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3 months ago
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Record transfers, turnarounds, unexpected departures… Every transfer window has its share of surprises. This summer again, the transfer market has been a hot topic. While some teams have shown a certain frenzy, like OM, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Atlético de Madrid, others have chosen to remain discreet. Liverpool and MHSC can, in this respect, testify to this. In France, the interminable saga surrounding TV rights will have largely impacted the clubs, plunged into a climate of uncertainty. Yes, but there you have it, less than two weeks before the closing of this summer window – with a few exceptions, notably in Turkey (September 13) and Saudi Arabia (October 6) – certain files could still set the market alight. From Victor Osimhen to Romelu Lukaku, including João Félix, Kingsley Coman, Manuel Ugarte, Federico Chiesa, Conor Gallagher, Adrien Rabiot, Sergio Ramos and Memphis Depay, French Football Weekly offers you a review of the names ready to spark the spark.
Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku, two closely linked cases…
This is most certainly the main soap opera of this summer transfer window. Under contract until 2026 with Naples, Victor Osimhen is, once again, announced on the way out. Tracked by Bayern Munich and PSG in recent months, it is finally towards Chelsea that the Nigerian striker could head. According to Sky Italythe Premier League club wants to complete the arrival of a new center forward before the end of this transfer window and Enzo Maresca has validated the possible transfer of the former LOSC striker. The Italian publication also revealed that the 25-year-old striker is open to the idea of joining the Blues. However, he has set his conditions: he wants to sign there only as a permanent transfer. He will not accept a loan, he who wants to leave the Partenopei. A departure that could, at the same time, allow the Neapolitans to recover Romelu Lukaku, Antonio Conte’s absolute priority for his attack.
The Mattino recently explained, in this sense, that the sporting director of the Italian club, Giovanni Manna, had traveled to London to close this deal, offering Victor Osimhen against Romelu Lukaku, Cesare Casadei as well as a nice check for an amount between 45 and 50 million euros. However, be wary because despite this significant advance, the Belgian is still in the reserves of the London team, and this two weeks before the end of the transfer window. It’s a very complicated situation, you know that very well. I’m sorry because everything is blocked, I can’t say anything else, what can I say… Lukaku? I’m not talking about players who don’t do it, I come from Naples, it’s a situation that must be resolved by those responsible, assured Conte, for his part, when questioned on the subject. There is no doubt that these joint operations will continue to be talked about on the side of Stamford Bridge and Diego Armando Maradona…
João Félix, the other soap opera of the summer
Back at Atlético de Madrid but still announced as leaving, João Félix (24 years old) could also be sailing towards new horizons. For several weeks, the Portuguese international has been linked to various rumors. From a return to Benfica to the interest shown by Aston Villa to the possibility of seeing him go into exile in Saudi Arabia, everyone has their own prediction. However, at the time of writing, the hottest lead seems to be… Chelsea. With this in mind, the Portuguese press claimed, in the last few hours, that the Blues had returned to the charge with a re-evaluated offer, they who saw an initial proposal of €35 million rejected by the Colchoneros. Thus, the two teams would now be on the verge of reaching an agreement for the sale of the Viseu native. Amount of the transaction? €46 million and variables that could exceed six million euros. A new proposal that seems to suit the Madrid team and which should therefore allow this interminable saga to be brought to an end.
Kingsley Coman, a vague future…
Under contract until June 2027 with Bayern Munich, the French international is also having a hectic summer. Pushed towards the exit by the Bavarian team, the Tricolore, who earns €20 million per year, is no longer in the plans of the Germans, tired of his many injuries. Enough to inevitably arouse the covetousness of the competition. Among the main candidates for his arrival, Manchester City, PSG and FC Barcelona are notably mentioned, while the player recently refused to join Fenerbahçe, where José Mourinho wanted him. Trained in Paris, the hero of the 2020 Champions League final would rather see himself returning to PSG but the arrival of Désiré Doué risks definitely weakening his will. It remains to be seen whether the Skyblues, orphaned by Oscar Bobb and especially Julian Alvarez, will take action in the final stretch of the transfer window, at a time when Bayern, for their part, seem willing to let their protégé go in the form of a loan with an option to buy.
Manuel Ugarte, between Paris and Manchester
If Kingsley Coman is not expected to settle down in the French capital, Manuel Ugarte (23 years old) could do so. The question now is where he will go. After gradually disappearing from the radar, especially during European matches, the Uruguayan midfielder does not seem to really fit into Luis Enrique’s plans, especially after the recent arrival of Joao Neves, who shone for his first time in the Parisian jersey. Therefore, the former Sporting CP player should not last long in the City of Lights. Courted by Manchester United – determined to strengthen their midfield despite the presence of Casemiro, Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount – will the Montevideo native fly to the Premier League? According to the latest news, this file remains complex, especially in view of Paris’ demands, namely €60 million. An amount that has not failed to cool Manchester United, even if some British media claim that the Uruguayan is still being followed.
