Transfer News

It was less than two months ago that Manchester United made an attempt to distance themselves from extravagant transfer rumours.

"I cannot help feeling that speculation around transfers of individual players for hundreds of millions of pounds this summer seems to ignore the realities that face the sport," explained executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward as Britain began to come to terms with lockdown and the world faced up to a new version of normal amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Yet here we are, seven weeks on from Woodward's statement, and United find themselves being heavily linked with Barcelona forward Ansu Fati, with suggestions he might soon become one of the most expensive player transfers of all time.

Aged just 17, Fati is undoubtedly an exciting talent. He broke into the Barca team at the start of this season and became the club's youngest goalscorer in history. He has already played 25 times for the club and has been described by Lionel Messi as an "amazing player."

But talk of a £135 million transfer seems to be exactly what Woodward had warned against.

Focus on Fati's future kicked off last week as a report from Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport in Spain said Manchester United had a €100 million (£89.4 million) offer rejected but would come back with another bid.

In England, Duncan Castles wrote for The Times (h/t Metro) that United have made a new advanced offer of €150 million. However, it's said Barca rebuffed the approach.

Toni Juanmarti of Sport has continued to build the momentum around Fati's potential switch, listing reasons why United want to sign him—such as the fact that he has a fantastic attitude and a style of play that suits the Premier League.

The story keeps gathering pace despite sources at the other end being keen to distance themselves from the rumour.

One trusted insider who is familiar with many of Manchester United's transfer discussions told Bleacher Report that Fati's name "has not been discussed" ahead of the next window.

Other informed figures feel transfer negotiators Woodward and Matt Judge simply would not sanction such a move at these uncertain times. It seems a valid point. 

If there is concern about paying £100 million for genuine long-term target Jadon Sancho—a homegrown player with regularly proven Bundesliga and Champions League ability—it would seem sensible to assume there is more fear over a player with less experience and a lower profile.

So what's going on?

Ansu Fati's signing would excite the fans. Not only for the present, but also for the future. Manchester United are ready to splash serious money on the forward. [sport]

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 16, 2020

Well, one B/R source believes United had small interest in Fati in the past—and that could be why the story is surfacing now. Ahead of the January window, when the club were drawing up long-term targets, Fati was mentioned as someone whose situation was worth exploring. Ultimately, it quickly became clear he would not be available. 

Over in Spain, there are a couple of theories among journalists and agents about the progress of this storyline over the past week. 

One is that super-agent Jorge Mendes is becoming involved with the player and is using his contacts to act as an intermediary between the two clubs. There is a feeling this could all be a power play to show he can make things happen for the player, with the deal now being discussed widely in public.

Another theory is that the Barcelona board are happy to help create a narrative that makes it look like they have big clubs trying to sign him and that they are fighting to hold on to one of their brightest talents.

As one source explained: "All that matters to certain people at the club is public perception. It would not surprise me if this was all some sort of stunt that has been generated to show them in a positive light." 

Sources told us that Barcelona know that Fati does not want to leave. He has spoken publicly about how being part of the side feels like a dream—and past negotiations mean we should expect an improved contract when he reaches his 18th birthday in October. A new €400 million release clause is also mooted.

To put the whole story into context, we should consider the bigger picture at Barcelona and how Fati might fit into the plans.

The matter that complicates his immediate future is that Barca want to strengthen their attack with a high-profile signing in the next window. For some board members, Lautaro Martinez is the man they want. But for others, and even some within the dressing room, a move to bring back Neymar Jr. would be the dream.

In order to make either signing, funds need to be raised. The club's cashflow has run into problems, and avenues that intermediaries have been exploring to offload fringe talent, such as Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, are leading to a dead-end at every turn.

And that is where Fati becomes an interesting case. Where does he fit in?

He already has competition from Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Martin Braithwaite in the forward positions—as well as Dembele and Coutinho if they hang around.

Some players would find that frustrating, and some clubs would be tempted to cash in. But neither of those factors are going to be strong enough for Fati to permanently leave Barca at this stage.

On Tuesday night, he started against Leganes and scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win with a brilliant quickly taken shot from the edge of the box. He has scored five goals so far this season, and some important ones at that. It would be an own-goal for Barca to sell him.

We should fully expect Fati's long-term future to be at Barcelona. He's a phenomenal talent, and he could be one of their most important players for the next decade.

A transfer window in a world changed by the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to be pretty fraught. Financial experts and high-ranking officials across football have been warning that we should not expect big transfer fees and salaries to be agreed.

Yet rumours across the European landscape have been throwing up some interesting storylines over the past week that suggest there might be more cash moving around at the top level than some anticipate.

Each week, we look into some of the hottest transfer rumours, and this week, three teams are dominating our feature.

Chelsea are in the process of signing Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, yet they continue to be linked with other hot talent. Manchester United are another club regularly linked with new signings and will spend reasonably big this summer. Paris Saint-Germain have already agreed a permanent deal for Mauro Icardi and are intriguing as, with their season over in France, we begin to imagine what the side might look like next season.

Here, we take a closer look at all three clubs and speak to sources about some of the rumours surrounding them.

      

Donny van de Beek

Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek will be allowed to leave this summer and has a valuation of £49 million.

A report from Jonathan Northcroft in The Times suggested Manchester United are ready to make an offer, but they would prefer to strike a deal for around £37 million.

However, sources have indicated to Bleacher Report that this move is being pushed from the Dutch end of proceedings and no deal is in sight.

While United do rate the player, they still have Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham as prime targets before seriously considering Van de Beek. There is also a feeling that United have been linked with the player in order to hurry Real Madrid into an offer.

      

Ansu Fati

Another United link, this time from Lluis Miguelsanz of Sport in Spain, says the Reds had a €100 million offer for Ansu Fati rejected but will come back with another bid.

This is pretty bold, given United have been pondering whether to splash out a similar amount of cash on Jadon Sancho—who is English and has more experience.

Fati, 17, has a release clause of €170 million, and B/R understands that amount could be broken into a couple of instalments.

However, sources around United are keen to distance themselves from this rumour at the moment. And sources close to Fati insist that the player really wants to stay with Barcelona, anyway.

     

Declan Rice

West Ham United are having to accept they must seriously listen to offers for all their big players in a football climate impacted by the coronavirus, which is expected to be tough on their finances.

Declan Rice to Chelsea is a link that cropped up in March from Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports, and it is an option that could seriously open up over the next couple of months. If Jorginho or N'Golo Kante leave, then Frank Lampard will be wanting a replacement in midfield. And the Chelsea boss is also on the lookout for central defensive options.

