Ranking the Week's 20 Hottest Transfer Rumours with Lacazette, Saul and Barkley
The wild world of the transfer rumour is really starting to crank up a notch now, with many teams already out of the running for their initial objectives and targets for next season.
This time, we look at possible departures from Borussia Dortmund, players that Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte might be signing when they join their new Premier League clubs and plenty more besides.
As usual, our rumours are sourced from the world's media and ordered according to potential price, reputation of the player and size of the buying club.
20. Ola Aina
1 of 20
Chelsea could be set to lose one of their star youngsters this summer, with Ola Aina a target for Celtic.
The Daily Record's Craig Swan reported the Scottish club have identified Aina as an option to replace Mikael Lustig at right-back as the Swede is out of contract this summer.
Celtic are yet to announce who their new manager for next season will be.
19. Aaron Cresswell
2 of 20
West Ham United left-back Aaron Cresswell has won admirers for his consistent displays as he helps the Hammers toward a fight for European places.
However, Hammers manager Slaven Bilic said his left-back is under contract and is extremely happy at the club, as Sky Sports' Nick Lustig reported.
Cresswell had been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City.
18. Guillermo Ochoa
3 of 20
Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could be ready to move on from Malaga this summer despite having just finally won a run of games in the team.
Having been backup to Carlos Kameni since joining two summers ago, Ochoa is now in the team due to Kameni's injury, but Marca's Marcos G. Parajon reported him suggesting he wants to play more often and, though he was focusing on the end of the season, a move was possible.
Sevilla are one of those interested.
17. Mario Balotelli
4 of 20
Will they, won't they?
The saga of Mario Balotelli and whether or not AC Milan want to sign him permanently from Liverpool looks set to drag on a while longer, with the on-loan forward not really showing anything like his best form this term.
Gazzetta dello Sport has now reported (via the Daily Mail's Rory Brigstock-Barron) they do want him for next term, with the striker himself also saying he wants to stay.
16. Thomas Vermaelen
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Sport's Lluis Miguelsanz has reported Liverpool have already made a formal offer to Barcelona for Thomas Vermaelen.
The Reds are set to lose Mamadou Sakho for an extended spell after UEFA suspended the France international for testing positive for a banned substance, with an investigation under way, and Jurgen Klopp's team are seemingly not wasting any time looking for a replacement.
An offer of not more than €10 million is on the table, with interest possible from West Ham and Besiktas.
15. Fabio Coentrao
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Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao has been on loan with AS Monaco this season, but recent reports suggest he could be set for a summer move back to former club Benfica.
A Bola reported (h/t Marca's Edward Smith) the Benfica chairman has wanted to bring Coentrao back to the Primeira Liga club for some time and could "make it a reality" this summer.
Coentrao is currently sidelined by a thigh issue and will miss UEFA Euro 2016.
14. Theo Walcott
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Here's an unexpected one: Pep Guardiola has asked Manchester City to consider Theo Walcott.
The Evening Standard's James Olley reported the soon-to-be City manager is a big admirer of the English wide man, a frequent bench-warmer at Arsenal this season despite being on a hefty wage of around £140,000 a week.
Has anybody told Guardiola City already have Jesus Navas?
13. Victor Wanyama
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Leicester City may have to restructure some of their first team over the summer with big clubs poised to make offers for the Foxes' biggest stars.
One of those who might be on the way out is N'Golo Kante—more on him later—and Leicester have begun identifying who could fill the gap in midfield.
Southampton's Victor Wanyama is the man, according to the Mirror's Darren Lewis, with the Saints man having just a year left on his deal and also receiving interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
12. Andriy Yarmolenko
9 of 20
Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko hasn't been linked with any English clubs for a while—until this week!
He's back in the mixer for a move to the Premier League, as the Express reported (h/t the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan) that Liverpool are in talks and ready to complete a move for this summer.
Arsenal and Everton are also interested, but Yarmolenko's agent reportedly uploaded a photo from Liverpool's offices in London on social media.
11. Ivan Perisic
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Inter Milan wide forward Ivan Perisic has only been at the club one season, but he could already be on his way to the Premier League.
The Daily Star's Jamie Styles reported him suggesting Inter is a mere stepping stone for his career and clubs should "talk to Inter" if they wanted to sign him at season's end.
