Transfer speculation is dominating the football agenda every day this summer with rumours aplenty about players from throughout Europe’s big leagues.
Will any of the following deals happen?
Chelsea are close to signing Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko for £35million, reports the The Daily Mail, a move that would allow Nemanja Matic to move north to Manchester United.
Bakayoko, 22, won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals to capture Antonio Conte’s imagination and the Blues boss would listen to United offers for Serbian schemer Matic, once a title-winner under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
RATING: 6/10
SPORT 360 VERDICT: The midfielder was one of many to enjoy a fine season with Monaco and the 22-year-old, who made his France debut last month, has emerged as Antonio Conte’s top target.
This rumour all depends on Monaco, though, and just how many of their key talents from last term they are prepared to let go having already lost Bernardo Silva to Manchester City and other stars linked to exits.
However, should the move come off, expect Matic to be heading out of Stamford Bridge with the 28-year-old long admired by United boss Jose Mourinho.
Tiemoue Bakayoko: Only B. Andre (214) & J. Feret (195) won possession in the middle 3rd more times than Bakayoko (165) in Ligue 1 last term pic.twitter.com/cW1nNaoQEf
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 16, 2017
The 21-year-old is expected to pick Bayern Munich over long-term suitors Liverpool, according to German website TZ.
The German winger has been on Jurgen Klopp’s radar for some time but the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder wants to move to the Allianz Arena when his contract expires in 2018.
RATING: 8/10
SPORT360 VERDICT: Now, whether Liverpool’s interest in Brandt was real or not, if he has chosen to join Bayern Munich then Carlo Ancelotti has a real star on his hands.
Important to note that Brandt won’t become available until next summer when his deal runs out but a composed finisher with both feet and an excellent set-piece taker, we’re sure the Bundesliga giants won’t mind the wait.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Brandt
Juventus are exploring the possibility of bringing the Manchester United defender back to Italy with Sky Sport Italy claiming they have contacted his agent.
With Dani Alves set to join Manchester City on a two-year deal, the Serie A champions have turned their attentions to Darmian although Jose Mourinho is keen to hold on to the former Torino star.
RATING: 7/10
SPORT360 VERDICT: No doubt Juve will be a big player in the market this summer as they look to fill the sizable gap left by Alves’ imminent exit but Darmian is an option who won’t come cheap with United said to value the 27-year-old at £18million.
Injuries and the re-emergence of Antonio Valencia have restricted his playing time under Mourinho and with wage demands said not to be an issue for Serie A club, if they want their man the promise of first-team football may be enough to persuade him to swap Old Trafford for the Juventus Stadium.
Manchester United’s Italian defender Matteo Darmian
The Portugal captain may have taken back his initial desire to leave Real Madrid having been impress with Florentino Perez’s public statements over his future.
The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with PSG and a return to Manchester United but Spanish daily AS are now saying he has changed his mind.
RATING: 5/10
SPORT360 VERDICT: Who saw this coming? Ronaldo looks set to stay at Real Madrid having leveraged Manchester United’s interest to suit his own personal gain.
It means Mourinho has now turned his attentions to completing a deal for his Real team-mate Alvaro Morata.
Cristiano Ronaldo's form for Real Madrid and Portugal in 2017:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 21, 2017
32 games 🏃
32 goals ⚽️
7 assists 🅰️
Absolutely relentless. pic.twitter.com/uGA3JSSk6m
