Transfer rumor roundup 5/31: Chicharito on the move again?
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.
Wednesday’s transfer news includes details of Marseille’s plans for this summer, which include interest in Mexican striker Javier Hernandez, according to RMC Sport.
Better known as Chicharito, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player has spent the past two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 28 Bundesliga goals since arriving in Germany.
His displays have attracted not only Marseille, but also their French counterparts Lyon. Both clubs are said to have started discussions with Chicharito’s representatives over a transfer.
News of their talks with the 28-year-old comes while both teams are anticipated to lose their top striker from this past season in the coming months, with Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette set on a switch to Atletico Madrid and Marseille’s Bafetimbi Gomis eyeing a move to Turkey once his loan spell from Swansea expires.
In fact, Gianluca Di Marzio reports Gomis is close to an agreement to join Galatasaray.
After hitting for 20 goals in 31 Ligue 1 outings, Gomis sees his future away from Swansea, with whom his current contract ends next year.
According to the report, Gomis hopes to ink a two-year contract with an option for a third season with the Turkish outfit, which can also offer the 31-year-old Europa League action in the coming campaign.
In their efforts to replace Gomis, Marseille are not only looking at Chicharito, but also reportedly hold an interest in Monaco’s Valere Germain.
Besides up front, manager Rudi Garcia is also aiming to acquire a new first-choice goalkeeper, with former Marseille man Steve Mandanda atop his list and Spanish legend Iker Casillas also seen as a possibility.
Moreover, France Football reports that Marseille have been offered a season-long loan deal for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma.
After suffering a horrendous knee injury last season, the 22-year-old resurfaced for just 245 minutes in the Premier League this past season, leaving him outside of Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s plans for next term’s title defense.
As a result, the once-promising Zouma is being courted by suitors in his home country, where Nice have joined Marseille in registering their interest in taking Zouma for next season.
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Another player destined to leave one of England’s top clubs in Turkish forward Enes Unal, who on Wednesday was spotted by Plaza Deportiva arriving in Valencia ahead of a transfer from Manchester City to Villareal.
The 20-year-old spent this past season on loan at Dutch side FC Twente, impressively recording 19 goals and four assists across all competitions.
Despite that production, Man City’s crowded stable of strikers has prevented Unal from working his way into manager Pep Guardiola’s plans, thus opening the door for his Spanish switch.
While Villareal are expected to pay €14 million for Unal, the youngster’s upside has resulted in City requiring a €20 million buy-back clause be included in any deal.
Finally, Sport Witness relays a report from Portuguese newspaper Record that states Sporting defender Ruben Semedo is the subject of a tight transfer race between Southampton and Newcastle.
Although the 23-year-old is said to have a €45 million release clause, it’s believed Southampton’s bid of €20 million will be enough to see them edge out Newcastle for the center-half.
The Saints’ interest in Semedo comes while colossus Virgil van Dijk is anticipated to depart the St. Mary’s Stadium this summer, and after winning 54 percent of his duels and completing 90 percent of his passes this past season, per Squawka, Semedo embodies a like-for-like replacement.