Rice could help Chelsea add depth in both areas of the field, thanks to his versatility, and Lampard is believed to be a big fan of his personality, drive and commitment. 

Sources told us that this is of interest to Chelsea, but other options are being explored by the club's hierarchy before any offer is tabled.

      

Ben Chilwell

We first reported Chelsea's interest in Ben Chilwell back in February, and Simon Johnson of The Athletic said he is still seen as a priority for the next window.

The big issue here is that Leicester City—currently third in the Premier League—value Chilwell around the £80 million mark, and the player is contracted until 2024. They are in a strong position to dictate how any transfer negotiations go—and we saw in the case of Harry Maguire last summer how they can hold their ground in that sense.

Informed sources do feel there is a little room for negotiation here, but £70 million would probably be the lowest offer Leicester consider.

Manchester City are also interested in Chilwell, but Chelsea are favourites to sign him at this point.

     

Wilfried Zaha

On B/R Football's Instagram page, we have begun running a weekly IG Live transfer show, and on Wednesday's edition, I revealed how Wilfried Zaha continues to look for a path out of Crystal Palace.

The player is seriously considering a move abroad for the first time, and one of the early clubs being mentioned as a potential match for him is PSG. His representatives are going to start touting him around some of Europe's big clubs to gauge the interest. 

The player has not been afraid to discuss his ambition and told Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube show The Locker Room (h/t the Mirror's John Cross) it was "amazing" to be linked with Arsenal last season. 

That deal is dead now, and while Everton remain interested in Zaha, he hopes for a bigger club to come along.

     

Thiago Silva

The PSG defender is going to become available as a free agent, and sources have indicated to B/R that representatives have been relatively surprised at just how much interest there has already been from Premier League clubs.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti would like to work with him again, according to The Sun's Etienne Fermie, but other clubs coming into the mix are Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The budgets of the two London clubs have been impacted in recent months, and free transfers and loan signings are having to be considered.

There could be a complication that arises, though, over when the player is available. While the French season has been ended early, PSG are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and there is still hope for the tournament to be played to its conclusion in August.

If that is the case, PSG hope to give Silva a short-term extension so that he can play in those matches. But it would also mean he can not join up with any new club until September.

Judging the legitimacy of transfer rumours is no easy task, so we have produced this guide to realistic scenarios every elite club can hope for.

By using the Bleacher Report app to measure and produce a list of the biggest clubs in Europe, we have outlined 15 teams, waded through all the transfer gossip and used our informed sources across the continent to predict the most likely big-name signing for each.

(Update: An earlier version of this article linked Timo Werner to Liverpool, but developments on Thursday changed things - he is now Chelsea's most high-profile target. These things really can turn around quickly!)

         

Liverpool: Ousmane Dembele

They were supposed to be signing Werner. They love him. They thought he loved them. Werner has seemed pretty clear he only wants to sign for one club, but needed Liverpool to trigger his €60 million release clause.

That moment has not arrived and on Thursday Liverpool were still refusing to meet his valuation, while Chelsea progressed with their pursuit.

As it falls through we should not expect too much else, Liverpool had only earmarked him as a player they would pay money for after prioritising current players on big contracts.

Now we should look out for a loan offer for Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele instead. He has been in mind as a back-up option all along.

        

Manchester City: Houssem Aouar

City are looking towards a rebuild that could see as many as four new faces arrive this summer.

The 21-year-old midfielder is one of the most aesthetically pleasing players in Ligue 1 and has the technical capabilities that would help him fit into a Pep Guardiola side.

City initially touched base with Lyon over a deal a year ago and are now expected to revisit the French side with a new offer. He is valued at around €50 million and is emerging as one of the most exciting names on City's wanted list.

      

Chelsea: Timo Werner

A left-back is high on the priority list for manager Frank Lampard, and Ben Chilwell has been scouted extensively over the past six months.

He's not going to come cheap, but a trusted, homegrown 23-year-old defender is not easy to come by and it is going to be one of their big signings of the year if all goes to plan.

There has been hope though of also signing a big-name forward—with Jadon Sancho, Moussa Dembele and Werner all considered.

On Thursday, a report in Bild revealed the Blues are close to striking a deal for RB Leipzig front man Werner—and that is going to be their most high-profile deal if they pull it off.

       

Manchester United: Jadon Sancho

The move from Borussia Dortmund is not nailed-on just yet, but our sources insist the transfer is still alive and that Sancho remains a priority for United.

Negotiations are needed because United are keen to ensure he does not eclipse Paul Pogba to become a new club-record signing.

But with Sancho's valuation continuing to hover around the £100 million mark, it is felt they will find a way to get the deal done—to avoid missing out when other teams show interest in a future transfer window.

     

Tottenham Hotspur: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Southampton's central midfielder has been on Tottenham's radar all season, and the club had begun preparing an offer ahead of the coronavirus-enforced break.

Sources have now indicated to B/R that although Spurs are having a major rethink over their summer plans, and will mainly be recruiting free agents and loan players, Hojbjerg remains a key target.

He has one year remaining on his contract at Saints and should fit in with their financing for this summer.

He may turn out to be the only player they pay money for, but his expertise in the centre of the park has convinced recruitment staff he is worth pursuing.

      

Arsenal: Willian

Chelsea are refusing to give him the new three-year contract he wants, and as a result, Willian is preparing to cross London to find a new club.

Willian, 31, will become a free agent at the end of this season, and that is the sort of deal Arsenal need to pursue with their transfer budget limited.

There are doubts over the futures of both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and with at least one of those likely to go, Willian is being lined up as part of the club's future attacking line.

And Arsenal would give him the three-year deal he is after.

        

Barcelona: Lautaro Martinez 

Talk over this potential deal has been bubbling away for the past couple of months, and sources in Spain are becoming more and more convinced that Inter Milan will eventually agree to sell their star forward.

The terms of the deal are complicated because Barca want to strike a player-plus-cash agreement. Inter would prefer a transfer built around money but are beginning to realise they may eventually have to make this work for them.

Martinez, 22, has scored 16 goals from 31 games this season but wants to move as he dreams of the link-up with fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi.

Expect this deal to drag on a little because of the complications over the fee—but everything else should run smoothly as Barca wait for their new star forward.

     

Real Madrid: Eduardo Camavinga

Before COVID-19 took hold of the world, we were looking at Real signing at least one new Galactico this summer.

But those plans are on hold, so if anyone does sign, we should expect a face that is part of the club's long-term plan.

Rennes are adamant they do not want to lose Camavinga yet, but that does not mean Madrid won't make an offer for the brilliant 17-year-old midfielder.

