Transfer rumor roundup 7/27: Juventus submit Keita Balde bid
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 transfer news is highlighted by Juventus’ confirmation that they’ve submitted a bid for Lazio forward Keita Balde, ESPN reports.
Despite having already added Federico Bernardeschi and Douglas Costa to their attacking ranks, Juve remain intent on signing a center-forward in the wake of Patrik Schick’s transfer from Sampdoria falling through.
Enter Keita, who, at 22 years old, is coming off a breakthrough campaign that saw him accumulate 16 goals and five assists in 1,929 Serie A minutes.
Speaking of his club’s interest in the Senegalese international, Juve general manager Beppe Marotta said, “We’ve spoken with (Lazio president Claudio) Lotito about Keita and we have made our offer, and now it is up to him to consider it.”
Across Europe, another club president discussing summer business is Nice’s Jean-Pierre Rivere, who admitted, “There should be three or four more arrivals and two departures,” The Express reports.
Of course, that revelation has only served to fuel speculation linking star Jean Michael Seri with a move away from the club, as L’Equipe reports Arsenal are highly interested in the Ivorian.
Consistently linked with the Gunners over the past couple months, Seri was courted by Roma earlier this summer, but his €40 million price tag ultimately proved too steep for the Giallorossi’s pockets.
A diminutive central midfielder, Seri completed more passes than anyone in Ligue 1 last season, when he also produced seven goals and nine assists.
Besides Seri, it’s thought that left-back Dalbert could be the other outgoing player Rivere was referring to.
In fact, Gianluca Di Marzio reports the Brazilian is poised for a switch to Inter Milan anytime now.
Citing Sky Sports, the report states Inter have submitted a final offer of €20 million plus the potential for another €10 million through bonuses, which, if fully fulfilled, would meet Nice’s €30 million asking price.
Similar to Inter’s pursuit of Dalbert, Roma are getting creative in their bid to sign Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez.
Sport Witness details a report from Italian outlet Il Tempo stating Roma hope to agree a deal with Leicester by inserting ‘easy bonuses’ in the contract for Mahrez, allowing them to avoid paying the Foxes’ requested €40 million in full this summer, yet making it likely they’ll eventually satisfy Leicester’s sale terms.
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Thanks Roma director Monchi’s strong relationship with Leicester head of recruitment Eduardo Macia, the Serie A side are optimistic about getting Mahrez, particularly because the player is believed to have already approved the contract on offer.
That being said, it was previously thought that Mahrez preferred to remain in England, so Roma would be wise to secure their Mohamed Salah replacement quickly to avoid being left at the altar.
A transfer that has been completed is Rennes’ signing of Metz winger Ismaila Sarr.
Linked with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, the 19-year-old decided to continue his progression at Rennes, who nurtured the development of French sensation Ousmane Dembele prior to his sale last summer.
On the back of five goals and five assists in 1,938 Ligue 1 minutes last term, Sarr’s acquisition reportedly costed Rennes €17 million.