Pogba to Barca, Modric to Inter & 15 potential last-minute summer transfers

Having seemingly gotten his career back on track at Nice, Mario Balotelli has tarnished his reputation once again due to a falling out with new head coach Patrick Vieira.

The forward has been prolific in Ligue 1 over the course of the last two seasons and may yet remain in France, with Marseille still apparently the likeliest destination for the ex-Liverpool man. A switch back to Italy is the other main contender, with Parma the latest side interested.

It seems that for the duration of the summer Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has been linked with a move. Manchester United might have been the first link, but the strongest and most persistent has been Paris Saint-Germain.

If Thomas Tuchel intends to play with a three-man defence at the Parc des Princes, he needs at least one reinforcement, and the 29-year-old appears a strong option. However, the signs are that he will remain at Bayern.

It has been six years since Yacine Brahimi last played in Ligue 1, having had spells at Granada and Porto, but the Algeria international could be about to return.

Monaco are hunting for the 28-year-old, who might have moved to West Ham earlier in the summer but failed to agree personal terms with the London side. Monaco need a replacement for Keita Balde, who has gone to Inter, and he is the leading candidate.

Relegated with Stoke last season, 33-year-old US veteran Geoff Cameron is set for a swift return to top-flight football as Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.

He has not played for the Potters in their opening two matches this season, although he has had personal difficulties, but has made 186 appearances for them overall since signing in 2012, scoring a couple of Premier League goals in the process.

After missing out on Bordeaux’s Malcom earlier this summer, Roma have turned their attention to another promising Ligue 1 winger in the form of Maxwel Cornet.

Still only 21, the former Metz youth has struggled to make a regular impression at Parc OL and now the club are ready to sell him on for a fee in the region of €20m, plus 30% of any future profit. Roma face competition from Bundesliga sides Schalke and Wolfsburg.

All that seems to stand between Thilo Kehrer and his move from Schalke to Paris Saint-Germain are for the ‘i’s to be dotted and the ‘t’s to be crossed.

Barcelona were very interested in the Germany Under-21 international, but PSG swept in with a €37 million bid to lure the young defender to the French capital instead. The Bundesliga side have already confirmed that a deal with PSG has been agreed, but the formalities are yet to be completed.

Left out of Everton’s squad for their season opener against Wolves, Ademola Lookman’s omission sparked further questions over his future. The 20-year-old attacker has made clear that he wishes to move to RB Leipzig, having spent a productive spell at the Bundesliga club last term, where he scored five times in 11 outings on loan.

Leipzig have made offers to make the deal a permanent one, but so far Everton have managed to resist.

Following the arrival of Alisson at Liverpoo, Mignolet is now surplus to requirements at Anfield and looks set to depart Merseyside before the month is out.

Talks have been held with Napoli as the Serie A outfit aim to find a replacement for the departed Pepe Reina, though the financial aspect of the deal is proving a major obstacle.

It would take something of a miracle for Milan to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is one of the great emerging forces of European football after a terrific campaign with Lazio. Realistically, the Rossoneri cannot afford him.

Real Madrid are the other side who have been linked with the Serbia international, though with Claudio Lotito asking for €120 million for his prized possession, the prospects of a move are slim.

Anthony Modeste might have become something of a forgotten man after a spell in China with Tianjin Quanjian. His reputation remains strong enough in Germany and his homeland of France, however, that he remains a wanted man after being released from his deal in the CSL.

Crying out for more attacking talent, Borussia Dortmund could make a move for him, but the likes of Nice, Cologne and Galatasaray are in the hunt too.

Luka Modric was named the World Cup’s outstanding player barely a month ago, having led Croatia to the final, and now the midfielder could be on his way to Inter, where he would finish his career at the top level.

Real Madrid, however, are not willing to sell. They have already allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to join Juventus this summer and cannot afford to allow another star to leave – even if a gentleman’s agreement with the Nerazzurri is reported to have been made.

With one thumping strike from his left boot, Benjamin Pavard turned France’s last-16 match with Argentina on its head. It was the full-back’s first senior goal and thrust him into the spotlight after a season quietly impressing for Stuttgart.

Bayern had long taken note of the 22-year-old’s qualities, with his versatility a particular asset for the former Lille youngster.

It’s a deal that is very unlikely to take place, but the rumours persist that Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic could take the opposite route to Cristiano Ronaldo and end up at Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Indeed, Juve knocked back a €60 million offer for their star, who is set to extend his contract in Turin. Madrid, it seems, will have to take their hunt for a replacement for Mateo Kovacic elsewhere, with Thiago Alcantara another possibility.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba seemed to come of age during the World Cup, where he was one of France’s leaders as they emerged as winners for just a second time.

His relationship with manager Jose Mourinho, however, remains fractious, despite being named captain for their season opener, and Barca may try to profit. The Catalans said on Tuesday that a deal is off - but in the next fortnight a lot could yet change.

Losing Naby Keita to Liverpool was a big blow to RB Leipzig, but if they failed to replace the all-action midfielder, that would be an even greater problem for the Champions League hopefuls.

Reports in Germany suggest they have turned their attentions to Sebastian Rudy. Though he struggled to make an impression at the Allianz Arena, his wages could block a deal, which would come in at around €15m.