The summer transfer window is approaching, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Lewandowski not feeling the love at Bayern
Robert Lewandowski “does not feel loved” after Bayern Munich‘s latest contract proposal and wants to leave the Bundesliga champions for Barcelona, reports Diario Sport.
The Poland international has been strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou, but Bayern haven’t given up hope that their talismanic striker will stay.
Lewandowski’s deal ends in 2023, but Bayern’s new offer would only extend his proposed stay by one more year, which he is not satisfied with — the 33-year-old feels he can perform at the top level for three more years.
Lewandowski also disagrees with the financial proposal. His current deal has a net worth of around €15 million per season, with a possible €5m in bonuses.
The striker had hoped that some of the add-ons would be included in his base amount, but that hasn’t happened, says the report, with Bayern citing financial difficulties as the reason they don’t want to raise his wages.
Bayern feel that time is on their side, but Lewandowski wants his future sorted and has told his agent Pini Zahavi to find a way for him to join Barcelona.
The striker now hopes that Bayern will allow him to leave for a reasonable amount, with Barcelona only set to come in when that is possible. Until then, the Blaugrana will be watching to see how the situation unfolds.
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LIVE BLOG
15.22 BST: Paul Pogba would prefer to move abroad rather than stay in the Premier League with Manchester City when his contract at Manchester United expires in the summer, sources have told ESPN.
City are among a number of clubs who have registered an interest in Pogba, who is set to leave Old Trafford as a free agent in June.
Pogba is willing to consider all serious offers but sources have told ESPN he has prioritised a move to either Paris Saint-Germain or Juventus.
PSG are leading the race, in part because Juventus are not in a position to match the French club’s financial offer.
City are aware they are not top of Pogba’s list but sources have told ESPN that his contract situation has made the 29-year-old an attractive prospect ahead of a summer during which they are exploring options to bolster their midfield.
14.58 BST: The Sun reports that Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is a target for both Fulham and Bournemouth.
Henderson, 25, has been limited to three first-team appearances this season after David de Gea took the No. 1 spot back again.
The England goalkeeper looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer and the two promoted clubs are interested.
14.00 BST: Xavi Hernandez has said Barcelona’s financial situation ruled them out of the running for Erling Haaland, with sources telling ESPN that Manchester City hope to announce the signing of the Borussia Dortmund striker later this week.
ESPN have reported on Barca’s interest in Haaland throughout the last year, with Xavi refusing to deny a meeting took place with the Norway international in Munich as recently as March.
However, with a transfer fee of around €75m and wages to cover, Barca, who are operating under financial restrictions imposed by LaLiga, were unable to compete with City.
“It is very difficult because of the economic situation,” Barca coach Xavi said in a news conference on Monday when asked about missing out on Haaland. “I can’t lie to you, that is the reality. I wouldn’t say [it is only down to money]. I am not going to disrespect other clubs’ sporting projects. We are not the only club with a good project. City have won a lot of titles and compete at the top level. But if what you say happens [and Barca don’t sign Haaland], it would have been because of financial issues.”
Alejandro Moreno ponders if Barcelona will be able to keep up their quality of play into next season.
13.21 BST: Mohamed Elneny could be handed a new contract at Arsenal, The Athletic reports.
Elneny, 29, joined Arsenal from FC Basel in 2016 for around £8m but his career at the club looked over when he dropped down the pecking order and spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Besiktas.
However, the Egypt international midfielder was given a chance in the recent win over Chelsea and has played every minute of the wins against Manchester United, West Ham United and Leeds since.
The report claims: “He is seen as a popular member of [Mikel] Arteta’s squad, and his experience and character are valued highly internally.”
12.49 BST: Barcelona are ready to move on forward Memphis Depay in a summer transfer, Sport reports.
Depay, 28, only joined the Liga giants as a free agent in 2021 but is deemed dispensable if financially-stricken Barca can raise funds to sign other players.
The Netherlands international is Barca’s top scorer this season, with 12 goals.
11.35 BST: Arsenal have long been interested in signing Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and could make a move this summer, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Sterling, 27, has a contract which expires in 2023 and has 16 goals and seven assists from his 45 games this season. But the England winger is reportedly unhappy over his place in the first-team squad and, with no contract extension forthcoming, could move on when the window opens.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to add another winger, with Nicolas Pepe potentially moving on, and Sterling is one of the best in the Premier League so could fetch around £60m.
11.12 BST: Borussia Dortmund are set to lose Erling Haaland to Manchester City for his €75m release clause, but it looks like they are preparing to sign his replacement.
FC Salzburg striker Karim Adeyemi is closing on a €38m move, according to Fabrizio Romano, with no release clause included in his contract.
