urgency by the news that Ousmane Dembele, their other transfer target, is said to be discussing a new contract with Barcelona.
STRIKER SHOOTOUT
Diario Sport are reporting that Manchester City are getting ready to go up against Real Madrid and Barcelona in their pursuit of a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero.
The 32-year-old is approaching the end of his time in England, with Internazionale leading the chase. As a result, City are looking at Inter’s Lautaro Martinez – Barcelona’s top striking target – and Erling Haaland, said to be near the top of Real Madrid’s shopping list. The Mancunians believe they have a financial advantage over their Spanish rivals, and will make their move next summer.
SERGIO RAMOS LATEST
Fresh from yesterday’s news that Sergio Ramos could be inching closer towards a move to PSG or Juventus, Real president Florentino Perez has added fuel to the rumours by admitting that the club captain leave in 2021.
Perez confirmed that he would not block Ramos’ departure, with reports suggesting that the French champions are prepared to pay him €20m-per-year until 2024, a figure that Los Blanco simply can’t match.
BARCA’S PREMIER LEAGUE CENTE-BACK SEARCH
In an unlikely turn of events, Barcelona have been linked with January moves for not one but two Premier League defenders.
According to Diario AS, Barca are lining up a loan offer for Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger, who was the subject of a similar offer from Tottenham on transfer deadline day. Failing that, they could go for former Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi instead, currently out of favour at Arsenal.
Manchester City youngster Eric Garcia remains their top target, but the graduate of La Masia will not be available until next summer.
WIJNALDUM’S NEW ADMIRER
After spending the last few months at the top of Barcelona’s shopping list, Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum is being targeted by Internazionale.
With his current contract set to end in 2021, the Dutchman’s future is in doubt, and the Italians want to capitalise by offering him a contract in January.
The move could be dependent on Inter shifting unwanted midfielders Matias Vecino, Radja Nainggolan and Christian Eriksen, with the latter linked with a return to the Premier League with former club Tottenham.
