Transfer Talk: Spurs To Give Olivier Giroud A Lifeline Amid Chelsea Revamp

The coronavirus pandemic has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the rumours floating around Europe's big leagues and beyond.

Mourinho has a French fancy for Giroud

With Chelsea adding Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech to their frontline, Tottenham Hotspur feel they have a chance of tempting the Blues to part with Olivier Giroud, according to the Express.

The French forward signed a one-year deal only last month, but with both new arrivals expected to start ahead of him, and Chelsea still targeting Kai Havertz, Giroud could be pushed down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs manager Jose Mourinho is a huge admirer of the former Arsenal forward and tried to sign the 33-year-old in January, though he may find his former employers reluctant to sell to a rival.

Chelsea are also keen to offload Michy Batshuayi, while Willian and Pedro are also set to leave the Kings Road this summer.

Barca given Martinez deadline

Lautaro Martinez is set to leave Inter Milan this summer but his €111 million release clause expires in July 7, meaning time is running out for Barcelona to land their prime target, reports Gazetta dello Sport.

After July 7, the Italian side can sell him for whatever price they fancy. Barcelona are front runners for the Argentine striker and have been for some time, but as yet have been unable to meet the release clause to get the deal over the line.

Inter have been looking for reinforcements but club chief Giuseppe Marotta has admitted that the club are not desperate to sell their star man, having already offloaded Mauro Icardi to Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent deal. The decision could be taken out of the club's hands if Barca were to meet the asking price, and it's clear the player himself relishes the opportunity to line up alongside compatriot Lionel Messi.

Martinez has scored 16 goals in 31 appearances this season, which is why he remains Barca's top target.

Tottenham target £35m-rated Hojbjerg

Spurs are interested in signing Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, reports the Daily Mail.

Spurs face competition from Everton for the Denmark international, but both clubs will have to meet an asking price of £35m to land their man.

Hojbjerg has just one year remaining on his contract and while Southampton are yet to tie him down to a longer contract, they will at least demand a sizeable fee if they're unable to keep him on the south coast.

The fee could be a blow to Spurs, however, who are looking to balance the books with cheap deals and loans.

Source: jsportnewsgh