With the World Cup over and the new season still around three weeks away, attention now turns to the summer transfer window that is, day by day, getting hotter and hotter.
With stars such as Jorginho and Fabinho moving to Chelsea and Liverpool respectively already, this summer’s window looks to be one for the ages if certain stories are to be believed.
MORE: Chelsea cleared to seal £62million transfer after major development at Liverpool
Some of the game’s biggest names, such as Thibaut Courtois and Alisson, as well as Juventus duo Gonzalo Higuain and Daniele Rugani, have all been linked with moves this summer.
So, we here at CaughtOffside have picked out five transfers that could be announced imminently and really explode this summer transfer window into life.
Alisson to Liverpool
With Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet failing to impress for the Reds this season just gone, it was clear to see that Liverpool needed to improve their options between the sticks if they were to serious challenge for the Premier League title.
This is something that boss Jurgen Klopp must’ve realised, as it seems as if the club are very close to signing Roma and Brazil ‘keeper Alisson.
The 25-year-old was very impressive with the Italian giants last season, keeping 22 clean sheets in all competitions as he helped the club reach a Champions League semi-final.
According to reliable journalist Gianluca Di Marzio on Twitter, Alisson is set to sign his contract with the Reds today, with Sport stating that the move is set to cost Klopp’s team around £67M (€75M).
Alisson is a fantastic signing for the Reds, and is one that’ll surely see their fans’ dreams of seeing their side finally lifting a Premier League title this season become a lot more realistic.
Matteo Darmian to Juventus
With Man United already having a whole host of options at the back, and with Darmian not getting regular game time under Jose Mourinho this season just gone, it seems as if the Italian’s days at Old Trafford may be numbered.
As per the Sun, Darmian’s agent Tullio Tinti, have stated that talks between Juventus and United over a move for Darmian are “progressing very well”.
Red Devils fans will surely be happy with this news, as Darmian’s potential departure will surely bring in funds that will go towards the club signing even more players this summer.
The same report from the Sun also states that the two clubs haven’t agreed a fee regarding Darmian yet, so it seems like this deal may not announced as soon as maybe some fans were hoping.
Daniele Rugani to Chelsea
With the Blues having just announced the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as their new manager, it seems as if the Italian is set to bring in a few new faces this summer as he looks to get Chelsea back into the Champions League.
One of these faces looks set to be Juventus defender Rugani, who the Evening Standard state is very close to sealing a move to Stamford Bridge this summer in a deal that is set to cost Chelsea around £44.2M.
With stars such as Antonio Rudiger and Gary Cahill not having the best seasons of their career this campaign just gone, it makes sense for the west London side to target a player such as Rugani.
The Italian international has shown that he is capable of playing for one of the world’s top clubs in Juventus, and is set to be a solid addition to the Blues’ backline once this deals goes through.
Gonzalo Higuain to Chelsea
It was clear for all to see last season that, although it was first campaign in England, Alvaro Morata struggled dearly to adapt to life in both the Premier League and at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard only scored one goal in the second half of the season, with his inability to finish in front of goal being one of the main reasons as to why the club failed to finish inside the top four.
However, it seems as if the Blues may be close to landing another one of Europe’s top forwards this summer.
The Evening Standard are stating that the west London club are closing in on a deal for the Argentine, as well as one for his aforementioned teammate Daniele Rugani.
The same report states that the club were set to meet with the player’s agent on Wednesday, to talk about a £53M move for the forward.
Higuain has been fantastic for all of Napoli, Juventus and Real Madrid in his career, so it seems likely that he be able to perform in the Premier League should he complete his move to Chelsea this summer.
Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid
Chelsea were, quite clearly, fairly weak at the back last season, with Belgian international Courtois not having the best season of his career between the sticks for the Blues.
The 26-year-old was fantastic for Belgium during this summer’s World Cup, something that reassured fans of his ability following a topsy-turvy season with the Blues.
Courtois has been fantastic for the Blues since taking over the role of the club’s number one goalkeeper from Petr Cech in the 2014/15 season, however it seems like the player’s days at Stamford Bridge could be numbered.
Goal are stating that the player is looking set to move to Real Madrid this summer once the Blues manage to find a replacement for him, with the report also saying that the two clubs have been in contact about a move for the Belgian.
It also states that a move for Courtois is expected to happen sooner rather than later should things go to plan for Los Blancos, something that’ll be music to the ears of Real Madrid’s supporters.
