Paris (AFP)

Last deals before closing! There are a few hours left for European clubs, until midnight Friday, to try a shot and complete their winter transfer window, between the files Edison Cavani and Olivier Giroud.

If Paris SG has remained calm until then, its sports director Leonardo has not been idle behind the scenes.

The leader indeed holds one of the keys to the Cavani file, which has been in motion all month. The top scorer in club history (198 goals), first announced close to Atlético Madrid, this time seems well on his way to stay in Paris until June, when his contract expires .

According to several Spanish and French media, negotiations were stalled on Friday. The Colchoneros would not be willing to go beyond 15 M EUR to buy the last six months of contract from the Uruguayan, however, PSG is asking for more.

However, in the event of a last-minute departure on Friday, PSG will have to find a replacement for him within a very limited time, while he is still engaged in four competitions with the ambition of winning them.

The center market, precisely, seems to be closed. The names of Fernando Llorente (Naples) and Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) often come back in rumors, where a scorer is desired. The French case is the most urgent.

Relegated to the bench, the international is looking for a way out less than six months from the Euro, where he hopes to keep his place as holder of the Blues. Inter has long served as a preferred destination, but discussions between Blues and Nerazzurri skate.

- Dortmund active -

Another striker could be talked about: the Algerian Islam Slimani, who wants to leave Monaco despite his canon start to the season (7 goals, 8 assists).

Set aside by new coach Robert Moreno, the center-forward belonging to Leicester would notably keep the odds in England, for a return this winter.

Otherwise, most of the more expensive transfers have been made. This is the case in the Premier League with the Portuguese Bruno Fernandes, bought by Manchester United 55 M EUR with 25 M EUR additional bonus.

Tottenham, under the leadership of José Mourinho, has also moved well (Steven Bergwijn, Gedson Fernandes, option exercised for Giovani Lo Celso) but a scorer could still come, to compensate for the absence of Harry Kane.

In Italy, the heavy blow carried out by AC Milan to attract Zlatan Ibrahimovic, succeeded those of its neighbor and rival, Inter. The Nerazzurri, in the race to win the title, drew Christian Eriksen, Ashley Young and Victor Moses.

On the Spanish side, Real and Barça have been very cautious. The team recently coached by Quique Setién was tempted by a striker to compensate for the injury of Luis Suarez, but gave up on Thursday their quest.

"It was decided not to make any recruitment on this winter transfer window, because if it is not to improve what we already have, it is better not to do it," said Guillermo Amor, the director Barça's institutional relations.

In preparation for its Champions League 8th final against PSG, Dortmund was one of the most dynamic clubs in the transfer window. The signing of the very promising Erling Braut Haaland (Salzburg) for EUR 20 million seems to be a great success, with already 5 goals in 2 matches.

The BVB could continue its efforts by recruiting the midfielder of Juventus Emre Can, close to signing according to the press. It is not too late to try one last shot.

© 2020 AFP