Revolution in sight for Tottenham; Milan Skriniar desires a signing bonus; Manchester United are only focused on their renewals. Here are some of the main stories over the last few days of the winter market from TribalFootball’s transfer expert Rudy Galetti…
TOTTENHAM – THE REVOLUTION IS COMING
Antonio Conte asked so many times for reinforcements in all positions to increase the competitiveness of the team, aiming to win a tough competition like the Premier League. For this reason, Tottenham are exploring different options – especially for the summer – to make the squad better and to give to the coach (Conte or, most likely, someone else) quality alternatives.
A research that begins with the goalkeeper: there are open talks with Hugo Lloris for his contract renewal, but it cannot be excluded that Spurs may try for Jordan Pickford (Everton) or Bono (Sevilla), both in their list.
For the defence, Tottenham are interested a lot in “Italian” centre-backs: Kim Min-jae (Napoli) and Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan) are among the most followed names, even if it’s essential to keep an eye also on Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig) – who, however, would like to play for Liverpool – and Antonio Silva (Benfica).
As a new right-back, Pedro Porro is the priority: a general understanding with the player is already reached, but the real issue in this negotiation is that Sporting don’t want to discuss him: the only way to bring to the EPL the Portuguese player is to pay the release clause, set at €45m.
For the midfield, not only Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma) is on the radar: Adrien Rabiot (Juventus) – whose contract expires in June – is another profile monitored by Spurs.
A little bit more complex is the situation in attack, where Harry Kane could leave in the summer. Bayern are on his track: if he will decide to embrace the Bavarian project, Victor Osimhen (Napoli) could become the main target as a new striker for the next season.
Last but not least, let’s pay attention also to the management: after the capital gains ruling, Fabio Paratici is in trouble and this could seriously affect the plans of Tottenham.
THE FUTURE OF SKRINIAR DEPENDS ON… THE SIGNING BONUS
Milan Skriniar is ready to say goodbye to Inter fans to start his new adventure in Paris. As confirmed by the PSG coach Christophe Galtier, “the management [of the French club] are working on things”.
However, the real question on everyone’s mind is if the Slovakian player will leave his current team already in January or in the summer. The player is ready for the immediate transfer, but only under one condition: the signing bonus (at least 10/12 million euros) promised by PSG must be present in the personal terms agreement, otherwise he prefers to wait until the end of the season in order not to lose a single euro.
At the same time, Inter – already working for a replacement – are willing to sell him now in January to earn some money and to avoid losing him as a free agent in the summer. The price tag set by the Nerazzurri to let Skriniar go this month is around €15/20m, a figure that would be invested to finance the operation for a new centre-back.
Some profiles are on the list of Beppe Marotta: among others, the former AC Milan player Tiago Djalò (LOSC Lille), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta) and Chris Smalling, who has yet to decide on his future, considering that his contract with AS Roma will expire at the end of the season.
ARSENAL SEEK TWO MORE REINFORCEMENTS
The incoming market for Arsenal may not be over after the arrival of Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior. Mikel Arteta has asked for a right-back and a midfielder already in this winter transfer session and the club are now exploring some opportunities.
Ivan Fresneda and Declan Rice are for sure the two names at the top of their list. The Real Valladolid right-back could arrive as early as the end of January: in these last days, in fact, the Gunners have stepped up contacts with the Spanish club, considering that the negotiation with Fulham for Cedric – who is on the way out – is well addressed, at a good pace. The feelings are that in the next few days both deals could enter the decisive stage.
For the midfield, instead, it seems more likely that Arsenal will decide to wait for the summer to make a decisive move for Rice. The West Ham player – who won’t renew his contract with the Hammers – is a concrete option and the fact the he will be a free agent in 18 months time, makes him even more interesting. It’s an evolving situation, but Arsenal aim to play a leading role in the race for the English player.
MANCHESTER UNITED FOCUSED ON RENEWALS
The arrivals of Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst could be the only incoming purchases in the winter transfer session of Manchester United.
Unlike the past, the Red Devils have changed their plans in the market and won’t go on a shopping spree. In this regard, the management of the negotiation for Joao Felix was an example: the deal would have closed only if the conditions on the table had been suitable.
That’s why now the priority for United is to manage their contract renewals, first of all of Marcus Rashford and David de Gea. For the striker, it’s just a matter of time: Marcus and the United management have already reached an agreement for a long-term contract, richer than the current salary, it will bind the player to the club for many more years.
Almost done also is De Gea, even if one important thing is still missing. The goalkeeper wants to stay with United: the negotiation for his contract renewal is at good stage, close to the finish line. There are some details to be discussed and, for sure, there will be a reduction in salary. However, as told, what is still missing is Erik ten Hag’s green light, which the player looks forward to.
REAL MADRID, EVALUATIONS ONGOING FOR TRIO WITH CONTRACTS DUE
Before thinking on the Jude Bellingham affair – in the next months – trying to beat the competition of Manchester City and Liverpool, as already reported in the past weeks, Real Madrid have to solve some internal questions.
On the “to-do-list” of the Blancos, there is the management of three players with contracts due to expire: Mariano Diaz, Dani Ceballos and Nacho Fernandez.
Starting with the former OL striker, he’s not in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans, not in the present nor the future: for this reason no renewal talks have been started by the Spanish club and – in all likelihood – he will leave Real at the end of the season.
It’s a similar situation for Dani Ceballos, even if the Blancos haven’t taken a final decision on him yet: on the table there’s not an extension offer, but in the next weeks a meeting between the management of the club and the player’s entourage is expected to discuss the future of the former Arsenal midfielder.
Lastly, there is Nacho: Real Madrid are ready to offer him a 12-month contract renewal. The player will take his time to decide: the feeling is that the player is happy to remain at least for another year with “his” Madrid, but the Spanish centre-back is also open to evaluating proposals from other clubs.
