Mike McGrath's transfer notebook: Wolves in for Barcelona full-back Nelson Semedo, Leicester interested in Jonathan Tah
Wolves are closing in on Nelson Semedo from Barcelona following Diogo Jota's depature to Liverpool.
Jota left for Anfield in a £45million has given Nuno Espirito Santo spending power in the market to find a right wing-back to cover for Matt Doherty’s move to Tottenham, with Semedo on his list of targets.
According to sources at Barca, there have been discussions over a deal for Semedo to head to Molineux. Sheffield United’s George Baldock was also considered and a bid was rejected by Arsenal for Ainsley Maitland-Niles earlier in the window.
Semedo, 26, was being eyed by Manchester City before they prioritised other areas of their squad to bolster.
Nuno used Adama Traore as a wing-back on their opening weekend of the Premier League season and Fernando Marcal, a summer signing from Lyon, on the opposite flank for the victory at Bramall Lane.
Brendan Rodgers eyes defensive reinforcements
Leicester have made an enquiry over Jonathan Tah being available on a loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Tah, 24, is an option for Brendan Rodgers as a deal for his first-choice centre-back target, St Etienne’s Wesley Fofana, has not been easy to complete.
Centre-back is Rodgers’ main area he wants to bolster before the end of the window, with Tah being considered but the clubs discussing whether an initial loan or a permanent deal could be thrashed out.
Leeds not done in the transfer market yet
Leeds United are monitoring Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi as they attempt to add to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.
They have attempted to bring Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul to Elland Road but have not been able to agree a fee. Malinovskyi, 27, plays in a similar attacking-midfield role where Bielsa wants competition for Pablo Hernandez.
Malinovskyi impressed in his first season in Italy after arriving from Belgian team Genk and the Ukraine international would be a cheaper option at around £20million.
Sell-on clauses could come through for Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers will be watching the market closely in the final weeks as they could benefit from two players getting targeted for transfers.
It is understood they have sell-on clauses for Josh King and David Raya following their spells at Ewood Park.
They would receive a percentage if either moved, with King looking to leave Bournemouth and his club looking to sell as the Norway forward is in the final year of his contract. Raya has been subject to rejected bids from Arsenal.
Coronavirus could cause transfer market chaos
Football agents fear the prospect of tighter lockdown rules may impact on the transfer window, which has just over two weeks to run.
Last week’s medicals for players to arrive at Premier League clubs took place abroad before new signings flew into England to complete deals. Getting deals completed will be even tougher if the UK closes for a second time this year.
Calum Chambers on the move?
Arsenal centre-back Calum Chambers is a loan option for West Ham as David Moyes looks to add defenders to his squad.
Moyes has failed with bids for James Tarkowski and Chambers can also play at right-back, which is another position the Hammers manager wants to add to.