We might yet see them strike a deal but allow him to stay at Rennes for a season before joining up at the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2021.

      

Atletico Madrid: Alexandre Lacazette

This move has been considered for some time by Atleti.

Arsenal's interest in Thomas Partey now means Lacazette could become part of a swap deal—a trend that will kick in this summer because of restricted finances for so many clubs.

Talks over a new contract at Arsenal have stalled for him recently, and this move is one to keep an eye on.

      

Juventus: Jorginho

Chelsea are going to fight to keep Jorginho because Frank Lampard loves the way he influences the team's play from the centre of the park.

But Jorginho's head has been turned, and a reunion with Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri might happen. Aged 28, his best years may yet be ahead of him, and no coach knows him better. 

Juve's interest is known through intermediaries, and the club now need to touch base formally to discuss what terms would be needed to tempt him away from Stamford Bridge. A deal is possible.

      

Inter Milan: Edinson Cavani

Inter are already searching for new forward options in case Lautaro moves away, and PSG's Cavani holds plenty of appeal.

He becomes a free agent this summer, and there are suggestions they may even sign him if Martinez doesn't make his move to Barca.

Alexis Sanchez is extremely unlikely to prolong his stay, so Cavani's arrival will bolster the attacking options either way.

His personal terms are reportedly causing some concern, but sources in Italy believe the deal could still happen while the player considers one big move before heading to MLS.  

      

AC Milan: Luka Jovic

Real Madrid have been weighing up what to do with the striker, who has not found his goalscoring touch since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt, and a good offer could tempt them into a sale.

Milan are looking to land a striker who can fill the boots of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who seems unlikely to continue with them next season.

Jovic would relish the chance to become the main man at one of Europe's most famous clubs—even though he does not particularly want to give up on making it at Madrid.

If Milan are going to make a big-name signing, though, this looks like being it.  

        

Bayern Munich: Leroy Sane

You have read about this transfer rumour a million times for good reason—it is going to happen.

Bayern are the only club Sane is willing to join, and at this stage we are just waiting for the German champions to make an acceptable offer.

Initially this looked like it could be close to a £100 million deal, but since COVID-19 changed the game, we are now looking at different terms.

A player-plus-cash deal is looking likely.

       

Borussia Dortmund: Thomas Meunier 

Achraf Hakimi's loan spell from Real Madrid will end after this season, and Dortmund have been working on PSG's out-of-contract Meunier as the ready-made replacement.

Spurs have also been pursuing the Belgium international, but sources in Germany seem convinced Dortmund are going to secure his signature as a free agent.

      

PSG: Alex Telles

Their biggest-name purchase is already in the bag as Mauro Icardi has turned his loan deal from Inter into a permanent move with a €50 million agreement, and sources in France say that while PSG will look to recruit in other positions, none of the names will trump Icardi. 

An exciting new goalkeeper could yet arrive, though, with Andre Onana and Gianluigi Donnarumma both linked with some substance behind the rumours. 

But both full-back positions are also being looked at and various contacts in France expect Telles, who was being pursued ahead of the global pandemic, to start to pick up momentum again.

Listen to Dean on the B/R Football Ranks Podcast. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe here.  

The football world is slowly beginning to return to normal. Bundesliga is back, and soon La Liga, Serie A and the Premier League will resume, too.

We don't have exact dates for the transfer window, but it is expected that as soon as each domestic season ends, deals in each country can once again click into gear.

There has been doubt cast from some figures in the game over whether we will see big transfers take place. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the game means every club has a different financial plan from just a couple of months ago.

But Bleacher Report sources are suggesting that even in these testing times, some of the game's major clubs will still look to make their marks.

We strive to deliver the latest news on projected deals, and here, we break down some big talking points around four of the game's top names.

                    

Jadon Sancho to Man United

In a B/R AMA in April, I predicted Jadon Sancho would be the most high-profile transfer of summer 2020, and there is still reason to stand by that; sources close to the player seem pretty convinced it will still be the case.

Manchester United remain interested in signing Sancho and will aim to negotiate a fee with Borussia Dortmund for a deal in the next window.

His valuation is €120 million, and while there is an acceptance from Dortmund that the market is going to be different, they are not yet willing to bring down the asking price. One of the reasons they are not changing their stance is a belief that United have a clear run at the player but would not have that same opportunity in a year's time.

Dortmund are willing to improve Sancho's contract with a promise to let him leave next summer, and they are hinting to the player that he will have more clubs to choose from if he waits.

We will have to see whether United buckle and make an offer upwards of €100 million, which would lead the player to become their record signing.

They have just taken out a loan for £140 million, with suggestions that could be used to secure significant signings.

                   

Timo Werner to Liverpool

Liverpool have been targeted as Timo Werner's No. 1 destination for the summer, as the player feels it is the perfect environment to progress.

He has plenty of interest from around Europe, but the Jurgen Klopp factor is a major lure. B/R understands Werner has already turned down the opportunity to join Bayern Munich in order to focus on his ultimate move.

The problem in fulfilling his dream switch to the Premier League has been that Liverpool are not willing to meet RB Leipzig's release figure of €60 million.

His clause drops by around €20 million the following year, and it might yet prove that Liverpool wait to sign him—just as they waited in the past for top targets such as Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita.

If Werner does not sign, then Liverpool are not expected to make any transfers that involve significant sums of money. However, they would still look to find a way to back up their attacking trio of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

B/R understands that Ousmane Dembele could yet come into the picture as an alternative option for the next window. A loan signing with a view to a permanent deal could suit both parties. Klopp is an admirer of the player, and Barcelona are looking to offload him.

If Dembele signs for a year while they wait on Werner, it could work ideally for Liverpool.

            

Jorginho to Juventus

Jorginho is being linked to Juve and another link-up with boss Maurizio Sarri.

Chelsea's stance on this is that they don't want Jorginho to leave. Frank Lampard likes the role he plays in the Chelsea team and views him as an important part of the side he is building. He could even be the club's next captain.

The issue for them is that Jorginho has had his head turned by Juve's interest.

He has enjoyed the challenge at Chelsea but was upset by criticism he received from his own supporters during the first season in English football and has not forgotten how quick some sections of the crowd were to turn on him.

A return to Italy and a move to Juve would give him a more comfortable life and could lead to a better chance of winning the highest honours.

There have been reports that Miralem Pjanic could even move to Chelsea as part of a transfer deal, but B/R sources in Italy say that should be viewed as extremely unlikely at this stage.

              

Sergino Dest to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich are prioritising two moves this summer: They want Leroy Sane in attack and also a new right-back. For the latter, sources told B/R that Sergino Dest is their prime target.

