Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Friday’s biggest transfer news comes out of France, where L’Equipe reports Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has made a move to Atletico Madrid his summer priority.
Scorer of 72 Ligue 1 goals over the past three seasons, Lacazette is said to be negotiating a four or five-year contract with Atleti.
Any deal, however, is pending the Spanish club’s transfer ban being lifted this offseason. As it stands, Atleti are unable to recruit players until January 2018.
According to RMC Sport, Lyon have knocked back an initial bid of €40 million and are holding out for a transfer closer to €60 million.
If Atleti are unable to find an agreement, Arsenal and Liverpool are mentioned as potential alternatives for Lacazette.
The former has also been heavily linked with Schalke left back Saed Kolasinac in recent weeks, but Bild reports Arsenal have been joined by Manchester City in tabling a contract offer of €140,000 per week for the Bosnian.
With his current pact in Germany set to expire after this season, Kolasinac is available for a free transfer on the back of what’s already been his best campaign thus far.
In 22 Bundesliga starts, the powerfully built defender boasts three goals and five assists. His impact is further evidenced by the fact Schalke have managed just two points in the nine matches he hasn’t started.
Kolasinac could reportedly decide his future destination as early as next week.
Bild also claims Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez is among Bayern Munich’s top transfer targets this summer.
Represented by the same agent as Bayern midfielder and fellow Chilean Arturo Vidal, Sanchez and the Bavarian club have apparently initiated talks over a deal.
Given that Sanchez’s current contract is widely known to expire after next season, Bayern reportedly believes a figure of around €60 million could be enough to clinch a move.
The club is intrigued by Sanchez’s ability to either partner or flank Robert Lewandowski in attack, and rightfully thinks Arsenal would rather sell Sanchez to them than to league rivals Chelsea or Manchester City.
Should that prove true, Paris Saint-Germain would seemingly be left as Bayern’s biggest competitor if Arsenal agrees to sell Sanchez.
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Any addition to the Parisian club could open the door for a departure, which gives credence to L’Equipe’s report that Liverpool have made inquiries regarding Brazilian winger Lucas Moura.
Despite sporting 16 goals and six assists across all competitions, Lucas has been in and out of manager Unai Emery’s starting lineup during the Spaniard’s first year in charge.
Furthermore, with the winter purchases of Julian Draxler and Goncalo Guedes, Lucas has seen PSG bolster their squad with players at his same position.
Although it remains to be seen whether Emery will keep his job, Liverpool’s reported interest could give Lucas a transfer to consider.
Finally, with Sunderland on the verge of relegation and in need of funds, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set for a £17 million transfer to Everton, according to The Northern Echo.
Reluctant to leave Wearside after growing up there, Pickford realizes that a move to a bigger club will only help his chances of making England’s 2018 World Cup squad.
While there will be no shortage of suitors once the season ends, Everton boss Ronald Koeman is reportedly confident in the club’s ability to secure a deal ahead of the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
That belief comes in part due to Everton’s intention to more than triple Pickford’s current wages. His clear path to playing time over Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenberg is another factor that favors the Toffees.
The report also mentions that striker Jermain Defoe is destined to leave Sunderland this summer.
Thanks to a clause in his contract, Defoe will be free to exit once the Black Cats are relegated, which has brought about transfer interest from West Ham, West Brom and Bournemouth.