Transfer rumor roundup 7/21: Barca’s Coutinho bid rejected
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.
Friday’s transfer news leads off with the Daily Mail’s report that Barcelona was submitted an €80 million bid for Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.
In the wake of heightened speculation surrounding the future of Neymar at Barcelona, the Spanish giants are perhaps trying to convince him to stay by acquiring one of his Brazilian compatriots.
Alternatively, they could be preparing for Neymar’s exit by viewing Coutinho has a potential replacement.
Either way, Liverpool have rejected their advances, insisting the playmaker is not for sale at any price.
The 25-year-old signed a five-year contract extension at Anfield back in January, but that deal did not include a release clause, leaving Barca at the mercy of Liverpool when it comes to Coutinho.
In contrast to Coutinho, an attacker that appears to be on the move is Fiorentina’s Federico Bernardeschi, who Goal reports will join Juventus for €40 million.
Even after acquiring Douglas Costa earlier this month, Juve boss Max Allegri is keen to upgrade his offensive options, and the 23-year-old Bernardeschi embodies one of the brightest talents within Italy.
The winger contributed 11 goals and four assists in Serie A last season, when he also ranked in Fiorentina’s top three in average shot attempts (2.2), key passes (1.8) and dribbles completed (1.9), per WhoScored.
Bernardeschi’s switch is reportedly close to confirmation, as he’s already agreed to a five-year contract worth €4 million per season.
Meanwhile, back in England, the Express reports Marko Arnautovic is anticipated to become West Ham’s highest earner upon completion of his medical Friday.
The towering Austrian was the subject of two bids rejected by Stoke, but the Potters finally caved after West Ham put £24 million on the table earlier this week.
That fee represents a new Hammers club record, and Arnautovic’s five-year pact with them is expected to top £100,000 per week.
Assuming all goes well, Arnautovic — who boasts 17 goals and 11 assists the past two seasons — is scheduled to travel with West Ham to Germany on Monday for the second leg of their preseason training tour.
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Elsewhere in London, Chelsea have confirmed that defender Kurt Zouma will join Stoke on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old Frenchman was in the midst of a breakthrough 2015-16 campaign until a major knee injury ruled him out for several months.
While that incident derailed the bulk of last season, Zouma will aim to get back on track with Stoke, and Chelsea have reassured his stock at the club by inking him to a new contract in advance of his loan spell.
To conclude, Sky Sports reports Arsenal have been offered Barcelona midfielder Rafinha.
The younger brother of Bayern Munich maestro Thiago, Rafinha tallied seven goals and five assists in 1,567 minutes across all competitions last term, but his campaign was cut short by a meniscus injury suffered in April.
That problem prevented the 24-year-old from traveling with Barca for their preseason tour in the United States, and could cause questions from potential suitors given Barca’s reported €30 million valuation.