Barcelona are stepping up their pursuit of Atalanta right back Marco Palestra, while Arsenal remain interested in Julián Álvarez.
Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Barcelona have intensified their interest in Atalanta defender Marco Palestra as a versatile option for their full back ranks. Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that Barça are looking at the 21-year-old, but they face competition for his signature. Arsenal, Manchester City, Juventus, and Inter Milan are also reportedly eyeing up a move for Palestra. The defender has spent the season on loan at Cagliari, where he has made 32 Serie A appearances, and earned a place in the Italian national team squad in March.
– Arsenal are firmly interested in a switch for Julián Álvarez this summer, but face a challenge in beating Barcelona to his signature. That’s according to TeamTalk, which reports that Barça are the striker’s preferred option this summer, if he does make a move away from Atlético Madrid. Arsenal continue to look at versatile attacking options in a bid to strengthen their forward line.
– Manchester United are monitoring a possible move for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, according to Tuttosport. The Premier League outfit have recently sent scouts to watch the center back in action, as they look at ways to bolster the defence. However, reports in Italy say that Juventus are set to open talks with the 25-year-old, who has three years remaining on his deal, in hopes of warding off any interest.
– Bournemouth are open to an exit for Junior Kroupi this summer, if an offer in the region of £60 million is made this summer, reports Football Insider. The 19-year-old continue to impress in his debut Premier League campaign, with Manchester United believed to be encouraged by Bournemouth’s stance on an exit. The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea have previously been linked with the forward.
– Center back Andreas Christensen has rejected a contract extension at Barcelona, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season. That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, which reports that clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga are circling a potential free transfer for the defender. While the former Chelsea man has struggled through injury, his priority is to remain at Barcelona. However, the existing contract offer doesn’t meet his desired outcome, leaving some doubt over his future.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen outlines Marco Palestra‘s playing style and why he is earning attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
After only fleeting exposure with Atalanta last season, Palestra has used his loan spell at Cagliari from Atalanta to great effect by establishing himself at senior level. The 21-year-old has started 31 Serie A matches with such a consistency that it earned him a step up from Italy’s U21s to two senior caps for the Azzurri.
Palestra is comfortable across multiple roles on the right; developed primarily as a wing-back, he has slotted in remarkably well be it as a conventional full back, wing back and, at times, as a more advanced wide midfielder with defensive support behind him. One interesting stat to note: He’s been fouled three times per 90 minutes this season — it illustrates how often he engages opponents — while his three successful dribbles per 90 is the highest return among Serie A full-backs and wide midfielders this season. Both of those numbers are mildly put eye-catching.
While there’s some minor issues to work on defensively, it’s fair to say that he can be trusted. Courtesy of his pace he matches most wingers stride-for-stride in open play and recovers ground effectively when tracking runners. He can be caught out at times in one-vs.-one situations, particularly against sharper wide players.
That being said, the prospects are ever so promising. He will return to Atalanta at the end of the season, but there’s a growing sense that he might already be ready for challenges beyond his parent club.
OTHER RUMORS
2:31
Does Michael Carrick deserve to stay at Man United next season?
The ‘FC TV’ crew react to Manchester United beating Chelsea 1-0 in the Premier League.
– Nicolas Jackson is set to leave Bayern Munich and return to Chelsea following his loan this season, with no talks underway over a second loan or a permanent move. (Florian Plettenberg)
– PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye is “one to watch this summer,” following a stint without gametime for the Ligue 1 side. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Borussia Dortmund are leading the race to sign NK Lokomotiva Zagreb youngster Liam Claude Kante, with Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, RB Salzburg, and Serie A clubs monitoring the defender. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Romelu Lukaku is of interest to AC Milan, Fenerbahce, Besiktas, Lyon, and Monaco ahead of an exit from Napoli, who have set a transfer value of €10million for the striker. (Ekrem Konur)
– Roma, Lazio, Napoli, Milan, and Juventus are in the race to sign Giacomo Raspadori from Atalanta. (Ekrem Konur)
– West Ham want to complete the permanent signing of Axel Disasi after his loan move from Chelsea comes to an end this season. (Nicolo Schira)
– Ao Tanaka is open to staying at Leeds United, so long as he is given opportunities to play for the side, amid links with an exit this summer. (Football Insider)
– Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, if he becomes available this summer. (Caught Offside)
– AS Monaco are open to permanently signing Ansu Fati after his loan from Barcelona expires this summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
– Juventus are interested in a return for Randal Kolo Muani, with the striker set to return to PSG from his loan at Tottenham. (Calciomercato)
