This season’s summer window has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. Footballing enemies have turned friends, teammates have reunited with their former colleagues, and a few players are still looking to find themselves a preferable destination.
Although Lionel Messi’s switch to PSG and the Parisians jaw-dropping transfers has been the biggest talking point of this summer, a handful of players could still be transferred throughout Europe. With the summer window coming to an end, we have formed a list of possible transfers before the end of the glorious summer window.
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Although curtains have been raised on the European leagues across the world, a few managers still have some holes to fill. Manchester City’s pursuit of Harry Kane seems never-ending, Arsenal still has a few bucks up their sleeves, Liverpool needs a backup for their forward battery. FootTheBall takes a look at what are the possible transfers that could take place in the last 10 days of the summer window.
JULES KOUNDE TO CHELSEA
French centre-back Jules Kounde had been linked to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea throughout the summer. The defender was instrumental in Sevilla’s success for the past two seasons, with Tuchel looking for a long-term replacement of Thiago Silva. The ageing Brazilian has just a few years to offer and a strong, muscular Kounde could perfectly solve Chelsea’s backline woes.
Jules Kounde to Chelsea COULD BE DONE THIS WEEK! ▶⏳
▪Chelsea will push to complete the potential transfer for #Kounde this week
▪Kounde has agreed on personal terms with Chelsea
👀 pic.twitter.com/nXMERgW7jr— Fahim (@CFCfahim) August 16, 2021
The Blues had previously prepared several offers for Kounde but the Frenchman didn’t want to force the issue with Sevilla. Now with the summer window soon coming to an end, Kounde could join the catalogue of possible transfers if the centre-back arrives at Stamford Bridge.
If Sevilla themselves sign a centre-back this summer, Kounde could surely depart for Chelsea in the time that remains before the end of the summer window. Although some Chelsea fans had ruled out Kounde’s switch this summer, a surprise could be waiting for all of us.
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU TO SPURS
Tottenham’s interest in signing defenders from Italian outfits has increased with each passing day. First the arrival of Romero, and then the keen interest shown in Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu. Arriving in the pre-season on the back of an exemplary display in the Tokyo Olympics, Tomiyasu had attracted attention from many elite clubs. Jan Vertonghen’s departure last summer and Toby Alderweireld’s dwindling career saw Pochettino’s defensive pillars being shipped out of Santos’ plans.
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The Portuguese manager wanted to build a fresh centre-back partnership in North London, with Romero being the first candidate and Tomiyasu being the second. Although Bologna is asking for almost 20 million pounds for the Japanese, Spurs are still negotiating the price with the Italian club. With just 10 days remaining, time’s running out for Tottenham if they want the services of Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer.
NIKLAS SULE TO MADRID
Another defender marches into the list of the hot summer prospects with Germany and Bayern Munich centre-back Niklas Sule being the latest addition. The Bavarians’ brick wall in front of Neuer had first attracted attention from a couple of Premier League clubs with Manchester United being the favourites.
But with the Red Devils signing Raphael Varane from Los Blancos, Sule’s switch to Old Trafford was blocked. Although Varane’s transfer means Carlo Ancelotti would be looking for a partner for the recently acquired David Alaba, and who is better than his old German colleague.
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Alaba and Sule were the heart of Bayern’s defences under Hansi Flick as the duo guided the Bavarians to a jaw-dropping treble. With Julian Nagelsmann bringing Dayot Upamecano with himself, Sule could be replaced or be shadowed by Upamecano’s presence.
With Sule enjoying a purple patch in his career, the German would want to play for a club where he’s leading the lines instead of a youngster and Real Madrid might just suit his requirements adding Sule to the list of possible transfers that could still take place.
AMAD DIALLO TO ATALANTA/ SHEFFIELD UNITED
Ivorian forward Amad Diallo had excited the world with his glorious glimpses of potential for Manchester United last campaign. With an outrageous strike against AC Milan followed by a sassy celebration, Diallo had proved to the world why he could join the list of greatest Ivorian footballers.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Diallo could be loaned out for a season or two with United already having a factory of strikers in their current roster. The arrival of Jadon Sancho and the rising stature of Mason Greenwood makes it difficult for Diallo to find a spot in Solskjaer’s eleven.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
⚔️ Sheffield United are interested in signing Manchester United winger Amad Diallo on loan.
🔴 Manchester United may allow him to leave, but a final decision has yet to be made. pic.twitter.com/YaXhDdysrv
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 19, 2021
Sheffield United have shown interest in acquiring the services of the Ivorian on loan with Atalanta also preparing for an offer. The Blades were relegated last season and have fallen back into the Championship as they look to prepare themselves for a re-start. If Diallo joins Sheffield United he could become a constant starter under Slavisa Jokanovic and could become an influential cog in the Blades’ forward battery.
ILAIX MORIBA TO RB LEIPZIG
When a young Ilaix Moriba smacked his first goal for Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona against Osasuna, pundits believed he could become the next best thing coming out of Catalans’ academy La Masia. First Ansu Fati, then Riqui Puig, and now Ilaix Moriba, the Spanish footballer took La Liga by storm helping the Blaugranas produce some mouth-watering performances.
