The 2020 summer transfer window, which officially opened on the 27th of July, was expected to close on the 1st of September, but due to the coronavirus outbreak, the deadline was extended to the 5th of October. Many deals have been done so far; Thiago Alcantara and Jota to Liverpool, Gareth Bale, Doherty, Hojbjerg, and Reguilon to Tottenham, Alvaro Morata to Juventus, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and co. to Chelsea, Luis Suarez to Athletico Madrid among many others.
With the transfer deadline less than two weeks away, TOP SOCCER BLOG looks at 10 transfers that might happen before the window closes.
THOMAS PARTEY (ATHLETICO MADRID TO ARSENAL)
Thomas Partey has been linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer as the Ghanaian midfielder will be an ideal addition to the Gunners‘ midfield. The Ghanaian is undoubtedly one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. But the transfer hasn’t materialised yet as Athletico want Arsenal to meet Partey’s £44.5 million release clause. Arsenal are seeking to lower the fee by offering Lucas Torreira as part of the deal. Partey is reported to be keen on a move to the Premier League; Arsenal recently sold backup goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, to raise funds to pull the deal through.
ERIC GARCIA (MANCHESTER CITY TO BARCELONA)
Garcia left Barcelona’s La Masia academy three years ago to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and the Blaugranas are seeking to lure him back to Camp Nou. Garcia has just a year left on his current contract and has refused to agree to a new deal. Barca sees the 19-year-old as the long-term replacement for the ageing Gerrard Pique and are willing to offer £14m for his services. City are reported to be in the market for a new centre-back, which means Garcia’s return to Barca might happen. Ronald Koeman would also be needing a good centre-back that Barcelona.
JADON SANCHO (BORUSSIA DORTMUND TO MANCHESTER UNITED)
Sancho left Manchester City to team up with Borussia Dortmund in order to get playing chances, and that decision proved to be a masterstroke as the winger has established himself as one of the hottest properties in world football. City’s rivals, United, are hoping to bring Sancho back to Manchester. Dortmund’s €120 million valuation of the 20-year-old has proven to be a stumbling block for the deal so far, but the Red Devils remain hopeful of landing him at a lower price. Sancho scored 20 goals and provided 20 assists in all competitions last season.
HOUSSEM AOUAR (LYON TO ARSENAL)
Arsenal are also looking to compete with the signing of Houssem Aouar from Olympique Lyon before the transfer window closes. The 22-year-old midfielder helped Lyon reached the Champions League semi-finals last season. He is valued at £44 million, but the _Gunners_ are seeking to reduce the fee by offering Matteo Guendouzi as part of the deal.
DELE ALLI (TOTTENHAM TO PSG)
Since the arrival of Jose Mourinho at Spurs, Alli has increasingly seen his playing time reduced. He was substituted at half-time on the opening day defeat to Everton and has not featured since. A transfer to PSG has been mooted in recent days, and Mourinho did not give assurance of the 24-year-old’s continued stay in North London. Dele Alli one of the players that need to prove themselves this season.
GIORGINO WIJNALDUM (LIVERPOOL TO BARCELONA)
Wijnaldum is one of the most underrated players in the world, no doubt. The Dutchman is into the final year of his contract at Anfield, and a new contract has not been agreed yet. Barcelona’s new manager Ronald Koeman — who worked with Wijnaldum at the Dutch national team — is keen to reunite with him at Camp Nou. Liverpool’s signing of Thiago Alcantara might convince them to cash-in on Wijnaldum.
KALIDOU KOULIBALY (NAPOLI TO MANCHESTER CITY OR MANCHESTER UNITED)
In every transfer window since his arrival at Napoles, Koulibaly has always been linked with a move away from Napoli, but the club have managed to keep hold of the Senegalese by placing a €100 million price tag him. But now at 29-years of age and with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the club may consider a lower offer. Manchester City have been credited with an interest in his services while Manchester United are also looking to strengthen their weak defence before the end of the window.
MEMPHIS DEPAY (LYON TO BARCELONA)
After flopping at Manchester United, Depay has since revitalised his career at Olympique Lyon (and with the Netherlands). He has matured since and has become more responsible on the pitch. He helped the Netherlands reach the final of the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and was also crucial to Lyon’s remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals last season. His manager at the Netherlands, Ronald Koeman, is interested in bringing the 26-year-old to Spain. Depay is valued at €25million, and the recent sales of Arturo Vidal, Luis Suarez, and Nelson Semedo means Barcelona have enough funds to pursue a deal.
ISMAILA SARR (WATFORD TO MANCHESTER UNITED)
United have been frustrated in the window so far, as they haven’t been able to sign all their targets. Signing a winger is a priority for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and should United fail to land Jadon Sancho, Watford’s Ismaila Sarr is the plan B. The Senegalese scored 5 goals and provided 6 assists last season, which included a brace against Liverpool to end the latter’s unbeaten run in the league. Watford —who got relegated at the end of last season — value Sarr at £40 million, but United are seeking to sign him on an a season-loan deal.
JAVI MARTINEZ (BAYERN MUNICH TO ATHLETICO BILBAO)
Martinez spent 6 years at Bilbao before joining Bayern in 2012. The 32-year-old is seeking for a move back to his boyhood club. Martinez is in the final 12 months of his contract, and Bilbao wants him to reach an agreement with Bayern to terminate his contract so as to sign him on a free transfer, but the _Bavarians_ are demanding £9million. Martinez is hopeful of reaching an agreement with Bayern.
NOTABLE MENTIONS:
- MOHAMMED ELNENNY
- MESUT OZIL
- EMERSON
- CHRIS SMALLING
- SERGE AURIER
- EDINSON CAVANI
- ADEMOLA LOOKMAN
- VICTOR MOSES
- MARIO GOTZE
