StaffLet’s take a look at the transfers that could take place in the summer 2021 window.
1) Raphaël Varane to Manchester United
The 2018 World Cup winner, who is one of the most decorated CBs of modern football, looks set to head towards ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ after Manchester United missed out on him in 2011.
“Varane is ready to accept Manchester United’s contract proposal until 2026 if the agreement between clubs will be reached in the next days/weeks.” [Fabrizio Romano]
Manchester United are preparing to submit an official bid to Real Madrid.
The dynamic centre-back could be the missing piece in the puzzle that is Manchester United’s defence and make them the potential title challengers in the Premier League.
Varane is hugely admired by Ole Gunnar Solskjær as the perfect defensive partner to Harry Maguire.
2) Harry Kane to Manchester City
Pep Guardiola and the City hierarchy want Harry Kane as their new main man after the departure of club legend Sergio Agüero.
According to the reports, Tottenham have rejected City’s first bid of £100m.
While the first bid did not have any swap option, the names of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Aymeric Laporte have been mentioned among others to be included as part of a potential player-plus-cash deal. [via The Guardian]
Harry Kane wants to leave Spurs to play in the Champions League and win trophies. His addition to Manchester City will definitely terrorise opposition defences considering the kind of attacking players Guardiola’s team already have.
3) Antoine Griezmann to Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid’s president Enrique Cerezo admits “everything is possible” when it comes to bringing Griezmann back to Wanda Metropolitano, but has also said that he is unaware of any deals being discussed.
“Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are negotiating for a Saul-Griezmann swap deal but there is still no agreement. Barca insist they want money in the deal + players won’t reduce their salaries.” [Fabrizio Romano]
If things go well, Griezmann could add extra firepower to Los Colchoneros’ squad, partnering with Luis Suárez and the likes of João Félix, Ángel Correa, Marcos Llorente and Thomas Lemar.
4) Jack Grealish to Manchester City
From starting at Aston Villa in his youth days to becoming captain of the Birmingham team, Jack Grealish has come a long way. Now, the stage is set for him to join a top club to win titles and play in the Champions League.
He had missed out on a transfer to Manchester United earlier, but now their local rivals City are looking to pounce on the opportunity and grab hold of Grealish’s elite services. Reports suggest that Manchester City are ready to make a £100m bid to Aston Villa for the 25-year-old magician.
Grealish’s addition will certainly give another dimension to Guardiola’s side and bolster their quest to win the Champions League.
5) Erling Haaland to Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel desperately wants to add a goalscorer to his Champions League-winning squad, something they really lacked in the 2020/21 season.
Timo Werner has seemed low on confidence when it comes to finishing, and the Blues have also sold Olivier Giroud to AC Milan, while Tuchel doesn’t seem at all keen on Tammy Abraham.
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, as cited by TEAMtalk, the Blues have lodged their first official bid for Erling Haaland.
For several weeks it has been understood that Chelsea have agreed personal terms with the Norwegian striker, but they are yet to pique Dortmund’s interest.
6) Saúl Ñíguez to Manchester United / Liverpool / FC Barcelona
Diego Simeone doesn’t prefer Saúl anymore and Atlético Madrid are looking to offload the Spaniard. The signing of Rodrigo de Paul seemingly indicates the end of Saúl in Los Colchoneros’ midfield.
Barcelona are in talks with Atlético for a potential swap deal that would see Saúl go to Barça and Griezmann coming back to Atleti.
If Barcelona fail to get this deal over the line, Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly set to battle for the signing of the Spanish midfielder, and the reports claim that Manchester would be the preferred destination of the 26-year-old.
7) Manuel Locatelli to Juventus / Arsenal
The former AC Milan midfielder wants to make a step up in his career and move from Sassuolo to a top club. Reports claim that he eagerly wants to join Juventus amid concrete interest from Arsenal.
“Juventus look to beat Arsenal to signing of Italy’s Manuel Locatelli.” [The Guardian]
Arsenal are also looking to reinforce their midfield by adding the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 superstar and they are ready to match Sassulo’s asking price of €40M.
Juventus’ Nicolò Fagioli has been heavily linked with a move to Sassuolo in recent weeks as part of a potential cash-plus-player deal.
However, Fagioli’s agent, Andrea D’Amico, has revealed that he has no intention for his client to be involved in a deal concerning Locatelli and has also confirmed that Arsenal have lodged a big-money bid for his services.
Manuel Locatelli wants to play in the Champions League and it is believed in Italy that Juventus will be the favourites to sign him, but Arsenal are ready to go toe-to-toe for his potential signature.
8) Eduardo Camavinga to Manchester United
The 18-year-old wonderkid, who has loads of potential to become one of the best in the world, is appreciated by many top clubs in Europe. In this window, though, Manchester United appear to be the favourites to sign him if he were to leave Rennes.
Transfer Guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the details of a potential transfer for the Frenchman to Manchester United.
Camavinga is understood to have rejected a contract renewal offer with Rennes, with his current contract expiring in summer 2022. It’s thought that Rennes will accept a bid around €30M-€40M for Eduardo.
“Eduardo Camavinga on the other hand is Manchester United’s priority for midfield. The negotiation is ready to start with Rennes.” [Fabrizio Romano]
9) Kingsley Coman to Chelsea
Kingsley Coman continues to not budge from his wage demands, which is why there are complications in the ongoing contract negotiations between him and the Bavarian giants.
Bayern Munich have set a price tag of €90M on the French winger, but according to the reports, the only possibility of a move taking place is a swap deal.
“Chelsea would like to engineer a Kingsley Coman-Callum Hudson-Odoi swap deal” [L’Équipe]
Thomas Tuchel is said to be a big fan of Coman, and the Blues hierarchy would like to back the German with the signing if a deal can be struck.
10) Kieran Trippier to Manchester United
The recent La Liga winner is speculated to wanting to come back to England and join the Red Devils ahead of the 2021/22 season. The right-back would provide competition to Aaron Wan-Bissaka. His attacking prowess would also give some much-needed boost to United’s right flank.
Reports claim that Atlético Madrid have rejected a €18M bid by United for the 30-year-old, but he is reportedly ready to move should the clubs agree on a deal.
“Kieran Trippier to MUFC ‘probably’ will happen. Trippier wants to join, Atletico Madrid have to sell him eventually. It is not a deal that was going to be done in June or July.” [Samuel Luckhurst]
