Inter Milan to bid for Man United target Radja Nainggolan, Real Madrid offer Mateo Kovacic to Tottenham

Sport360 staff 17:19 10/07/2017
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  • With the transfer window now officially open from July 1, the frenetic nature of speculation is only going to increase.

    Rumours are starting to gather pace and we take a look at the latest stories doing the rounds in the media.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Get in touch with your thoughts on Twitter and via Facebook.

    RADJA NAINGGOLAN

    Inter Milan are flush with cash after being brought under Chinese ownership but they have yet to make a big splash in the transfer market this summer.

    But La Gazzetta dello Sport claim they are about to send shockwaves through Italy as they line up a €60m bid (Dh251m) bid for Roma’s all-action midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

    RATING: 5/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Nainggolan is just the type of marquee signing that Inter need to reboot their status among the elite of world football, but Roma director of football Monchi will fight tooth and nail to keep him at Stadio Olimpico – and prevent a reunion with Luciano Spalletti.

    Monchi has already let go of Antonio Rudiger, Mohamed Salah and Leandro Paredes, while club legend Francesco Totti has just bid his farewell. He already faces a job in his hands if he wants to keep Roma competing with Serie A’s perennial winners, Juventus, and letting Nainggolan is simply unpalatable.

    In any case, would Inter really be willing to stump up such an exorbitant fee on a 29-year-old? Roma’s main threat is likely to come from England rather than within their own country.

    Radjia Nainggolan

    Radjia Nainggolan is Roma’s star player

    MATEO KOVACIC

    Tottenham have been put on alert as Real Madrid look to potentially offload midfielder Mateo Kovacic in order to raise funds for the signature of teen sensation Kylian Mbappe, say the London Evening Standard.

    With Toni Kroos and his compatriot Luka Modric forming a superb partnership in centre midfield, the Croatian has found starting opportunities at the Bernabeu limited – especially since Zinedine Zidane took over.

    RATING: 6/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    If Madrid are content in keeping Alvaro Morata then one way to earn some dash is by selling Mateo Kovacic, who faces the unenviable task of trying to dislodge Kroos and Modric.

    Now 23, Kovacic is now at an age where he would be expecting to be an instrumental part of the team – but then again, he may not be even be guaranteed starts at Tottenham given Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama’s blossoming partnership in midfield.

    Kovacic has a contract at Madrid until 2021 and he may forever regret stepping down a level from – currently – the best club in the world. His employers would have to force his hand, and with Morata likely to leave, he may not have to be sacrificed for Mbappe.

    Mateo Kovacic is third in Real Madrid's pecking order.

    Mateo Kovacic is third in Real Madrid’s pecking order.

    MOUSSA DEMBELE

    Celtic did well to keep hold of Moussa Dembele during the January transfer window but face a fresh assault for their star striker this summer.

    According to Sky Sports, moneybags Marseille have made Dembele their top target, having been mightily impressed by his 32 goals for the Scottish champions last season.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Unfortunately for Celtic, they do not have much leverage in keeping hold of Dembele – Scottish football is not the powerhouse it was decades ago and reaching the Champions League group stages is the best they can hope for.

    Marseille are owned by Frank McCourt, also the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they aggressively pursued Dimitri Payet in January. But Celtic won’t give him up cheaply.

    Moussa Dembele is in high demand across Europe

    Moussa Dembele is in high demand across Europe

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