Di Marzio Offers Insights Into the Summer Transfer Window Dealings

With the summer transfer window entering its final weeks before closing until January, we caught up with the renowned Gianluca Di Marzio to discuss the Premier League market and the futures of Alexander Isak, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Eberechi Eze.

Will Liverpool Make a Second Bid for Isak?

One of the biggest summer transfer sagas surrounds the future of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who has told his club he will not play for them again in an attempt to push through a move to Premier League champions Liverpool. Isak has been training alone since his return to Tyneside and has been isolated from the rest of the squad. With the season fast approaching, all parties are seeking a solution - one complicated, according to Di Marzio, by Isak’s entourage stating they would let him leave if a good offer arrived.

“The situation with Isak is tough right now. He’s training alone. His entourage and him say that last season he spoke to Newcastle saying it would be his last season at the club and if an important offer arrived he would leave. He only wants Liverpool and he’s waiting for them to make another offer which Newcastle will accept.”

“When a player doesn’t want to stay at a club, it’s difficult for a club to keep the player because the player is unhappy and he’s not involved in the group.”

The question remains whether Liverpool will return with a second offer, but Di Marzio believes they will now that Darwin Nunez has been sold.

“When really high offers come in like the Inter Milan €45m offer for Lookman or Liverpool offering more than €100m for Isak, in the end it’s difficult to keep the player. They’re trying to have the best price for the player like Sporting did with Gyokeres until Arsenal raised the offer.”

“I think Isak could join Liverpool but it’s difficult to be sure. Liverpool is the only club he wants to go to and with Nunez gone, Liverpool will go back in for Isak.”

Will Donnarumma Become a Premier League Player?

With PSG having signed Lucas Chevalier, Gianluigi Donnarumma could be on his way out. The Italian keeper has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe.

“I think in Donnarumma’s mind he thinks he has to leave PSG, because with Chevalier having arrived there is no other possibility and it will be difficult for him to stay.”

“I think he would like to go to the Premier League and in the Premier League there are only three possibilities. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.”

“Manchester City wanted him for sure and Guardiola pushed a lot two months ago, but now the possibility of him going to Manchester City is going down. First of all, because Ederson is still there. I don’t think he will go to Galatasaray. They spent a lot of money on Trafford as well.”

“If Ederson is still there, he can’t come to Manchester City. Donnarumma and his agent are asking for quite a big salary and even if Manchester City is one of the richest clubs in the world, the salary they are asking for is too high.”

What Does the Future Hold for Onana?

Andre Onana is Manchester United’s current number one but has endured two difficult seasons at Old Trafford, with costly errors drawing criticism. Rumours suggest United have considered a replacement, with Emi Martinez a loan target a few weeks ago - raising the question of whether Donnarumma could be their first-choice keeper come the start of September.

“So, Manchester City is not in the picture right now. So, now Chelsea and Manchester United are the only two options. Manchester United has the problem of Andre Onana because he is still in the team.”

“I know that Man United tried a swap deal with Fenerbahce, so they could get Onana and Man United could get Livakovic, but Fenerbahce said no.”

“So, Man United is definitely asking for a new goalkeeper, but they have to sell Onana in this deal as well. I don’t know if PSG wants Onana, because he would be the second choice. I don’t think that would be a solution.”

“If Man United find a solution for Donnarumma, they can arrive for Donnarumma.”

Could Donnarumma Be of Interest to Chelsea?

Chelsea, who currently have Robert Sanchez as their main man between the sticks, are also said to be considering the Italy number one.

“The other club is Chelsea. Obviously, they have an Italian coach who knows Donnarumma very well, so I think that could be a possibility.”

“Otherwise, Donnarumma would have to stay at PSG until January or till the end of his contract and leave as a free agent.”

“But Donnarumma of course wants to go to the World Cup and to stay at PSG without playing for one year would be a very complicated situation. It will be some very important days for him, but no teams in Italy can afford his salary.”

Are Arsenal and Tottenham Set to Battle for Eze?

In North London, a battle could be brewing between Arsenal and Tottenham for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Tottenham have reportedly opened talks for the attacking midfielder, who played a key role in Palace’s recent FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.

With Tottenham currently listed as 1/2 favourites to sign him, you can use our bet calculator to find out how much you could make by backing this late window move.

“I don’t think that Crystal Palace wants to sell Eze or Guehi. They are their best players. Obviously, they just won the Community Shield, so the offers for those two will have to be very, very high.”

“They are trying to reinforce their squad, not to sell players. Crystal Palace are looking at Bisseck and Pavard, but they don't want to sell Eze or Guehi.”

“But it always depends on the offer, but I think they will stay.”

Read more as Jermaine Pennant takes a look at Arsenal's summer transfer window dealings thus far