The winter transfer window is now closed in Europe's top leagues, but there are plenty of moves in the works and rumors circulating as we look ahead to the summer. Transfer Talk brings you the latest news on rumours, comings and goings and of course, closed deals!
TOP STORY: Gunners seek deal for Osimhen
Arsenal will join Chelsea in the battle for the Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in summer, according to The Mirror.
The Nigerian international, currently in action at the African Cup of Nations, has made it clear that he will leave the Italian team at the end of the season, and although Chelsea were the favorites to trigger the 25-year-old's £100m release. clause, Arsenal are now expected to face their London rivals.
The Gunners were unable to look for a new striker in the January transfer window due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) fears, but that could change in the summer if, as expected, they manage to offload some of their fringe players.
Arsenal also remain interested in pursuing a move for the Brentford striker. Ivan Toney Yes, Osimhen proves difficult, but Osimhen's power in front of goal (he has scored 67 goals in 199 appearances for Napoli) is considered the missing piece in the puzzle for Mikel Arteta's team.
Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also said to be interested in taking over Osimhen, although any interest from The whites It would seem unlikely given that sources have told ESPN that Kylian Mbappé He will join the LaLiga giants in the summer.
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PAPER GOSSIP
– Aston Villa seeks to strengthen its squad in the summer, but to do so they will need to get rid of the midfielder Douglas Luis, according to Football Insider. The Villans are increasingly cautious about breaking FFP rules, meaning they would have to sacrifice 25-year-old Brazilian Luiz before further reinforcements could be made across the squad. Luiz has been attracting interest across Europe, but because he signed a contract extension in October 2022, he would likely command a huge fee (up to £100m) if he were to leave. Liverpool and Barcelona are among the interested clubs.
– Several of the best clubs in the Premier League will fight against Barcelona and PSG to sign the Bayern Munich midfielder. Joshua Kimmich in summer according to Ekrem Konur. Barcelona have been long-time admirers of the 28-year-old and attempted to sign him last summer, although they were denied by his own financial constraints. The Catalan club will try to reconsider the situation this summer and, although they are desperate for a player to fill Kimmich's pivotal role, PSG could pass him up, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United also interested.
– Some may call it a disruptive moment as Internazionale and Juventus meet in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday, but the Nerazzurri they are supposedly interested in signing Adrian Rabiot from its rivals in the summer, says Tuttosport. The 28-year-old Frenchman is in the final six months of his contract with Juve and is therefore available on a free transfer in the summer, unless he agrees to an extension before the season ends.
– Arsenal remain interested in signing the long-term target and Real Sociedad midfielder. Martin Zubimendi, but they face stiff competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, according to The Mirror. Sociedad have made it clear that the 25-year-old will only be allowed to leave if his release clause is met and, although Arsenal are favourites, they are not alone in admiring him. Arsenal expect Zubimendi to replace Thomas Partey in the summer, but Zubimendi's recent meeting with Bayern boss Christoph Freund suggests there are several clubs laying similar groundwork for a possible move in the summer.
– Orlando City SC Forward Duncan McGuire A transfer to Blackburn Rovers remains in play following an administrative error by the Championship side, according to The Athletic's Tom Bogert. Maguire, 22, was due to arrive on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move, but Blackburn had to withdraw on Wednesday while Maguire was in the air en route to England to complete the transfer. Rovers resurrected the deal, albeit on new terms, but again it appears the Lancashire club did not register it properly. Blackburn are appealing a decision which currently states Maguire will only be able to join in the next transfer window.
