Saturday’s transfer news, done deals and rumours
Follow all of Saturday’s breaking transfer news, rumours and done deals
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Today, Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool remain the talk of the rumour mill as the international transfer window creeps into view.
Yesterday, Real Madrid finally announced the signing of Eden Hazard for a fee that could come to exceed £150m. Elsewhere, Daniel James completed his medical at United with his £18m signing and has been confirmed.
The future of Matthijs de Ligt meanwhile remains uncertain, with the 19-year-old defender currently linked to a host of clubs eager to land his signature. Recap all of the news below:
Arsenal are meanwhile set to push on with their first signing of the summer with a bid for Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser set to be lodged. A new centre-back is high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority list at United with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester’s Harry Maguire both options. Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another on the Norwegian’s radar.
It won’t just be incomings at Old Trafford, however, with Paul Pogba a high-profile target for Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez on his way out with Inter Milan and Juventus fighting it out for his signature – if he drops his wage demands. And Liverpool could be active too as they look to go one better after failing to win the Premier League title by just a single point.
Sarri to go?
Here is the latest on Maurizio Sarri's situation at Chelsea, courtesy of esteemed transfer scuffler Lawrence Ostlere:
James handed his chance against Croatia
Manchester United-bound Daniel James started for Wales in their Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia in Osijek.
Swansea winger James scored the winner on his competitive debut against Slovakia in March, and Wales made one change from that game with Will Vaulks replacing David Brooks.
Croatia made three from the 2-1 defeat to Hungary in March as injured pair Ivan Rakitic and Ante Rebic and Aston Villa goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic dropped out, with Dominik Livakovic, Mateo Kovacic and Josip Brekalo coming into the starting line-up.
Bale digs in
Gareth Bale has told Real Madrid he has no plans to quit the club this summer, according to AS.
Los Blancos are desperate to sell the Welshman this summer, to free up some funds ahead of their comprehensive squad rebuild.
But Bale has reportedly told the club not to listen to any bids for his signature.
Will there even be any … ?
What next for De Ligt?
Our man in Portugal Miguel Delaney was blown away by the performances of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt against England on Thursday night, and wonders what will come next for the latter in this intriguing piece:
Kovacic to return to Italy?
Inter Milan are in talks with Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to reports in Italy.
Kovacic, 25, spent last season on loan at Chelsea where he became an influential first-team player, making 51 appearances in all competitions.
However Chelsea do not have an option to buy him outright this summer meaning the Croatia international is fair game.
And La Repubblica have today reported that Inter are keen to resign the midfielder. Kovacic spent three seasons at the San Siro before signing for Madrid in 2015.
'Enjoy your new challenge amigo'
Cesc Fabregas has just wished Eden Hazard luck in Madrid...
Draxler to Spurs?
Tottenham have reportedly been offered Julian Draxler as a potential Christian Eriksen replacement - should the Dane leave the club this summer.
Eriksen went public on his wish to leave Spurs this week, with Inter Milan weighing up whether to rival Real Madrid for his signature.
And according to the Daily Star, PSG are ready to make the most of the situation in offloading Draxler - who is surplus to requirements in Paris - for an expected £35m.
City to enter the market?
Manchester City are looking to make a move for Juventus' Joao Cancelo, according to reports.
The Premier League champions are allegedly in talks with the Serie A side over a £44m for the Brazilian, who Goal say is keen to make the switch.
Juve have started looking for replacements for Cancelo, identifying Tottenham's Kieran Trippier and Napoli's Elseid Hysaj as possible alternatives.
Danilo could also be an option. The full-back came close to moving to Turin from Real Madrid before eventually settling upon Manchester in 2017.
Bad news for Arsenal and Spurs fans...
Statistics from the past ten transfer windows show that north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are the quietest clubs when it comes to pushing deals over the line.
Having only completed 55 permanent deals in the last 10 windows, Arsenal are bottom of bettingexpert’s Premier League transfer table.
The Gunners also have a deficit of seven players, having completed just 24 signings and 31 sales since summer.
Tottenham, who have not signed a player since January 2018, sit 19th in the Premier League’s transfer table with just 63 deals done, one player below Bournemouth and two inferior to Manchester United.
Watford have sealed more deals than any other current Premier League side on 107, while they also have the highest surplus of players on +19.
Man United (-19), Tottenham (-17) and Chelsea (-10) are the three sides with the most negative trade figures.
Spurs in for Bruno?
Portuguese outlet Diario Record have this weekend reported that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to move forward with a concrete proposal worth over €70m to sign Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno and Sporting are set for talks upon the conclusion of Portugal’s Nations League campaign with a decision on the player’s future to be made soon.
Bruno has made 106 appearances for Sporting having signed for the club from Sampdoria in 2017.
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