Federico Chiesa, arm wrestling engaged with Juve…
One of the hot spots on the Serie A market. While it is almost certain that the future of Federico Chiesa (26 years old) will not be with Juve, the Vecchia Signora has still not found him a way out. Under contract until 2025, the Italian winger is not necessarily desired by his new coach Thiago Motta. “Our position on Federico Chiesa has not changed. He is not part of our plans. We have talked. It is a demonstration of the respect I have for everyone. Transparency, clarity, this is my way of communicating with my players.”confirmed the former PSG midfielder. A major problem? The player does not necessarily want to leave, and especially not just anywhere. Recently, Tuttosport indicated that the player had already refused two offers. While the Saudi team Al-Ahli tried its luck to compensate for the departure of Allan Saint-Maximin to Fenerbahçe, the Italian rejected this exotic proposal, despite a salary estimated at between 15 and 20 million euros. At the same time, the former Fiorentina player rejected Besiktas, not even responding to the phone call from the Turkish leaders. And for good reason. Whether with Juventus or another club, Chiesa wants to play in the Champions League at all costs. Enough to strain the situation on the Turin side, while everything suggests that his situation will not be resolved before the last minute…
Conor Gallagher, an aborted departure…
Announced on the departure of Chelsea while Enzo Maresca does not count on him for the coming season, Conor Gallagher was to join Atlético de Madrid during this summer transfer window. Eager to recruit the Englishman (18 caps) for their midfield, the Colchoneros had even reached an agreement to recruit the 24-year-old player. Problem, the transfer sending Samu Omorodion in the opposite direction fell through a few days ago and ultimately ruined the departure of the British midfielder. Returning to London since – in particular to preserve his mental and physical health – the former Crystal Palace player therefore finds himself in a deadlock but still hopes for a positive outcome. Will the Epsom native end up landing in the Iberian capital or will the deal fall through defensively? Here is another question at the end of this transfer window…
Adrien Rabiot, the suspense is complete
“After five seasons at Juventus, five years in Turin, I want to say ‘goodbye’ and thank you. All of you who have been there for me. The club and all its staff. And you, the fans, always close and very affectionate! Thank you for everything, Juventus. Goodbye and good luck”. By posting this message on his social networks, the former PSG midfielder has also confirmed his future. Author of another solid season with Juventus and semi-finalist of Euro 2024 with France, the 29-year-old French midfielder has still not found a new challenge since this announcement. Announced in the sights of Real Madrid or even AS Milan, the French international (48 caps and 4 goals) has also been linked to Galatasaray, Liverpool – in the event of definitive failure of the Martin Zubimendi track – or even Manchester United. So many suitors ready to shake up the end of the transfer window of the native of Saint-Maurice…
Sergio Ramos, between MLS and the Saudi Pro League but…
At the end of his contract with Sevilla FC, Sergio Ramos has finally decided to leave the Andalusian club. Aged 38, the Spanish defender is now looking for a new challenge. However, a few days before the end of the transfer window, the former PSG player has not found the right fit. In recent weeks, Mundo Deportivo specified that the player trained at Nervionenses had several possible destinations. Thus, the San Diego club, which will start in MLS from 2025, would be ready to offer him a real golden bridge. Indeed, the Californian franchise would consider offering him a salary estimated at 12 million euros per year. But that’s not all. In addition to American soil, the Spanish international (180 caps, 23 goals) could also be tempted by the Saudi challenge. Already approached by the Saudi Pro League last summer, Ramos had finally opted for the Andalusian project, but his official departure should not fail to revive the interest of the Gulf before mid-October. Finally, other markets should also be scrutinized by the interested party. Like his compatriots, David Villa or Andrés Iniesta, SR4 could then bounce back in Japan, or even in Turkey, two countries known for welcoming players at the end of their career. Case(s) to follow…
Memphis Depay, a strange summer
To conclude these hot files at the end of the summer transfer window and if other names could also have appeared in this non-exhaustive list, like Wissam Ben Yedder, Mats Hummels or Mario Hermoso, without a club since his departure from Atlético de Madrid, the case of the former Olympique Lyonnais player is not settled either. Free since the end of his lease at Atlético de Madrid, the Dutchman is still looking for a new challenge but the leads are not numerous. Except for the crazy rumor sending him to OM, Depay has been linked to Como and Inter Milan but the Nerazzurri were quickly put off by the financial demands of the interested party. More recently, Besiktas, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray have also shown an interest in the Moordrecht native but no concrete progress has been observed since. A strange transfer window that could ultimately lead to a departure to MLS, or even a return to the Eredivisie. While waiting to know the future destination of the Batavian, there are still a few days for the various European teams to do their shopping and thus put an end to these countless soap operas…
