FOOTBALL TRANSFERS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced football to make wholesale changes this summer. The transfer market has been moved back from its usual July 1-September 1 period. Most European leagues opened the window late-july, and it will extend to the Uefa-recommended October 5 deadline. Here is a look at how this window is shaping up so far for Europe’s biggest clubs. DONE DEALS (TOP 5) POTENTIAL BIGGIES Jadon Sancho (Borussia) The 20-year-old winger is sought by Man United, who may have to pay a record fee for an English player to seal the deal. With 20 goals and 20 assists across competitions last season, he will add to United’s firepower.
Timo Werner
(Leipzig to Chelsea for €53mn)
The German forward, who gave up Leipzig’s remaining Champions League campaign to seal the move, will be key to a team that had one player scoring in double figures in the league this season.
Leroy Sane
(Man City to Bayern for €49mn)
Quick and creative on the flanks, the German has for long been the Bundesliga champions’ target. He will be key to Bayern’s quest for European glory.
OTHER NOTABLE MOVES
Hakim Ziyech
(Ajax to Chelsea for €40mn)
The Moroccan winger, 27, has signed a 5-year deal with Chelsea, who are letting go of Pedro and Willian. He is a major improvement on the club’s current options.
Miralem Pjanic and Arthur Melo
(Juve to Barca for €60mn) (Barca to Juve €72 mn)
The swap deal means Juventus have acquired a younger midfielder in place of their ageing Bosnian deep-lying playmaker, for just a few million euros more.
Alexis Sanchez
(Man United to Inter Milan on free transfer)
After the last season at Inter on loan, the Chilean forward has made a permanent move. After a torrid time at Old Trafford, he has shown glimpses of his older self.
(Borussia Dortmund to Inter for €40 mn), Nathan Ake (Bournemouth to Man City for €44mn), Ferran Torres (Valencia to Man City for €23mn). look at the last few weeks, we can fly to Portugal with a lot of confidence,” full-back David Alaba.
For Barca, not having to play Bayern in Munich in one of two legs and instead face them in a one-off tie at a neutral venue, will suit well. In the league, Barca lost five and drew five of their 19 away games this season.
The away struggles proved costly as they lost the league title to Real. In the Copa del Rey too, it was an away game, in Bilbao, that Barca failed to navigate.
Bayern are on a 27-game unbeaten run, an 18-game winning run, and have scored 21 goals in six home games since the restart. The revised format leaves little space to manoeuvre if things go wrong, and the Catalans know it could take just a moment of brilliance, like Messi’s goal on Saturday, to upstage the German side.
Kai Havertz
(Bayer Leverkusen)
Part of Bayer’s Europa League campaign, the young German could move to Chelsea after that. A regular for Leverkusen in the last four seasons gives him some experience for a 21-year-old.
Thiago Alcantara (Bayern) The Spanish midfielder, son of Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho, is strongly linked to a move to EPL champions Liverpool. With just a year left in his contract, the transfer could materialise.
OTHER BIG NAMES IN THE MARKET
Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid)
The Ghanaian, a vital cog in Diego Simeone’s side, could be Mikel Arteta’s first big signing at Arsenal. The Gunners could have to pay €50 million to get the player.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Regarded among the best defenders playing in Europe, he has been linked to many heavyweight clubs in the last two seasons. He is now linked to a transfer to Man City.
Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani (both PSG), David Silva (City-lazio), Willian (Chelsea-arsenal), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham-inter/roma).
WILL THEY/WON’T THEY? Pierre-emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal): The Gabonese forward is yet to commit future to Arsenal with less than a year left in contract. New manager Arteta is confident the prolific scorer will stay as big clubs watch. Paul Pogba (Man United): He has less than a year left in his contract. Old club Juventus and Real Madrid are keen but United won’t want him to leave with the Frenchman having formed a midfield bond with Bruno Fernandes.
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa): The Villa forward has been linked with a move away but a high price tag could be an issue. Will rumoured suitors Man United or others be ready to pay €80mn plus?
UNWANTED
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid): Four-time European champion with Real, Bale’s fallout with manager Zinedine Zidane means the Welshman has no playing future with the club, though his lucrative contract, with a fat salary, runs till 2022.
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal): The German playmaker, reportedly on a pounds 350,000 weekly salary, is not part of Arteta’s rebuilding plans but his contract runs till June, 2021.
Philippe Coutinho (Barca): Brazil’s ex-liverpool man is in his final weeks on loan at Bayern. While he hasn’t done badly, he has lost the Barca first-team spot, and his future is uncertain. A high price tag could deter suitors like Arsenal. © Gemini Crosswords 2018 All rights reserved
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