Turkish Super Lig champions Beşiktaş J.K. are planning an audacious swoop on Chelsea forward Diego Costa. Elsewhere, Tottenham have had their initial $17million bid for Ricardo Pereira snubbed by Porto, while in Italy Juventus are eyeing a deal for Chelsea target Kostas Manolas as a direct replacement for AC Milan bound Leonardo Bonucci. Here's a complete report of the latest transfer updates Making The Rounds:
Beşiktaş wants Costa
Diego Costa looks set to quit Chelsea this summer window after reports emerged that the Blues boss Antonio Conte had told the Spaniard he was not part of his imminent plans for this new season.
The Spanish international's desire is for a return to his former club side Atletico Madrid. However, due to the Spanish club transfer ban sanctioned by FIFA, Costa won't be able to join them until January. This has now left the door “wide open, ” and Beşiktaş are said to be in serious talks with Diego Costa's representatives over an initial short term loan deal, according to Express. Beşiktaş J.K. have won the Turkish Super Lig back to back and have also ended up the last two-seasons as the highest goal scoring club in the Turkish Super Lig. The 28-year-old striker played a significant role in the Blues' title winning-season. Diego Costa racked-up eight assists and twenty goals in forty-two appearances for Chelsea last season.
Tottenham enters chase to sign Pereira, following Kyle Walker departure
With the England international signed by Manchester City last week Friday, Tottenham Hotspur are certainly in need of a new right back to fill up the “void” left by Kyle Walker. And the most likely “candidate” is Porto's Ricardo Pereira who has attracted the attentions of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.
However, according to Standard, Spurs' initial bid has been “rebuffed” by CF Porto. Ricardo Pereira, who has spent the last two years on loan to French side OGC Nice, has a buy-out clause set at $28.4million and Porto believe any club wishing to sign him should pay the whole sum.
Juventus ready to sign Kostas Manolas this summer
Leonardo Bonucci is expected to finalize a $45.2miilion switch to AC Milan imminently, and Juventus have already begun their search for Bonnuci's replacement. AS Roma fullback Kostas Manolas has been the “subject” of many speculations throughout the summer market to date, with EPL giants Chelsea reportedly interested in his service. However, Juventus are “pressing” forward in trying to “lure” AS Roma into selling the Greece defender despite their initial “reluctance,” according to Football Italia. Kostas Manolas came close to a move to Russian Premier League side Zenit Saint Petersburg early this summer, only for the deal to “collapse” in the last-minute. And now Juventus are looking to capitalize on the “uncertainty” surrounding Manolas's future at Roma by launching their formal bid in the coming days.