The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but you can click here to review all the deals. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
TOP STORY: Real Madrid name Bale price tag
The end of Gareth Bale‘s days in Madrid seem to be near, with AS reporting that Real have named their price for the Wales international and put English clubs on alert.
So what will it cost to land the 29-year-old? The report says that suitors should come to the table with €130 million if they want to land the speedy winger and polarising figure at the Santiago Bernabeu, who has helped Madrid to four Champions League titles since his arrival in 2013.
Manchester United or a return to Tottenham are the two likeliest destinations. AS reports “Madrid would be happy to discuss swap options to move Bale on” and potentially bring another rumoured Real target in Paul Pogba to Los Blancos from Old Trafford.
And all of this comes on the heels of comments from manager Zinedine Zidane that were fairly non-committal regarding Bale’s future, when asked if he would be at Madrid next season.
“We will see,” Zidane said. “Gareth is a Real Madrid player, with two years left on his contract.”
Chelsea transfer ban to determine Kovacic future
Despite their transfer ban, Chelsea could sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic on a permanent deal this summer, according to CalcioMercato.
FIFA imposed a two-transfer-window ban on the Blues in March after 29 cases out of 92 investigated resulted in the discovery of breaches being made by Chelsea when signing foreign under-18 players.
The club began their appeal of the ban on Thursday and a verdict is expected next week. Meanwhile, Kovacic, on loan from Real Madrid, is likely to become a long-term Chelsea player should the ban be overturned.
Naturally, if Chelsea don’t succeed in their appeal, they will be resigned to letting Kovacic return to his parent club in Spain.
Goalkeeper clearout at Burnley?
With Tom Heaton currently above them in the pecking order, Burnley could be willing to let both Nick Pope and Joe Hart leave the club this summer, if reports in the Daily Mail are to be believed.
Pope has found game time hard to come by since Heaton’s return from injury, while Hart, who signed for the Clarets ahead of this season, has barely featured.
Bournemouth are understood to be among the clubs interested in Pope, perhaps in no small part due to Eddie Howe’s recent rotation dilemma with Asmir Begovic and Artur Boruc — both of whom have underperformed in recent weeks.
With the goalkeeping pair potentially departing from Lancashire, Anders Lindegaard could return as the backup option.
Tap-ins
– Seventeen-year-old Barcelona target Luka Jovic, on loan to Frankfurt from Benfica, isn’t ready to join the Spanish giants at this early stage of his career as he fears he wouldn’t get game time, his father told Bild.
– Everton loanees Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma will be staying at Goodison Park next season, if Marco Silva gets his way. That’s according to reports in the Telegraph.
– ESPN FC sources are saying Ander Herrera will leave Manchester United for Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but L’Equipe says not so fast, with a report that Arsenal are making a last-ditch effort to keep the midfielder in England.
