Camavinga to Man Utd & 10 midfielders who could transfer this month

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 10 Aug 2021 13:58 BST
• 6 min read

So far this summer, plenty of big moves have already happened - with several more in the pipeline.

When it comes to midfielders across Europe, Jack Grealish has been the most high-profile transfer, while more astute signings such as Boubakary Soumare and Enock Mwepu have joined the Premier League.

With less than a month of the window remaining, several stars are still pushing for moves away, while some could be forced out the door by clubs needing to raise funds.

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So which midfielders should be watch closely between now and the end of the month?

Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid)

Saul Niguez has been one of Atletico Madrid's best performers in recent years, but he now seems set to leave the club.

The emergence of Marcos Llorente ensured Saul's league minutes were reduced last season, and with the impressive Rodrigo de Paul arriving from Udinese, he's reportedly now on the 'for sale' list.

Atletico are hoping to defend their La Liga crown this year, but they are willing to do this without Saul. The midfielder has been linked with both Liverpool and Manchester United recently, while there was briefly a rumour suggesting he'd be involved in a player-plus-cash deal for Antoine Griezmann with Barcelona.

The Premier League, however, looks like his most probable destination, and with both Liverpool and Man Utd needing midfield reinforcements, one of them will surely drum up the reported €40 million that is needed to secure Saul.

Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo)

Manuel Locatelli was one of the breakout stars at Euro 2020 for Italy, scoring two goals in the win against Switzerland.

Juventus, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have all placed bids, but the Sassuolo midfielder has made it clear he is only interested in signing for the Italian side.

The negotiations to agree a transfer fee with Juve have been painfully slow, with the Bianconeri struggling to meet Sassuolo’s €40m asking price.

Nevertheless, given the will of the player, this is a transfer that is expected to go through before the end of the month.

Ilaix Moriba (Barcelona)

Ilaix Moriba is one of the biggest talents to emerge through La Masia in years but, according to reports, he's set to leave Barcelona this summer.

The 18-year-old has rejected a new contract at the club, with the Blaugrana unable to meet his demands, and ESPN have reported that he could be available for between €15-20m this month; an absolute bargain.

Moriba is a No.8, and having played 18 times for Ronald Koeman's side in his breakout year, he's attracted attention from almost every European club.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have been linked, while Chelsea were heavily interested earlier this summer. He would also be a great pick-up for Arsenal or Liverpool, both in need of central midfield talent.

Aaron Ramsey (Juventus)

Predictably, Aaron Ramsey has endured two injury-hit seasons at Juventus since joining the club on a free transfer from Arsenal in 2019.

Although returning coach Max Allegri has sung Ramsey’s praises in pre-season whilst testing him in a new deep-lying midfield position, there’s no doubt that Juventus wish to sell him.

His high wages are a burden on a club who are short on cash they are struggling to even get Manuel Locatelli’s transfer over the line.

A return to the Premier League on loan is most likely. Arsenal have been linked with making a return move for the Welshman.

Miralem Pjanic (Barcelona)

Miralem Pjanic’s first season at Barcelona following his big-money swap move with Arthur Melo – who joined Juventus – was nothing short of disastrous.

He started only six games in La Liga and registered no goals or assists in all competitions.

Pjanic is not in Ronald Koeman’s plans for the coming season and has a poor relationship with the Barcelona manager.

The 31-year-old would like to return to Juventus on loan – and this is a deal that could happen before the end of the window.

Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)

Eduardo Camavinga has already played 83 times for Rennes, despite not turning 19 until October, and in that time he's displayed just how talented he is.

He experienced a slight drop-off last year, but was still a defensive powerhouse, making 4.6 tackles and interceptions per 90, while also being in the 95th percentile for dribbles per 90 of central midfielders in Europe's top five leagues.

Camavinga would be perfect for Liverpool or Man Utd, and while it's becoming repetitive - those two teams need reinforcements - Camvinga is the ideal candidate.

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted last week that Bernardo Silva was one of three players who wished to quit the club.

"He's our player. Not just Bernardo, there are two or three players that want to leave but they are our players and when they bring some offer and they want to leave we are open to discuss but it depends on them,” Pep confirmed.

Bernardo is keen for a new challenge after four years at the Etihad, and he is also no longer a key player under Guardiola as he was during his brilliant 2018-19 season.

The signing of Jack Grealish pushed the Portuguese attacking midfielder further down the pecking order.

James Rodriguez (Everton)

James Rodriguez is understood to be surplus to requirements at Everton, with new manager Rafa Benitez reportedly telling the Colombian he is not in his first-team plans.

The former Real Madrid star has admitted publicly that he only signed for Everton in order to play for Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti’s return to Real Madrid has left James somewhat abandoned and he is actively looking for a new club. However, his high wages make any move tricky.

AC Milan have been considering a move for the former World Cup star.

Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)

Jesse Lingard may well be surplus to requirements at Man Utd, but there will certainly be interest in the English midfielder.

Lingard is currently isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, and hence missed Man Utd's final pre-season friendly against Everton.

He was immense on loan at West Ham last season, scoring nine goals and assisting four in the Premier League, but with the presence of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and even Donny van de Beek, and the acquisition of Jadon Sancho, space in Man Utd's side is extremely limited for Lingard.

He has, therefore, been linked with a move away on a permanent basis, with Arsenal and Leicester reportedly interested.

Martin Odegaard (Real Madrid)

He has never been first-choice at Real Madrid, but Martin Odegaard is still a Los Blancos player. He joined the club aged just 16, and the pressure was too much, too soon.

After successful loan spells in the Eredivisie and at Real Sociedad, he returned to Real Madrid last season, in the hope of first-team action. He was denied the chance, however, and moved to Arsenal on loan for the second half of the season.

The Gunners now want to sign him on a permanent deal, although at the moment, it seems unlikely.

With Carlo Ancelotti now at the helm, Odegaard may be given a chance at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the chances are, he'll look to leave by the end of this month.