Rumor Mill: Aubameyang to Real? Will United get their targets?
With Easter firmly behind us, we enter the final leg of the season with plenty of twists and turns still to come. Despite that, clubs will be able to draw up reasonable conclusions about their playing squad and have a rough idea of who they would like to bring into the club in summer window. Check out our selection of the biggest transfer rumors from the last week. Enjoy!
Alexandre Lacazette
Rumor: Lyon to Everton or Liverpool. // Likelihood: A realistic target. // The Talk: Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton will lead the chase for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette this summer, according to the Daily Mirror. Both sides will be looking for a new striker in the next transfer window. Romelu Lukaku has been lethal for the Toffees this season but they could be set to lose him in the summer. While across the city, Liverpool's purchase of Christian Benteke hasn't gone according to plan. Lacazette is joint-second top scorer in Ligue 1 with Edinson Cavani and only behind goal-machine Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It's thought the Frenchman would cost around £22million ($31.2million).
Jonas Hector
Rumor: Koln to Liverpool. // Likelihood: This rumor won't go away. // The Talk: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is confident of landing Koln defender Jonas Hector, according to the Daily Mirror. Klopp wants Hector and his Germany teammate Mario Gotze in a raid on the former Dortmund coach's homeland. The 25-year-old is one of the best full-backs in the Bundesliga and could help the Reds solve their defensive issues. Koln boss Peter Stoger told Kicker magazine recently: "If Jonas Hector says that he doesn't want to stay here, we'd have to face up to it."
Yaya Toure
Rumor: Manchester City to Juventus, Bayern or PSG. // Likelihood: He'll be leaving. // The Talk: Yaya Toure is getting ready to quit Manchester City, according to The Sun. Juventus, Bayern Munich and PSG are reportedly among the clubs interested in taking the 32-year-old and his agent has opened talks with a number of Europe's biggest sides. His agent Dimitri Seluk recently said: "From this moment we start to discuss with different clubs about Yaya going there in the summer."
Thibaut Courtois
Rumor: Chelsea to Barcelona. // Likelihood: Too expensive. // The Talk: According to reports, Barcelona are keen to take Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois to the Camp Nou. Other reports had previously claimed Courtois was a target for Spanish rivals Real Madrid. However, the Fulham Chronicle says Barca will consider a move for the Belgian stopper with Marc-Andre ter Stegen's future up in the air. Courtois has recently given mixed messages over his future and the Blues will apparently ask for £75million ($106.7million) if he was to leave Stamford Bridge.
Fraser Forster
Rumor: Southampton to Chelsea. // Likelihood: Blues unlikely to need another keeper. // The Talk: Chelsea are lining up a move for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster in case Thibaut Courtois leaves Stamford Bridge this summer, according to The Sun. Courtois has been linked with a move back to Spain after previously impressing on loan with Atletico Madrid and the Blues could have to replace the Belgian at the end of the season. It is thought Chelsea will pay up to £20million ($28.4million) for Forster, who despite missing much of the season, has been impressive when called upon for the Saints.
Marcos Rojo
Rumor: Manchester United to Barcelona. // Likelihood: Makes sense. // The Talk: According to reports in Spain, Marcos Rojo could swap Manchester United for Barcelona in the summer. Dario Sport report that Rojo, who is good friends with Lionel Messi, would be keen on a move to the Camp Nou. The Argentina international has played less than half of Manchester United's Premier League matches since he moved to the club in August 2014. It is thought the defender's ability to play anywhere across the back four is of particular interest to the Catalan giants.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Rumor: Barcelona to Manchester City. // Likelihood: If City make him number 1. // The Talk: The Daily Telegraph claims Manchester City are hoping to beat Liverpool to the signing of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German has been used as Barca's cup keeper this season with Claudio Bravo as first pick in La Liga. On his future, Ter Stegen recently said: "I don't know what the coach thinks, you have to ask him. I can just say that I want to give my very best." It is rumored the 23-year-old would favor the move to City as he wants to work with incoming boss Pep Guardiola.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Rumor: Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid. // Likelihood: Not yet. // The Talk: According to AS, Real Madrid are prepared to pay €70 million ($79.8million) plus Alvaro Morata in an effort to land Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Real still have an option to buy Morata back from Juventus for €30million ($34million) and it's thought they could use him as part of the deal. Aubameyang has scored 26 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances this season and has attracted the interest of big clubs all over Europe. It is clear the Gabon international wants to play for Real Madrid one day, however Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke claims the La Liga giants aren't interested in signing their prolific striker.
Renato Sanches
Rumor: Benfica to Manchester United. // Likelihood: Good fit. // The Talk: Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims Manchester United have told Benfica they will pay up to £40million ($57.1million) for their midfielder Renato Sanches. With the futures of Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Adnan Januzaj all in doubt as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger's injury issues, the Red Devils will be looking to improve their midfield in the summer. It is thought United have scouted 18-year-old Sanches on several occasions and the youngster has made 23 appearances in his breakthrough season. Sanches is reported to have a release clause of £64million ($91.4million), but Benfica are prepared to settle for less.
Ross Barkley
Rumor: Everton to Manchester United. // Likelihood: If Everton hold onto Lukaku. // The Talk: Everton's star midfielder Ross Barkley has emerged as Manchester United's top transfer target, according to the Daily Star. Despite Barkley's teammate Romelu Lukaku also a rumored target, the Red Devils are thought to be interested in a move for the England midfielder. United's midfield is set for a major overhaul in the summer despite spending £250million ($357million) in the last two seasons on their squad and Barkley won't come cheap, with the Toffees valuing him at £45million ($64million).
