Transfer rumor roundup 7/11: Benteke to replace Lukaku?
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.
It was reported by Sky Sports on Tuesday that Everton are pursuing Christian Benteke.
Of course, the Toffees’ reported interest in Benteke comes after the club sold talisman Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United last week.
Although manager Ronald Koeman has already secured Sandro Ramirez and Wayne Rooney to help compensate for Lukaku’s departure, Benteke’s size and general skill set represents a more like-for-like replacement for his fellow Belgian international.
However, after only arriving at Crystal Palace for a club-record fee of £27 million last summer, it’s unclear whether Benteke will be available for purchase.
Still just 26 years old, Benteke has scored 66 goals over the past five Premier League seasons, averaging a goal every 182 minutes, and is fresh off netting 15 times for Palace last term.
Everton’s pursuit of Benteke follows their consideration of Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud, but any potential advances for the Frenchman have been ruled out after Arsene Wenger declared his intention to keep Giroud in London, The Mirror reports.
While the record signing of Alexandre Lacazette gives the Gunners a new first-choice forward, and follows Giroud’s playing time already decreasing last season, the 30-year-old inked a new contract with Arsenal in January and is expected to fulfill that commitment.
As a result, any interest in Giroud is anticipated to be knocked back by Arsenal, as Everton can now attest to.
In contrast to Giroud, a player that’s destined to move this summer is Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa.
Upon confirming the loan acquisition of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, Bayern will now look to offload Costa, and also confirmed Tuesday that they’re in ‘serious’ talks with Juventus over a deal, per ESPN.
On the back of that admission, Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano states Juve have successfully closed a contract for Costa.
According to Romano, he’ll initially join the reigning Serie A winners for a €6 million loan fee, but the transaction also includes a €40 million obligation to buy.
Compared to his debut campaign at Bayern under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Costa saw significantly fewer minutes last season upon Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment.
Still, having totaled 14 goals and 27 assists over the past two campaigns, Costa figures to add some extra attacking verve to Juve’s options.
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Elsewhere in Europe, Costa’s countryman Fabinho has been the subject of a €45 million bid from Atletico Madrid, according to L’Equipe.
The Brazilian is said to have a gentleman’s agreement with Monaco that will allow him to leave this summer, but Atleti’s transfer ban complicates matters.
Additionally, Fabinho is believed to favor a switch to Paris Saint-Germain, but considering they’re Monaco’s biggest competitors for the French title, the defending champions are understandably not willing to sell Fabinho to the capital club.
Also linked with a transfer to the Premier League this summer, the 23-year-old Fabinho’s versatility allows him to excel at multiple central midfield roles as well as right-back, seemingly making him a perfect fit for Atleti boss Diego Simeone’s system.
To conclude, a Spanish signing that has been confirmed is Sevilla’s capture of Sampdoria forward Luis Muriel.
The 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with his new club, who officially presented him to their fans on Tuesday.
Muriel joins Sevilla after making his name in Italy in recent years. Including his 11 goals and five assists last season, the Colombian notched 42 goals and 24 helpers while playing for Sampdoria, Udinese and Lecce since 2011.