Transfer rumors: N’Golo Kante, Mario Götze, Paul Pogba

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With Euro 2016 in the books, the soccer world can now turn its full attention to transfer speculation. With major European domestic seasons set to begin in roughly a month, the gossip is heating up as teams prepare for the upcoming campaign.

The summer has already seen a few big moves, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic heading to Manchester United, Granit Xhaka off to Arsenal and Jamie Vardy staying at Leicester City. What do July and August have in store? Keep up with all the latest buzz and biggest transfer news here. 

Friday, July 15

Kante to play for Conte: Chelsea is close to completing a £29.2 million deal for Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante, The Guardian reports. Kante, who has been rumored to be seeking an exit from Leicester, has reportedly spoken to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte about the deal. Interest in the Frenchman spiked this season, after his stellar play helped lead Leicester City to the Premier League title. 

Götze returning to Dortmund?: It appears the flow of Borussia Dortmund players leaving the club for Bayern Munich is being temporarily reversed. Bild is reporting that Bayern midfielder Mario Götze is on his way back to Dortmund for a €28 million fee. Götze left the club in 2013 for Bayern. 

Pogba speaks highly of United: Paul Pogba’s rumored Manchester United move is still just that—rumors. But those rumors don’t appear to be dissipating anytime soon, despite his agent saying last week that Pogba could stay at Juventus. In an interview, Pogba called Manchester United his “first family,” according to The Guardian, and declined to commit his future to Juventus. 

Arsenal could fail to sign Higuain, again: The Gunners, in need of a striker, have reportedly been pursuing the Argentine international, but it appears Higuain could stay in Serie A—albeit with a different club. Multiple Italian reports say that Higuain, who led Serie A in scoring last season with Napoli, is on his way to Juventus on a four-year contract, according to ESPN FC. Whether that deal actually happens might depend on Paul Pogba’s potential sale to Manchester United, which could help pay for Higuain’s acquisition.