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A busy Tuesday on all fronts
The summer 2026 transfer window accelerated on Tuesday, July 21, with a series of hot topics being discussed simultaneously by European newsrooms. Rodri and Real Madrid, Modric and AC Milan, Ferran Torres and PSG, Chelsea and Maxence Lacroix, Aymeric Laporte leaving Athletic Bilbao: the big moves are becoming clearer less than two weeks before the start of the championships.
Long touted as Madrid's priority to strengthen their midfield, Rodri is no longer considered an immediate target.
Long touted as Madrid's priority to strengthen their midfield, Rodri is no longer considered an immediate target. Real Madrid, according to Eurosport, is set to revise its plans after Manchester City's hesitations, as City does not intend to sell their European champion midfielder at a discount. Foot Mercato recently confirmed that Rodri is "opening the door" to a departure, but City wants to extend his contract and cool the pressure from the Bernabéu. If the operation materializes, it will far exceed one hundred million euros, and the profile of Kroos's successor remains a strategic matter for the White House. The new Merengue coach has made the midfield his absolute priority before the summer tour.
Modric extends, Pavard waits
In Italy, Luka Modric is heading towards a one-year extension with AC Milan, after a convincing season in Lombardy. The Croatian, free at the end of the month, has made the Rossoneri project his priority, despite the Saudi sirens and interest from an MLS club. In parallel, Benjamin Pavard, under contract with Marseille, is getting closer to a return to Inter Milan, his club of heart since 2024, as his entourage has hinted to several French newsrooms. Marseille, in full offensive reconstruction after their elimination in the Champions League playoffs, would not oppose a departure, provided they recover around 25 million euros, and could reinvest in a right-back.
Paris bets on Ferran Torres
PSG is advancing on Ferran Torres. The capital club would have reached a principle agreement with the 26-year-old Spanish winger, as reported by CulturePSG as early as mid-July. FC Barcelona is asking for around 50 million euros, while Paris's offer would be five million less, and the final amount should be negotiated around performance-related bonuses. Luis Enrique, who personally called the player, is pushing to finalize the operation before the summer tour in Asia. On the departure front, Ismaïla Sarr has committed to Crystal Palace for five years for 15 million euros, an operation made official by Marseille and confirmed by several English sources.
Chelsea, the all-out offensive
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea is accelerating on two hot files. The London club, just finalist of the Club World Cup, has made an offer of 117 million pounds for Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa's attacking midfielder, confirmed by The Guardian. At the same time, Chelsea is pushing for Maxence Lacroix, the French central defender of Crystal Palace, courted by Arsenal. The Guardian and Caughtoffside confirm London's interest, and the 25-year-old player, trained at Sochaux, would be open to a departure, seduced by Maresca's playing project. Finally, Athletic Bilbao is preparing for the succession of Aymeric Laporte, whose contract is coming to an end, with the Spanish defender leaving doubt about his final destination.
The trajectory of the transfer window will depend on PSG's offensive arbitrations, Manchester City's ability to keep Rodri, and Aston Villa's response to Chelsea's XXL offer. Note that Paris FC, promoted to Ligue 1, continues to prospect the free agent market to strengthen their squad, and that Olympique Lyonnais is still looking for a defensive midfielder. The coming days look decisive for several European heavyweights, in Ligue 1 as well as in the Premier League.