Arsenal have given Lautaro Martinez hope of staying at the club despite the Argentine’s contract impasse.
Collective bargaining is a process in which workers and employers negotiate the terms and conditions of employment. It typically includes negotiations over pay, benefits, job security, work hours, safety, and other issues.
The summer transfer season is open now that Euro 2020 and the Copa America are finished, giving Europe’s top clubs the opportunity to make an impact in the market. Check out the newest rumors below, then go here to view all of the official agreements.
TOP STORY: As the contract stalemate persists, Arsenal has offered Lautaro optimism.
Arsenal are rebuilding their team after losing out on European competition this season, and their pursuit of Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez may be intensified immediately.
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On Friday, Arsenal acquired defender Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion in a rumored £50 million deal, after the arrivals of left-back Nuno Tavares and midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga earlier in the summer window.
Lautaro’s contract expires in two years, and Inter are reportedly trying to agree on a new deal with him, according to Sky Sport Italia. If they are unable to extend his contract, a move has not been ruled out in order to get his full transfer value.
Inter’s financial problems mean they won’t be able to afford for the Argentina international to go next year on a cheap contract, therefore they may be prepared to talk with Arsenal before the transfer market closes on August 31.
Arsenal is the only team to have contacted Inter to confirm their interest in the 23-year-old, according to the source. Atletico Madrid, according to Mundo Deportivo, is a more probable destination.
Lautaro Martinez’s departure from Inter is not ruled out. #SkySport #SkyCalciomercato #Inter #SkySport #SkyCalciomercato #Inter #SkySport #SkyCalciomercato #Inter #SkySport #SkyCalcio https://t.co/iw7taYksKA
30 July 2021 — skysport (@SkySport)
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Mauro Icardi has said that he has no doubt that he will stay in Paris, despite rumors that he might be part of a possible swap deal between Juventus and PSG that would have sent Cristiano Ronaldo to the French capital.
Icardi was linked with a transfer to Juventus in exchange for Ronaldo, which would have brought the Argentina striker back to Serie A following successful seasons at Sampolia and Inter.
Icardi, on the other hand, replied to a PSG fan account on Instagram Stories, stating he’ll be at the club for “this season, the next, and the next!!!”
“That was never a question!!! PSG, come on! “Added he.
Ronaldo’s immediate future seems to be set at Juventus, with Massimiliano Allegri, the club’s new manager, even asking the Portugal international to take on “greater responsibility” this season.
20.15 BST: Everton star James Rodriguez has stated that his future at Goodison Park is “difficult” and that he wants to play someplace where he is desired, after Carlo Ancelotti’s move to Real Madrid.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” the Colombian stated on his Twitch broadcast about his situation under incoming Toffees manager Rafa Benitez. I’m not sure — I’m not sure where I’ll be playing.
“You know you don’t know anything in football or life, but all I know is that I’ve been working hard, preparing properly, and practicing for me, and that’s all.”
“It’s a difficult situation. [I’ll play] wherever they need me. Someone must be in a location where they are needed.”
Rodriguez has ruled out reuniting with Ancelotti at the Bernabeu, where he previously played on loan for Bayern Munich.
Despite rumors connecting the Portugal under-21 international with a transfer away from the San Siro, sources have informed ESPN that AC Milan are not seeking to trade Rafael Leao.
According to reports in Italy, Leao might be engaged in a swap deal to acquire Julian Brandt from Borussia Dortmund, with Everton also said to be interested.
According to ESPN, though, Milan is not interested in moving the 22-year-old. Leao, who came from Lille in 2019, scored seven goals in all competitions last season, including the quickest goal in Serie A history in a 2-0 victory against Sassuolo in December 2020 just six seconds.
18.45 BST: Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo admits bringing Antoine Griezmann back to the club from Barcelona this summer is proving tough.
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona had discussed a swap deal earlier this month, according to ESPN, in which midfielder Saul Niguez would have moved the opposite way.
The two teams were unable to reach an agreement, with the major roadblock being a disparity in player values, but Cerezo is not giving up hope.
“We’re not ruling anything out,” Cerezo told Cadena Cope on Friday. “But we can say it’s not an easy signing.”
“We’re waiting for word from other players as well as Griezmann, but [Griezmann] is a tough surgery.”
Griezmann, 30, joins Barcelona in 2019 for €120 million from Atletico Madrid. He has scored 35 goals in 99 appearances for the Catalans.
