info@businessghana.com
As Manchester United fans brace themselves for the arrival of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea, there could be one more twist in this transfer deal, with Roma's Radja Nainggolan being lined up as an alternative target.
Matic is reportedly signing for United imminently in a deal worth up to £40 million, but Gazzetta dello Sport claims the same fee -- and a wage of £125,000-a-week -- could see Nainggolan join instead.
Jose Mourinho has apparently intervened personally to inform Nainggolan's associates how much he admires him.
The Independent adds that interest in Monaco's Fabinho stands, with Mourinho willing to play the Brazilian at right-back as well as in midfield.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain have come up with an ambitious plan to keep hold of wantaway midfielder Marco Verratti, according to Sport. It involves spending €240 million and signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, Raphael Guerreiro, Fabinho and Kylian Mbappe.
Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Mbappe would be the marquee signing, coming in at an estimated €135m, while Fabinho (€42m), Donnarumma (€39m) and Guerreiro (€39m) would all sign for more modest sums.
It is hoped the flurry of activity will not only Verratti's desire to join Barcelona, but also transform PSG into a side capable of challenging for the Champions League. Into the bargain, Verratti stands to get a new contract that will see his earnings rise to €12m a season.
Several big names will have to be sold in order for the former French champions to pull off this feat, though, with Jese, Hatem Ben Arfa, Blaise Matuidi, Lucas Moura, Alphonse Areola and Grzegorz Krychowiak among those at risk.
It is not just Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil whom Arsenal are at risk of losing this summer. The Mirror claims Laurent Koscielny's loyalty to the club will be tested too, while Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona have given Hector Bellerin a deadline to decide his future.
France international Koscielny, who is contracted to Arsenal until 2020, was one of few bright spots in a tough campaign for the club, and that form has led to interest from Marseille and AC Milan. It is also reported that Manchester City are monitoring his availability.
Meanwhile, Bellerin has 10 days to clarify his future before Barcelona move on to pursue other targets. It is claimed that the Spanish international wants to return to his hometown club, but in order to do that he will have to request a transfer, with Arsenal currently unwilling to sell.
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
The main focus of Manchester City's summer spending has been full-backs, and that isn't about to change now. Pep Guardiola is keen to add Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand to his squad. The Mirror reckons a move for Benjamin Mendy has been scrapped due to Monaco wanting more than £40m, but Kyle Walker is set to arrive from Tottenham and Dani Alves will leave Juventus to join City too.
John Terry is set to reject the chance to stay in the Premier League with West Brom, Swansea or Bournemouth in order to sign for Aston Villa when his Chelsea contract finishes on Saturday, the Mirror claims. As a free agent, Terry stands to earn £5m for a one-year deal with Villa as well as a substantial promotion bonus.
Sport reports that Eric Garcia has decided to leave Barcelona and continue his footballing education under Guardiola at Manchester City. The 16-year-old is viewed as one of the biggest prospects in La Masia and his departure is viewed as bad news for Barca, but City will snap him up for the bargain price of €1.7m.
In France, L'Equipe is claiming that Marseille have interest in signing American goalkeeper Hope Solo. Solo has won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup with the United States and had a previous spell in France with Lyon in 2005. The 35-year-old has not played for club or country since appearing for the United States in last summer's Olympics.
