Monday, April 20
- Manchester United are unable to afford Tottenham talisman Harry Kane
- Ed Woodward accepts that £150m-rated Kane is an ‘unrealistic’ target
- Arsenal are looking to sign 16-year-old Rennes teenager Noah Francoise
- Liverpool haven’t contacted Inter Milan to discuss Marcelo Brozovic
- Manchester United have established contact to discuss Joao Felix
- Chelsea have renewed their interest in Napoli forward Dries Mertens
Alassane Plea interest
Manchester United are monitoring Borussia Monchengladbach forward Alassane Plea.
Plea, 27, was supposedly of interest to Barcelona during their pursuit of an emergency striker to replace injured duo Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez before opting for Martin Braithwaite.
The once-capped France international has managed 23 goals and provided 12 assists for the Bundesliga side and his performances have now attracted attention from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Express.de claim Plea is on United’s radar and could be signed for a modest £20million.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Dries Mertens to Chelsea
Chelsea have renewed their interest in Napoli forward Dries Mertens.
That’s according to RaiSport journalist Paolo Paganini, who claims Frank Lampard’s side have “re-launched” their offer for the Belgian international.
Mertens, 32, has scored 121 goals and provided 73 assists in 311 appearances since joining Napoli from PSV Eindhoven in 2013.
The Blues were tipped to sign Mertens in January, but no deal materialised despite the player’s contract being set to expire in June.
And now, Paganini thinks Stamford Bridge could be his next destination.
“Mertens away? Inter and Chelsea have re-launched the Belgian offering him a higher salary,” Paganini told Radio Goal.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Marco van Ginkel future
Netherlands midfielder Marco van Ginkel has urged Chelsea to make a decision on his future.
Van Ginkel joined Chelsea in 2013 from Vitesse but has managed just four first-team appearances in seven years with the west London club.
The 27-year-old spent the entire 2019/20 campaign recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury but is now nearing full fitness again.
However, with his contract set to expire in June – Van Ginkel still hasn’t been contacted by Chelsea.
“I have no idea what is going to happen. Chelsea should let me know what it plans to do next month. I’ll call them in a few weeks,” he told Voetbal International.
“No, seriously: I don’t know. Due to the current crisis, it may just be that a lot is changing in terms of contracts and salaries in football. These are uncertain times for many people. We’ll just wait and see. They can also think; we have invested a lot in that boy and now he is finally fit. Let’s keep him.”
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Mikel Arteta request
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tasked his recruitment team with finding him a new striker.
That’s according to The Mirror, who claim the Gunners hierarchy are concerned by the uncertain future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Aubameyang is out of contract in June 2021 while Lacazette has been linked with a high-profile transfer to Atletico Madrid.
And Arteta is looking to the future after ordering his recruitment team ‘to find new firepower’ ahead of the 2020/2021 campaign.
It’s said Arsenal have asked Valencia about forward Rodrigo Moreno, who has a £110million release clause but could be allowed to leave for an initial £50m plus add-ons.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Thomas Partey blow
Atletico Madrid are optimistic they can tie Arsenal transfer target Thomas Partey down to a new contract, according to reports.
The Ghana international has been identified by Mikel Arteta as the man to help transform the team, having starred for Diego Simeone’s team in the past three campaigns in particular.
Partey has a release clause of around £43million (€50m) and reports coming out of Italy claimed last week that Arsenal have tabled a bid of that amount.
But La Liga giants Atleti are desperate to tie the 26-year-old down to a new deal that would see that clause soar and have begun negotiations over an extension, although his current deal does not expire until 2023.
And disappointingly for Arsenal, per Di Marzio’s Matteo Moretto, Los Rojiblancos are confident talks will be both brief and smooth.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Samuel Umtiti decision
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has absolutely no intention of leaving the club.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with the France international, who looked to be surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.
It was said that Barcelona were prepared to cut their losses on the frequently injured centre-back after managing just 25 La Liga appearances over the last two campaigns.
However, Spanish newspaper Sport claim Umtiti, 26, would like to stay and fight for his place under manager Quique Setien.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Pervis Estupinan ‘proud’ of links
Watford defender Pervis Estupinan is ‘proud’ of the transfer speculation linking him with Manchester United.
The Red Devils, along with Atletico Madrid, are said to have scouted the once-capped Ecuador international during the first of his two-year loan spell with Osasuna.
“I’d like to play for a big one, to play the Champions League, I am proud to hear that my name is among the big ones. This issue is handled by my agents, I am on loan at Osasuna for two years”, he told Ecuadorian outlet Expreso.
“It fills me with pride, who knows in the future I can wear the Manchester United shirt, and try to do better than Antonio Valencia.”
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Jadon Sancho decision
Liverpool are likely to miss out on Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.
