Transfer Roundup: Inter confirms Man United meeting for Lukaku, Martinez's agent asserts Barca's interest
Sportstar gives you a round-up of all the major happenings from the summer transfer window, including Inter Milan's "official approach" to Manchester United for Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez's agent Alberto Yaque confirming Barcelona's interest.
Published : Jul 12, 2019 23:36 IST
- Inter confirms Man United meeting for Lukaku -
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio confirmed the Serie A club has made an "official approach" to Manchester United for Romelu Lukaku.
United striker Lukaku has emerged as a transfer target for Inter, which sent officials to England to try to reach a deal for the Belgium international.
Lukaku – contracted to the Red Devils until 2022 with the option of a further year – joined United from Everton for £75million in 2017 and the Premier League giant wants to recoup that fee as Inter push for an initial loan deal.
Ausilio arrived back in Milan on Thursday and he told reporters: "We had a meeting with Manchester United for Lukaku.
"It was an official approach between two important clubs. We'll see what happens.
"All the players we're following are targets we've agreed with Antonio Conte. We want to satisfy his request within certain financial parameters."
Lukaku, who has acknowledged a desire to play in Italy and hinted his future could be away from Old Trafford with United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferring Marcus Rashford up front, scored 12 Premier League goals last season.
- Lautaro Martinez's agent confirms Barca's interest in Inter forward -
Lautaro Martinez's agent Alberto Yaque confirmed LaLiga champion Barcelona is interested in signing the Inter forward.
Martinez, 21, has been linked with a €112million move to Barca, just one season after joining Inter from Racing Club.
The Argentina international scored nine goals in all competitions – six in Serie A – last term and emerged as the focal point of Inter's attack amid the fallout between Mauro Icardi and the club.
Asked about speculation linking Martinez to Barca, Yaque told Ole: "Talk of Barcelona's interest is true.
"No-one's called us, but we know that they've been looking at him strongly. It's true that Barcelona like him."
- Juventus loans Romero back to Genoa after securing €26m deal -
Juventus has completed the €26million signing of Genoa defender Cristian Romero and loaned the 21-year-old back to the Rossoblu.
A deal for Romero looked to be edging closer when Juve confirmed he was to have a medical on Tuesday, and he signed a five-year contract three days later.
The former Argentina Under-20 international only joined Genoa from boyhood club Belgrano last year for a reported €1.7m, but he sufficiently impressed in his 27 Serie A appearances to earn a big move.
He becomes the second young centre-back after Merih Demiral – also 21 – to sign for Juve during this transfer window, but Romero will return to Genoa in a season-long loan.
A Juve statement read: "Juventus announces that the agreement with Genoa for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Cristian Romero has been finalised for a consideration of €26million payable in three financial years.
"Juventus and the player have signed a five-year contract of employment until June 30, 2024.
"At the same time, Juventus has reached an agreement with Genoa for the free loan until June 30, 2020 of the registration rights of the same player and bonuses of up to €5.3m will be paid to Genoa on achieving specific sports performances."
- Derby boss Cocu brings in Everton youngster Dowell -
Phillip Cocu has made Everton's England Under-21 midfielder Kieran Dowell his first signing at Derby County.
Dowell has moved to Pride Park on a season-long loan deal.
The 21-year-old also played in the Championship last season, helping Sheffield United to gain promotion to the Premier League.
"He is an exciting young player with a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to working with him," Cocu told Derby's official website.
ROUND-UP
- Roma will sign Atalanta defender Gianluca Mancini instead of Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. After losing Kostas Manolas to Serie A rival Napoli, Roma identified Alderweireld due to his £25m release clause, which lasts until August. However, his contract demands have reportedly proved excessive.
- According to L'Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain has relaunched its bid to sign Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye. PSG wanted to sign Gueye in January, but it was unsuccessful.
- Inter will look to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Ante Rebic if it is unable to prise Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United, per Gianluca Di Marzio.
- Manchester United has been quoted £50m to sign Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff, The Telegraph reports. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to bolster his midfield, having lost Ander Herrera and amid doubts over futures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
- Manchester United is also said to be confident a compromise can be reached with Leicester City over centre-back Harry Maguire, who is valued at £90m by the Foxes.
- After missing out on Maxi Gomez to Valencia and losing Marko Arnautovic to the Chinese Super League, The Sun says West Ham will turn to Colombia forward Duvan Zapata – who spent last season on loan at Atalanta from Sampdoria – in a £40m deal.
- According to Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, Fiorentina star Federico Chiesa wants to join Juventus.