5 sagas still to be resolved before the European transfer window shuts

The Premier League transfer window has already closed, but the wheeling and dealing will continue for another week around Europe, with the deadline approaching in just a few days.

There are still a number of big-money deals to be wrapped up, with Europe’s agents still busy until the end of the week.

Here are five big European transfers still to be resolved.

Neymar

This has been the saga of the summer. Neymar wasn’t in Barcelona’s plans when the transfer window opened, but the Brazilian’s desire to leave Paris Saint-Germain started a pursuit that will be concluded one way or another this week.

Until recently, it seemed to be a straight negotiation between Barca and PSG, but matters have been complicated since then.

Real Madrid have entered the chase and Neymar is thought to be open to a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. Nobody seems sure where the Brazilian would fit in at Real, but there is similar doubt over a potential move to Barca, especially when the Catalans have only just spent big on Antoine Griezmann.

This is a transfer that could start the toppling of a number of dominos, with the future of Ousmane Dembele, Nelson Semedo and potentially Vinicius Junior (who PSG want as part of a deal with Real Madrid) all tied up in the speculation.

Christian Eriksen

Tottenham had only just suffered defeat in the Champions League final when Christian Eriksen delivered another blow, revealing his desire for a new challenge.

But with the Premier League’s transfer window already closed and the European window closing this week, his options are narrowing.

Recent reports claim Eriksen will reject a new £200,000-a-week contract offer from Spurs to see out his current deal next summer, allowing him to leave as a free agent.

The Dane seems determined to make the move to Spain and whether it happens this summer or next, the likelihood is that he will leave North London sooner or later.

Mauro Icardi

From the moment Antonio Conte was appointed Inter coach this summer, Mauro Icardi’s days at the San Siro appeared numbered.

Romelu Lukaku has already been signed as the Argentinean’s replacement, with the Belgian scoring on his Serie A debut earlier this week. Icardi’s future, however, is still far from resolved.

Despite questions over his attitude, Icardi remains a top tier striker and so there is interest in him.

AC Milan and Juventus are both expected to make bids before the Italian transfer window shuts, but Monaco’s offer might be the most compelling to Inter, who are surely reluctant to sell to a Serie A rival.

Bruno Fernandes

Premier League fans are probably sick of seeing Bruno Fernandes’ name in the gossip column after months of the Portuguese midfielder being linked with Manchester United, but he is now reportedly a target for Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane wants a creative midfielder and Fernandes apparently fits the bill.

Fernandes certainly wasn’t top of Real Madrid’s shopping list. Zidane wanted Paul Pogba and then reportedly turned his attentions to Eriksen before a late bid for Ajax’s Donny van de Beek.

Having already spent £300 million on new players this summer, Real Madrid can’t pay the money needed to prise Pogba from Man Utd’s grip and so Fernandes could be a signing born from compromise.

Ivan Rakitic

If Gareth Bale has been a scapegoat for Real Madrid’s recent problems, Ivan Rakitic has become a similar figure for Barcelona. The Croatian isn’t so popular with the Catalan support, so speculation that he could leave the Camp Nou this week has been met positively.

Juventus are reportedly close to a deal, explaining why Rakitic was left on the bench for Barca’s game against Real Betis last Sunday.

Rakitic has been a favourite of Ernesto Valverde’s and until Sunday had never been removed from the Barcelona starting line-up for two games in succession under the current manager. But the signing of Frenkie de Jong represents a new era for Barca and Rakitic is seen as the past.

A move to Juve might be best for all concerned.