Transfer rumor roundup 6/27: Dembele dines with Guardiola
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 leads with a bombshell report from French outlet Le 10 Foot, which states Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele had dinner with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Monday.
The 20-year-old, who is fresh off being named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season, compiled an eye-popping 10 goals and 21 assists across all competitions last term and scored his first French senior international goal against England earlier this month.
One of the world’s elite young talents, the ambidextrous Dembele would certainly fit the mold of player Guardiola has brought to City since taking charge.
Additionally, after splashing cash on the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva already, the Citizens’ financial supremacy likely leaves them unbothered by the prospect of shelling out another hefty fee to secure Dembele.
Recently linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, Dembele is said to be valued around €90 million.
While Dortmund surely won’t want to sell him after just one season, Dembele may be unsettled by the dismissal of manager Thomas Tuchel, who convinced him to join the German outfit last summer.
Whether that’s the case or not, Dembele’s meeting with Guardiola in Manchester indicates an exit is possibility he’s at least willing to entertain.
Speaking of European phenoms, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma continues to draw headlines over his future at AC Milan.
After previously declaring that he wouldn’t sign an extension with the club, Donnarumma’s Instagram account on Sunday featured a message confessing his “absolute love for Milan and its fans” and his intention to restart contract talks soon, ESPN reports.
Shortly after, however, the 18-year-old stated his account was hacked, adding another twist to his contract saga.
Of course, Donnarumma’s current deal at the San Siro is set to expire next summer, leaving the Rossoneri desperate to secure him for the long haul.
To their delight, the Italian’s notorious super-agent, Mino Raiola, later clarified the situation, confirming that Donnarumma will indeed meet with Milan once he’s finished with the U-21 Euros.
Regardless of how he’s been represented on the business side of his early career, Donnarumma has been worth the waffling, as he’s already compiled 23 clean sheets in 72 senior appearances for Milan.
While sorting out Donnarumma’s future is rightfully the club’s top summer priority, it appears Milan aren’t done making new signings to their setup.
Having already confirmed the additions of Andre Silva, Franck Kessie, Mateo Musacchio and Ricardo Rodriguez, Kicker reports the Rossoneri have reached a contract agreement with Bayer Leverkusen’s Hakan Calhanoglu.
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A Turkish international, Calhanoglu is capable of playing in a variety of attacking midfield positions and has accumulated 28 goals and 29 assists since arriving at Leverkusen in 2014.
However, the 23-year-old’s most recent campaign was cut short in February due to a FIFA-imposed, four-month ban stemming from a dispute over the compensation terms in one of his previous contracts.
Expected to be cleared for the start of the upcoming season, Calhanoglu is ready for a change of scenery, and having reached contract terms with Milan, a transfer fee is seemingly all that needs to be ironed out before his move can be confirmed.
Similarly, Frenchman Anthony Modeste is on the verge of joining Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian, but Express.de reports his medical has been delayed until a transfer fee agreement is met with FC Koln.
Despite his previously scheduled Tuesday medical being pushed back, Modeste has arrived in China ahead of signing a lucrative three-and-a-half-year contract worth €11 million annually.
With 25 goals, Modeste ranked third in the Bundesliga last season, which, despite him being 29 years old, is expected to garner Koln a healthy sum of €35 million.
To conclude, a young striker on the move is Nigerian Henry Onyekuru, who Sky Sports reports has been the subject of a successful transfer bid from Everton.
The 20-year-old was the joint-top scorer while playing for KAS Eupen in the Belgian first division this past season, but since he doesn’t yet qualify for a UK work permit, the youngster will immediately be loaned to Anderlecht for the coming campaign.