The summer transfer window is nearly upon us with all of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United expected to be busy. The Gunners are keen to bring Declan Rice to the club as they seek to improve on a disappointing end to the season and he could soon be joined by Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea, meanwhile, could be about to sell Mateo Kovacic to rivals Manchester City before looking to lure Sporting CP midfielders Manuel Ugarte. Mason Mount, meanwhile, is believed to have agreed personal terms with Manchester United and David Raya is on their radar too.
The story at Tottenham at the moment is of their managerial hunt, where Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is understood to have emerged as the frontrunner. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain future has been the subject of contrasting claims by the club today while Real Madrid will keep Karim Benzema amid reports Harry Kane was their ideal replacement. Follow the latest news, gossip and rumours below!
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Man Utd could dangle Harry Maguire at Chelsea
Harry Maguire could be offered to Chelsea in Manchester United’s bid to sign Mason Mount.
The England defender is unwanted at Old Trafford and valued at £30million with two years left to run on his £190,000-a-week contract – as reported by The Sun.
United want Mount and Standard Sport understand personal terms talks are effectively done between the player and club.
Yet they must still persuade Chelsea to cash in on a player whose deal expires in 12 months’ time. Could this be the solution?
The huge offers on the table for Lionel Messi
Saudi Arabia, the United States and Spain are the three big options for Lionel Messi this summer.
Barcelona are in the race to re-sign the Argentine and are reportedly his preferred option, yet are still basically broke despite winning LaLiga.
Therefore, a £515m two-year contract at Al-Hilal could be a more tempting option which would reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Spanish newspaper Sport also name Inter Miami as a genuine contender for his signature.
An annual salary worth over £42m is on offer from the MLS team on a four-year deal, it is claimed.
Chelsea loanee bids farewell
Denis Zakaria has spoken out on his departure from Chelsea, thanking fans after a fairly quiet loan spell from Juventus.
“It‘s been a tough time but you guys always had my back,” he wrote.
“Thanks to everyone who‘s been supporting me! Let’s focus on the beautiful memories.”
Arsenal in huge Declan Rice boost
Declan Rice will reject a move to Bayern Munich this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, a transfer to Germany is not on the West Ham midfielder’s radar – opening the door to a move to Arsenal.
Thomas Tuchel is said to have contacted Rice in recent days ahead of a reported £87m bid.
Talks are set to begin between Arsenal and West Ham after next week’s Europa Conference League final, with a £120m price tag on the Hammers captain.
Manchester United are still very much in the picture, however.
PSG backtrack on Lionel Messi comment
Paris Saint-Germain have now sought to clarify Christophe Galtier’s comments over Lionel Messi earlier today.
The coach had stated that the Argentine’s final game for the club was this weekend against Clermont.
Alas, PSG have now stated via agency AFP that: “Christophe Galtier expressed himself not quite correctly.
“We want to assure you that he meant to say that the match against Clermont will be the last for Messi this season.”
There are still no signs he’ll sign a new contract, mind…
Hugo Lloris speaks out on emotional transfer
Hugo Lloris has said he will let “fate” decide amid talk of a potential move back to hometown club Nice, should his Tottenham career be at an end.
“I am very attached to the city of Nice, as you know,” he told radio station BFM Nice Cote d’Azur.
“I can’t speak about concrete things. The club has to finish the season first, there are two goalkeepers of high quality, including one that I’m good friends with in Kasper Schmeichel. You can understand that it’s difficult to speak about these kinds of subjects.
“I’ll let fate handle things.”
Karim Benzema STAYS at Real Madrid
Amid talk of a mega-money move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Marca are tonight reporting that Karim Benzema will remain at Real Madrid.
The striker insisted earlier today that the “internet is not reality” when accepting an award from the Spanish newspaper.
And it has now been claimed that he will see out the final year of his contract in Madrid.
That will be good news for Tottenham fans, who feared Harry Kane would have become Real’s top target had Benzema left.
Harry Maguire ‘to be paid to leave Man United’
Manchester United are considering paying off Harry Maguire’s contract to ensure he leaves the club during the transfer window.
With two years left on his existing deal, the centre-back could earn £10m to walk away according to the Mail.
Maguire earns £190,000-a-week and is United captain but has been dropped to fourth-choice by Erik ten Hag.
Not so fast on Gabri Veiga
Chelsea’s hopes of landing Celta Vigo youngster Gabri Veiga have taken a hit.
Newcastle are named by Marca as in pole position for the Spanish midfielder, despite Real Madrid’s interest.
Veiga, 21, has a £25m release clause.
A word of caution though, as the Mail say a deal is not imminent.
Dortmund issue update on Jude Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has insisted there is no news yet on Jude Bellingham’s future.
Real Madrid are said to be leading the race to land the England star.
But Kehl has said: “I can say that things will become clear in the coming days and weeks.
“One of my tasks is to be prepared for everything.
“We will react accordingly, but nothing has happened so far.”
