What began as a mere EPL transfer rumour is finally getting real by the day. Yes, the EPL transfer rumours on the players exiting and those joining different clubs are finally gaining pace. It is attributed by the dozens of deals already signed, and others are inching closer compared to when the summer transfer began. The top six clubs have already made their intentions by splashing big money to lure their targets and get them signing transfer contracts. There will also be a major blow for some teams as they will lose some of the priceless players to rival teams.
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In the latest EPL transfer news, Chelsea is certain to lose their number ‘10’, Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, after the two sides seemingly agreed on a fee of over £88 million. Arsenal has continued to pursue and extend talks with Exequiel Palacios, an Argentine midfielder, but are on a race against Spanish giants, Real Madrid. Other rumours on the potential transfers have pointed the exit of David De Gea from Manchester United to PSG following the retirement of Gianluigi Buffon from the club. Nearly all clubs are in business this summer transfer with both sales and signings taking a more definite direction every new day.
EPL transfer news
The summer transfer window opened on May 16, 2019, and will be running until August 8, 2019. Nearly one month after the commencement, there have been numerous transfer news and rumours, with some already confirmed and others still in the board rooms. How many transfer deals have already been confirmed? Follow through for all the latest developments in the EPL transfer market.
1. Eden Hazard to Real Madrid
After a long time of wrangling and rumours about the fate of Hazard at Stamford Bridge, it is finally determined that he will indeed be moving to Spain. Hazard has been dreaming of playing in the Spanish La Liga as part of his pursuit to win the World Best Player award. However, Chelsea has remained a major stumbling block to that possibility. The latest travel to London by Real Madrid Chief executive Jose Angel seems to have softened the hearts of the London side. Initially, Chelsea had made their demands of more than £100 million, but Madrid had other ideas. It seems the two clubs agreed on the favourable price, which analysts have estimated to be £88 million.
READ ALSO: Antoine Griezmann apologises to Barcelona as he eyes possible summer switch to Nou Camp
2. Paul Pogba to Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane has hit once again with a massive transfer bid for Manchester United’s central midfielder Paul Pogba. In the latest rumours, the Los Blancos have already shown their interest after a botched request for PSG’s forward, Neymar. However, Manchester United have brushed out any possibility of letting the superstar leave the club this summer. According to the club’s Chief Ed Woodward, Pogba will be remaining at Old Trafford for a longer time.
The news came amidst the alleged heated relationship between Pogba and Woodward since the days of former Man-U boss, Jose Mourinho. The allegations of Pogba’s possible exit came after the star failed to make the transfer expectations the club had when they lured him out of Juventus for £89 million in 2016. However, the Frenchman has also said that he is happy at the club under the new manager, as well as the playing hours he gets from Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer.
3. Matthis de Light to Manchester United
Matthis has been in the radar of many teams in EPL and Spain, but the dust seems to settle at Old Trafford. In the latest reveal, Liverpool has joined in the race to sign the Ajax star with Barcelona already unveiling their potential replacement if the player snubs them this summer. Manchester United Boss Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer has already hinted that the club is keen on signing the defender. As part of the plans, he has to beef up the defence lineup ahead of the new season. Currently, Matthis is one of the most sought defenders after his spectacular performance at the just ended UEFA Champions league. Despite the transfer gossip getting hotter, Ajax has not commented over any negotiations regarding the player and the possible release fee.
4. Aubameyang to China Super League (CLS)
In another major twist, the latest Premier League transfer news has cleared any doubt on the Gabon international. Arsenal fans have their worries confirmed after Emerick-Pierre deleted anything that links him to Arsenal from all his social media accounts. The star has been offered an irresistible deal from a Chinese club willing to pay £300,000 weekly salary if the star accepts a move to the Far East. Clubs in the CLS are optimistic that the striker will consider their bargain ahead of the next season. It is a major blow for the Gunners especially after rumours emerged that Lacazette may be considering a potential exit to Barcelona before the end of the summer transfer window.
5. Mario Götze to Arsenal
With the end of his contract getting closer, Mario Götze could be on the move to England. In the latest reveal, Götze’s contract with Borussia Dortmund is certainly coming to an end by the end of next season, and Arsenal is ready to splash some cash for the striker. Despite not shining like his youngster years and during the 2014 world cup that saw him score seven goals and provided an additional seven assists, his value remains high. Millionaires have brushed off any chances of letting the star leave the club citing that he still is a valuable member of the team.
6. Albert Moreno to Arsenal
Liverpool and Arsenal may well again be on a business exchange before the end of the summer transfer window. Moreno’s contract with Reds is coming to an end, and Unai Emery is keen on signing him to his squad. The Gunners are still keen on beefing up their defence line, and the Spanish left-back could be the perfect chance to make this idea fruitful. Emery has a good history with Moreno as they were both members of Sevilla FC, giving the transfer another boost of confidence. Moreno’s time at Liverpool expires by the end of June and Emery has already created a space for him, with increasing doubts over the fate of Nacho Monreal’s future at the Emirates.
