Cristiano Ronaldo may be ready to test the transfer waters again.
Intermediaries for the Juventus star have contacted some of Europe’s biggest clubs to gauge their interest in a possible move this summer, sources told Rob Dawson of ESPN.
Ronaldo has one year left on his contract with the Italian side, but his representatives have reached out to Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, among others, to discuss a potential switch, Dawson adds.
They also remain in contact with Juve to discuss the 36-year-old’s plans.
The Ronaldo camp has yet to make any firm decisions about his future, and one reportedly isn’t expected until after Portugal’s involvement in Euro 2020. The veteran forward will once again captain his national team as it aims to retain the European title it claimed five years ago.
Though a transfer is possible, Ronaldo’s wages could complicate matters. He apparently earns just over €30 million per season in Turin, a hefty number to digest as the wealthiest clubs in world football continue to feel the financial strain from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Though Juventus stumbled to a fourth-place finish in Serie A last season, Ronaldo put up strong numbers, leading the league with 29 goals. In all competitions, he found the net 36 times in 44 matches for the Bianconeri.
European knockout football could have a very different feel next year.
UEFA’s club competitions committee has agreed to ditch the longstanding away goals rule beginning next season, reports Martyn Ziegler of The Times.
UEFA’s executive committee must approve the reported proposal – which would apply to the Champions League, Europa League, and nascent Europa Conference League – before the change can take effect. The governing body’s executives are slated to convene on July 9.
The away goals rule has existed in European competition since 1965.
Under the current rule, if a club knockout match is level after 180 minutes in a continental tournament, the team that has scored more away goals over the two fixtures advances to the next round.
Though some have branded the rule illogical over the years, removing it threatens to eliminate the tension that can only be created when a single goal has the potential to swing a result; the away goals rule creates situations in which one goal can turn a defeat into victory and vice versa.
Bayern Munich and Juventus were both eliminated on away goals in the Champions League this season, losing to Paris Saint-Germain and Porto, respectively.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans were tied last season for the second-most-potent offense in the league, but Sunday’s trade with the Atlanta Falcons for wide receiver Julio Jones has the potential to take them to a different plane.
Jones, whom the Titans acquired for a 2022 second-round pick and 2023 fourth-round selection, brings career totals of 848 receptions for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns to the Titans after a decade in the league.
The era of €100-million signings may be over – for now, anyway – but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of wheeling and dealing in the coming months. With that in mind, here are 50 high-profile players who could switch clubs during the summer transfer window.
Note: Estimated transfer values provided by transfermarkt.com
Kane wants to leave Tottenham this summer in pursuit of silverware. All the top dogs in England are circling. Though Daniel Levy surely wants to retain his star man, cashing in may not be such a bad decision right now.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Age: 28 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €60M
Another transfer window, another round of Pogba speculation. With the Frenchman’s contract slated to expire next summer, now is the time for Manchester United to make a move if they don’t think an extension is likely.
De Gea has never been closer to leaving Old Trafford than he is now. His lack of heroics in the Europa League final aside, the presence of Dean Henderson – and the potential addition of Tom Heaton – could push the Spaniard out.
Grealish is absolutely and obviously vital to Aston Villa, but it’s widely accepted that the mesmerizing dribbler will move on at some point. He’s too good not to be playing for one of the world’s best sides.
Rice’s reputation continues to grow after another strong year with West Ham. Still, the versatile Englishman could opt to remain with the Hammers for one more year after they secured European football for next season.
Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
DAVE THOMPSON / AFP / Getty
Age: 24 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €55M
Tielemans has hugely enhanced his status since joining Leicester City, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting players. His varied skill set would do wonders at several clubs.
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)
Age: 28 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €22M
For the good of all involved, surely Xhaka has to leave Arsenal, right? Often derided by fans – and sometimes even clashing with them – the former club captain still has suitors in Europe, to the surprise of many Gooners.
Chelsea decided to re-sign veteran Olivier Giroud, which could signal the end of Abraham’s time at the club. The English striker was slowly phased out of the team by Thomas Tuchel, so a change of scenery could be for the best.
Raphinha dazzled this past season. The Brazilian is always looking to make something happen with the ball at his feet, and a move from Leeds United doesn’t feel far away. It will be a treat to witness the reaction of fans watching him live.
