Transfer rumor roundup 7/12: Alves joins PSG over Manchester City
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 leads off with Paris Saint-Germain’s confirmation that Dani Alves has signed a two-year contract with them instead of Manchester City.
The Brazilian’s contract with Juventus was cut off after just one season in Italy, and it was thought he was destined to reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola in England.
However, according to ESPN, PSG convinced Alves to join them with the help of a wage offer worth double that of City’s.
The 34-year-old arrives in Paris as one of the most accomplished right-backs still playing. Despite his age, though, Alves remains highly effective, as his six goals and six assists across all competitions, as well as his Juventus-leading average of 2.5 tackles per game last season, evidences.
In adding Alves, PSG are fully loaded at right-back, as they already boast Thomas Meunier and Serge Aurier. With three top-class options, it wouldn’t be surprising if a departure is soon to come in the French capital.
In fact, L’Equipe reports Aurier told coach Unai Emery after last season that he wanted to leave the club.
Although president Nasser al-Khelayi was initially reluctant to grant Aurier’s transfer request, Alves’ acquisition marks the culmination of PSG softening their stance in regard to selling the Ivorian.
According to the report, Aurier’s representatives have been approached by both Manchester City and Manchester United in recent months.
Along with them, Inter Milan are said to have registered their interest in Aurier, but the 24-year-old’s price tag of between €20-25 million leaves it unclear whether they’ll make a serious bid for him.
Besides Aurier, another player in Inter’s sights is Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, according to Corriere Dello Sport.
The Serbian has been heavily linked with Manchester United, but after the Red Devils hijacked Chelsea’s move for forward Romelu Lukaku, it’s thought the Blues may no longer be too keen to do business with them.
As a result, Inter have opened talks with the reigning Premier League champions over a £35 million deal for Matic.
With fellow defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko expected to seal his switch to Chelsea from Monaco in the near future, Matic is seemingly available and is among Inter’s targets to reinforce their options in the middle of the park.
Whereas the 28-year-old could be set for a Stamford Bridge exit, Sky Sports reports Chelsea are in talks over signing Real Madrid right-back Danilo.
The 25-year-old hasn’t seen as much playing time as he would like since joining the back-to-back Champions League winners in 2015 and is consequently eyeing an offseason departure.
Although Victor Moses surprised with his impressive form last season, Danilo is seen as someone that could bolster manager Antonio Conte’s options at the position, particularly with the Blues facing an expanded schedule that includes European competition this term.
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According to the report, Danilo, who has also drawn interest from Juventus, would cost Chelsea around £28 million.
To conclude, Atletico Madrid have confirmed their signing of Spanish attacker Vitolo.
The 27-year-old arrives on a five-year contract after registering six goals and six assists for Sevilla this past season.
However, given Atleti are unable to register new players until 2018, Vitolo will be forced to play the first half of the upcoming campaign on loan at fellow La Liga outfit Las Palmas.