7. Lacazette to Barcelona
The Champions League football is an attractive package the Catalans are willing to offer the Frenchman, something the gunners cannot offer come next season. Barcelona has already made clear their ambition to sign the forward at an undisclosed fee. Lacazette’s exit sends another ripple of worries for the Gunners’ management who fear to lose their super duo, Lacazette and Aubameyang, this summer. They have commenced discussions with the hope of resolving any disagreements regarding his salary and terms of the contract. Lacazette’s contract is expected to end in 2022. With the Catalans and Atletico Madrid offering him a chance to play in the Champions League, there are worries that he may cut short his contract.
8. Sturridge to Arsenal
After seven years in the club, Daniel Sturridge finally made his move out of Anfield after sending farewell messages to the Reds’ fans. The star wrote an emotional goodbye in his social media accounts, just days after the club emerged the Champions league winners against Tottenham in Madrid. He thanked the club and fans for their support throughout his career with the English side, stating that it was a privilege they afforded him. The former Chelsea turned Liverpool player is strongly linked with the Gunners who are currently struggling to retain their current forward players. The deal is yet to be confirmed, but rumour has it that he will consider a move to the Emirates as a striker.
9. Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid
In the wake of continued speculation over the journey of Eriksen, there’s a possibility of him moving to Madrid this summer. For quite a while, the star has kept silent over the allegations of his transfer possibility to Santiago Bernabeu, but he has finally shed light on a potential exit. His £70,000 per week salary has been a cause of contention at the club. The 12 months left in his contract to Spurs, everything seems to point him out to either Madrid or Manchester United who have also shown interest. He will be leaving in the heist of a Champions League final defeat against Liverpool at the Metropolitano stadium last weekend, but at least the club qualified for the top four. His transfer fee is still undisclosed but would enjoy a better salary at Madrid if the deal materializes.
10. Hudson-Odoi to Bayern Munich
Hudson-Odoi is a player currently under the watchful eyes of Bundesliga Giants and current champions, Bayern Munich. In the latest transfer rumours, Odoi could be leaving Chelsea after getting multiple offers from the German side. However, the Blues have tried to sweeten the staying deal with a £100 million a week salary and a five-year contract. It is a deal he seems to be considering, in addition to the Champions League qualification of his team, finishing third. The star has however brushed the concerns over his exit for Germany citing that he is happy at the club and would like to be among the best players at the Stamford Bridge. The deal has not commenced, and there is no detail of a release fee.
11. Joao Felix to Manchester City
Felix is a player in the wanted list of Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid. The Benfica forward has been impressive in the last season and is now on the move to Manchester City if the Citizens agree on his release fee of £106 million. In the latest news, Manchester City under Guardiola has already made their move after agreeing to offer the amount and kick start negotiations over his transfer. The Portuguese Titans have already snubbed an £80 million offer from Real Madrid and are now left with the Manchester teams. According to the Sun, Pep Guardiola’s side is the favourites for the deal after they agreed to break their banks and release the exit fee requested for the star. If money is anything to go by, then Manchester City will be making their first transfer before they begin their pre-season friendlies.
12. Kylian Mbappe to Manchester United
Mbappe has handed Paris Saint Germaine his transfer request. Despite Manchester United being the favourite club for the French Superstar, he is linked to yet another glamorous move to Spanish giants, Real Madrid. The France world cup winner has stunned PSG management and fans after revealing that he has other plans outside the club come next season. Mbappe will be a perfect fit for Man United who didn’t cut through to the Champions League, giving Real Madrid an upper hand. Among the major contributors to exit from the club is the dwindling Champions League campaigns for two seasons, where the club has failed to reach the finals let alone win it. There is no deal yet, and PSG is also yet to offer a release price tag.
13. Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich
Leroy Sane’s exit rumours have continued to hit the media and fans even louder. Bayern Munich Chief Karl-Heinz has already made open his desire to sign the Manchester City star at £71million. Sane has been nothing but impressive under Pep Guardiola, but now it seems like his exit from the Etihad is due. The winger is among the top targets in Bayern’s transfer list. The urgency comes amid the huge gap that will be left by Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben’s exit from the club at the end of the 2019 summer. There are no hints of any discussions regarding the star, but the need for Sane at Munich is irresistible. According to the Guardian, the German champions are still watching if Sane is open for transfer before they change or uphold their claim for the star.
14. Kalidou Koulibaly to Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s hunt for a centre back has seen him land on the Napoli star Koulibaly, with an £84million bid. Although Napoli is adamant on their position that they will not be selling the star, he remains one of the most sought out defenders this summer. The Senegalese ace has been linked with a move to United more than once, and this may be the turn to sign him eventually. However, the red devils will have to brace themselves for tough competition from several clubs both in EPL and other European associations which have claimed the defender. Koulibaly will be the perfect signing for Ole Gunnar as a solution to the porous defence, but fans can only wait for negotiations to kick off.
