Transfer Gossip: City Set to Sign Jorginho, United Target $90m Defender and Rooney Seals Mls Deal
The eyes of the world might have been focused on Germany’s cataclysmic exit from the World Cup, but not even that was enough to pause the Premier League rumor mill.
With little over six weeks to go until the new season, Manchester City are finally on the verge of completing their first signing of the summer, in the shape of Napoli midfielder Jorginho.
The Brazil-born Italy international has been linked with a move to the Premier League champions since the season ended, and the Daily Mirror reports City are poised to complete the signing in the coming days.
“The player is in Brazil,” the player’s agent is quoted as saying.
“I’m in my house in England, waiting for a call from [Napoli sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli or [Napoli president Aurelio] De Laurentiis. When it arrives, I will go to meet the leadership of Manchester City.”
While Jorginho could soon move to the Etihad, Aaron Mooy is unlikely to follow him. The Australian spent the 2016-17 season on loan at Huddersfield from City, before making the move permanent in a $13.2 million deal last summer.
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City retain a $26.4 million buy-back option and earlier this week it was reported they might exercise it but the Manchester Evening News now believes Pep Guardiola has opted against any such move.
Across town, Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Stoke City goalkeeper Lee Grant. The Telegraph claims the 35-year-old will leave the Potters as a free agent next month. He will deputise for David De Gea and Sergio Romero, while current third choice goalkeeper Joel Pereira will be allowed to go out on loan to get some much-needed first team experience under his belt.
United are also eager to bolster their defensive options and the Daily Mail claims Jose Mourinho has identified Milan Skriniar as the man to solve his center-back conundrum.
The Slovak international won’t come cheap though, as Inter Milan are set to demand in the region of $91.6 million for the 23-year-old, who impressed in Serie A last season.
The Sun, meanwhile, believes United will battle Chelsea in the race to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, despite the fact Mourinho already has a number of attacking options at his disposal.
The same paper also reports that Tottenham Hotspur have made a $30 million bid for Nice striker Alassane Plea, while the Daily Mirror claims Arsenal are considering a bid for Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera.
Elsewhere, Spanish newspaper AS claims Marco Asensio has no intention of leaving Real Madrid for Liverpool.
Earlier this week, reports suggested the Spaniard could be allowed to leave as Real look to raise funds to launch a bid for Neymar but the midfielder is unlikely to move to the Premier League.
On the other side of Merseyside, meanwhile, the Independent reports Wayne Rooney’s long-awaited move to D.C. United will finally be formalized on Thursday.
England’s all-time leading goalscorer is set to sign a two-year deal with the MLS club and the Daily Mirror believes Everton want Croatia forward Ante Rebic as his replacement.
The 24-year-old is on loan to German side Eintracht Frankfurt from Fiorentina. He has shone at the World Cup so far, scoring against Argentina, and would cost around $31.4 million.
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