Jose Mourinho is set to add Genoa striker Eldor Shomurodov to his Roma team for his debut season in command in the Italian city at 18.00 BST. He’ll be moving on a loan with an option to purchase for €17.5 million plus add-ons.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, he landed in Rome on Saturday for a physical before finalizing the move.
Shomurodov, a 26-year-old Uzbek international, joined Genoa from Rostov in Russia shortly before the transfer deadline in October of last year. After completing the paperwork, he will fly out to Roma’s training camp in Portugal on Sunday. He scored eight goals in 31 Serie A games last season.
17.19 BST: According to Mundo Deportivo, Valencia star Mouctar Diakhaby is being pursued by a number of Premier League teams. West Ham are interested in signing the 24-year-old defender, who started his career with Lyon before moving to LaLiga. Both Leicester City and Newcastle United are believed to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
16.30 BST: Aston Villa has completed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign Jamaican international Leon Bailey. Last season, the 23-year-old, who is valued at about £30 million, produced season-best statistics for Leverkusen, scoring 15 goals and assisting on 11 others.
The winger, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League for many seasons, will complete the transfer after a physical has been completed and personal details have been finalized.
He started his professional career at Genk in Belgium before moving to Leverkusen in 2017.
A deal has been agreed between Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen for the transfer of Leon Bailey, subject to the player passing a medical and finalizing personal terms.
July 31, 2021 — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a Roma midfielder, says he is pleased to be playing under Jose Mourinho and that he made the correct choice to remain. After failing to impress under Mourinho at Manchester United, Mkhitaryan moved to Arsenal before joining Roma.
The 32-year-old was said to be looking for a new club rather than trying to establish himself to Mourinho all over again. He, on the other hand, wants to remain and compete for the Scudetto.
Mkhitaryan told Corriere dello Sport, “I had no reservations.” “However, I wanted to make the best choice possible with a clear mind.” I received other job offers, both in Italy and overseas, but I decided to remain.
“What occurred in Manchester will not be forgotten. We talked as adult individuals who both want to follow the same route and win something with Roma this year, which is the only thing that counts. Roma will be a difficult opponent for anyone aiming to win the Scudetto this season.”
14.57 BST: According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham has made a £43 million bid to Atalanta to acquire defender Cristian Romero.
According to Sky Sport Italia, the Serie A club is willing to sell him for approximately $45 million if they can find a successor.
Tottenham are keen to get the 23-year-old on board before the Premier League starts ahead of Serie A.
Barcelona was also interested in Romero and had made a bid, which was turned down by the Serie A club.
Earlier in July, the Defender of the Season was a member of Argentina’s Copa America-winning team.
14.06 BST: According to Corriere dello Sport, Roma are prepared to hold off on a potential move for Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka until August 15, although the chance of him joining the Italian club is dwindling.
Xhaka is said to have wanted to leave the north London club, but they are demanding €25 million plus incentives for the 29-year-old, a figure Roma are unwilling to match.
They made an initial offer of €15 million, which they are prepared to revise but not to include the additional €10 million that Arsenal is seeking.
Despite the fact that Xhaka has stated his desire to leave Arsenal, the club is allegedly contemplating renewing his contract. His contract with the club runs out in 2023.
Players from the United Kingdom have been granted exemptions as a result of Brexit, meaning they will not have to be registered as one of a club’s three non-EU players. 13.22 BST: Marca reports that players from the United Kingdom have been granted exemptions as a result of Brexit, meaning they will not have to be registered as one of a club’s three non-EU players.
Gareth Bale and Kieran Trippier will benefit from the decision at Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, respectively. Bale is already unpopular at Real Madrid, and the club would be reluctant to use one of their three non-EU transfer slots on him. Atletico Madrid may now be hesitant to trade Trippier to Manchester United.
According to Marca, the agreement only applies to players who were already under contract when the Brexit transition took place on January 1st of this year, and it covers the length of their contracts.
Bale’s contract has one year remaining on it, while Trippier’s is set to expire in 2023. The decision applies to all players in Spain’s top two divisions, with the Segunda Division benefiting the most.
12.36 BST: Gerard Pique says he’s “waiting” for Lionel Messi to sign his new Barcelona contract, as LaLiga president Javier Tebas reiterates that the striker will not be granted any exceptions to the regulations.