Dest, 19, has emerged as one of Ajax's top assets over the past year, and the possibility of a switch to Germany is something his camp are taking seriously. Sources previously indicated that Barcelona would be the dream move for Dest. They are interested, but they do not have the capacity to make a move because of cash-flow issues.

It leaves Bayern in the driving seat to strike a deal, but Ajax hope to hold them off until 2021, as they feel more of an obligation to let Donny van de Beek, Nicolas Tagliafico and Andre Onana leave this year. The prospect of losing both full-backs and their goalkeeper is not something they want to contemplate.

Bayern are expected to test their resolve, though. So if Dest is to get a move, expect an offer in the region of €25 million to be necessary.

No other major European league depends on transfer income as heavily as Ligue 1, and the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to further entrench that trend.

Clubs in the French top flight earned €635 million from player sales in the 2018-19 season (down from €840 million the previous season), and with revenue streams being slashed left, right and centre during the current crisis, it has become an even more precious income source than before.

Although it remains to be seen exactly how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect the transfer market, clubs from around Europe will already be sizing up the best talent in Ligue 1.

Featuring the thoughts of a former Ligue 1 scout from a major Premier League club, here are seven players who could find themselves in pastures new by the end of the summer.

        

Thomas Meunier, 28, Right-Back, Paris Saint-Germain

If Paris Saint-Germain are able to play their Champions League quarter-final at some point in the coming months, there is no guarantee that Thomas Meunier will be in their starting lineup when they do.

A 2016 signing from Club Brugge, the Belgium international will be out of contract at the end of June, and there seems no prospect of his deal being extended. He has failed to convince PSG coach Thomas Tuchel of his worth during the two years that they have worked together, and while Meunier has repeatedly declared that he wants to stay at the Parc des Princes, he is also confident that he will not be short of offers if he does leave.

"A 28-year-old player, who's out of contract, who's free, who's an international in the world's number one team [according to the latest FIFA rankings], it can't be a bad deal," Meunier said during an Instagram Live interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF in April. "In terms of the investment, even if I develop gangrene and they have to cut off one of my legs, they won't have much money to lose."

An avowed Anglophile, Meunier grew up supporting Manchester United and has been reading Peter Crouch's autobiography during lockdown. He has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League, and with few international-class right-backs on the market, this summer could be the time for him to finally cross the Channel.

The scout's view: "I'm surprised and not surprised that PSG don't want to keep him. Surprised because he's 28, he's a Belgium international and he's been effective in some of their biggest games. But I'm not surprised because if they want to go to the next level, PSG probably feel they need to have a better player in that position. I think he'd be a good option for a Premier League club, particularly as he's free."

       

Victor Osimhen, 21, Striker, Lille

Lille have mastered the art of buying low and selling high—as demonstrated by Nicolas Pepe's £72 million transfer to Arsenal last year—and Victor Osimhen looks set to become the latest player to walk that well-trodden path.

Signed from Charleroi for a reported fee of €12 million last July, Osimhen burst on to the scene in France with a brace on his debut against Nantes and went on to score 18 goals in all competitions—including strikes against Chelsea and Valencia in the Champions League—before the French season was curtailed.

A blisteringly quick and explosive striker, Osimhen has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe and has reportedly been the subject of a £75 million bid from an unnamed suitor, per Telefoot. While Lille president Gerard Lopez vowed on RTL in February (h/t RMC) that "Osimhen will be a Lille player next season," a hefty bid would seriously test the club's resolve.

The Nigeria international, who grew up in abject poverty in Lagos, has expressed an ambition to play in the Premier League, but at this stage of his career, he is not prepared to sit on the bench.

"My priority is to play a lot of games," Osimhen told The Independent last month. "Signing for a big club and being on the bench is not exciting for me."

The scout's view: "Osimhen's main traits are that he's quick and he's shown that he can score goals. You can compare him to someone like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Like Aubameyang, he needs to find a team that will suit his way of playing. I think he'll have a move because Lille want to sell him and their business plan is based on selling players."

        

Axel Disasi, 22, Centre-Back, Reims

It does not take too much imagination to picture reported Arsenal target Axel Disasi in the north London club's colours—and not only because Reims play in the same red shirts and white sleeves as his potential future employers.

Disasi, who turned 22 in March, got his big break at Reims last summer when Bjorn Engels left the club to join Aston Villa. Drafted into central defence alongside the experienced Yunis Abdelhamid, Disasi helped to turn the side from champagne country into the most formidable defensive unit in France, with only 21 goals conceded over the course of the curtailed Ligue 1 campaign.

Tall and powerfully built, the dreadlocked Disasi is a front-foot defender who relies on his sense of anticipation to attack the ball in the air and on the ground. Although he has a tendency to dive into tackles, his physicality and authoritative playing style have prompted comparisons with Chelsea's Kurt Zouma. Once in possession, he tends to keep things simple, but he is fond of hitting across the ball with his right foot to send long raking passes up the pitch.

The France under-20 international has been linked with Arsenal and Monaco and is reportedly being tracked by a number of leading German clubs, per Goal. L'Equipe reported in April that he will be allowed to leave Reims if the club receive a "suitable offer."

The scout's view: "From my point of view, there's been a lot of talk about him. He only has one year left on his contract, and Reims want to sell him for as much money as they can. He's performed well this season, but I don't think he's a top centre-back. I have doubts about him."

      

Stephane Ruffier, 33, Goalkeeper, Saint-Etienne

Had the season panned out as Stephane Ruffier would have hoped, he would be closing in on his 400th appearance for Saint-Etienne. But those ambitions hit the skids even before the coronavirus outbreak brought the season to a premature conclusion.

With Saint-Etienne struggling towards the bottom of the Ligue 1 table, manager Claude Puel elected to drop Ruffier for a home game against Reims in late February in favour of perennial back-up goalkeeper Jessy Moulin. Ruffier's agent, Patrick Glanz, was outraged, accusing Puel in L'Equipe of "spitting on a Saint-Etienne legend," and matters have scarcely improved since.

Puel confirmed recently that Moulin will remain his first-choice goalkeeper next season and indicated that the club would consider offers for Ruffier.

"Stephane still has a year left on his contract, and I'll respect his decision," Puel told regional newspaper Le Progres. "If he so wishes, we'll look at whichever possibilities present themselves."

The shaven-headed Ruffier joined Saint-Etienne from 2011 and has made 315 top-flight appearances for the club, which is more than any other goalkeeper in Les Verts' history. Renowned for his consistency, he possesses spectacular goal-line reflexes, although he does not dominate his penalty area and is not completely at ease with the ball at his feet. Capped three times by France, Ruffier would suit a club looking for some experience and reliability between the posts.

