Last-minute Deals Aplenty as Transfer Window Nears Close
The transfer window will slam shut at midnight on Wednesday and clubs across Europe are scrambling to nail down last minute targets or move on unwanted players. Here are a few of the deals that have, or could go down in the last week of the transfer window.
Barcelona sign Alcacer from Valencia
Barcelona’s protracted search for a striker to provide cover for Luis Suarez looks at last to have been brought to a conclusion as the Catalan outfit announced the signing of Paco Alcacer from Valencia. The 23-year-old, who scored 43 goals across two separate spells at Valencia, has joined Barça on a five-year deal and has a 100 million euro buyout clause in his contract.
More ins and outs at Arsenal
Just as Arsenal have secured a double transfer for striker Lucas Perez and defender Shkrodan Mustafi, the latest has it that midfielder Jack Wilshire could be headed out on loan. With center-back Calum Chambers already set for a loan spell with Middlesbrough, the latest reports have it that Wilshire may also be loaned out to get a chance at playing more regular football this season.
Wilshire lost his place in the starting lineup last season due to an ankle injury and has struggled to get back into the team. The idea behind loaning him seems to be that with regular first team opportunities, the injury-prone Wilshire might be better able to regain his form.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s 21-year-old German forward Serge Gnabry could be on the verge of joining Werder Bremen on a permanent deal.
Hart’s Italian Holiday
Speaking of English players going on loan, Manchester City’s troubled keeper Joe Hart has joined Torino on a season-long loan. The England No. 1 keeper was informed by new City manager Pep Guardiola that he would be better off seeking a new club and has subsequently gone from the team favored to win this season’s Premier League to one that finished 12th in Serie A last season. The two clubs will reportedly split the bill on the 29-year-old’s £135,000 a week salary.
Gabigol to Inter
Fresh from helping lift Brazil to its first ever Olympic gold medal, Santos forward Gabriel “Gabigol” Barbosa has completed a more to Internazionale. The two-time Brazilian league champion was previously linked with Leicester City but has instead signed a four-year deal with the Milan outfit.
Zidane: James to Remain at Real
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has insisted that Colombian playmaker James Rodrigues is set to remain at the club, despite interest from Chelsea and PSG. Instead, it looks like the Bernabeu outfit are set to loan out Spanish attacking midfielder Isco, with Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly in the frame.
Speaking of Colombian forwards…
After failing to win their first two matches this season, Atletico Madrid are reportedly looking to add some firepower up front and are exploring the option of bringing Radamel Falcao back to the club where he made a name for himself.
Falcao, who is currently on the books at Monaco, has endured a difficult past few seasons, moving from Ligue 1 to Manchester United to Chelsea, and scoring precious few goals along the way.
The 30-year-old earned a reputation as one of the top strikers in the world in his previous spell with Atleti, netting 52 goals in 68 appearances with the club. With Atletico in desperate need of a striker to partner with Antoine Griezmann, manager Diego Simeone seems ready to bet that he can help Falcao rediscover his goal-scoring touch, just as he previously did for Fernando Torres.