The Germany international has 23 goals in 42 games this season.
10.40 BST: Man United really need to find themselves some new players this summer.
Janusz Michallik speaks about Man United’s 4-0 loss to Brighton in the Premier League.
09.55 BST: Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has no intention of leaving the club in the summer, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to stay, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Martinez, 24, has scored 19 goals in 33 Serie A appearances this season and is one of Inter’s key players.
But the Italian giants are in financial trouble and would reportedly consider offers of around €60m for the Argentina international, which they may be forced to accept.
Martinez has seen interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal and Tottenham both keen on bringing him in.
09.19 BST: Real Betis are only interested in a “low cost” move to sign Dani Ceballos, Diario AS reports, and won’t pay the €10m-€12m that Real Madrid expect to receive for the midfielder.
Ceballos, 25, has a year left on his contract at the Bernabeu and missed the first half of this season with an ankle ligament injury, but has impressed in recent weeks, starting Madrid’s 4-0 win over Espanyol last weekend that saw them clinch the LaLiga title.
According to AS, manager Carlo Ancelotti would like to keep Ceballos, who must decide whether to accept a contract extension or move on.
If he decides to leave, boyhood club Betis would be his preferred destination, but the club would only be willing to pay a transfer fee of around €7m and there’s interest from Premier League and Serie A clubs who could make a more attractive offer, the report says.
08.48 BST: Valencia centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby has revealed his desire to play in the Premier League next.
Diakhaby, 25, has not signed a contract extension with Valencia and his current deal expires in June 2023.
The former Lyon defender, who has made 35 appearances in all competitions for Valencia this season, believes he is ready to move on.
“I’m in a good club,” he said in Marca: “But I want to discover new leagues like the Premier League or the Bundesliga.
“I will soon evaluate with Valencia to see what we can do for the future. Perhaps the time has come to look elsewhere because I’ve been here four years now. We shall see. I remember before I came here [to Valencia in 2018], I had the opportunity to go to Everton and many would tell me at the time that I should go to England because in Spain you required more technique! I showed everyone that I could play in LaLiga.”
08.00 BST: Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham hopes that Cristiano Ronaldo stays at Old Trafford for next season.
Ronaldo, 37, has one year remaining on the contract he signed when he returned to United last summer. The Portugal captain has scored 18 Premier League goals these season, behind only Mohamed Salah (22) and Son Heung-Min (20).
Beckahm is co-owner of MLS club Inter Miami, where Ronaldo has been linked with a move in the past. However, Beckham wants the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to stay where he is for now.
“Obviously Cristiano is one of the best players over the last 15 years, with Leo [Messi],” Beckham told Sky while at the F1 Miami Grand Prix. “To see him stay on, hopefully at United, is important for the fans.
“It’s important to him – we all know how much Man United means to him. He’s still doing what he does best, scoring goals. That’s what Cristiano does.
“To be doing what he’s doing at his age is really incredible, so hopefully it continues for another year or two.”
Tor-Kristian Karlsen discusses who he thinks has the highest ceiling amongst the young football stars of today.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)
– Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl told Sport1 that there will be “clarity in the next week” regarding Erling Haaland‘s future, adding that he “wouldn’t be surprised if he moved on in the end.” The Dortmund striker has been heavily linked with Manchester City, Real Madrid, and various other top clubs, who are willing to trigger the €75m release clause in his contract.
- Real Madrid are in no rush to sign Aurelien Tchouameni with the Monaco midfielder aware that he will likely have to wait at least a year to join Los Blancos, reports Marca. The 22-year-old is said to be unwilling to wait that long as he wants to take a step up sooner. Monaco don’t want to let him join Paris Saint-Germain, while there are various Premier League clubs interested at around €60m, says the report.
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Juventus hope that their front three next season will be Federico Chiesa, Dusan Vlahovic and Angel Di Maria, according to Tuttosport. Di Maria is set to leave PSG when his contract ends in the summer and, while he is 34-years-old, Juventus feel that his characteristics will complement the former Fiorentina duo, while it will also help that the Argentina international will be moving as a free agent.
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Bayern are preparing an opening offer in the region of €19m for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Bundesliga champions’ coach Julian Nagelsmann is pushing for the transfer to be completed with top Premier League clubs also said to be interested. Laimer’s contract ends in the summer of 2023.
– Eddie Nketiah will sign a contract to stay at Arsenal until 2026 if the striker is given assurances that he will be a regular in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, as reported by Ekrem Konur. The 22-year-old’s deal ends in the summer, and he showed his worth yet again on Sunday, scoring a brace to secure a 2-1 win over Leeds United as the Gunners went within a point of Chelsea in the race for third