Antonio Conte reportedly wants Perisic at Chelsea, and Liverpool are also interested.
10. Alexandre Lacazette
11 of 20
Barcelona were looking for attacking reinforcements in January before coming up empty handed, but that intent will step up again in the summer.
Alexandre Lacazette is the big priority target for the current leaders in La Liga, according to French publication L'Equipe (h/t Marca's D. Piferrer), as they want the French forward to play as back-up for all three starting attackers: Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
West Ham, Spurs and Atletico Madrid are also keen.
9. Ross Barkley
12 of 20
The word from Bleacher Report's own Insider Dean Jones is Everton are in danger of losing Ross Barkley—if they opt to keep Roberto Martinez as manager.
A poor campaign overall has seen Everton languish in the bottom half and, despite wanting to get Barkley to sign a new contract, it seems the Toffees may have to choose between midfield maestro and current coach.
Manchester City and Manchester United are both monitoring the situation.
8. Andre Gomes
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Valencia's playmaking midfielder Andre Gomes could be set for a move away from Mestalla this season.
Marca's Dario Puig reported Gomes will use Euro 2016 as a window to garner attention from clubs competing in European competition next season, with a bid of less than €30 million from Juventus a distinct possibility.
Jose Mourinho will also be interested in capturing Gomes' signature, if he is appointed boss at Manchester United.
7. N'Golo Kante
14 of 20
Leicester City are close to winning the biggest surprise Premier League title of all time, but it looks like their players will be in demand come the summer as a result.
Italian media reports from Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT) suggested Serie A champions Juventus will be looking at N'Golo Kante as a replacement for Paul Pogba, if the Turin side's man is lured away by Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Kante would cost around £30 million, having signed for the Foxes a year ago for just £5.6 million.
6. Mats Hummels
15 of 20
A huge blow for Borussia Dortmund emerged earlier in the week with the news central defender Mats Hummels had asked to leave in the summer to join rivals Bayern Munich.
Sky Sports' Gerard Brand reported a BVB statement confirming Hummels had asked to join the club where he formerly played but that no offer had yet been made and no release clause was in place allowing him to depart for a set amount.
Hummels has one more year left on his contract and could follow Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze in moving from BVB to Bayern.
5. Alexis Sanchez
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A big-money move for Bayern Munich this summer could be the signing of Alexis Sanchez.
The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel reported the Gunners are offering Sanchez an extended contract, but Bayern are ready to make their move if there is any signs that the renewal will no be straightforward.
Alexis has endured a disappointing season overall as Arsenal stumble toward another fourth-placed finish.
4. Renato Sanches
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Benfica's golden boy Renato Sanches hasn't even had a full season in the first team yet, but Manchester United aren't hanging around.
They are ready to splash out a massive £46 million for the midfielder, according to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, who suggested Benfica chiefs have already flown in to conclude talks for the transfer.
The 18-year-old will cost United more than £30m up front, with the rest in add-ons.
3. Willian
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Chelsea's attacking midfielder Willian has been a standout in a poor season, so there's no shock in transfer interest in him this summer.
However, the Mirror's Darren Lewis suggested the club who wants to sign him is Guangzhou Evergrande, with the Chinese Super League outfit ready to fork over £50 million to make the Brazilian the next high-profile player to join the growing competition in Asia.
Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari is the manager at Evergrande.
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
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Borussia Dortmund will be loath to lose any more star players, but one who continues to draw interest from all quarters is striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon international is wanted by Manchester United, who are making enquiries now, according to the Daily Mail (h/t the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan).
A £70 million bid may be required to sign him, however, with Chelsea and Real Madrid also on the lookout in case he leaves BVB.
1. Saul Niguez
20 of 20
Barcelona have ramped up their interest in Atletico Madrid's key midfielder Saul Niguez.
The versatile starlet has been a pivotal figure in Atleti's charge for the La Liga title and UEFA Champions League trophy this season, and Sport's Lluis Miguelsanz reported the Catalan club have an option to purchase him, included in a deal when David Villa moved to Atleti in 2013, and are considering going all-in for the Spaniard.
Saul has a release clause of around €45 million, though Atleti are trying to renegotiate to raise that price substantially.
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