Transfer Gossip: Aubameyang, Bellerin, Van Dijk

Sport360 staff 09:58 26/04/2017
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  • On the move? Star trio.

    With only a few weeks to go until the end of the season, transfer gossip is beginning to gather pace!

    Here, we look at three key transfers that could happen this summer as clubs and players alike look for new moves and opportunities.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Share with us your thoughts by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    PSG AHEAD OF REAL MADRID IN RACE FOR AUBAMEYANG

    Real Madrid will need to act fast if they are to land Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    According to French football news GFFN, Paris Saint-Germain director of football Patrick Kluivert has already met with the Gabon international’s agent and father.

    While the Ligue 1 giants seem to have seized the initiative over the transfer, the 25-year-old has made no secret of his desire to join Los Blancos in the past and Zinedine Zidane’s men are in the market for a striker this summer, with the futures of Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata uncertain.

    This bodes well for Madrid but they will need to come up with an offer to meet Dortmund’s £85million (AED400m) asking price soon.

    In what will likely be one of the summer’s drawn out transfer sagas, Real fans can seek solace in the fact they usually get their man.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT: Dortmund will feel they can hang on to Aubameyang for at least one more season, and up until now, Real Madrid have been slow to act over their pursuit of the striker. The former Saint-Etienne player may be prepared to wait and stay in Germany until the wheels are in motion for a dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

    LEADING MARKSMAN ⬇

    IS FULL-BACK BELLERIN READY TO RETURN TO BARCELONA?

    Despite signing a new contract at the Emirates until 2022 last November, it’s been a difficult season for the Spaniard.

    The 22-year-old was jeered by Gunners fans during the recent defeat at Crystal Palace and has been heavily criticised for a number of below-par performances.

    However, Barcelona-born Bellerin, who was part of the club’s famed La Masia academy as a youngster but failed to register a senior appearance, could now be set for a return.

    According to Catalan daily Sport, Barca’s sporting director Robert Fernandez is chasing the defender’s signature and believes he can convince Bellerin to move back home to Catalonia.

    The Spanish giants have tried many combinations but ultimately found it tricky to fill the right-back berth since Dani Alves’ departure – and as such – see home-grown Bellerin as the perfect answer to their problems.

    Barcelona are likely to test Arsenal’s resolve with a summer bid.

    RATING: 8/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT: Barcelona is home for Bellerin and the Spanish international has made it clear in the past he wants to play for his boyhood club at some stage. A move at the end of the season, on paper at least, seems to work out for all three parties so watch this space.

    SPORTING BRAIDS ⬇

    🔴⚪️

    A post shared by Héctor Bellerín (@hectorbellerin) on

    MERSEYSIDERS SET TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR VAN DIJK

    Liverpool are ahead of city rivals Everton to land Southampton captain Virgil Van Dijk this summer.

    Kop boss Jurgen Klopp has made the Dutch international his top target and is willing to pay a club record £50m (AED235m) to land the centre-back.

    The Toffees also view Van Dijk as a future blue, with Ronald Koeman being a big fan of the 25-year-old having signed him from Celtic when he was Southampton manager.

    But the potential of Champions League football is likely to convince the defender to choose Anfield instead and the Reds are set to ramp up their interest in the coming weeks, according to the Liverpool Echo.

    RATING: 8/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT: It’s well documented that the Saints struggle to hold onto their best players and Liverpool have made it a habit of pinching the south coast club’s top talent. Few people would be surprised if that happens again.

    VAN DIJK IS CURRENTLY ON HIS WAY BACK FROM INJURY ⬇

    Happy Monday everyone. Back working with the ball ⚽️ #progress

    A post shared by Virgil van Dijk (@virgilvandijk) on

    WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON…

    – Liverpool eye a move for Bayern Munich forward Douglas Costa.

    – Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has been handed a mega-money war chest for the club’s Premier League campaign next season and is set to tie up a permanent deal for Christian Atsu.

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