Transfer Talk: PSG, Man United, Barca all want De Ligt،
The winter transfer window has now closed across Europe's top leagues, but there are plenty of moves afoot and gossip swirling as summer approaches. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumors, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: PSG, Man United and Barça all interested in Matthijs De Ligt
Bayern Munich managed to fend off Paris Saint-Germain's interest in the defender Matthijs de Ligt in January, but Bild reports that the French side will come back and try again this summer.
L'Equipe had reported that the 24-year-old was not interested in a winter transfer despite PSG coach Luis Enrique looking to strengthen his injured backline. Additionally, Bayern were eager to block the move due to their own defensive weaknesses as they looked to close out a season where they failed to top Bayer Leverkusen in the standings.
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But today, Bild reports that the Bavarians will have more difficulty keeping De Ligt if the Parisians return at the end of the season – and there could be even more competition to sign the defender.
Manchester United and Barcelona are also said to be interested in De Ligt. Both clubs have defensive problems, and Man United could have the opportunity to bring in the central defender since manager Erik Ten Hag has already trained him at Ajax.
Paper gossip
– Premier League and European clubs monitor Bayer Leverkusen star's progress Exequiel Palacios before the summer transfer window, according to Ekrem Konur. The 25-year-old Argentine has been one of the star players under Xabi Alonso this season, and he has been an ever-present as Leverkusen topped the Bundesliga table. Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have all looked at Palacios in recent months, while Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are also interested. Palacios is under contract with the club until 2027-28.
– Newcastle United may have to part ways with Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães this summer to ease the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, according to Football Insider. The Magpies fear breaking the rules, meaning Guimaraes could leave the club if someone is prepared to meet the £100million release clause that was written into his amended contract in October last year . The 26-year-old star has been one of Newcastle's most consistent players under Eddie Howe, leading to him attracting interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
– Girona could consider move for Barcelona star Oriol Romeu in the summer after failing to land him in January, according to Mundo Deportivo. Romeu was a favored target of Spain's elite in recent weeks, but, according to Girona sporting director Quique Cárcel, “the regulations made that impossible”. Girona will hope to have more success when the window reopens at the end of the season. “From the beginning I always said that Oriol was an important player,” Cárcel said.
– As Inter Milan and Juventus prepare to face off on Sunday at the San Siro Stadium in a crucial Serie A clash, both clubs are already plotting summer moves ahead of the 2024-25 season, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. Inter eyeing 31-year-old Mehdi Taremi from FC Porto and 29 years old Piotr Zielinski of Napoli as they look to improve their attacking options. Juve, meanwhile, have a younger approach, with the 21-year-old Bologna defender. Riccardo Calafiori and the Atalanta player, 25 years old Teun Koopmeiners at the top of their wanted list.
– A number of Bundesliga clubs are monitoring the 18-year-old Ajax star Gabriel Misehouy, according to Bild. They believe the Netherlands Under-19 international could spark a tug of war between Germany's top clubs, with Girona also interested in the rising star. Misehouy played an important role in Ajax's second team, scoring seven goals and adding three assists in 13 matches. Misehouy's contract comes to an end this summer, meaning he is an attractive proposition for clubs interested in the attacking midfielder's talent.
