How can you still be thinking about the England result when there is plenty of transfer tittle-tattle to get through?
We start with Romelu Lukaku’s desperate attempt to leave Chelsea for Internazionale. The Belgian striker’s one season back at Stamford Bridge has, to put it politely, been underwhelming. Lukaku has supposedly told Chelsea he wants to play only for Inter and the two clubs are discussing a loan fee to get him packed off to Serie A as soon as possible. Chelsea paid £97.5m for him last summer so will be wanting all his wages off their books and a few quid in their back pocket to boot.
Another man heading back to Italy with his tail between his legs is Paul Pogba, who will sign a four-year deal with Juventus. In the end, the Frenchman has been left with relatively few options so the comfortable embrace of the Old Lady is about as good as he was going to get after a largely forgettable spell at Manchester United.
Christian Eriksen reportedly has a deal from Manchester United on the table after his successful return to football with Brentford in the later half of the season. “I have different offers and options, which we are considering, and then we make a decision,” he told Viaplay. “I would love to play Champions League football again. I know how much fun it is, but it isn’t essential for me.” It certainly is not essential if you want a move to Old Trafford, Christian.
Another name with Ajax links who could be heading to United is Antony. The winger has just won the Eredivisie under the new man at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag, so seems a logical choice to join his former manager. Frenkie de Jong might be a tougher nut to crack because Barcelona are not too keen on letting him go, meaning talks with United over a transfer have stalled somewhat. “You’re always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player,” De Jong said following the Netherlands’ win over Wales on Tuesday. “I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment and I feel fine there, so no news.”
The Jesse Marsch revolution is picking up speed at Leeds after the signings of Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen. Next on the list is Marc Roca, who could arrive from Bayern Munich for £10m after the two clubs made a verbal agreement, which is not worth the paper it’s written on, for the former Espanyol schemer. One man who could head out of the Elland Road exit door is Raphinha. Arsenal and Tottenham are circling after Barcelona failed to find the bunce to snap up the Brazilian.
Finally, Adnan Januzaj, the great Manchester United hope of the ill-fated David Moyes era is primed to get the band back together at West Ham. The Belgian, now 27, is available on a free following his departure from Real Sociedad and could be keen to swap San Sebastián for Stratford.