That’s according to Jamie Redknapp, who believes the £100million-rated England international is “going to end up” at Manchester United.
Sancho, 20, has scored 31 goals and provided 42 assists in 90 appearances for the Bundesliga challengers having left Manchester City in 2017.
“I think it is a matter of time with Jadon Sancho coming to the Premier League,” Redknapp told Sky Sports. “We are talking about a genuine superstar. I would like to see him at Liverpool, but I think he is going to end up at United though.”
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Joao Felix discussions
Manchester United have established contact over a move for Atletico Madrid sensation Joao Felix.
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believe the club can exploit the transfer market which looks set to be affected by the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.
The bulk of his budget looks set to go on Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho but that does not appear to have put them off exploring a swoop for Felix, who became one of the most expensive players in history when he joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica for €126million (£113m) last summer.
According to Le 10 Sport, the Premier League giants have now established contact with intermediaries including super agent Jorge Mendes after internal discussions.
Felix is the second Atletico Madrid player that United have been linked with in recent weeks after claims midfielder Saul Niguez is also on Solskjaer’s radar.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Wanted: Noah Francoise
Arsenal are looking to sign Rennes teenager Noah Francoise.
That’s according to French publication FootMercato, who claim Mikel Arteta’s side have ‘recently contacted’ the defensive midfielder’s representatives.
Francoise, 16, has represented France at Under-17 level but hasn’t signed a professional contract with Rennes.
The teenager is described as one of the most ‘promising players of his generation’ and is also being tracked by Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Harry Kane interest
Manchester United are unable to afford Tottenham talisman Harry Kane in the upcoming transfer window.
That’s according to The Guardian, who claim executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and co. have been forced to re-evaluate their transfer strategy.
The Red Devils had been tipped to challenge for Kane, who carries a valuation of around £150million, after the 27-year-old said he will not stay at Spurs “for the sake of it.”
However, the report claims United have adjusted their budget because of financial uncertainty caused by coronavirus and now ‘accept’ that Kane is an ‘unrealistic’ target.
The arrival of Kane would shatter United’s previous club-record signing which still stands at £89.3million paid for Paul Pogba in August 2016.
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Marcelo Brozovic to Liverpool
Liverpool have NOT contacted Inter Milan to discuss the availability of midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
Recent reports claimed that Jurgen Klopp’s side had made ‘initial contact’ with Brozovic’s agent Miroslav Bicanic regarding a possible transfer.
However, Italian website Calciomercato claim no club, including Liverpool, have made a proposal.
The Croatia international, whose contract will expire in June 2022, has a £52million release clause and Inter are trying to extend his deal at the San Siro.
However, Calciomercato add that Liverpool are ‘waiting in the background’ and ‘observing the situation with interest.’
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Jack Grealish praise
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is a ‘special player’ and would be a ‘massive asset’ for any club in the Premier League, according to Paul Merson.
Manchester United are eager to sign the 24-year-old midfielder and are believed to be in pole-position to secure his signature at the end of the campaign.
“He’s a special player,” Merson told Sky Sports. “He’s the best three or four-yard passer I’ve seen in the game for a long time.
“He keeps going everywhere for the ball, but I think that’s just because he’s at Aston Villa. If he went to a bigger club with better players who are on his wavelength, I think he will play a position.
“At the moment people are a bit worried because he’s going all over the pitch to get the ball. With better players, he would be able to hold his position and would be a massive asset for any club in the Premier League.”
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Cesc Fabregas Q&A
Cesc Fabregas has revealed why he never sealed a transfer to Manchester United.
David Moyes recently revealed the club were interested in signing the former Arsenal midfielder during his short reign at Old Trafford.
Fabregas was conducting a Q&A session on Twitter on Monday afternoon when the issue of a failed move to Old Trafford was brought up.
“Why didn’t you play for Manchester United???” asked one user on the social media site.
He replied with a simple five-word answer: “It wasn’t meant to be.”
Transfer news LIVE: Latest gossip from Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Paul Pogba hint
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is confident Paul Pogba will be motivated to play alongside Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford after seeing the club improve since his arrival.
Pogba has been limited to just a handful of appearances this season due to ankle problems before undergoing surgery at the start of the year.
Maguire, though, suggests the France international will relish the opportunity to play alongside Fernandes at United and create a formidable partnership.
“He’s [Fernandes] been brilliant since he’s come in,” he told Sky Sports. “He’s been brilliant off the field, around the training ground, he’s a leader, he wants to win.
“We’ve got Paul to come back as well, who will probably make himself lift his game even more so we’ve got a good competition for places in that centre midfield.”
Read the full article here.
Man Utd "accept" £150m club-record transfer decision, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal latest - Express
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