TRANSFER ROUNDUP: Michy Batshuayi Passes Chelsea Medical, Ben Arfa To Join Leicester City, And More
Paulo Dybala Rejected Barcelona Move In Favour Of Juventus Stay, Reveals Agent
Gustavo Mascardi, founder of Grupo Mascardi – the agency that represents Paulo Dybala – has revealed that his client rejected an offer from FC Barcelona in favour of staying at his current club Juventus.
Dybala moved to Juventus from Palermo last summer, joining the Bianconeri for a fee of €40 million. The young Argentinian hit the ground running in his debut season with the Italian Champions, scoring 19 goals and bagging 9 assists in the Serie A. His fine form from last season saw him get targeted by various clubs – one of them being the Spanish Champions: FC Barcelona.
In an interview with Gazzamercato, Gustavo Mascardi talked all about the Catalan giants’ interest in the 22-year-old. He was quoted as saying: “When I talk with Paulo and his agent, Pierpaolo Triulzi, I know that the lad is really on the right track. A year ago Inter and Milan also wanted him, but he was right to choose the club which would give him more safeguards. His career at Juventus has just begun.
“Will he stay at Juve for a long time? The transfer market can offer a lot of temptations, but Paulo has shown himself to have clear ideas. It’s true that in recent months Barcelona were interested in La Joya, I think they made a bid of double what the Bianconeri paid [€80m]. But the player’s first consideration was that it was more important to consolidate his experience at a club which is giving him the opportunity to succeed at the highest levels.”
Liverpool Favourites To Sign Manchester United Midfielder, As Per Bookmaker
Liverpool are apparently the favourites to sign Manchester United winger Memphis Depay, as per bookmaker Ladbrokes.
Memphis was signed by Louis van Gaal from PSV Eindhoven for a fee of £25 million last summer, and was regarded as the next big thing at Manchester United, which is precisely why he received the legendary #7 shirt upon his arrival. However, the highly-rated Dutchman managed to make only 16 starts in the Premier League, along with 13 substitute appearances, and scored only two league goals for the Red Devils – nowhere near the level of performances he displayed during his final season in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Following the disappointing debut season, the 22-year-old is now being linked with a move away from the Old Trafford club. And according to bookmaker Ladbrokes, Memphis may soon be on his way to join Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, with the odds for the Netherlands international joining the Anfield club close to 7/4.
Michy Batshuayi Passes Chelsea Medical
Michy Batshuayi has successfully passed his Chelsea medical, according to Sky Sports.
Batshuayi is on the verge of completing a £33m move from French club Marseille to English giants Chelsea, as per the Sky sources. The 22-year-old, who scored 17 goals for Marseille in Ligue 1 last season, is currently representing his country Belgium in the Euro 2016.
However, despite being away on international duty, the striker has completed his medical examination, ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge. Batshuayi was reportedly given a special dispensation by Marc Wilmots to temporarily leave the Belgian national team camp and meet with Chelsea’s team doctor in Bordeaux. The medical was passed on Wednesday afternoon, and the Belgium international is confident of wrapping the deal up by the weekend.
Neymar Commits His Future To FC Barcelona
Brazilian sensation Neymar has committed his future to Barcelona, amidst speculation linking him with 3 other top European clubs.
As per the recent reports, Neymar was being linked with big-money moves with three of the biggest clubs in Europe – Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain. All the three clubs were reportedly willing to offer the 24-year-old bigger contracts than the one his current club was offering, thereby giving rise to major speculation and rumours.
However, these rumours have now been put to rest, thanks to Neymar’s agency NN Consulting, who released an official statement confirming that Neymar is set to sign a new five-year contract with the Catalan giants.
The statement read: “NN Consulting, a company responsible for managing the Neymar Jr. career announces that the athlete, along with his family, decided to stay at FC Barcelona and renew their relationship for another five years. The contract will still be formalised this week. We are following the second stage of Neymar Jr.”
Ben Arfa Close To Joining Leicester City, According To Lyon President
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has claimed that Leicester City are leading the race to sign Hatem Ben Arfa.
Ben Arfa has managed to revive his career following a move to Ligue 1 outfit Nice, where he scored 17 goals and bagged 6 assists to help the club finish fourth in the league last season, attracting the interest of numerous other clubs in the process. And following his contract expiry, the former Newcastle United man is currently one of the hottest free agents in the market.
Last month, the Frenchman was heavily linked with a move to FC Barcelona due to Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere’s comments stating the Catalan giants were considering signing the 29-year-old. However, his move to the Spanish Champions failed to materialize, but he may very well be on his way to the English Champions, as per latest developments.
In an interview with Canal Plus, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, who also wants Ben Arfa to join his club, revealed that the 2015-16 Premier League winners were currently leading the race for his signature.
He was quoted as saying: “With Ben Arfa it’s a question of passion. He’s close to our desire, our enthusiasm, our supporters. I really believe that he wants to come to Lyon. If he doesn’t come, it would be for reasons that have nothing to do with passion. I think it’s towards Leicester that things are happening. That’s what people who spoke to him on the telephone this afternoon have told me.”
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