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: Real Madrid eye move for Sterling
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling will be targeted by Real Madrid this summer, says The Daily Star.
Sterling, 27, has yet to agree a new contract at City and has had some reservations over his place in the first-team this season. The England winger’s deal expires in a year and he could be available for around €60 million.
Real Madrid missed out on the €60m signing of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland to City and now their first-choice summer recruit Kylian Mbappe has decided to stay with Paris Saint-Germain.
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access
LIVE BLOG
09.25 BST: Barcelona will target midfielders Ruben Neves or Martin Zubimendi should Frenkie de Jong leave the club this summer, sources have told ESPN.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez has spoken of his desire to keep De Jong but has also conceded the club’s precarious financial situation could force them to make some difficult decisions.
ESPN reported earlier this month that both Manchester United and Manchester City would be keen on the Netherlands midfielder if he is allowed to depart Camp Nou.
If De Jong does move, sources have told ESPN that Barca will try and sign a deep-lying midfielder who could act as a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, who is out of contract in 2023.
08.45 BST: Palmeiras announced a deal with 15-year-old Brazilian Endrick on Monday, with the teenage sensation set to sign his first pro contract.
The club said on Twitter the agreement will be valid when the striker turns 16 in July, as required by local legislation.
Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras celebrated the deal with a picture of Endrick, who is already a part of the team’s youth setup, and his family with club chairwoman Leila Pereira. Brazilian media reported the contract put the striker’s release clause at €60m ($64m).
08.24 BST: Kylian Mbappe has said Liverpool were one of the clubs he spoke to before deciding to extend his stay at Paris Saint-Germain, and that he had also met with the Premier League side in 2017 when he was still at Monaco.
Mbappe had been widely tipped to join Real Madrid this summer but stunned the LaLiga champions by signing a contract extension until 2025 with PSG last week.
Jurgen Klopp said earlier this month that Liverpool were interested in Mbappe and the player said there had been some contact.
“We talked a little bit, but not too much,” Mbappe told the Daily Telegraph. “I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her.
“It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club. Of course, it was between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the end.”
08.00 BST: Real Madrid and Liverpool are the two clubs best placed to sign Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, sources have told ESPN.
Kylian Mbappe — a personal friend of the Monaco midfielder — has also asked Paris Saint-Germain to sign Tchouameni, but sources said that this week’s Champions League finalists were the favourites to land the 22-year-old.
ESPN reported in January that Madrid were tracking Tchouameni’s progress as they viewed the signing of a defensive midfielder as a priority.
Madrid have also received positive reports about Ajax’s Ryan Gravenberch — who is now a reported target for Bayern Munich — but sources told ESPN that Tchouameni was at the top of Madrid’s midfield wishlist for this summer.
Gab & Juls debate who Real Madrid could look to sign after Kylian Mbappe extended his contract at PSG.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Sky Sports Deutschland have reported that Bayern Munich have made movements in recent days to bring in Liverpool forward Sadio Mane. It is also suggested that Kylian Mbappe staying at Paris Saint-Germain is a bonus for the Bavarians, as it means the Ligue 1 champions are unlikely to be able to afford a move for Mane.
- Manchester United are willing to spend €50m to bring in Villarreal defender Pau Torres, according to Marca. Erik ten Hag wants a centre-back who is comfortable passing the ball, while the Yellow Submarine are braced to potentially lose some key players with Arnaut Danjuma and Pervis Estupinan also gaining interest.
-
Having secured a Champions League spot for next season, Tottenham Hotspur are set to compete with bitter rivals Arsenal to sign Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus, according to The Telegraph. The Telegraph’s report suggests that the Gunners have even spoken to the Brazilian’s agent, though that hasn’t stop Spurs from attempting to make the signing. Sources had previously told ESPN that Arsenal are weighing up their options after being told City will demand £55m for Jesus’ transfer this summer.
-
As Paulo Dybala prepares to leave Juventus upon the culmination of his contract, the Argentine has insisted to Sky Sports Italia that his next destination is still unknown, saying: “I still don’t know what I will do.” There has been reported interest from the likes of Internazionale and Tottenham among others.
-
Atletico Madrid have joined Nice, Marseille and Lyon in showing interest in signing Lens right-wing-back Jonathan Clauss, according to Foot Mercato. Atleti’s right side is said to be a priority due after Kieran Trippier joined Newcastle United in January. With Sime Vrsaljko also set to depart, Los Colchoneros would rather not have to play Marcos Llorente out of position. Clauss’ transfer fee is said to be worth around €20m.
– With Ivan Perisic‘s contract coming to its culmination at the end of June, Internazionale have increased their wage offer in the hopes of persuading the Croatia international to stay, reports Sky Sports Italia. There has been interest from Juventus and clubs in the Premier League but Inter are now offering €5m plus bonuses that are fairly easy to reach.
