Transfer rumor roundup 7/25: Monaco prepare to lose Mbappe, Lemar
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 suggests this summer’s biggest saga could be nearing a conclusion, as Real Madrid have reached agreement with Monaco over a €180 deal for Kylian Mbappe, Marca reports.
Just 18 years old, Mbappe set Europe ablaze this past season, registering a staggering 26 goals and 14 assists across all competitions while leading Monaco to the Ligue 1 title.
After such a triumphant campaign, Mbappe has fielded heavy interest from the world’s heavyweight clubs, reportedly leading the youngster to meet with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane earlier this summer.
While Mbappe has taken some time to deliberate his future, the high-priced departure of Alvaro Morata has created a clear opening in Madrid’s setup for Mbappe to now join his dream club.
With Zidane adamant to ink Mbappe as soon as possible, Los Blancos are prepared to shatter the transfer record set by Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United last year.
According to the report, Mbappe will cost the Spanish giants €160 million, with another €20 million potentially being owed through performance-based clauses.
Upon an official agreement with Monaco, the Frenchman is anticipated to sign a six-year contract worth €7 million per season with the back-to-back Champions League winners.
Given that Mbappe seems likely to leave Monaco, it’s no wonder that the Ligue 1 side are finally ready to allow Thomas Lemar to join Arsenal.
According to The Sun, following two unsuccessful bids, the Gunners have at last made a breakthrough in their pursuit of Lemar, setting the stage for a £45 million switch.
With Mbappe rightfully being the lynchpin holding Monaco’s star-studded squad together, his departure, and the massive sale fee he’s expected to command, figures to resign Monaco to allowing their remaining in-demand players to also exit.
From there, the reigning French champions would embark on a rebuild with the luxury of supreme financial security.
Reportedly already possessing a contract agreement with Arsenal, the 21-year-old Lemar totaled 14 goals and 17 assists across all competitions last season.
Across London, Tottenham are also eyeing the addition of a young talent, as the Daily Mail reports they’re targeting 22-year-old defender Jeremy Toljan.
Capable of playing either right- or left-back, Toljan is seen as someone to help fill the vacancy left by Kyle Walker’s move to Manchester City.
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The German is fresh off hoisting the U21 Euro trophy earlier this summer, and with just one year remaining on his current deal at Hoffenheim, it’s thought a deal for him would be easier for Tottenham to pull off than one for Ricardo Pereira, whose third-party ownership has complicated Spurs’ quest to sign him.
Elsewhere in England, The Guardian reports Swansea have rejected a second bid from Everton for playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson.
In the wake of a generous initial offer of £40 million, the Toffees returned prepared to shell out £45 million, but the Swans are standing firm on their demand for £50 million for the set-piece specialist.
The 27-year-old is coming off a campaign in which he recorded nine goals and 13 assists, drawing interest from around the Premier League this summer.
With his desire to leave Swansea well known, the Welsh outfit opted to leave Sigurdsson home from their preseason tour, seemingly making him destined to depart before long.