Here We Go: PSG to exercise Nuno Mendes clause, Chelsea plan Mason Mount extension, Dortmund eye Karim Adeyemi

Just because we’re in February doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re lacking surprises from the transfer market. As always, negotiations are always taking place — especially for those that are set to become free agents at season’s end — and they can lead to unexpected results. Let’s dive into this week’s Here We Go insider notes:

Dortmund chase Adeyemi

One example of the action still bubbling up after the January window comes from Borussia Dortmund, who have secured the signature Niklas Süle from Bayern Munich as he’ll switch from one German giant to another at the end of the season. With that already in place, BVB sporting director Michael Zorc has engaged in negotiations with Karim Adeyemi of RB Salzburg as his next top target for next season, with a five-year contract on the table for the 20-year-old. Adeyemi is a talent with an excellent future ahead of him, a forward with with the kind of advanced goal-scoring skills that Dortmund would love to invest — especially if they happen to see Erling Haaland depart in the summer — so there are already advanced negotiations with RB Salzburg to complete the agreement as soon as possible.

PSG want to make Mendes move permanent

Let’s head to France where Paris Saint-Germain are waiting for clarity on the Kylian Mbappé affair in the coming months. In the meantime, as they patiently wait for Mbappé, they’re focused on locking up one of their soon-to-be stars. The French giants want to make fullback Nuno Mendes’ move permanent. PSG have already paid a €7 million loan fee, and they are now talking to Sporting about the €40 million option to buy which will be triggered in the coming months. Mendes is having a great season and PSG are happy with him, while Theo Hernandez has extended his contract with AC Milan, which in theory makes him no longer a target.

AC Milan move to extend young talent

Speaking of AC Milan, Serie A’s league leaders are preparing two more high-level renewals. Ismaël Bennacer will sign a new contract in the coming days which will remove the current €50 million release clause, but keep him under contract until June 2026. While Rafael Leão is negotiating a new agreement that will stave off rumors of Premier League clubs expressing interest in the Portuguese star who has dazzled in Serie A.

Belotti eyes free agency

Another change in Italy is expected for Torino forward Andrea Belotti, and that’s because his contract with the club is expiring in June and there is no agreement for an extension at this time. The striker is still a major factor in Serie A, as he scored an important goal in the Turin derby with Juventus. Belotti has also refused a proposal from Zenit Saint Petersburg in recent months and is expecting to soon have other offers as an important free agent available on the market. The race is open for his signature.

Atletico sign teenager Carvalho

In Spain, Atletico Madrid are always active. They have signed the young Portuguese talent Gabriel Carvalho who was born in 2004. He’s a highly touted winger who comes from Porto on a free transfer with a contract until June 2025 and a €40 million release clause.

Barcelona closing in on Gavi extension

Barcelona are negotiating the latest details of the new contract for Gavi, with only slight final details needing to be ironed out. Once that’s sorted, Gavi will put pen to ink on a five-year deal with Barça, which would remove the current €50 million release clause. That’s why Barça have no worries about the rumors concerning Chelsea and Liverpool.

Manchester City close to adding Savinho

And then there is the Premier League, which is never not busy with transfer activity. Manchester City have an agreement in place with Atlético Mineiro for Savinho, a winger born in 2004 with excellent skills. It already looks like a potentially savvy bit of business when you look at the numbers involved: €6.5 million plus add ons, with a sell-on clause included in the deal. The agreement is imminent so Savinho will be able to move to Europe this summer, with a probable loan move to PSV Eindhoven to be discussed in the coming days.

Chelsea want to extend Mount

Finally, Chelsea plan to open negotiations with Mason Mount soon regarding a new contract. His current agreement expires in June 2024, so there is no urgency but Chelsea want to reward Mason as soon as possible. To date, direct contacts with his father Tony Mount, who represents him as his agent, have not started. The wait continues but the club’s intention is clear.