Transfer rumor roundup 7/26: Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool renewed
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 features a resurfacing of the Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool storyline, as Sky Sports reports a source close to the player still expects the move to go through.
Of course, the Reds were somewhat embarrassingly pressured into declaring they’d withdrawn interest in van Dijk after Southampton filed a complaint with the Premier League over an alleged illegal approach earlier this summer.
After a few weeks of simmering, however, it appears van Dijk is still holding out hope of join Jurgen Klopp’s outfit.
With such speculation still surrounding the player, van Dijk was omitted from the squad that traveled to France on Southampton’s preseason tour.
Although the contentious exchange between Liverpool and Southampton to start the window would surely complicate negotiations, which the latter reportedly aren’t willing to enter, van Dijk’s desire to leave the south coast could force the Saints’ hand.
Another saga building context is Arsenal’s pursuit of Thomas Lemar.
Reports Tuesday suggested the impending sale of Kylian Mbappe had softened Monaco’s stance on keeping Lemar, but the club’s vice president Vadim Vasilyev declared at a press conference Wednesday that the 21-year-old will stay put this season.
According to the Independent, Vasilyev said, “I will address speculation relating to the case of Lemar. He is staying with us. He is an immense talent and is essential for the team.”
On that note, the Gunners may be forced to look elsewhere to bolster their attacking ranks.
Elsewhere in France, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi is the subject of renewed contact from Juventus, Tuttosport reports.
The midfielder was close to joining the Old Lady last year, but with just one year remaining on his current contract, Matuidi could at least leave Paris in the coming weeks.
After unsuccessfully attempting to ink Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Liverpool’s Emre Can, Juve have apparently shifted their sights to Matuidi, whose agent, the notorious Mino Raiola, is intimately familiar with the Bianconeri’s board having represented Paul Pogba during his stint in Turin.
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Across Italy, AC Milan are eyeing the addition of yet another promising youngster, as L’Equipe reports they’re close to a €40 million deal for Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches.
The 19-year-old found playing time hard to come by in his first season abroad, and after the Bavarian giants brought in Corentin Tolisso last month, Sanches is understandably seeking to accelerate his development elsewhere.
Named Young Player of the Tournament during Portgual’s triumphant Euro 2016 run, Sanches would be partnered by Franck Kessie and Lucas Biglia in Milan’s new-look midfield should he leave Munich.
A transfer that’s been confirmed is Lille’s capture of Brazilian midfielder Thiago Maia.
The 20-year-old heads to France after making his highly anticipated senior debut for Santos three years ago.
Since then, Maia’s performances earned him a spot in last summer’s gold medal-winning side, which preceded a superb final campaign in his home country.
In 22 appearances for Santos last term, Maia won 63 percent of his headed duels, 61 percent of his take-on attempts, and 51 percent of his tackles, per Squawka.