In our weekly talk cock sessions, we look at the latest transfer news, gossips, and highlights that have football fans all over the world buzzing with excitement.
Tottenham Hotspur set for Dejan Kulusevski move
Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus have reached an agreement for Swedish international midfielder Dejan Kulusevski. The agreement is for a loan to the end of the season and a €5m loan fee, with an option to buy of €35m, and the option becoming a purchase obligation should Spurs make the Champions League and Kulusevski appears in half of Tottenham’s remaining matches. Fabrizio Romano has also chimed in, saying that should the loan become permanent it will be a five-year deal and that personal terms (undisclosed) have also been agreed upon. Kulu will be flying to London in the next few hours to complete the transfer.
Three clubs ‘agree loan deal for Donny van de Beek’
As many as three clubs have agreed on a loan deal with Manchester United for midfielder Donny van de Beek. After seeing a move to Everton break down last summer, the 24-year-old was left to fight for his place at United, but he has rarely featured under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick so far this campaign. In recent days, the midfielder has reiterated his desire to leave Manchester after a series of broken promises and is keen to secure regular game time ahead of a potential World Cup tournament with the Netherlands at the end of the year. Although Crystal Palace were said to be favourties to secure a temporary deal for Van de Beek until the end of the season, another Premier League club, as well as an overseas side, are also in the running after agreeing on terms with United. A final decision has now been left to the player, whose weekly wage of £120,000 per week will need to be covered in full by his new side, and who will also have to stump up a loan fee if they get their man.
River Plate keen to sign Edinson Cavani
Manchester City’s capture of Argentine starlet Julian Alvarez has paved the way for Edinson Cavani to join Buenos Aires giants River Plate when he leaves Manchester United in the summer. Alvarez, 21, has agreed on a deal that will cost City £15.5million upfront and a further £7m in potential add-ons. He will stay on loan at River Plate until the summer – when the Argentine club plan to replace him with United’s Uruguayan veteran Cavani. The cash River Plate will bank from the Premier League champions means they can now afford the striker’s wage demands. Cavani, who will turn 35 on February 14, earns more than £250,000 a week at Old Trafford.
Anthony Martial may stay with Sevilla after loan
Anthony Martial has completed a temporary switch to Sevilla but the Manchester United misfit admits his long-term future remains up in the air. The French international, who joined United from Monaco in 2015 in a move worth an initial £36million, had dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford amid a drawn-out 18-month downfall. United colleague Marcus Rashford is among those to have sent supportive messages to the 26-year-old following the move to Spain. Martial is joining a title battle, with Sevilla just four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. But questions continue to be asked when it comes to where Martial will be playing his club football next year and beyond and he has shed some light on his motivation for the move in his first public statement since the transfer. “I have joined for five months but you never know what the future holds,” Martial said after joining Julen Lopetegui’s team. “It’s not just about money. It’s to play and to enjoy it. That’s it. That’s why I chose to come here, to play and to enjoy football again.”
Arsenal agree deal to sign Matt Turner
Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign USA goalkeeper Matt Turner in the summer. The Gunners are set to pay MLS side New England Revolution around £5million upfront for the 27-year-old, with some add-ons and a 10 percent sell-on percentage of a future transfer fee included. Turner is due to arrive at Arsenal until the summer, which will pave the way for Bernd Leno to leave the club then. The German has slipped down the pecking order at Arsenal and Turner will replace his role in providing competition for current No1, Aaron Ramsdale. Turner has enjoyed a remarkable rise during his career after going undrafted in 2016. The goalkeeper eventually signed a contract with New England Revolution after impressing on trial and he is now an established USA international, helping his country keep a clean sheet in Thursday night’s 1-0 win over El Salvador.
Juventus set to sign Denis Zakaria
Juventus have submitted an initial bid for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria. Having already signed Dusan Vlahovic this window, it looks like the Old Lady has embarked on a spending spree. Zakaria is, of course, one of Bayern Munich’s main targets for the upcoming summer transfer window. The Swiss midfielder is seen as a prime candidate for defensive midfield, as well as a potential replacement for the center-back spot left vacant by Niklas Sule. However, if Juve’s surprise bid goes through, then Brazzo and co. will have to look elsewhere for a quality midfield candidate. The Italians have already reached an agreement with the player and are negotiating terms with Gladbach. This would put Zakaria beyond the reach of Bayern, who were only ever interested in a summer transfer. Given that Zakaria was also envisioned as a center-back replacement for Sule, Hasan Salihamidzic and Marco Neppe will have to look further afield (and spend much more money) for quality additions to the squad.
