With the summer market now edging closer, we break down the latest transfer chatter doing the rounds - and whether those crazy deals actually have a chance of landing...
Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
Clubs interested: Manchester United
Ever since Gareth Bale made his huge move to Madrid in 2013, he's had his fair share of supporters, critics and sceptics.
Now, after 5 years in Madrid, it's almost no secret that the Wales captain is quite open to a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, prompting English clubs to convince him to return to the Premier League. Bale cited a lack of playing time as his motivation to find a new club, as his fitness was no longer an issue after his rough start to the season.
Manchester United's interest in the Welsh winger has been well documented for some time, but only now has it materialised. El Confidencial says that Jose Mourinho has approved a contract offer worth €35 million a year, rivalling Neymar's gargantuan wage and second only to Lionel Messi.
United are hoping €120 million will be enough to convince Real Madrid to allow Bale to leave. Should Florentino Perez follow up on his word to do some massive business this summer, he'll cash in on Bale as much as possible. At 28 years old, his peak market value won't last much longer.
A decision is set to be made in the coming weeks
Likelihood: All bets are on at this point
Kalidou Koulibaly – SSC Napoli
Elseid Hysaj – SSC Napoli
Piotr Zielinski – SSC Napoli
Gonzalo Higuain – Juventus
Clubs interested: Chelsea
The race for managers is still hot around Europe, but Chelsea have reportedly settled on their man Maurizio Sarri. Despite being contractually bound by former club Napoli, he has agreed personal terms with Chelsea, on the condition that they make a massive move for 4 players, totalling around £180 million, Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed.
The former Napoli boss wants to swoop his old club for 3 players. Kalidou Kalibaly is high on Sarri's priority list, while Elseid Hysaj and Piotr Zielinski are available for around £100 million combined, an amount that will trigger their release clauses.
The final move, arguably of the highest profile, is negotiating a trade deal involving Alvaro Morata and Argentinian ace Gonzalo Higuain. Morata mustered a mere 11 goals in 31 games for the Blues, hardly the type of return you'd want on a striker you've paid £60 million for. It seems Chelsea are looking for short term success than a long-term development.
It's a hefty ask, but Chelsea are well equipped for a monster rampage through the transfer market. Will they give their potential new manager what he needs to catapult them into title contention?
Likelihood: A very big ask, but Chelsea are a very big club. It's possible
Ousmane Dembele – Barcelona
Clubs interested: Arsenal, Liverpool
Ah Ousmane, what's happened to you?
The French international has faced heavy fire ever since moving from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona. His form and game time have been severely underwhelming, prompting Dembele to possibly cut ties with the Catalan club and move somewhere that game time is fulfilled.
Eduardo Inda ofEl Chiringuito says that €100 million will do the trick to have Barcelona release him. It's a kick in the teeth really, when he was bought for €105 million plus bonuses. Barcelona don't want to lose out on any cash, but is anyone really willing to spend €100 on a player with few minutes last season?
Apparently, the answer is yes. Under the management of Unai Emery, Arsenal are one of two favourite teams to land the Frenchman this off season. Arsenal are looking for a heavy revamp of their playing group, with reports that Sokratis of Borussia Dortmund will sign with the Londoners. Should they land Dembele it would be an enourmous defensive coup for the club.
Don't rule out Liverpool though. They've spent £75 million on Virgil van Dijk, and £100 million for Dembele doesn't seem like much more. I doubt it's Klopp's way to be spending that sort of cash, but with van Dijk on Liverpool's books, anything can happen at this stage.
Likelihood: Arsenal 60%, Liverpool 35%, anywhere else 5%, Barcelona 0% he's gone
Samu Castillejo – Villareal
Asier Illaramendi – Real Sociedad
Djene Dakonam – Getafe
Clubs interested: Arsenal
It has not taken Unai Emery long to start imposing his influence at Arsenal. The former PSG boss has been in the job for barely 2 weeks and he's made his intentions known to his transfer team, according to Don Balon.
To his credit, the players he has picked out will no doubt strengthen Arsenal across the whole park. 6-foot-tall Samu Castillejo plays well as a winger able to get through tight spaces. Former Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illaramendi has made 102 appearances for Real Sociedad since 2015 and his inclusion could help tighten Arsenal's midfield. And yet another central defender on the scouting list is Getafe's Djene Dakonam, whose versatility across the backline could be thoroughly relied on.
The sticking part for Arsenal this transfer window will be their limited transfer budget they have available. After breaking their own transfer record twice, on Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang respectively, Arsenal will need to make careful selections on who they buy and how much they will cost. Best bang for their buck, but also a strong influence in the playing side.
Likelihood: If the Sokratis rumour is true, there won't be too many that follow
Nabil Fekir– Lyon
Clubs interested: Liverpool
Nabil Fekir has made it clear to his employers at Lyon that his next calling is Liverpool. So much so that he wants something sorted in the next 10 days before the World Cup starts. Not out of the question, but seeing as Liverpool haven't made a move has us slightly doubtful that anything will happen so soon.
We know that Liverpool are interested, yet that interested hasn't been tabled into an offer as of yet. The French international is valued at £50 million, which isn't a bad price these days. The Mirror suggest that Liverpool will try and ramp up their efforts to bring Fekir to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp seems to be finalising his squad as Liverpool aim for a full charge at the title next season. Their amazing run in the Champions League this season will only add fuel to that fire, and here's hoping that Klopp's transfers bring in the goods next season for the Reds.
Likelihood: A possible transfer, but a very tight deadline
