European Transfer Round-Up
Transfer Round-Up
The Premier League transfer window is just over a week away from slamming shut so expect plenty of movement in England over the next few days, but the big gossip right now involves a couple of European heavyweights.
Modric May Move To Italy
Real Madrid star Luka Modric, fresh from winning the Golden Ball award at the World Cup, is understood to be a target for Inter Milan.
Perhaps more surprisingly, Real are ready to sell as the summer Bernabeu exodus continues. Since last season Los Blancos have lost their coach and star man in Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively and now midfield playmaker Modric could follow them out the exit.
Inter are 9.00 to win the Scudetto but closing the gap on Juventus could well be a big ask. The Nerazzurri should be able to claim a win at Sassuolo in the opening round of Serie A fixtures though at a solid 1.76, regardless of whether or not Modric makes the switch to Milan.
Everton Add Digne
Everton have been fairly busy this summer with the arrival of Richarlison from Watford and now they’ve managed to snare Lucas Digne from Barcelona. The Frenchman arrives as a long-term successor to Leighton Baines and there should be a few more new faces at Goodison Park before the window closes.
Everton could be decent outsiders for a top four finish at 19.00 if they make a good start – and with Wolves, Bournemouth, West Ham, Southampton and Huddersfield to come in their first five games there’s a good chance they’ll hit the ground running.
Real Close On Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is out of contract next summer and Chelsea may well be forced into a sale, with Real pretty much the only option at 1.21.
If the Belgian does move on Chelsea will need a replacement and Everton’s Jordan Pickford is 2.75 to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel is 3.00 and Atletico Madrid custodian Jan Oblak is 8.00. All three will be hard to land but Chelsea still have real pulling power despite their lack of Champions League football, and of course any swoop would be dependent on Courtois departing.
Lewandowski On Blues Radar
Bayern have been bullish about their chances of keeping free-scoring forward Robert Lewandowski throughout the summer amid near constant links with Real Madrid.
The latest speculation suggests a new suitor could enter the race however, as Chelsea have been tipped to move for the Poland star.
If Lewandowski departs the Allianz Arena you would expect Bayern to bring in a top quality replacement and they’d still be expected to win the Bundesliga, but their hopes of picking up a sixth Champions League crown at 8.00 would surely take a huge hit.
Martial Saga Continues In Manchester
Anthony Martial seemed destined for an Old Trafford exit earlier in the summer but then it appeared he was set to stick around. The saga has taken another twist as the Frenchman has failed to report back for training following the birth of his second child.
The attacker is 1.76 to remain at Manchester United, 9.00 to join Juventus – who were interested prior to their Ronaldo capture – and a tempting 6.00 to join Tottenham, who have been quiet so far and are yet to make any signings.
