Transfer Round-up: Messi, Griezmann, Donnarumma

Copa America 2021 winner Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Gianluigi Donnarumma grabbed headlines in the last few days. Here’s a look at the new signings and latest updates from Europe’s top leagues and the Indian Super League (ISL).

Spanish La Liga

In a massive relief for FC Barcelona fans, Messi reportedly agreed to sign a five-year deal with the financially stricken Catalan club. The Argentine was a free agent after his contract expired in June and received interest from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Griezmann could return to Atletico Madrid. The Frenchmen, who joined FC Barcelona in 2019, could be involved in a swap deal with Saul Niguez.

French Ligue 1

Italy’s Euro 2020 hero Donnarumma has joined PSG on a five-year contract. He left AC Milan as a free agent at the end of the last season and is the fourth high-profile signing of the French club in the new season. PSG has already announced the capture of Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Achraf Hakimi. Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, too, is rumored to be in discussion with the nine-time Ligue 1 champions.

English Premier League

Jadon Sancho will be announced as a new Manchester United player after the 21-year-old completed his medical on Tuesday. The England winger will be Manchester United’s second arrival of the 2021-22 season after the club re-signed Tom Heaton on a two-year deal. The Red Devils have also shown interest in securing a move for Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, who recently expressed his desire for a fresh challenge.

Italian Serie A

AC Milan sporting director, Paolo Madini, has confirmed Olivier Giroud is on the verge of joining the Italian outfit from UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea. The forward will join the ranks of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ante Rebic, etc., at Milan. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to remain at Juventus despite a disappointing league campaign last season. The return of Massimiliano Allegri could force him to see out his contract at Turin.

German Bundesliga

One of the leading Italian sports daily, Corriere dello Sport, reported that Juventus turned down Bayern Munich’s €80 million bid for winger Federico Chiesa. The defending Bundesliga champions already snapped up Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig but let David Alaba on a free transfer to Real Madrid and didn’t renew Jerome Boateng’s contract. PSV Eindhoven forward Donyell Malen, who had an impressive Euro 2020, could be on his way to Borussia Dortmund. John de Jong, PSV technical director, has said that “the player can talk to interested clubs.”

Indian Super League

Hyderabad FC announced their second overseas signing of the season as Edu Garcia joined the Nizams. The Spaniard played an integral role in ATK’s successful 2019-20 season, scoring six goals from 16 appearances. Young defender Sarthak Golui has penned a two-year deal with 2018-19 ISL champions Bengaluru FC. He has had stints with FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC, and SC East Bengal.