READ ALSO: Football’s 10 most expensive striker transfers of all time
15. Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United
Antoine Griezmann is one of the most sought out players in this summer transfer. The star has personally admitted that the stalemate surrounding his transfer is getting more uncertain every day. Manchester United and Barcelona are the main contenders keen to sign the star whose contract with Atletico Madrid is coming to a close this summer. The French star is on the search for another club after revealing that he is not ready to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano through a short video he released at the end of the season. The biggest stalemate is the stiff £200 million release fee by the current club. It has seen potential bidders such as Manchester City run away to pursue other targets. Eventually, Griezmann will exit, but his next stop remains a big dilemma for targeting clubs.
16. Wilfred Zaha to Manchester United
Premier league transfer news has once again received another major twist with speculation over Zaha’s return to Manchester United. The star had initially been hinted with a possible transfer to Arsenal, but the 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the Europa League final dimmed their chances. The star is now linked to Manchester United after fans sent him DMs urging him to return to Old Trafford. It will be remembered that the star left the club after a terrible season where he only managed four appearances in the starting lineup, two in the premier league.
Palace has slapped a whopping £80million release fee for the star, £70million higher than the release price tag he had when leaving United in 2013. The Palace star has confirmed that he has been receiving numerous requests from fans that needed him to return to his old club. He is yet to decide his way forward.
17. David De Gea to PSG
Embattled De Gea is one of the world’s best goalkeepers. However, last season proved otherwise regarding his competence. Most football analysts and fans have accused the two-time world best goalkeeper of the woes that surrounded Manchester United, especially nearing the end of previous season fixtures. He has come under heavy criticism from both the club fans and other legendary players, who wish that Solsjkaer can make a change for the star at the number one spot. With the retirement of Buffon, De Gea has found new suitors who have joined the race to sign him this summer alongside long-standing bidders, Real Madrid. There are no talks regarding the player’s exit to PSG. The two clubs are willing to splash money to get his signature before the end of the summer transfer.
Completed transfer news
In addition to the rumours regarding the current transfer window, there are already done transfer deals. Here are some of the finished transfers:
1. Aaron Ramsey to Juventus
Its official that Aaron Ramsey is no longer an Arsenal player after his transfer to Juventus was officially completed. The star was removed from the club in what the management termed as optimization of salaries in the club. Juventus have already announced a four-year contract for the player and will be staying in the club until 2022 summer transfer. The Wales international was let off at a small fee of about 3.7 million Euros to the Italian side, in what analysts termed as a big mistake for the Gunners. According to goal.com, the star will earn $8 million annually plus annual bonuses accrued. After the announcement of the contract and deal, the Welshman penned down a farewell message to Gunners faithful on Instagram, thanking their support for him while at the club.
2. Vincent Kompany to Anderlecht
It is official that the Manchester City defender is out of Etihad to Anderlecht. Kompany will be a player-coach, playing in the pitch as well as acting as a coach. The star will leave Manchester City after spending more than 11 years there. He is optimistic that his time with the citizens was enough to help him lead his boyhood club. He was seen in the club grounds on Tuesday wearing the club’s black T-shirt with the label ‘ICON’ emblazoned across the front side. The fee for his transfer deal was undisclosed. The star will be happy to bring some change and tactics he learned under different City managers as a lead defender.
3. Ander Herrera to PSG
It is sad news to all Manchester United fans as Herrera has left United for PSG. In a short video released by the club, the Spaniard is linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but could not hold back the respect he felt for the club and the fans. He said that he felt special and loved by the club ever since setting foot at Old Trafford and he will remember every moment for the rest of his life. The star joined old Trafford based club at a £29million fee in 2014 from the rival Spanish based club, Athletic Bilbao. He made a total of 189 appearances since and emerged with a total of 20 goals. Herrera was part of the team that has won a Carabao cup, FA Cup, and Europa league trophy among others.
READ ALSO: Man Utd transfer targets list: 5 signings Solskjaer could bring in this summer
4. Antonio Valencia to MLS
Former Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia had one of the worst seasons in the 2018/2019 campaign after getting only eight appearances in total. The star is said to be in a weak form and is considering to move out of the club. Speaking to his father, Valencia expressed concerns over his time at Old Trafford and was willing to leave, but needs to make the right choice. Several clubs including Arsenal, Inter Milan, West Mam and an MLS club are eager to pen a contract with the defender. He has been with the red devils for over ten years, and his time is finally up. Earlier into the transfer, Solsjkaer expressed his plan of reducing the average team age to below 25 years, and the 33-year old was not going to be part of it.
The 2019 summer transfer window is still ongoing, and clubs are busy making good of their transfer intentions by making the necessary advances. Already, there are continuing talks regarding some of the players exiting EPL clubs, and others joining the EPL. All top six clubs are on the race to upgrade their teams and ensure everything is in order ahead of the 2019/2020 season. We have provided you with the different EPL transfer rumours to anticipate for the remaining days of the window.
READ ALSO: Barcelona set to sell Rakitic, Coutinho, Umtiti to raise funds for next summer
Source: Tuko Kenya