The scout's view: "I don't see him going to a top club. He's not that tall—he's only 1.88m (6'2"). Most clubs in England, for example, would like a very tall goalkeeper. He's already 33, so there'd be no return on the investment in this kind of player. And I'm not sure how he would adapt [to a new league]. But he has one of the biggest salaries at Saint-Etienne and he only has one year left on his contract. Saint-Etienne are struggling for money, so they're not going to let him go for free [in 2021]."

     

Ibrahima Diallo, 21, Defensive Midfielder, Brest

Ibrahima Diallo is still to play a full campaign of top-level football, but he made a striking impression in his first half-season in Ligue 1 with Brest.

France Football magazine picked Diallo to anchor the midfield in its "Nice Surprises" team of the season's first half and described the former Monaco youth-team player as "one of the revelations of the start of the season."

Diallo, who is the younger brother of PSG centre-back Abdou Diallo, is an all-action defensive midfielder who has been likened to N'Golo Kante. Prior to being sidelined by a hamstring injury at the end of January, he had generally played alongside Haris Belkebla in a midfield two, but he has also been deployed as a solitary holding midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation.

Capped by France at under-20 level, according to Brest On Air, Diallo was linked with a move to Leicester City in January and is reportedly being tracked by Everton, Sevilla and Nice, per L'Equipe. In an interview with Ultimo Diez, he cited the Premier League and the Bundesliga as two leagues he would like to play in, and at Brest, there is an acceptance that he will not be playing at Stade Francis-Le Ble forever.

"He's a mature and grounded boy," Brest coach Olivier Dall'Oglio said in March. "It's not surprising that clubs more glamorous than Stade Brestois have been coming to find out about him."

The scout's view: "There's a question mark over him, for me. But let's see. He and his brother didn't come from the Paris area, so they've not had to fight in the same way. Nampalys Mendy was also compared to N'Golo Kante when he came from Nice and look what happened there. Could he cope with the standards in the Premier League? Every week is a battle."

      

Morgan Sanson, 25, Central Midfielder, Marseille

With Marseille facing financial fair play sanctions from UEFA after racking up cumulative losses of €170 million between 2017 and 2019, they will find it difficult to turn down bids for their star players this summer, even with a Champions League campaign to prepare for.

Three-and-a-half years after arriving from Montpellier, midfielder Morgan Sanson is seen as one of the players most likely to help Marseille hit their target of €60 million in incoming transfer fees.

A box-to-box midfielder with an excellent first touch, a good engine and an eye for goal, the former France under-21 international was a virtual ever-present in 2019-20 as OM unexpectedly secured a return to the Champions League.

"He's a creator," Sanson's Marseille team-mate Boubacar Kamara told the Ligue 1 website earlier this year. "He has lots of character and covers lots of ground. It's like he has three lungs—he makes runs from the first minute to the last."

Per L'Equipe, Sanson has been linked with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and West Ham United, and has reportedly engaged the services of Israeli super-agent Pini Zahavi to help him find a club in England.

The scout's view: "Would Morgan Sanson suit the style of play of an English club? I don't know. He'd need a Latin coach—someone like Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. He has good technical abilities, but on a physical level, he might find playing in the Premier League difficult."

         

Serhou Guirassy, 24, Striker, Amiens

Like Marseille, Amiens are another club in need of funds, although in their case it is because of their bitterly contested demotion to Ligue 2 following the curtailment of the Ligue 1 season. Having scored nine times in 23 matches, including a coolly taken brace in a 4-4 draw against PSG in February, Serhou Guirassy takes pride of place in the club's shop window.

Something of an old-fashioned target man, Guirassy is tall and strong and excels with his back to goal, making him a useful out-ball. His ability to shield the ball makes him particularly adept at winning free-kicks, and out of all the forwards who played in Ligue 1 this season, only PSG's Neymar and Bordeaux's Nicolas de Preville suffered more fouls per 90 game than the Amiens No. 9 (2.7, per WhoScored).

Guirassy, who previously spent two-and-a-half years at Cologne, has been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea Tottenham and West Ham, per Metro. He is represented by London-based French agent Moussa Sissoko, whose clients include Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele and Rennes starlet Eduardo Camavinga.

"We have an arrangement with Serhou," Amiens president Bernard Joannin told L'Equipe's television channel in May. "He had some really significant offers from English clubs. He wanted to stay in order to save the club—that's what he told me. He wanted to finish the story with his team-mates. We have significant offers from England and France."

The scout's view: "He's performed well this season and is physically strong. I think he would do well in England. He could perform for a Premier League club. I think he's ready because he's already played abroad, at Cologne. He'll be more prepared to succeed if he goes to a foreign country again."

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic means football's business model is about to change.

Big transfer fees and long contracts are set to be replaced by swaps, free-agent agreements and loan deals.

For the first time, we will see every major club looking to trade smart, with part-exchange deals expected to become more common than ever before.

It means deals like the one that saw Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan swap clubs in 2018 will become run of the mill—and it opens up a whole new world of transfer gossip.

The next transfer window will open as soon as the 2019/20 season is concluded, and here we take an early look at four potential swap deals in the offing.

                      

Thomas Partey-Alexandre Lacazette

Mikel Arteta wants to reshape his squad this summer but also has some cost-cutting measures to adhere to.

To keep this brief, sources close to the situation insist Arsenal will mainly be looking at free agents and swap deals when the market reopens.

There needs to be some smart negotiating, particularly if they want to land Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid. Insiders say they are keen to sign a central midfielder and that Partey is top of the list.

Now they need to find a way to make it happen.

Alexandre Lacazette has been mooted by the Telegraph's Mike McGrath (h/t football.london) as the man who could open the door for Partey's switch, although the Frenchman played down the chances of him moving to Atleti.

It's feasible Arsenal would look to include him as a makeweight in the deal, but if not, there are six other first-teamers set to go on the market whom they could offer.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Matteo Guendouzi and Shkodran Mustafi are names who might be interesting to Atletico.

So keep an eye on this one. Somehow, Arsenal aim to make Partey's signing happen.

                 

Leroy Sane-David Alaba

Bayern Munich are stepping up their pursuit of Leroy Sane, whom they have wanted for the past year.

The deal was initially expected to make Manchester City close to £100 million, but the coronavirus pandemic has changed the thinking in Germany, and an initial offer of just €40 million (£35 million) is being discussed instead.

It's a huge valuation decrease and not one that City will agree to. The bid will need to be raised or rolled into a part-exchange deal.

