Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
According to The Sun, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund have held initial talks over a transfer that would see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang join Pep Guardiola’s side in exchange for young striker Kelechi Iheanacho and cash.
Boasting a reported £60 million price tag, Aubameyang has exploded over the past two seasons, evidenced by his 74 goals across all competitions for Dortmund. In acquiring him, City would boast another established top-class forward to pair with Sergio Aguero.
Behind Aguero, 20-year-old Gabriel Jesus has made waves since arriving at City in January, supplanting Iheanacho in the club’s pecking order along the way. After scoring eight goals in 753 minutes of Premier League action last season, Iheanacho has started merely five matches under Guardiola. As a result, potentially moving to Dortmund, who are renowned for nurturing young talent, could make sense for Iheanacho.
Elsewhere in Manchester, Sky Sports reports that Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could be on his way to Old Trafford.
This comes after long-standing speculation linking the Red Devils’ current No. 1, David de Gea, with a transfer to Real Madrid. If de Gea were to head home to Spain, it’s said that Schmeichel is Manchester United’s first choice to replace him between the sticks.
Despite interest from Manchester City also mentioned, the relations Schmeichel’s new agent, Italian Luca Bascherini, holds within United are said to benefit the club’s pursuit of his client.
One player that seemingly will not be joining Man United this summer is Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez, who signed a new contract Monday to extend his stay in the Spanish capital through 2022.
The 21-year-old had previously been linked with United, who are in search of a long-term defensive partner to Eric Bailly. Despite being born in France, Hernandez enrolled in Atleti’s academy in 2007 and has gone on to make 18 appearances for the senior side this season.
While Lucas Hernandez’s future is no longer a hot topic, that of his younger brother, Theo, is quite the opposite.
Currently playing for Alaves while on loan from Atleti, Hernandez is not believed to see his future under manager Diego Simeone, and recent transfer interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona has given the promising 18-year-old other options to consider.
According to Sport, Barcelona have made significant progress in recent weeks in their pursuit of Hernandez, who is said to have a personal relationship with the club’s sporting director, Robert Fernandez.
Thanks to that relationship and Atleti’s obvious reluctance to conduct business with their hated neighbors, Real Madrid, Barcelona could ultimately trigger Hernandez’s €24 million release clause, giving them an eventual successor to Jordi Alba at left back.
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Barcelona are also one of three clubs French publication Telefoot credits with interest in Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos.
With his contract set to expire in 2019, the 22-year-old’s renewal process has yet to experience a breakthrough, thus resulting in both Manchester United and Manchester City also attempting to take advantage of his situation.
The Brazilian, whose transfer free is thought to be around £50 million, has started 25 games in central defense for PSG this season, including Sunday’s loss at Nice, where he scored his side’s lone goal.