Yves Bissouma (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Age: 24 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €17M
Brighton was most definitely a stepping stone for Bissouma, who looks destined for a transfer this summer. Liverpool and Arsenal have both been linked with the Malian midfielder’s signature.
The biggest fish of them all. It appears as though Messi is now leaning toward staying at Barcelona, but these things can shift quickly. Should he have (another) change of heart, the usual suspects will come running.
Barca need cash. It’s that simple. The free transfers they’ve made so far have been nice, but those players still need salaries, so an injection of capital would be welcome. Coutinho is a prime transfer candidate.
Ramos, another pending free agent, has apparently seen his contract talks with Real Madrid stall. The club just brought David Alaba aboard, fueling rumors that the longtime defensive anchor could be on the move.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images Sport / Getty
This would be something of a surprising move, but there continues to be smoke here. Varane has been a Manchester United target for quite some time. Perhaps this is the summer the Red Devils finally present a suitable offer.
Odegaard is on his way back to the Spanish capital after the conclusion of his loan spell at Arsenal, and it’s unclear what his future holds. Extremely talented and still young, he would improve many a team in Europe.
Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid)
Age: 26 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €55M
Could Saul go out on top? After helping Atletico Madrid capture the La Liga crown, he’s once again being touted as a transfer target. This time, though, it appears the Spaniard is the one who wants a move.
Sevilla have an absolute star in Kounde, but for how much longer? The French defender, great with the ball at his feet, would command a sizable transfer fee with three years left on his contract.
A strong finish to Valencia’s club season has vaulted Guedes back into the rumor mill, with the likes of Fiorentina and Sevilla believed to be interested. If the Portuguese forward does anything at the Euros, his value could rise further.
Publicly, Juventus maintain that Ronaldo isn’t going anywhere. Of course, they said the same thing about Andrea Pirlo. A lack of suitable destinations may ultimately keep Ronaldo in Turin, but his future is far from certain.
Returning manager Massimiliano Allegri wants to build his team around Dybala, but he may not get the chance. The Argentine is out of contract in 2022. If Juve can’t strike a new deal now, they may sell to avoid losing him for free.
In an ideal world, Inter would keep one of the most exciting players in football, especially after he was so crucial to their Scudetto win. In reality, though, finances are tight, and Hakimi’s value is through the roof.
Another soon-to-be free agent, Calhanoglu is coming off a superb season for AC Milan. The Turkish playmaker’s set-piece delivery should be particularly enticing to any club, though there’s still hope for the Rossoneri to keep him.
It feels like the moment has passed for Koulibaly to make a mammoth move, but make no mistake, the Senegalese defender is still a dominant force. Napoli’s inability to secure a top-four finish could be the deciding factor here.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)
Age: 26 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €70M
Milinkovic-Savic hasn’t returned to the heights that once saw Lazio slap a nine-digit price tag on his signature. But he can still put a contender over the top, and he may be amenable to a move after Simone Inzaghi left the club.
One of the key figures in Atalanta’s incredible rise, Gosens offers a blend of scoring ability, physicality, and defensive solidity not widely available at his position. The German would need to find the right situation to thrive, though.
Rodrigo De Paul (Udinese)
Age: 27 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €38M
De Paul took a major leap for Udinese this season after being pushed into a deeper role, spending more time dictating the play and carving through the midfield with his combination of silky dribbling and playmaking.
Vlahovic showed flashes of his potential in 2019-20, but he truly announced himself to the world this past season, scoring 21 league goals. Speed, power, technique, and a keen instinct inside the box make him the total package.
Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo)
Age: 23 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €35M
Sassuolo have admitted Locatelli will likely be on the move after his involvement in Euro 2020, with Juventus tipped as the Italian international’s biggest admirers. A budding star, he can play a variety of roles in central midfield.
Erling Haaland has supplanted Sancho as the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to Borussia Dortmund transfer rumors, and that’s fair. But Haaland isn’t moving this summer, and Sancho most certainly might. The Englishman is a breathtaking talent and remains very much in demand.
Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)
Age: 26 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €20M
Injuries, including a devastating ACL tear in 2018, have disrupted what looked like a potentially spectacular club career for Tolisso. Now 26 and not Bayern Munich’s first option in midfield, he may find more playing time elsewhere.
Florian Neuhaus (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Age: 24 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €35M
Neuhaus quashed rumors that he’s already agreed to a deal with Bayern Munich, news that was surely well received by the likes of Liverpool. Always keen to play between the lines, Borussia Monchengladbach’s clever midfielder looks like a good investment.
