AS Roma have held talks with the agent of Arsenal and Leicester City target Riyad Mahrez, still in Italy, and AC Milan are ready to battle Chelsea for Torino striker Andrea Belotti. In Spain, Barcelona is set to win the race for Benfica defender Nelson Semedo. Elsewhere, Southampton and Leicester target Gregoire Defrei looks set to snub EPL interests and join AS Roma. Here's a complete report of the latest transfer updates Making The Rounds:
Roma keen on Mahrez move
Riyad Mahrez wants to leave Leicester City this summer window after the Foxes missed out on Champions League qualification last term.
Fellow EPL club Arsenal has been heavily linked with the Algeria international, while French club AS Monaco is also said to be tracking his situation closely at the Emirates. But, according to SkySports, it is AS Roma who're seemingly the “front runners” at the moment, and they've now held talks with the Algerian's agent. AS Roma's new sporting chief, Monchi, reportedly met with Riyad Mahrez's representative on Thursday afternoon to lay out the “groundwork” for a formal bid for the 27-year-old midfielder. The Foxes are thought to want close to $51.7 for Riyad Mahrez, however AS Roma value the Algerian at below £30million.
AC Milan wants Belotti
Andrea Belotti is a “wanted man” this summer after finishing up the Serie A campaign last term with twenty-six goals to his name.
Belotti has a buy-out clause of $113.8million, but that can only be “activated” by clubs outside Italy and as such Chelsea are considered favorites to sign the Italy international. However, according to Calcio Mercato, AC Milan remain “interested” in the Italian striker and have not given-up hope of snapping him. AC Milan is “splashing” the cash out this summer window, and they're now looking for a “marquee” center striker.
The Italian club is also tracking Fiorentina's Nikola Kalinic and Borussia Dortmund top striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Andrea Belotti remains a “possibility” as well for the San Siro outfit.
Barcelona willing to sign Semedo from Benfica
Barcelona is on the “hunt” for a new right back defender this summer, and they've been assessing a number of possible options in the market.
Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal have been extensively linked with moves to Barca this summer, however, both “deals” have failed to get off the ground. And now, according to FOX Sports, The Camp Nou outfit are instead close to “wrapping up” a deal for Benfica defender Nelson Semedo instead. Nelson Semedo is in discussions with Barcelona, and they've reportedly sent representatives to Lisbon to help push the move over the line in the coming days. Certainly, the news will come as a “blow” to Manchester United and Manchester City, who've also been tracking the 23-year-old this summer window.
AS Roma close in on Sassuolo striker Defrei
Gregoire Defrei has been attracting the attentions of several top European club sides, following a brilliant season in Italy.
The 26-year-old striker scored thirteen goals in all competitions last season and has been “earmarked” as a possible recruit for a number of EPL club sides. Both Southampton and Leicester City are said to be interested in the Sassuolo forward, but AS Roma are set to finalize a deal worth about $23.2million within the coming week, according to AS Roma 360. Gregoire Defrei is due in Rome imminently to complete the move, leaving both Leicester City and Southampton to “pursue” alternative targets elsewhere.
