We’re now officially halfway through the transfer window, and despite Euro 2024 taking much of our attention thus far this summer, there’s still been plenty of big moves happening.
And there’s still plenty more to come too.
From Victor Osimhen’s inevitable move away from SSC Napoli, to Manchester United forking out for another centre-back, here’s the biggest transfers we expect to happen in August.
Of course Antonio Conte is going to sign Romelu Lukau.
Of course he is.
Conte’s favourite player, and the player who fired his Inter to their first Scudetto in 2021 under his tutelage, is being heavily linked with a move to the manager’s new club SSC Napoli this summer.
Considering the fact that Napoli need a replacement for Victor Osimhen (more on him a bit later on) and Lukaku’s impressive Serie A scoring record – 70 goals in 129 games – this deal would make a lot of sense.
Once upon a time Federico Chiesa was one of the best wide forwards in world football.
That was before a serious knee injury that has ended up plaguing the last few years of his career. The injury has proved to be so much of a concern for Juventus that they’re willing to let the player leave for around €20m this summer.
And although he has had his injury issues, €20m for Chiesa still does sound like a pretty nice deal, doesn’t it?
The wide forward has been most actively linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with Chelsea and Arsenal being among the high-profile suitors.
Thanks to Arsenal’s need for some quality cover for Bukayo Saka, it would make sense for the Gunners to go out and sign Chiesa.
After Leny Yoro was spotted on crutches just two friendly games into his Manchester United career, it’s pretty clear that the club need to sign another centre-back this summer.
And that centre-back could, and should, be Matthijs de Ligt.
The Dutch international previously played the best football of his career under current United boss Erik ten Hag while at Ajax, and could rediscover that form with his guidance at Old Trafford.
Now officially a free agent after his contract at Juventus expired at the end of June, Adrien Rabiot has reportedly had plenty of suitors in recent weeks.
Real Madrid, Liverpool, AC Milan, and Chelsea have all been linked with a move to the midfielder, but, right now, it seems that Manchester United are the most likely destination for Rabiot.
Will it be a good signing? Considering his form over the last six months, probably not.
Victor Osimhen’s move away from Napoli has been talked about at nauseum over the last year and, praise be to God, it looks like we can finally stop talking about it soon.
With Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain all holding an interest in the Nigeria star, it remains to be seen where he’ll actually end up, but we’re backing the latter to win the race.
The Ligue 1 champions have both the money and the need – replacing Kylian Mbappe – to go and sign Osimhen before the transfer window. closes on August 30.
