The future of Kylian Mbappe and his protracted pursuit by Real Madrid are likely to be the main themes of the European transfer market, which opens on Monday.
The future of Kylian Mbappe and his protracted pursuit by Real Madrid are likely to be the main themes of the European transfer market, which opens on Monday. Arsenal’s search for a proven goalscorer to spearhead their bid for their first Premier League title since 2004 may also loom large. Meanwhile, Manchester City are largely expected to let Kalvin Phillips depart the club, capping off a frustrating tenure for the former Leeds midfielder who has failed to make an impact at the world champions.
Much attention will be paid to Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain’s lethal finisher who scored a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final a year ago only to lose.
Real Madrid are once again the major suitors for the 25-year-old, whose contract at PSG expires in June; can the 14-time European winners finally get a commitment from the player they’ve been chasing for years?
It is far from guaranteed, however, because Mbappe elicits tremendous reactions in France, as demonstrated when President Emmanuel Macron intervened to encourage him to stay at PSG in June 2022, when a move to Real Madrid looked nearly imminent.
Real, on the other hand, is not sitting on their hands. Endrick, the latest Brazilian talent, will join the club from Palmeiras when he reaches 18 in July 2024 for a sum of 72 million euros, according to reports.
Toney to Arsenal?
Arsenal’s lack of a scoring threat may force them to enter the market. For weeks, their suspected aim has been Brentford forward Ivan Toney, whose ban for more than 200 violations of the Football Association’s gambling regulations expires in mid-January.
Brentford’s slide in form, which has seen them plummet to within four points of the relegation zone, may encourage the club to keep 27-year-old Toney, even if Arsenal make a substantial bid.
Kalvin Phillips was on a high when he joined City following England’s march to the Euro 2022 final, but he has only played a handful of games for the club, and Pep Guardiola has conceded the move did not work out.
Juventus are apparently interested in signing Phillips, who is trying to break into England’s plans for Euro 2024, although reports in Italy indicate the club is reconsidering the move.
A move to Newcastle appears to be a more feasible option as the Magpies aim to rebuild a squad severely depleted by injuries and the 10-month ban handed down to Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, who was also banned for gambling.
Serhou Guirassy, the prolific Guinea international who has scored 17 Bundesliga goals for Stuttgart this season, has also been linked with a move to Tyneside.
Newcastle might potentially look to their contacts in the Saudi Pro League. After a vote by Premier League teams on a temporary ban on related-party loans failed to obtain the needed support, they are now permitted to sign players on loan from sides also controlled by their Saudi owners.
However, one target, Ruben Neves, stated in early December that he would not accept a move to Newcastle since his family was content in Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino also moved to the Saudi league in the summer, but he is apparently unhappy at Al Ahli.
The Brazilian, 32, is expected to join local rivals Al Ettifaq, coached by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, though Premier League strugglers Sheffield United are also interested.
