Transfer Gossip: It's Partey time, Coutinho's countless suitors
Football may be on hiatus, but that's not dampening the never-ending nature of transfer talk. Here's a look at the chatter making the rounds this week.
Spurs enter Coutinho sweepstakes
Philippe Coutinho is one of the biggest names on the market, and per The Mirror, Tottenham could join the race for Barcelona's club-record signing. Bayern Munich are resistant to making his loan permanent, and Chelsea want a loan without an obligation to buy. Up step Spurs, who are happy to shell out for Coutinho despite having just furloughed non-playing staff.
Chelsea could sell Kante, on one condition
Speaking of Chelsea, 90min reckons the Blues could sell N'Golo Kante on one condition: Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain pay a suitable fee. Duhhh. How much would that be? Who knows. Also, why would Chelsea sell one of the world's best defensive midfielders? Again, who knows. Clutching at straws, but Kante is 29 and was hobbled by a muscle concern this year.
Blues lead Magalhaes chase
Staying put in west London, Chelsea are in the driver's seat for the services of Lille's £30-millon rated defender Gabriel Magalhaes, per the Express. Blues boss Frank Lampard fancies a left-footed center-back, and the 22-year-old Brazilian fits the profile. Les Dogues want fellow interested parties Arsenal and Everton to enter the fray in hopes of jacking up the transfer fee.
Bayern's Tolisso tenuously linked with Arsenal
World Cup winner Corentin Tolisso has lost his place in Bayern's midfield, and according to the Evening Standard, Arsenal could have a leg up on the oft-injured 25-year-old. In 2017, Tolisso said, "Many clubs make me dream like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and England with teams like Arsenal." It's a bit like that old Sesame Street "One of These Things" routine.
Come to Besiktas, Joe Hart!
Turkish outlet Fanatik claims that Besiktas are targeting Burnley afterthought and former England No. 1 Joe Hart to replace Loris Karius, a perpetual source of errors, who will return to Liverpool on loan before being shipped to the glue factory. Hart can join the club on a free transfer in the summer once his Turf Moor terms lapse, and if there's no Come to Besiktas unveiling, we riot.
Partey time as Inter join race
Atletico Madrid's do-everything midfielder Thomas Partey is a hot commodity. According to Mundo Deportivo, Inter Milan have joined Arsenal, Manchester United, and Roma as suitors willing to pay the 26-year-old pivot's €50-million release clause. Atleti are desperate to extend Partey's current terms until 2025 and, in doing so, include an opulent release clause for the Ghanaian.
Argentine striker swap in the works, apparently
Sergio Aguero, 31, has a year and change left on his Manchester City deal, and despite not showing any signs of slowing, the club is apparently willing to send him to Inter, with highly coveted Lautaro Martinez coming the other way. Or so claims Express "transfer expert" Ian McGarry, who cites Aguero's desire to win the Champions League amid City's two-year European ban.
Tony Parker to Lyon
Finally, this isn't a transfer, but no less intriguing. Former NBA star Tony Parker has been linked with succeeding Jean-Michel Aulas as Lyon president. Aulas, 71, wants to retire at 75 and hinted that Parker, who is chief of France's best basketball team, ASVEL Basket, could succeed him. In discussion with French outlet So Foot, the four-time NBA champ says he's keen on the job.