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The transfer market doesn't take a holiday. Five weeks before the summer transfer window closes, European sporting directors are accelerating on cases that could reshape the chessboard of the upcoming season. This July 31, nine projects are drawing attention, from Milan to Manchester, via Istanbul. An overview of the movements stirring behind the scenes.
Leao, Lukaku: the big names on the move
Fenerbahçe has sent an envoy to Milan to discuss a transfer that could exceed 50 million euros.
Fenerbahçe has sent an envoy to Milan to discuss a transfer that could exceed 50 million euros. The Istanbul club is offering Rafael Leao a salary of more than 10 million euros per season, and José Mourinho, installed on the Turkish bench since the start of the summer, has made the 27-year-old Portuguese his absolute priority. Milan, never sellers at any price, could yield to such an offer after a season where the winger alternated flashes of genius and lapses.
Romelu Lukaku could return to Serie A. Inter Milan and Juventus are monitoring the situation of the Belgian, still under contract with Chelsea but pushed out after a mixed loan in Saudi Arabia. The two Italian clubs are looking for a striker capable of immediately weighing on opposing defenses, and Lukaku's profile, despite his 33 years, still ticks many boxes. The case could be resolved in the coming days, with both sporting directors having scheduled meetings with the player's entourage.
Guimaraes, Reijnders, Nzonzi: the midfield in turmoil
Arsenal is preparing an 80 million euro offensive for Bruno Guimaraes. Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen a midfield that sometimes lacked bite last season. The 28-year-old Brazilian, captain of Newcastle, is coming off a successful campaign with the Magpies, but the prospect of playing for the title in the Premier League could sway him. Discussions between the two English clubs have begun, and a first written offer is expected before the end of the week.
Tijjani Reijnders, a 27-year-old Dutch midfielder, is on Bayern Munich's radar. The Bavarian club is anticipating a possible departure of Joshua Kimmich and sees in Reijnders a successor with a complementary profile, capable of playing in front of the defense or as an offensive relay. Steven Nzonzi, 2018 world champion, has received a concrete offer from Qatar: Al-Duhail is offering him a two-year contract at 8 million euros net per season. At 37, the former Sevilla and Roma midfielder could embark on one last golden adventure before hanging up his boots.
Romero, City, Atlético, Barcola: defense and gambles
Cristian Romero is shaking up the defensive market. Tottenham has set an asking price of 65 million euros for the Argentine defender, and Real Madrid, deprived of Éder Militão for several months, has noted his name. Manchester City, meanwhile, is following Brazilian full-back Pedro Lima, trained at Palmeiras and now at Wolverhampton: Guardiola is anticipating Kyle Walker's exodus to Saudi Arabia and is looking for a successor capable of establishing himself quickly.
Atlético Madrid, for its part, is multiplying contacts to strengthen its left flank. Several names are circulating without any lead clearly emerging yet. Finally, Bradley Barcola, the French winger of PSG under contract until 2027, remains in Liverpool's sights. Arne Slot appreciates his explosiveness and his ability to burst forward with the ball at his feet — a profile the Reds are looking to add to their attacking rotation. The last week before the Premier League resumes promises to be electric.