It has been suggested to B/R by two sources that versatile Bayern star David Alaba has emerged as a player who could become part of a swap deal. He's being pursued by Inter Milan, but this move would suit both Bayern and City.

His versatility appeals to Pep Guardiola at a time when he is looking for signings at left-back and centre-back, and a swap could finally help Sane get the move he wants.

              

Aaron Ramsey-Paul Pogba

Juventus still want to sign Paul Pogba; they just can't meet his £100 million valuation in this market.

Manchester United are planning to wipe the slate clean and expect Pogba to be part of their project for the next year under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but they will still be met with offers in the coming months.

One suggestion from Fabrizio Romano for CalcioMercato (h/t The Sun's Joshua Jones) is that Aaron Ramsey, who only moved to Juve from Arsenal a year ago, could be offered to United in order for Pogba to head back to Turin. But our sources say that particular scenario is unlikely, as Ramsey is determined to become a key member of the Juve squad.

That does not mean the idea of a swap deal is dead, as B/R understands there is a possibility that Adrien Rabiot might yet be used in discussions to take Pogba away from United.

United have a long-term admiration for Rabiot, so that could become interesting. But at this moment in time, it looks like Pogba is stuck at United a while longer. 

                 

Declan Rice-Eric Dier

West Ham United are being forced into a situation wherein they might have to listen to offers for any member of their squad, and that means even Declan Rice is up for grabs.

The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg reported that the England international will cost £70 million, but that price tag is unrealistic for buying clubs.

Spurs are interested in the player, and a report in 90 Min suggested Eric Dier could become part of a deal to take him to White Hart Lane. It carries some weight, as Spurs are also looking for a bit of an overhaul and would be willing to let Dier leave.

But insiders close to West Ham say it's not something they would be interested in. Tottenham would have to offer a different player, as well as cash, if there were any chance it could happen.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in Rice, and while they won't meet his valuation, either, there is a possibility they will propose another option that may suit West Ham.

In this time with no football action and no active transfer window, the rumour mill still does not sleep.

Here at B/R Football, we are determined to stay on top of the news stories to help you separate the fact from the fiction.

This week, we are looking at five big storylines starting to open up at major European clubs to determine whether certain stars are really ready to pack their bags or if they might yet stay put.

We begin at Old Trafford, with a player who has been linked with a transfer away from Manchester United for the past year.

       

Paul Pogba

This was expected to be the summer in which Pogba finally left Manchester United, with Juventus and Real Madrid set to battle for his signature. Reports in Italy's Calciomercato (h/t The Sun), even suggest a potential swap deal with Juve's Aaron Ramsey could open up. 

But the coronavirus pandemic is set to impact this situation to the point Pogba will remain at United. Sources in Manchester believe he will be given another chance to become the player they expect him to be.

Privately, United know they have little chance of receiving the £100 million offer they had been aiming for.

Pogba is fit and should be back in the team if the Premier League returns behind closed doors this season. 

He would then be seen as a key player for next season's campaign and could even earn a new contract if things go well. But if it doesn't work out, it truly will be his final year in a United shirt.

Verdict: Stay

     

Tanguy Ndombele

First, Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho criticised Ndombele in public by questioning his performance levels, then the Frenchman was seen working one-on-one with his boss in a controversial fitness session during lockdown, and now there has been a report in The Times that the 23-year-old will become available for transfer.  

B/R sources confirmed that the player's attitude has led to serious concern among some staff at the club to the point he really could be sold.

Their problem is finding a buyer, as he arrived as a £55 million club-record signing and Spurs will want their money back. 

Intermediaries have now reached out to Barcelona to see if they still have interest in signing him. There is hope that could become an avenue that opens up if the La Liga side start to resolve their cash flow issues, but other clubs are expected to be approached in the coming weeks.

Verdict: Go

      

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang has been in two minds for a while about his future at Arsenal, but he now wants to leave and seek another challenge.

Barcelona have been long-term suitors, but the option of remaining in the Premier League is also rising.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has a decision to make as the club weigh up how to shape their attack next season.

He wants a new striker to challenge Tammy Abraham but has not yet given the green light for a bid for Lyon's Moussa Dembele, who they also looked to sign in January. 

The reasoning is that Aubameyang might be available at a similar price and can bring a degree of experience and reliability that might complement Lampard's young squad better.

We just need to wait and discover whether Arsenal would be willing to sell to a rival.

Verdict: Go

       

Luka Jovic

In an ideal world, Jovic wants to stay and make his mark at Real Madrid. And the club still want him to be a success story, too.

But he is being linked with Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and West Ham United, after a campaign in which he has scored just twice from 24 appearances.

B/R understands he has spoken to Serbian pal Aleksandar Mitrovic about the situation, and he even sought insight into whether life in England would suit him. 

But while the first season has not gone to plan, there is a feeling around Madrid that Jovic would only be allowed to leave on a short-term loan—at most. 

The overall feeling is that he will be given a chance to succeed at Madrid and that he will score goals for them once confidence is restored.

Verdict: Go (and then come back!)

      

Kai Havertz 

Momentum has been building for the 20-year-old attacker to make a big move this summer, with Manchester United the latest club linked.

Bayer Leverkusen believe his value is towards the €100 million mark, and they intend to hold out for that figure if and when they receive formal offers.

It has always been the case, though, that B/R sources believe he would look to stay in the Bundesliga with his next move, and Leroy Sane's likely move from Manchester City to Bayern will have an impact.

Bayern are favourites to sign Havertz, despite Dortmund also holding interest, and insiders from the region say we should expect Havertz to remain at Leverkusen for now and that Bayern will make their move for him in 2021. 

Verdict: Stay

Listen to Dean on the B/R Football Ranks podcast. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe here.

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With all major football across Europe suspended due to the coronavirus, transfer tales have suddenly taken on a new lease of life.

At this time of year, we are usually focusing on title races and cup competitions, but the break in play has meant more space for gossip about the game's top players.

With so many elite footballers being linked to a move over the past couple of weeks, we have called on our informed insiders within the game to help separate fact from fiction.  

We start with a story on Arsenal's leading goalscorer...

          

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Real Madrid

He has 17 goals in the Premier League this season, and as he enters the final year of his contract, there is serious doubt about whether he stays with Arsenal.

He earns around £200,000 a week and had been seeking an advance on that figure to sign a new deal. With Arsenal trying to get players to take a cut in pay, the chances of a substantial rise are now very slim.

The Gunners are trying to lower their wage bill and protect them for the coming years, and as part of that, Aubameyang is likely to leave before he becomes a free agent in 2021.