But maybe the monetary side of football persuaded the 18-year-old in an opposite direction as Moriba finds himself a destination across Europe.
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Reportedly Barcelona had offered Moriba a renewal deal as soon as the season ended, but the Spaniard constantly rejected them. It is believed that Moriba wanted a higher salary but Barcelona’s financial crunch didn’t allow that and the youngster could be seen bidding adieu to Camp Nou.
Marca has reported that Moriba could be transferred to Germany with RB Leipzig looking to acquire the Spaniard’s services. Negotiations are ongoing between the two outfits with Barcelona asking for a fee of 15 million euros for Moriba’s signatures.
AYMERIC LAPORTE TO REAL MADRID
Aymeric Laporte and fewer opportunities are two words synonymous with each other. First, he couldn’t find space in his national team forcing him to switch nationalities from France to Spain. And now the centre-back cannot garner opportunities for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. The Spanish defender was replaced by John Stones and Ruben Dias as the two formed a formidable partnership for Manchester City.
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And with Real Madrid looking to find replacements for the departing duo of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Laporte could be heading to Spain for a new endeavour. One of the most possible transfers, Carlo Ancelotti is well aware of the Spaniard’s eagerness to leave City and could acquire Laporte’s signature for a lesser price.
Laporte was influential in the Euros as he along with Jordi Alba dictated La Furia Roja’s young backline. Another team that has shown interest in Laporte’s signature is Juventus as Allegri sees Laporte as the replacement of an ageing Chiellini.
JAMES MADDISON TO ARSENAL
A rumour that has caught the eye of the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have been itching to land James Maddison to the Emirates. The protagonist of almost all of Leicester’s fairytales, Maddison was one of the strongest midfielders in England’s top-flight last summer. With Arteta already acquiring Odegaard’s signatures, Maddison could be teamed up with the Norwegian to form an exemplary partnership at the Emirates.
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Although Arsenal has fulfilled their requirement of a creative midfielder with Odegaard’s signatures, their abrupt transfer signings this summer indicate that they don’t have a plan in mind and are filling up their cart with whatever’s available. So it’s not unlikely that the Gunners could throw in the last minute offer and with the Foxes already adding a few forwards to their roster they might not be too grumpy in letting go of the English midfielder.
HARRY KANE TO MANCHESTER CITY
One of the biggest talking points of this summer’s transfer window, Three Lions’ striker could still be seen joining hands with managerial wizard Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has been eyeing the acquisition of a world-class striker this summer after Sergio Aguero departed for Barcelona.
But unfortunately, Daniel Levy has been very stubborn in letting go of their star striker. Harry Kane expressed his desire to leave north London at the end of the season, as Spurs ended another campaign trophyless.
Manchester City bid for Harry Kane is in place since last week, no news yet. €150m proposal ready from Man City but Tottenham are still on the same position. 🏴 #MCFC
Kane has been training regularly with Spurs since last Friday – and he’ll be respectful in the next days. #THFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2021
And Manchester City, backed by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, prepared numerous offers for Kane’s departure from Spurs. Unfortunately for the striker, Tottenham rejected almost all of them, making Harry Kane feel betrayed by his club. And with the summer window inching closer to an end, Kane would want to switch to Etihad as soon as possible.
Reports had also suggested that Kane stopped attending training sessions with Spurs and didn’t fly with them to their Conference League game. If Kane joins the catalogue of possible transfers this summer, Manchester City might become undefeatable in England.
BERNARDO SILVA TO ATLETICO MADRID
Despite starring prominently for the Premier League winners during the last term, the 27-year-old has been extensively touted with a move away from England, with City manager Pep Guardiola stating in a former media session that Silva intends to depart from the side before the summer window closes.
City already has Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, and their new 100 million-dollar baby Jack Grealish dictating Guardiola’s midfield. And with Silva falling out of Pep’s roadmap for next summer, the Portuguese could be destined to a move to Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
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The former’s financial crunch makes it difficult to acquire Silva but Spanish champions Atletico Madrid could bolster their midfield with Silva’s arrival. Diego Simeone has always been dependent on his defenders to perform for Los Rojiblancos, but in recent times has shifted his focus on his midfield and forwards too.
The Portuguese can be used as a floater covering every inch of the grass helping Simeone’s outfit. It will be crucial to see if Silva’s move becomes one of the possible transfers as the window comes to an end in 10 days.
DOMENICO BERARDI TO LIVERPOOL/ MILAN
Euro 2020 champion Domenico Berardi could be one of the possible transfers that could still take place during the business end of the summer window. Domenico Berardi has been a fascinating striker for Sassuolo and Azzurri, but the Italian has expressed his desire to leave the Italian club.
AC Milan has been the club most interested in capturing Berardi’s signature. Pioli needs a partner for Zlatan, a replacement of Calhanoglu, and an electrifying winger. And what Berardi does is that he provides all the three qualities helping a squad sign three players for the price of one.
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One of the biggest possible transfers, Berardi and his agent need to make a decision quickly if the Italian has to move out. Liverpool has also been interested in signing Beradi, a player who could play the perfect secondary to Klopp’s forward battery. If any of Mane, Firmino, or Salah get injured or experience a slump in form, Berardi could serve as a temporary replacement.
