By Betsefy
Sere A giants Juventus are reportedly plotting a surprise move to sign Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic.
The 33-year-old emerged as a surprise target for Manchester United earlier this month, with the Red Devils having a £7.6m bid for the Austria international rejected.
United have since withdrawn their interest in Arnautovic, but transfer expert Nicola Schira claims that Juve remain in the race for his signature and view him as a potential replacement for Everton loanee Moise Kean who could leave the club this summer.
“Juventus are still interested in Marko Arnautovic,” Schira tweeted on Monday. “[Sporting director Federico] Cherubini has talked with his agents last week. If Moise Kean leaves, Juve will try to sign Bologna’s striker.”
Arnautovic only joined Bologna from Shanghai Port last summer and ended the 2021-22 campaign as the club’s top scorer with 15 goals in 34 appearances.
The former Inter Milan loanee has since made a bright start to the new season, scoring the opening goal in Bologna’s 2-1 away defeat to Lazio on Sunday.
© Reuters
Over in La Liga, Barcelona have reportedly identified Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong as a potential target this summer.
Head coach Xavi is still on the lookout for a new right-back after missing out on Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta who recently penned a new contract in West London.
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, via the Daily Record, Frimpong is on a five-man shortlist drawn up by the Catalan giants along with Manchester United duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot, Borussia Dortmund‘s Thomas Meunier and Villarreal‘s Juan Foyth.
Romero claims that the 21-year-old fits the profile that Xavi is looking for in a full-back and believes the Dutchman will suit his philosophy at Camp Nou.
Since joining Leverkusen from Celtic in January 2021, Frimpong has become a first-team regular for the German outfit, contributing with two goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.
The Manchester City academy graduate, who still has three years remaining on his contract at the BayArena, has featured in all three games for Leverkusen this season but has come out on the losing side on each occasion.
© Reuters
Elsewhere, Newcastle United are willing to meet Benfica‘s asking price for striker Goncalo Ramos, according to a report.
Eddie Howe is yet to make an attack-minded signing so far this summer and the Magpies have recently seen bids rejected for James Maddison and Joao Pedro from Leicester City and Watford respectively.
However, Portuguese news outlet O Jogo claims that Newcastle have stepped up their interest in 21-year-old Ramos and are prepared to meet the striker’s €40m (£33.7m) asking price.
The report adds that Newcastle are expected to make a bid for Ramos this week, although Benfica would prefer to begin negotiations once their Champions League qualifier with Dynamo Kyiv is completed.
Following the departure of Darwin Nunez to Liverpool earlier this summer, Ramos has become the focal point of Benfica’s attack and has made a bright start to the new campaign, scoring four goals and providing three assists in just four appearances.
© Reuters
Meanwhile, Man United have reportedly agreed to send teenage starlet Hannibal Mejbri on loan to Championship side Birmingham City.
Head coach Erik ten Hag is believed to be keen for the 19-year-old to gain regular first-team football in the 2022-23 campaign, with the midfielder having featured only three times in the senior side since joining the club from Monaco in 2019.
The Manchester Evening News claims that several Championship clubs have expressed an interest in signing Mejbri on loan including the likes of Millwall and Middlesbrough, but Birmingham are set to win the race for his signature.
The Red Devils loaned both Tahith Chong and Teden Mengi to the Blues last season, with the former featuring 20 times and the latter making nine appearances at St Andrews.
Mejbri is now set for his first loan away from Old Trafford after contributing with seven goals and 20 assists in 57 appearances for the academy side over the last three years.
