Varane & five big transfers that could be completed this week
The transfer window is now really heating up as we enter the midway point of the summer market.
Already we have seen some blockbuster deals go through - the likes of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United, Achraf Hakimi to Inter and Dayot Upamecano to Bayern Munich.
But over the next week, we are likely to see some more huge transfers be completed.
Here are five big transfers currently being negotiated to keep an eye on in the next week.
RAPHAEL VARANE (Real Madrid to Man Utd)
Manchester United announced on Tuesday 27 July that they have reached an agreement to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for a fee believed to be in the region of €50 million (£43m).
The World Cup-winning centre back has agreed a contract believed to be worth around €12m-a-year until 2026.
The 28-year-old is expected to fly to Manchester in the coming days in order to undergo a medical and officially sign his contract.
Man Utd should announce the deal officially next week.
CRISTIAN ROMERO (Atalanta to Tottenham)
Tottenham are locked in negotiations to sign Atalanta centre back Cristian Romero.
Romero has already agreed personal terms with the north London club and wishes to make the move.
Atalanta are demanding €55m (£47m) for the Copa America-winning defender, a price that Spurs are understood to be edging closer to.
Spurs have been in the market for a top-class central defender this summer and are expected to seal a deal for one of Europe’s most coveted stoppers.
Both Manchester United and Barcelona were also interested in signing Romero, but the former are set to sign Varane instead, while the Catalans are unable to afford the Argentine right now.
JULES KOUNDE (Sevilla to Chelsea)
La première 🐓🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Nb8Dk3WQsQ
— Jules Kounde (@jkeey4) June 3, 2021
Chelsea have made the signing of a top central defender one of their priorities this summer and they are confident they will complete the capture of Jules Kounde from Sevilla.
The Blues have already agreed personal terms with Kounde on a contract until 2026, with the Frenchman desperate to make the move.
Chelsea and Sevilla are now in talks over a transfer fee. Kounde has a release clause in his contract worth €80m (£68m) and Sevilla want to make as close to that amount as possible.
The European champions are understood to have so far offered around €35m (£30m) plus Kurt Zouma or another unwanted defender in part-exchange.
Sevilla want more money but they have already begun preparing for life after Kounde by looking at replacements.
JACK GREALISH (Aston Villa to Man City)
That training ground volley 🔥
Brighten up your day with some of the best behind-the-scenes moments from @JackGrealish this summer: pic.twitter.com/QPUr1DmplQ— England (@England) July 29, 2021
Manchester City reportedly launched a €117m (£100m) bid for Aston Villa star player Jack Grealish on Friday.
This would make the Euro 2020 attacking midfielder the most expensive Englishman in football history.
Villa want to reject the offer but they are well aware that if Grealish desires to leave that they will have to accept his demands.
Thus they have been preparing all summer for the potential departure of Grealish – and this weekend they closed in on the signing of Bayer Leveruksen star Leon Bailey.
The next week will be key with this transfer.
MANUEL LOCATELLI (Sassuolo to Juventus)
Manuel Locatelli’s current situation is crystal clear.
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have both had €40m-plus (£34m) transfer bids accepted by Sassuolo, while Liverpool have also made an enquiry.
However, Locatelli has made it clear that he intends to sign for no one but Juventus - the team he supported as a kid.
The problem right now is that Juventus’ bid has fallen well short of the €40m that Sassuolo are demanding to let Locatelli leave.
Nevertheless, this is a transfer everyone expects to be completed sooner rather than later.
Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved said at the weekend: “We’re in talks with Sassuolo to sign Locatelli. We’re convinced we made the right bid to reach an agreement, we’re really confident to complete the deal as soon as possible.”