Transfer rumor roundup 5/30: Aubameyang buys Paris property
By Nick Pitner
Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Tuesday’s transfer news is highlighted by Goal’s report that Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has purchased property in Paris.
The striker is the subject of negotiations between Paris Saint-Germain and the German club, but has already hinted a deal could be completed soon by making arrangements to live in the suburbs of the French capital.
After Dortmund confirmed on Tuesday that manager Thomas Tuchel will not return next season, it appears the club’s leading goalscorer could follow him out the door.
Thanks to a brace on the season’s final match day, the Gabon international finished atop the Bundesliga chart with 31 goals this season. Aubameyang then followed that feat by scoring the winning goal in Saturday’s German Cup triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Given the 27-year-old’s outstanding 120 goals in 189 total appearances since joining Dortmund in 2013, Aubameyang is expected to cost PSG a pretty penny, as his reported salary demand of €10 million might suggest.
Any transfer, however, will be dependent on the approval of new PSG sporting director Antero Henrique, who will be unveiled this weekend.
A deal that could be completed before Henrique is presented to his new fan base is Manchester City’s capture of Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the 23-year-old arrived in England on Monday to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed move from Benfica.
Previously linked to cross-town rivals Manchester United, Ederson is ultimately seen as Pep Guardiola’s answer between the sticks, where Joe Hart and Claudio Bravo failed to make the grade during the Spaniard’s first season at the Etihad.
In 40 appearances across all competitions this season, Ederson compiled 24 clean sheets while leading Benfica to their fourth straight domestic title. He also earned his first call-up to Brazil’s senior side, but was restricted to a spot on the bench for both of his country’s World Cup qualifiers back in March.
With a five-year contract in the works, Manchester City are prepared to pay €40 million for Ederson, which, under the current exchange rate, would slightly edge Gianluigi Buffon’s transfer to Juventus as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper acquisition.
While Ederson is set to become the newest City player, forward Kelechi Iheanacho’s time at the club is close to an end, as his agent told Own Goal Nigeria that West Ham have nearly sealed a deal for his services.
A transfer in excess of £20 million has been agreed between the clubs, but negotiations over a buy-back clause and Iheanacho’s image rights have stalled the announcement of the transaction.
After linking up with the Nigerian national team in France last week, Iheanacho left for London on Saturday morning to discuss terms over a move to West Ham.
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With the Hammers, the 20-year-old would provide manager Slaven Bilic with a potential top-class striker, something he’s long desired as an alternative to Andy Carroll.
In just under 1,200 minutes across all competitions last season, Iheanacho tallied 14 goals and five assists, but then saw his playing time decrease under Pep Guardiola this term, managing seven goals and three helpers in 899 minutes.
With rising star Gabriel Jesus jumping ahead of him in the pecking order, Iheanacho is seeking to get more action elsewhere, and reportedly desires to stay in England since he’s just two years away from getting his citizenship papers.
Two other transfers that could be finalized soon are goalkeeper Asmir Begovic’s switch from Chelsea to Bournemouth and defender John Brooks’ arrival at Wolfsburg from Hertha Berlin.
According to Goal, Chelsea have accepted a £10 million bid from the Cherries for the backup shot-stopper, leaving only an agreement on personal terms in front of the 29-year-old competing with Artur Boruc for Bournemouth’s starting position.
Brooks, on the other hand, is seemingly set to become the most expensive United States international ever, as Wolfsburg will shell out €17 million for his talents, ESPN reports.
The 24-year-old has made 90 Bundesliga appearances for Hertha, who finished sixth in Germany this season.