As the transfer market reaches fever pitch across Europe, FantasySports.co.uk takes a look at five major transfers that could still happen involving English Premier League clubs, despite being very much in the ‘will they, wont they’ category :
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – BORUSSIA DORTMUND (to Chelsea)
After missing out on Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte still needs to find a top class striker to replace Diego Costa, who is on his way back to Spain. Initially switching attention to Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, focus has now change to the highly regarded Aubameyang, and several reports suggest that a deal is close to being finalised, although as many reports also suggest that Aubameyang could instead move to AC Milan. Aubameyang scored 40 goals last season for Dortmund and is expected to command a fee of in excess of £70 million – but that wont phase Chelsea – if they can see off the Milan competition
ROSS BARKLEY – EVERTON (to Tottenham Hotspur)
Despite Everton having a superb summer in the transfer market, there remains much uncertainty over their midfield England international Ross Barkley. Barkley remains heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur and has not travelled with his teammates for their Tanzanian trip. Barkley only has one year left on his contract at Goodison Park and there seems to be no sign of any extension. Indeed, the signing of Ajax’s Davy Klassen and the hard chasing of Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson suggest that Everton are preparing for left without Barkley, although they are looking to recoup pretty much all the fee that they are likely to have to spend on getting Sigurdsson. Everton fans love a home grown hero….but with Rooney back and an influx of expensive signings, they will likely forgive the Board and boss Ronald Koeman should Barkley leave Goodison Park for pastures new.
IVAN PERISIC – INTER MILAN (to Manchester United)
This story has been going all summer. Perisic had, to all intents and purposes, committed to United, with news breaking he had agreed personal terms. But talks seemed to stall with Inter, as their valuation of Perisic was way in excess of what United were prepared to pay, and the club stating Perisic was going nowhere. But the transfer speculation had new life breathed into it when Inter stated they would not stand in Perisic’s way if he wanted to leave and United were prepared to meet their £48 million as they did not want an unhappy player in their ranks. They have also suggested that Anthony Martial could be part of the deal, although Martial remains in America with United on their US tour. With news breaking that Perisic has left the Inter Milan training camp, this saga could be concluded finally with United likely to finally get their man.
NABY KEITA – RB LEIPZIG (to Liverpool)
FantasySports.co.uk broke news a few weeks back that Keita had agreed personal terms with Liverpool and a moved seemed close to being finalised. But again, a fee couldn’t be agreed between the two clubs and though the link remains strong, a game of cat and mouse seems to have developed, with Liverpool tabling increased offers that Leipzig reject, but apparently safe in the knowledge that Liverpool will come back with an improved offer, that you feel eventually will meet the German club’s requirements and will agree to sell the player who clearly wants to join Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
RIYAD MAHREZ – LEICESTER CITY (to AS Roma)
Early summer speculation that Mahrez would leave the King Power Stadium and move to London to join either Chelsea or Arsenal have died down. But although Leicester fans were hoping their star Algerian attacker would be again in a Leicester shirt next season, speculation is still strong that Mahrez will be leaving the deposed Premier League champions, but instead be moving to the Italian capital and AS Roma, whom are looking for replacements for their retired hero Francesco Totti and departed winger Mohammed Saleh, who is now with Liverpool. Leicester are wanting around £40 million for Mahrez, which whilst not out of reach for Roma, may be too much for them to commit to for a player considered out of form last season. They may want an initial loan deal with an option to buy after a year. Whether that is of interest for the Foxes remains to be seen.
