Transfer Gossip: Arsenal to complete forward signing as Prem rival threaten legal action; Man Utd, Tottenham plans up in smoke
Arsenal are poised to complete a signing in the forwards, though complications could arise, while Man Utd and Tottenham have seen their hopes of signing a Serie A ace dashed – all in Thursday’s Transfer Gossip.
FIRST ARSENAL SIGNING ON THE WAY
Arsenal are expected to wrap up a deal for Sao Paulo forward Marquinhos on the first day the Premier League transfer window opens, though a report has indicated there’s more to the story.
The Brazilian, 19, is rapidly making a name for himself with Sao Paulo. Despite not yet scoring with regularity, Marquinhos is cultivating a reputation as a direct and versatile attacker, per the Daily Express.
Arsenal’s interest in the youngster first came to light in May. The Gunners moved quickly to forge an agreement ahead of the summer window opening on June 10, and the Express claim everything should be in place by that date.
Arsenal are expected to pay just £3m for his services – a figure believed to be well below his true value.
The reason behind such a bargain stems from a loophole Arsenal are reportedly exploiting. A contract mishap at Sao Paulo will see his contract expire this summer despite signing a five-year deal in 2019. However, FIFA later ruled it was only valid for three years.
Arsenal look to be the beneficiaries of that misstep, though the Daily Mail previously reported Wolves aren’t happy.
Bruno Lage’s side reportedly believed they had a pre-contract agreement in place over a switch to Molineux.
The Express now state complications could arise down the line with Wolves reportedly threatening to take legal action. Their beef stems from their belief a deal was already in place and Marquinhos has been ‘unfairly steered away’ from joining Wolves.
From Sao Paulo’s end, they’re said to hold regrets over the handling of the move. Clearly, they could’ve recouped a far greater fee than £3m had they got their house in order over the initial contract.
Their loss, seemingly, will be Arsenal’s gain on June 10. The Sun and Goal both previously claimed Marquinhos has already undergone a medical at Arsenal’s Colney training ground.
MAN UTD, TOTTENHAM DEFENDER PLANS DASHED
The chances of Tottenham or Man Utd prising Milan Skriniar out of Inter are slim after the defensive colossus spoke out on a potential move.
The Slovakian, 27, is arguably one of Europe’s finest centre-halves at present.
Skriniar has played at least 32 league matches in each of his five seasons at the San Siro. He was an integral part of Antonio Conte’s title-winning side in 2020-21 and has remained just as important for Simone Inzaghi since.
However, the fact his contract is due to expire in 2023 had given the English vultures hope of securing a summer coup.
Indeed, Gazzetta Dello Sport put United, Spurs and Chelsea in the mix in late-May. All three are known to be chasing new centre-backs this summer.
However, Skriniar has now moved to reaffirm his loyalty to Inter. The Express carry quotes from the centre-half that read: “My future is at Inter.
“I have a contract and nothing has changed. The transfer rumours come out every six months, every year. But there’s nothing specific – I’m satisfied with Inter.”
The Express add Inter are desperate to tie him down to fresh terms and have a new deal worth £4.25m-a-year in the works. That would roughly equate to a weekly wage of £82,000-per-week.
POGBA LEAVES MAN UTD WITH ‘LOYALTY BONUS’
The eye-watering sums Man Utd have paid Paul Pogba have been detailed, including the Frenchman departing with a loyalty bonus, per a report.
The Red Devils recently confirmed the Frenchman, 29, will depart Old Trafford this summer. Pogba will leave for nothing for the second time, and a return to Juventus appears likeliest at present.
Pogba’s time at United has split opinion, though few can argue it was a successful stint.
Now, the Daily Mail have detailed what Pogba cost United financially, including a reported £3.78m loyalty bonus he’ll receive before walking away on June 30.
His initial transfer set United back £89.3m having received just £1.5m in compensation when he left for Turin in 2012. United reportedly paid agent Mino Raiola £39.27m to secure his services in 2016.
His basic annual salary was £8.61m which later dropped to £7.75m once yearly loyalty bonuses were activated.
His image rights fees totalled £2.87m-a-year, while he received four bonus payments of £1.875m each time United qualified for the Champions League.
In total, the Mail claim the final bill wound up at £218.93m for a player who never showed his best in Manchester.