Only Robert Lewandowski scored more Bundesliga goals this past season than Silva, who edged Haaland for second place with 28 tallies. Once discarded by Milan, the Portuguese international has found his feet with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Another outstanding young talent fresh off France’s relentless conveyor belt, Diaby is attracting interest in the Premier League. Bayer Leverkusen’s dynamic winger has shown he’s adept at both scoring goals and creating them.
The financial constraints created by the coronavirus pandemic likely mean it’s one year too early to expect Mbappe to leave Paris Saint-Germain. Still, it’s no secret he’s Florentino Perez’s dream signing. Can Real Madrid get creative?
Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)
Age: 18 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €60M
Widely regarded as the best young midfielder in the game, Camavinga is a true all-around talent. A crafty loan setup in which Rennes’ teen phenom stays put for one season could be an option here.
Houssem Aouar (Lyon)
PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP / Getty
Age: 22 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €50M
The trail isn’t quite as hot as it was a couple of years ago, but Aouar’s stock remains high. Being 22 and supremely gifted with the ball will do that to a player. A summer of upheaval beckons at Lyon.
Despite his tender age, Botman is an absolute rock. Only three outfield players logged more minutes in Ligue 1 this season than the Dutchman, who helped guide Lille to a shocking league title. His future is very bright.
Leicester City are reportedly on the verge of completing a move for Soumare, another member of Lille’s impressive young contingent that knocked PSG from their perch atop French football. This could be another masterstroke by the Foxes.
Renato Sanches (Lille)
Age: 23 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €30M
In case it wasn’t already clear, this will be an interesting summer for Lille. Despite their surprise title win, financial issues remain. Player sales may be inevitable, and the resurgent Sanches – now back to his best – is another candidate for departure.
In keeping with their tradition of making a fortune by selling young stars, Monaco have another jewel on their hands in Badiashile. His patience – he opted against a move last year to keep developing – is a good omen.
Onana’s future is perhaps the murkiest of all. The Ajax shot-stopper is serving a 12-month doping ban but is in the process of appealing. His undeniable talent could see a club chase a cut-rate deal even if the ban is upheld.
Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax)
Tullio Puglia – UEFA / UEFA / Getty
Age: 19 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €33M
No discounts here. Anybody interested in the angular Dutch teenager will need to pony up a significant sum. Gravenberch has all the skills to thrive as a creative box-to-box midfielder for years to come.
Sergio Oliveira (FC Porto)
Age: 29 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €19M
One of the stars of Porto’s unexpected Champions League run this past season – he put Juventus’ midfield to shame in the last 16 – Oliveira is reportedly a target for new Fiorentina manager Gennaro Gattuso.
It’s only a matter of time before Daka takes the next big step in his blossoming career. The Zambian forward has been a scoring machine for Salzburg. How long until RB Leipzig come calling to keep him in the family?
Edouard is generating interest in both the Premier League and Serie A after leading Celtic in scoring for a third consecutive season. Not bad for a 23-year-old.
The free-agent class
In addition to the players above, several marquee names have already confirmed they’re embarking on new adventures this summer. Some are leaving their old clubs by choice, others by force; only the destinations remain to be determined.
Goalkeepers of this ilk don’t become available for free at such a young age. Hence the excitement of Juve, PSG, and Barcelona, who are all in talks with Donnarumma’s agent, Mino Raiola, about the former Milan netminder.
With Ronald Koeman now confirmed as Barcelona manager for another season, Depay’s move to the Camp Nou is simply a matter of time. The Dutch bench boss has been trying to unite with his compatriot for over a year.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Phil Noble – PA Images / PA Images / Getty
Age: 30 | Position: Central midfielder | Estimated value: €30M
The same goes for Wijnaldum, who’s reportedly on the verge of completing his own free transfer from Liverpool to Barca. The midfielder would bring an element of energy to the Blaugrana. Will it be enough to convince Messi to stay?
Boateng’s departure from Bayern Munich was slightly more acrimonious than those of the aforementioned Dutch duo. Bayern made it clear they wouldn’t offer him a new contract during the season, leaving him searching for another club.
Arsenal and Luiz also announced their split ahead of time, though it appears the feeling here was far more mutual than in Boateng’s case. The oft-derided Brazilian defender could be set for a return to his homeland.
