Another day in football, another wave of transfer rumours to keep up on. Take a look at the most recent names and gossip being floated around in the media.
Will any of the following deals happen?
Arsenal are closing in on the Monaco winger, who has been one of the club’s top transfer targets this summer, with the two clubs reportedly nearing an agreement on a £45million transfer fee. The Gunners had two previous bids turned down but the third will do the trick, according to The Sun.
Lemar would be the fourth player to leave Monaco this summer, after Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy, and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Whether or not this transfer would change Arsenal’s stance on keeping hold of wantaway winger Alexis Sanchez is yet to be seen.
RATING: 6/10
SPORT360 VERDICT
Arsenal have been looking for more attacking reinforcements as they bid to mount a more serious challenge in the Premier League while also competing for the Europa League triumph.
Lemar would fit that bill, and a front four of him, Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette would be formidable, providing they stick to their guns on Sanchez.
Sport is reporting that Barcelona officials are in London to complete the signing of Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho. Barcelona had one bid for the Brazilian knocked back but have continued to negotiate in an attempt to land their man.
The fee being quoted is more than €100 million, and could end up a world-record transfer fee.
RATING: 5/10
SPORT360 VERDICT: It’s hard to see Liverpool parting with Coutinho, even for a world-record fee. They’re under no pressure to sell and given that they’re back in the Champions League, along with harbouring ambitions of finally winning the Premier League, losing Coutinho would be a huge setback.
Barcelona can be quite persistent, however, and the move for Coutinho could also be linked with Neymar’s future. The club may be hoping that bringing in Neymar’s Brazil teammate could convince the star to stay, or they think Coutinho would be an adequate replacement for Neymar.
Either way, this one may not be resolved as quickly as reports suggest.
The French striker could end up at Arsenal or Liverpool if his compatriot Kylian Mbappe makes the much-hyped move to Real Madrid, says Don Balon.
Arsenal have already bought one French striker this summer in Lacazette but they have been long-term admirers of Benzema, while he would be a major upgrade on Liverpool’s current forwards.
Benzema could also be offered to Monaco as makeweight in a deal for Mbappe.
RATING: 4/10
SPORT360 VERDICT: If Mbappe truly is on the move to Madrid, one of the European champions’ attacking players will have to make way, and Benzema has been suggested as the most likely candidate.
Cristiano Ronaldo is untouchable, Isco has forced his way into the starting XI based on his superlative form last season, and Madrid may not yet be ready to part with the man they once spent a world-record fee on, Gareth Bale.
However, Benzema has repeatedly proven his value to Madrid and manager Zinedine Zidane has faith in him, so this is likely not as simple as one Frenchman in, one Frenchman out – and that is if Los Blancos do in fact land Mbappe. Monaco have been quite stubborn in holding onto him.
