FST's Daily Transfer News - Tue 24th July
Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
Diego Rico – Bournemouth
Bournemouth have agreed a fee of around £10.7m with Leganes for the transfer for 25-year old left back Diego Rico. The Spaniard is expected to arrive in the UK to finalise personal terms and have a medical in next 24 hours.
Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund made a late attempt to steal in ahead of Bournemouth to sign Rico, but the player is said to be keen on a move to the Premier League. Rico played 26 times for Leganes last season, scoring twice. (BBC Sport)
Daniele Rugani– Chelsea
Chelsea are preparing an improved offer for 23-year old Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani. Having had an offer of approximately £36m rejected by Juve last week, Chelsea are expected to up their offer to around £45m this week.
Rugani is one of the most highly rated young defenders in Serie A and he had been capped 7 times at senior level by Italy. Tottenham are also reportedly considering a move for the centre-half. (Goal)
Paul Pogba – Juventus
Manchester United’s French international Paul Pogba is said to be keen on a move back to Italy with Serie A giants and former employers Juventus. Pogba is thought to be disillusioned with life under Jose Mourinho and is reportedly weighing up his options.
Having already paid close to £100m to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, there are doubts over Juventus ability to pay a similar fee to sign Pogba however. (Daily Mirror).
Alireza Jahanbakhsh – Brighton
Brighton are confident of beating Leicester City to the signing of 24-year old winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. The Seagulls would have to part with a club record fee of around £20m to secure the Iranian’s services.
Jahanbakhsh was the top scorer in the Eredivisie last season, netting 21 times and laying on 12 assists for his team mates. Jahanbakhsh had been heavily linked with a transfer to Napoli, but now he looks set to move to the Premier League. (Football Oranje)
Alfie Mawson – Burnley
Burnley are rumoured to be weighing up a move for Swansea’s highly coveted defender Alfie Mawson. West Ham had a bid rejected earlier in the summer for the 24-year old and now they face losing out to Burnley in the battle for Mawson’s signature.
In a nightmarish season for Swansea in 2017/18, Mawson was one of the few positives to come out of a harrowing campaign. Sean Dyche has yet to add to his squad this summer, though the Burnley manager is said to be working on multiple incoming deals. (Sky Sports)
Willian – Barcelona
Chelsea have rejected a 3rd bid from Barcelona for winger Willian. The Catalan giants are thought to have submitted an offer of around £55m for the 29-year old, who is keen to explore opportunities away from Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United are also believed to have a long-standing interest in signing Willian, though Chelsea would prefer not to sell the Brazilian to a Premier League rival. (Daily Mail)
Willian Jose – Fulham
Premier League new boys Fulham have reportedly opened negotiations with Real Sociedad for the transfer of Brazilian striker Willian Jose. The 26-year old attacker scored 34 times in his last two seasons in La Liga and the Cottagers have identified him as the man to add goals to the team in their first year back in the top flight.
Willian Jose is expected to cost around £26m should Fulham complete a deal for the South American hitman. (The Sun)
Steven Nzonzi – Arsenal
Arsenal’s attempts to sign Sevilla’s holding midfielder Steven Nzonzi have been hampered by the Spanish side’s refusal to lower their asking price for the 29-year old. Nzonzi has a release clause of £35m, though Arsenal are reportedly reluctant to play that much for a player his age.
Nzonzi started once for France at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and came off the bench 4 times for the eventual tournament winners. (France Football)
Domagoj Vida – Liverpool
Liverpool have been heavily linked with a moved for tough Croatian centre back Domagoj Vida. Jurgen Klopp has been splashing the cash this summer and is rumoured to have identified Vida as his next big money signing.
The 29-year old defender formed a formidable partnership with Dejan Lovren at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a double act that helped Croatia reach the Final of the competition. Turkish club Besiktas are rumoured to be demanding close to £30m for his services. (Daily Star)
Harry Maguire – Manchester United
Manchester United are continuing to pursue a big-money move for English international defender Harry Maguire. Having passed on the opportunity to sign the burly centre back for a fraction of the fee last year, United are reportedly ready to pay up to £65m to sign Maguire this summer.
Leicester City are thought to be desperate to hang on to Maguire, though the player could push for a move if United’s interest is genuine. Man Utd would have to offload one of their current defensive options to make room for Maguire however, with one from Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo likely to leave. (Manchester Evening News)
Follow Free Super Tips on Twitter to stay up to date with our daily tips and predictions or browse more football content on our website: