Transfer rumor roundup 7/20: PSG-Neymar meeting scheduled
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.
Thursday’s biggest transfer headlines surround Paris Saint-Germain’s pursuit of Neymar, with RMC reporting the French powers have a meeting scheduled with Neymar’s father.
According to the report, however, the Brazilian’s representatives were the first to contact PSG, not the other way around.
That dynamic has raised suspicion over whether Neymar is using PSG to garner to a new contract from Barcelona, and whether PSG are playing along to force Barca to cool their interest in midfielder Marco Verratti.
In spite of that speculation, however, Globo Esporte reports the 25-year-old has already informed his compatriots at PSG – namely Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Lucas Moura – that he’ll be joining them this season.
Along with Neymar, Le Parisien reports new PSG sporting director Antero Henrique is hot on the case of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
After spending the start of this week in Miami to kick off his club’s preseason tour, Henrique flew back to Europe amid intensified talks for Neymar, but first he’ll travel to London to try and close a deal for Sanchez.
Although Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declared this week that Sanchez will stay this season, the report states PSG are eyeing a transfer for around €40 million given the fact he’s entering the final year of his current contract.
Elsewhere in London, West Ham are planning to complete the signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez early next week, ESPN reports.
Better known as “Chicharito”, the 29-year-old confirmed that he’s agreed to join the Hammers and will likely undergo a medical on Monday.
With one year remaining on his contract at Bayer Leverkusen, Hernandez was widely anticipated to leave the club this offseason, and West Ham are prepared to pay his £13 million release clause to secure his signature.
Familiar with the English game from his four seasons spent at Manchester United, Hernandez is fresh off totaling 28 goals over his last two league campaigns.
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Speaking of Manchester, Manchester City have seen a £44.5 million bid for left-back Benjamin Mendy rejected by Monaco, according to The Guardian.
Despite being focused on retaining some of their star youngsters, Monaco are believed to be prepared to let Mendy go, but the reigning French champions are seeking a fee closer to the £50 million City paid for right-back Kyle Walker earlier this month.
Until the clubs are able to find common ground over compensation, Mendy won’t be allowed to undergo a medical at the Etihad, something that was previously expected to take place this coming Tuesday.
With Mendy seeming fairly certain to arrive, City are ready to offload veteran Aleksandar Kolarov, with talkSport reporting the Serbian is close to joining Roma.
Also entering the last year of his current contract, Kolarov has already received an offer from the Giallorossi, who will have to part with around £8 million for the 31-year-old.
Another full-back involved in Manchester City’s summer plans is Real Madrid’s Danilo, but according to the BBC, the Citizens will have to fend off Chelsea to seal a deal.
Too often second-choice to Dani Carvajal since arriving at Real Madrid in 2015, the 26-year-old is seeking more minutes elsewhere and is seen as an ideal candidate to reinforce both Premier League clubs’ options.