Quite whether Real Madrid is his next destination, though, is a different matter. Spanish outlet Sport (h/t Daily Mail) suggested he is on the club's shortlist and has been scouted for the past few seasons.

But where they stand financially, and what their priority becomes for this year, is still to be determined.

Arsenal are fielding questions from a variety of clubs right now, but sources in London say they have refused to discuss a move while trying to sort out their current financial situation.

Talks will happen in the coming weeks and months.

Verdict: Will leave Arsenal, probably not for Madrid

      

Timo Werner to Liverpool

This is a longstanding rumour that continues to hold up even during these uncertain times.

Sources in Germany remain convinced that the player is going to leave RB Leipzig, and Liverpool is seen as his No. 1 landing spot.

The Jurgen Klopp effect should not be underestimated in terms of winning the battle for his signature, and the pair were expected to meet for discussions before the coronavirus travel ban was implemented.

Werner is having English lessons and is excited about the prospect of playing in the Premier League.

One concern for Liverpool, though, is that Werner is also admired by Barcelona, who have been in touch with his representatives, according to B/R sources. 

Verdict: The Kop will sing his name 

     

N'Golo Kante to Barcelona—Philippe Coutinho to Chelsea

A swap deal has been touted by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro), which reported Barca are on the hunt for a new midfielder with a good engine.

The Spanish club are trying to rebalance their accounts due to cash flow issues and know they won't get back the £142 million they paid for Coutinho in 2018.

So with that in mind, they are going to have to be smart about how they offload him. A loan is one option, but a permanent swap deal would be even better if it means they fix another part of the squad.

The problem with this transfer story, is that signing Kante does not make much sense in terms of fitting with the midfielders they already have in place, such as Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong.

And in return, sources say Chelsea have concern over whether the signing of Coutinho is smart. The player would be keen to join them, but if it was to happen, it would almost certainly be on loan.

Chelsea have been reassessing their squad in recent weeks and would consider selling Kante if the right offer arrived.

But a cash deal from long-term suitors like PSG or Real Madrid would suit everyone better.

Verdict: No swap deal

       

Harry Kane to Manchester United

Sami Mokbel of the MailOnline described how Kane is available for £200 million and is keen on the idea of moving to United.

There's plenty of truth to this one. Members of United's hierarchy would love to have Kane in attack, and they do have money to spend.

However, their first priorities are to complete deals for Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Jack Grealish from Aston Villa. 

And with that in mind, there will not be enough in the pot to also sign Kane in the same window.

Another issue with this transfer is that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would prefer to sell Kane to a foreign club, rather than a Premier League rival. But Kane would opt for Old Trafford over the Santiago Bernabeu, sources have told B/R, and it could be that he begins next season with Spurs but has a gentleman's agreement to pick his next club after that.

Verdict: Unlikely this year—but maybe in 2021.

          

Lautaro Martinez to Manchester City

Phil Thomas of The Sun reported Man City are favourites to trigger his £97.5 million release clause at Inter Milan.

They are beginning to think about the long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero, but B/R sources in Manchester say this transfer will not happen.

The intention for next season is that Aguero and Gabriel Jesus both stay as their leading strikers.

There is also a careful approach being planned to replace Aguero, as they do not want him to feel forced out.

Martinez could be on the move, though, and if Barcelona are willing to include a player—possibly Antoine Griezmann—as part of the transfer, then the Camp Nou will become a realistic destination instead.

Verdict: Back him to join Barcelona

Listen to Dean on the B/R Football Ranks podcast. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe here.

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This is going to be a strange summer. We don't know when the transfer window will open, when it will close or how heavily the coronavirus pandemic is going to affect the market.

There is a belief within the game that player valuations will take a hit. Many deals that were being lined up will collapse as clubs are forced to look at their finances more carefully.

Whenever the 2019/20 season ends, though, the market will reopen. And it will remain that way for a prolonged period, sources believe. We may even see a situation wherein the transfer market stays open through the opening months of next season.

With that in mind, we are taking a look at six strong transfer rumours for 2020 to judge how they might play out.

                     

Expect It to Happen: Jack Grealish to Man United

Jack Grealish recently made an "embarrassed" apology for going around a friend's house just hours after making a public plea for people to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, but trusted sources insist the moment will not lead United to turn to other targets.

All indications from B/R insiders around the club signal that the Aston Villa captain will continue to be a priority signing when the transfer window reopens and that United will probably get their man.

There has been some talk of £80 million being the trigger figure to get him, but it's expected that the price will be closer to £60 million.

               

Looking Likely: Jadon Sancho to Man United

Borussia Dortmund are being pretty firm on the fact that they want upwards of £100 million for exciting 20-year-old forward Jadon Sancho.

Nothing formal is happening in terms of a bid from United, but they continue to touch base regularly with Sancho's representatives, and every indication is that they will push to bring him back to Manchester.

United are ready to give him the No. 7 shirt and pay him £200,000 per week to help turn them into Premier League title contenders again. Sancho wants to be competing at the top level, however, so UEFA Champions League qualification could be imperative. 

If you take the league table as it is and presume Manchester City's ban from European competition is upheld, United will take the fourth Champions League spot anyway.

                            

Negotiation Needed: Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich still want to sign Leroy Sane, according to B/R sources, and the player himself has been very keen on the prospect of moving.

In normal circumstances, this deal was expected to accelerate in April, and Bayern were confident a deal would be tied up by the end of the season.

But things have obviously changed over the past few weeks, so the precise finances that were going to be discussed are now a grey area.

Bayern will still try to sign the winger, but he might not be offered the same terms as before—which could give Manchester City one more chance to make him a new offer to stay in the Premier League.

                       

Watch Out For: Moussa Dembele to Chelsea

The Blues have been in pole position to sign Moussa Dembele, convincing Lyon to put them first when it comes to negotiating a transfer for the summer.

The message out of France is that a £60 million deal is in the offing and that all parties were ready to move forward with talks.

There will be questions on Chelsea's side about whether they could now get the player for less, but they remain keen and have a healthy transfer budget thanks to selling Eden Hazard to Real Madrid last summer.

Sources told B/R that Chelsea are also in the market for a goalkeeper, a left-back and a wide forward, so now we need to discover what their priority will be.  

                      

Still Hope: Timo Werner to Liverpool

Timo Werner is up for grabs at around £53 million and should still hold value in a market everyone is going to struggle to get a grip on.

RB Leipzig sources remain adamant that no formal bid has landed for the player, so they are working on the assumption he will remain with them. Werner is contracted until 2023, but his get-out clause does make things interesting.

