Every year, there is at least one transfer that is truly shocking in nature, whether it be the huge fee, the reasons behind the switch or the clubs involved. Last summer, for example, saw Cristiano Ronaldo swap the Santiago Bernabeu for the Juventus Stadium, whilst Kepa Arrizabalaga became the most expensive goalkeeper in history as he moved to Chelsea. But what does this current transfer window have in store for us? Here, we look at seven transfers that could shake world football before this summer’s deadline.
Zinedine Zidane’s comments about Gareth Bale have effectively spelled the end of the Wales international’s time at Real Madrid. “We hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone. We are working on his transfer to a new team,” said the 1998 World Cup winner. The former Tottenham man’s agent Jonathan Barnett has said that the 30-year-old will not be leaving on loan this summer, so a new club would need to buy him outright. There are not many sides in European football who could afford him, but that doesn’t rule out a switch to China. Beijing Guoan are interested, and would reportedly be willing to make him the highest paid player in the history of football. An obscene sum of £1m a week has even been mentioned.
Philippe Coutinho’s switch to Barcelona from Liverpool was an astonishing move in January last year, purely for the fact that the Catalan club paid £106m (£142m with add-ons) for the Brazil international’s services. A return to Anfield would be even more shocking, but that is what has been rumoured so far this summer. The 27-year-old has reportedly already told his current club that he wants to leave the Camp Nou this summer, and the Reds have been touted as a potential destination. They were even said to have made an offer of a two-year loan deal with an £88m purchase option once that had ended, which was apparently backed by the player himself.
Another player that has already been involved in a huge transfer during his career is Neymar. The biggest of them all, in fact, with the £200m paid by PSG for his signature in 2017 remaining the highest fee in history. However, it is rumoured that the Brazil international is not happy in the French capital and has even told the club’s hierarchy that he wishes to leave this summer. Barcelona are reportedly eager to take the 27-year-old back to Spain, and are said to have made an offer of £90m plus two of Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, Ivan Rakitic, Nelson Semedo, Malcom and Samuel Umtiti. Whilst this was not enough for the Ligue 1 champions, there is plenty of time left for Barcelona to make another approach.
Harry Maguire’s performances for club and country over the past year were always going to attract interest from the biggest clubs in the land. So Manchester United’s pursuit of the Leicester City centre-back is not shocking in itself. However, the fee that they will reportedly pay should they capture the 26-year-old is surprising to say the least. Apparently, the Red Devils have agreed a fee of £60m plus £20m in add-ons, which would eclipse the current world record £75m Liverpool paid to Southampton for Virgil Van Dijk in January of last year. The question is: is Maguire really that good? Only time will tell.
Zidane is not the only manager to make it clear that one of his star players is no longer in his plans this summer. Antonio Conte’s recent comments about Mauro Icardi have done just the same. “His situation is clear, as is the club’s,” he explained. “He’s not part of the project”. As such, the Argentina international should be turning out for a new outfit next season. With 124 goals for Inter, he could prove to be a major signing for any top club needing a new front-man.
Instead of waiting for his manager to confirm that he will be leaving the club this summer, Paul Pogba beat everyone else to it. He said back in June that it “could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else”. As such, speculation has been rife surrounding his potential exit, with Real Madrid appearing to be the likeliest destination. The fee would most probably be huge. As it stands, United are looking for €200m (£179.4m). Even if they were to go down to Los Merengues’ reported ceiling, they would still receive €150m (£134.5m) for the 26-year-old, which is huge amount for a player who has not always lived up to expectations since his return to Old Trafford from Juventus in 2016.
Along with Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez also appears to have no future at Real Madrid. The Colombia international has spent the last two years at Bayern Munich on loan and was recently left out of Zinedine Zidane’s pre-season tour of the US. So a move away from the Bernabeu is expected. But a switch to city rivals Atletico? It is surprising that Real would allow such a quality player to leave for €40m (£35.9m), especially to Diego Simeone’s team, but that appears to be the case according to Spanish outlet Marca. The move could benefit Los Rojiblancos immensely.