Barcelona and Messi agreed to a new five-year contract earlier this month, according to ESPN. The deal has yet to be finalized, but ESPN sources say it will be in the coming days, with Messi perhaps returning for preseason training next week.
Pique stated at the Champions Gala on Friday, “We’re waiting for him to sign the extension and to be able to have him with us.” “I’m hoping he’ll be persuaded [by Barca’s offer].”
Barca has yet to announce Messi’s contract since they must first cut their pay bill in order to stay inside LaLiga’s spending restrictions. They won’t be allowed to register the new terms with the league until they do that.
When questioned about Messi’s position, LaLiga president Tebas replied, “It all rests on Barca.” “They are aware of the economic restrictions and are aware that there are no exceptions.” There are no plans to make any changes.
“Barca has told me that they want to move some [players] and reduce the salaries of others, but they haven’t mentioned altering the regulations to allow Messi to remain. I trust [president Joan] Laporta, who has firsthand knowledge, and I believe him when he says things are going well.”
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City are aiming to conclude a deal for Jack Grealish in the coming weeks, which implies Bernardo Silva may seek a transfer away from the club.
Silva, 26, has been with the Etihad since 2017, when he joined for £45 million from AS Monaco. If the versatile midfielder decides to leave England, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are both reported to be interested.
According to ESPN, City has launched a £100 million bid for Aston Villa’s Grealish. City is also interested in Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, but would have to sell one or two first-team players to finance both moves. Silva is said to be one of those who will be moving on.
Paul Pogba has not ruled out remaining at Manchester United beyond this season, according to Sky Sports News, but is unlikely to sign a contract extension during this transfer window.
Pogba, 28, has had a tumultuous experience at Old Trafford since joining from Juventus in 2016, and has been linked with a transfer elsewhere on many occasions. The next step in his career might be the most important of his life, since any new contract with United will bind him to the club until he is in his thirties.
The France international has been linked with a return to Juve, as well as PSG and Real Madrid, on many occasions.
According to the article, Pogba was inspired by the summer acquisitions of Jadon Sancho and, shortly to be announced, Raphael Varane. United, on the other hand, understands that this window is his only genuine opportunity to recover a significant portion of the £89.3 million transfer price he spent five years ago, since he will be allowed to start negotiations with European clubs about a summer free transfer as of January 1. As a result, a transfer to PSG cannot be ruled out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has signed a contract extension with Liverpool that will take him through the 2024-25 season, according to the Daily Mirror, and six more players may follow suit in the following weeks. Fabinho, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk have all reached the end of their contracts, therefore extending their contracts is a top priority. Even though Alisson and Andrew Robertson’s contracts don’t expire until 2024, Liverpool will seek to enhance their terms.
09.30 BST: Wolves winger Adama Traore has been linked with a move away from Molineux in recent months, and Duncan Castles of the Transfer Window podcast has revealed that Leeds United are the latest team to make a £30 million transfer offer for Traore. The 25-year-old, who began his career at Barcelona, made his full international debut for Spain in October against Portugal and was named to his country’s Euro 2020 team this summer.
GOSSIP ON PAPER
– According to AS, Lyon is close to acquiring Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana. The 25-year-current old’s contract expires in a year, and he’s searching for a new opportunity in the next chapter of his career. Ajax was said to be holding out for just over €10 million, while the Ligue 1 team had only just crossed the €5 million mark. However, there has been a breakthrough between the two teams, with their values approaching a deal that benefits both parties.
– Despite earlier efforts to negotiate a permanent transfer, Arsenal are willing to let Hector Bellerin depart on loan, according to Calciomercato. Inter Milan are seeking for a replacement for right-back Achraf Hakimi, who was just sold to PSG. Bellerin has been mentioned. However, the 26-year-old isn’t Inter’s sole target at that position; Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez is also on Inter’s radar.
– According to The Sun, Arsenal and Ajax are interested in Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann. The 27-year-old made an impression as Austria’s first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 2020, but Watford are eager to retain him. After Mat Ryan’s short-term loan expired, Arsenal were on the hunt for a new goalkeeper to challenge Bernd Leno. Ajax is preparing for life without Onana, who has just a year remaining on his contract.
– According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt are interested in signing Jens Hauge. The 21-year-old winger joined AC Milan in October 2020, but he is expected to depart soon. Milan is aiming to get €12-13 million, while both Bundesliga teams have offered €7-8 million so far.