Liverpool have long been viewed as his most likely landing spot, but they are not pursuing any deals as they wait to see how COVID-19 leaves the football landscape.

Despite that, this deal might still go ahead and may even be seen as good business for the German club at such an uncertain economic time.

                             

Needs a Lifeline: Dayot Upamecano to Arsenal

Arsenal have been scouting RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano closely and know he is keen on a move to a bigger club ahead of next season.

His valuation before the enforced break was around £50 million, but it is thought that figure will drop slightly. Leipzig have been preparing to replace him, mainly because the player's contract expires in 2021, so this year would be a good time to cash in.

However, Arsenal are not looking at progressing with any deals as they want to see out the pandemic before assessing where they are at.

A new route for Upamecano out of Leipzig could be needed unless Arsenal find a smart way to make the purchase.

Listen to Dean on the B/R Football Ranks podcast. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe here.

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We had been building towards a mouthwatering summer transfer window, but suddenly the whole landscape has changed.

The impact of the coronavirus has shut down all major football across the globe and cast doubt on campaigns even being completed across Europe. As a result, all the big transfer rumours we have been reading about are now in doubt.

Will Jadon Sancho return to the Premier League? Are Bayern Munich still going to pursue Leroy Sane? What happens with Real Madrid's dream to land Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar perhaps moving back to Barcelona?

We have no idea when the 2019/20 season will end, and, as a result, the transfer window is going to be majorly impacted. At best, sources believe July 1 is a realistic cut-off point—for the Premier League fixtures, anyway.

It means the start of the transfer window, due to open June 10, will almost certainly be delayed. And on top of that, figures who work within the game believe deals that cost substantial sums could be off the table completely.  

"Coronavirus has brought a halt to football and, consequently, brought an end to almost all negotiations regarding summer deals," one source told B/R. "All of a sudden, every club is unsure what the value of any player will be—and whether they can even afford to pay their current squad."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP8IFsTVfEg

Borussia Dortmund's Sancho is going to be an intriguing test case. He's widely expected to move back to English football, and Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all have an interest in signing him, with the Old Trafford club leading the chase.

They hoped to make progress on talks before the end of May but that is now tricky.

Dortmund officials have not been in much of a position over the past few weeks to field deep discussions over the player's future. Furthermore, some figures at the big Premier League clubs are left wondering if his £120 million valuation is going to stand the test of time.

Insiders at Manchester United and Chelsea would not rule out still signing Sancho at his mega-valuation, given both clubs are in decent shape and had been preparing big spends. But there is an acceptance that it could be frowned upon morally, at a time when so many individuals, businesses and football clubs are up against it. 

Clubs are losing money in gate receipts, advertising and merchandise. But most of all, they fear being forced to give up cash from broadcasting rights that they rely on.

If this season cannot be completed, it is going to have a major impact on the way we value elite football talent.

Daniel Geey, one of the UK's most highly respected sports lawyers, told B/R: "It's difficult in this time of sensitivity to even consider multi-million pound transfers, when ultimately the benefit of football that can come from the fact sport is back on television and would allow escapism.

"Right across the top five leagues and everybody else, the issue of finishing the season has financial consequences, particularly linked to broadcasting and tickets. There will come a point when clubs can't afford to continue to pay their players without games being televised. They need commercial revenues, and that will concern everyone—players and clubs.

"TV money is staggered throughout the season and if all games are not completed, the broadcasters could say they haven't received the value of games—and would have pretty forthright conversations with leagues." 

The Premier League is hit hardest by this concern. Their broadcast deals with Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon total £1.665 billion and are higher than any other top league. 

It was reported by The Athletic that the sum Premier League clubs would have to repay if this season remains unfinished is £762 million.

Agent Sam Winstanley of Beswicks Sports told B/R: "As it stands right now, the message I'm getting is that the Premier League will be back behind closed doors as soon as possible. I think they will want to get the season completed by July 1. 

"We have got a lot of lads out of contract and they are all just waiting to see what happens. The truth is, everyone is in the dark right now.

"I've been on the phone a lot this week like everyone has, just trying to get an idea of what everyone thinks will happen. I have spoken to clubs in Germany, and some are worried. There are members clubs over there, some run close to the margin, and no one knows how this will play out economically.

"From what I've heard, clubs just aren't talking about signing players right now. It's all stopped." 

It's an incredible reality check for clubs to face, but that prospect of dealing with player contracts is also going to become a major theme.

Some players will have no problem with extending their deals by a month or two, as suggested by Chelsea's Willian recently.

He told Brazilian TV station Esporte Interativo, per TalkSport: "My contract really ends I think in July. If I had to play on those dates, in these months, I think it would be no problem for me to end the league in a way which would be loyal to the club, as they always were with me, regardless of a signed paper."

But it will not be that simple for players and clubs across the board.

As one intermediary told B/R: "Do not forget about aspects such as insurance in matters like that. It's all very well Willian saying he will play without a  contract—but what if he breaks someone else's leg? Suddenly there is a new problem. Contracts are not just for the player, they also protect the other team and help with liability."

Clubs across England's professional leagues are looking at the potential of wage deferrals, pay cuts and wage caps in order to keep their finances in order to help them cope with the monetary burden they face.

But the prospect of playing staff simply continuing to play beyond the end of June without a contract seems a non-starter.

Lawyer Geey, who wrote Done Deal: An Insider's Guide to Football Contracts, Multi-Million Pound Transfers and Premier League Business, explained: "I can't see players agreeing to play on a game-to-game basis. It won't be accepted as there will be insurance issues; what if they get injured or someone else does?

"One other example of an issue that could arise is at Watford, who have two keepers out of contract from the end of June, which causes a potential issue. Unless one signs, they could have to rely on a third-choice keeper as they can't recruit anyone.

"The Premier League has relaxed particular rules with the FA to effectively extend the season, though, so it is not beyond the realms that they tweak registration of players."

It has been suggested that all contracts be extended to include the end-of-season date, but as one source explained: "Some clubs have decided they do not want to keep players and will have to fork out thousands to keep them when they are not wanted. They will say, 'Why would we pay this? No thanks.'

"It's going to get very complicated."

These are unprecedented times across the world, and giant football clubs are having to adjust to the impact of COVID-19 as quickly as the rest of us.

FIFA will begin looking at potential solutions to help clubs alter their plans and there is a hope that everything will even out again later this year. One idea is to extend the summer window to late into the year—giving teams breathing space financially and with building their squads.

But what looked like a summer of exciting transfer moves is certainly being viewed differently right now. The state of this 2019/20 season has left just about every player and team in a state of flux.

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