Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Despite Real Madrid being on the verge of a third Champions League final in four years, it appears they’re already planning to transfer out James Rodriguez, who ESPN reports has been offered to Manchester United.
Of course, Rodriguez shares an agent with United boss Jose Mourinho, making Old Trafford a natural destination for the Jorge Mendes client.
Since arriving at Real Madrid for a reported €75 million after a sensational display at the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez has struggled to pin down a regular place in Zinedine Zidane’s star-studded starting lineup.
In recent Champions League action, the Colombian played just seven minutes in Los Blancos’ quarterfinal triumph over Bayern Munich and did not feature in their first leg semifinal win over Atletico Madrid last week.
Nonetheless, with 36 goals and 41 assists in 109 total appearances for the reigning European champions, the 25-year-old Rodriguez remains a bright midfield talent that could boost the Red Devils’ attack.
Should United not take up Madrid’s offer, however, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are mentioned as alternative suitors for Rodriguez.
One player that used to play in Manchester, the mercurial Mario Balotelli, could be off to Spain this summer, as Marca reports Las Palmas are in negotiations with the striker.
No stranger to transferring teams, Balotelli, who has appeared for three different sides over the last three years, is currently plying his trade at Ligue 1 outfit Nice.
In 22 league appearances for the French club, Balotelli has impressively hit for 15 goals. That includes five goals in his last five outings, marking his best season in some time.
Still just 26 years old, Balotelli would be reunited with good friend Kevin Prince Boateng at Las Palmas.
Another 26-year-old, Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, is also expected to secure a transfer this offseason, according to The Telegraph.
Named Player of the Year by his peers last year, Mahrez was a hot commodity last summer before adhering to then-manager Claudio Ranieri’s request that he stay another year to help the Foxes defend their title.
Next: Jose Mourinho is right to prioritize the Europa League
However, now that Ranieri is gone and Leicester’s performances have come back down to earth, the Algerian is keen to embark on a new adventure, and believes the club will grant his wish.
Barcelona and Marseille are said to be interested in him, but Mahrez reportedly desires to remain in England, where Tottenham and Arsenal are seen as the mostly likely competitors for his £30 million signature.
Out of contract after this season, Real Madrid defender Pepe is thought to have “one foot in the door” at PSG, according to a branch of Spanish outlet Cadena Ser.
Following a summer that saw him hoist the Champions League and Euro 2016 trophies, the 34-year-old has endured an injury-hit final campaign in Madrid, where he arrived 10 years ago from Porto.
In moving to PSG, Pepe would join fellow Brazilian-born defenders Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, although the latter is rumored to potentially be on his way out the door.
While Pepe’s arrival could help compensate for any loss, Italian source Gianluca Di Marzio reports the Parisians are set to miss out on Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez amid a positive talks with AC Milan.
With a release clause of €22.5 million, the pursuit of Rodriguez is fairly straightforward, but while Milan and Wolfsburg conduct talks over a transfer, Rodriguez’s contract terms with the Rossoneri were reportedly already ironed out during a meeting between the club and his representatives.