DECLAN RICE will REJECT West Ham’s eight-year contract offer, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been tracking the player who West Ham have valued at £150m in an effort to ward off any advances.
Robert Lewandowski is reportedly set to LEAVE Bayern Munich after rejecting a new contract, with the Polish striker wanting a move to Barcelona.
Meanwhile, reports from Germany suggest that Erling Haaland has a release clause in his Man City deal.
It is claimed that the Norwegian will ultimately be able to leave the Etihad should a bid of £128m be made.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news across the globe…
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West Ham want Broja but on loan
The Hammers hold an interest in Chelsea’s on loan star Armando Broja.
However according to West Ham insider Claret and Hugh, they want to sign the 20-year-old on loan before any permanent outlay.
While at Southampton, Broja has scored nine goals.
Morata and Griezmann to switch clubs
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are rumoured to being considering a swap deal that involves Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann switching teams.
Morata is currently on loan to Juventus from Atleti.
A deal would see Griezmann return to the Nou Camp.
Barca sporting director Mateu Alemany was spotted in talks with the CEO of their La Liga rivals, Miguel Angel Gil Martin, on Thursday.
This is according to Marca.
Credit: Rex Nine clubs want the ‘next Martinez’
There is set to be an incredible nine-way battle to sign Racing forward Charly Alcaraz.
Spanish outlet Marca report that the 19-year-old has a release clause of £20.5million.
Arsenal, Spurs, Wolves, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Juventus, Inter and AC Milan are the nine clubs mentioned.
Smith preparing for the Championsship
Norwich boss Dean Smith has said his side already have enough quality in their squad to bounce back to the Premier League following relegation.
However he has stressed he wants to add more creative players to the side.
The Canaries have only found the back of the net 22 times this season, the lowest in the division.
Celtic announce two players departing
Celtic duo Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Both have played for the club for 10 years and will end their stay after tomorrow’s game versus Motherwell with Celtic ready to lift the league title.
The pair won the treble and quadruple as well as being part of the side that were invincible in 2017.
Desperate for Dest
Another Chelsea based story, they are believed to be keen on Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest.
The American right-back could be brought in a back-up for Reece James according to Sport.
Dest could be part of the deal that sees Cesar Azpilicueta head to the Catalan giants.
The ‘new Messi’ on Chelsea’s radar
Chelsea are looking at Kays Ruiz-Atil dubbed the ‘new Lionel Messi’.
The 19-year-old left Barcelona’s academy two years ago and impressed at PSG leading to a return to La Masia.
But he is set to be allowed to leave yet again.
That’s according to GOAL.
Lingard heading to Italy?
Man Utd midfielder Jesse Lingard is being eyed up by four Italian giants this summer.
The 29-year-old is ready to exit Old Trafford as his contract expires at the end of this season and will not be renewed.
Now, journalist Rudy Galetti, has said AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma are all keen on him.
Two Premier League clubs interested in Zaniolo
Italy’s La Gazzeta Dello Sport has reported that Liverpool and Tottenham both hold an interest in Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is potentially valued at £60million.
Jose Mourinho’s side want to tie him down to a new deal but the likes of AC Milan and Juventus could also test their resolve.
Sterling decision on hold
Man City attacker Raheem Sterling is in no rush tom make a decision on his Man City future.
According to the Daily Mail, the England star will wait to June before deciding whether to stay or go.
His contract is set to expire in the summer of 2023.
The likes of AC Milan, Arsenal and Spurs are monitoring the situation.
Arsenal will need £85million to sign Osimhen
Napoli are rumoured to be demanding a fee of over £85million to prize striker Victor Osimhen away from the club.
Italian media report that Arsenal are most keen on him.
However Man United and Spurs also hold an interest.
Lukaku’s agent planning talks over future
The agent of Romelu Lukaku is set to have talks with Chelsea regarding the striker’s future at the club.
Federico Pastorello insists the Belgian is fully committed but admits there has been “problems” since he big move move.
He told La Republicca: “Given the figures of the transfer, no one could have expected such a situation.
“I’m not the one to discuss technical choices, but it is obvious that there was a problem.
“The numbers, however, must be weighted: he is the best scorer of the team this season, even with a lower playing time compared to his teammates. “
On a return to Inter Milan he said: “He has their club and their fans in his heart, he has never hidden that, as well as his love for Anderlecht where he would like to end his career.”
Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images Nat Phillips set for permanent Bournemouth move
Liverpool centre-back Nat Phillips is reportedly on the verge of signing for Bournemouth.
A deal could be worth £8million according to The Express.
The 25-year-old centre-back has spent the second half of the season on loan at the Cherries helping them clinch promotion back to the Premier League.
Manager Scott Parker is believed to be desperate to keep Phillips despite not having an option in the original loan deal to sign him permanently.
Potential next Blackburn boss wins award
Blackburn target Carlos Carvalhal has won April’s manager of the month award in Portugal.
The Braga boss saw his side end league leaders Porto’s 58-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory on April 25.
Carvalhal, who is in the frame for the Ewood Park outfit, will be available without paying any compensation when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Ex-Norwich boss Daniel Farke and Wycombe’s Gareth Ainsworth are also on the shortlist to replace Tony Mowbray.
SunSport understands Carvahal, who managed Swansea in the Premier League and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, is keen on another crack in English football again.
Carvalhal, 56, qualified Braga for the Europa League again and would be seen as a major coup for Rovers given his previous pedigree in English football’s second tier after taking the Owls twice to the play-offs in successive seasons.
Good morning football fans
Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta has claimed the club’s intention to sign Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
That works as a major blow for Manchester United and Tottenham, who are also eyeing Dybala ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to La Gazzetta delo Sport, however, Dybala has chosen Inter as his next destination.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace want to secure the permanent signing of Chelsea loan star Conor Gallagher in the summer.
Gallagher was recognised as Palace’s 2021/2022 player of the season on Tuesday.
According to talkSPORT, the Eagles want to have the midfielder at Selhurst Park for the long-term.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s £51million switch to Manchester City is eclipsed by incredible agents’ fees of £42m and his £34m annual wages.
The Borussia Dortmund striker’s dad Alf-Inge-Haaland could pick up around £25m as he has helped represent his son.
Some figures are unclear, such as if they are before or after taxes, but they are still a staggering example of how negotiations can work.
In other news, Aston Villa have confirmed the permanent signing of loan star Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona – who have made a £125million LOSS on the Brazilian playmaker.
After talks with Barcelona, Villa have now snapped up Coutinho on a long-term deal for just £17million.
Finally, Robert Lewandowski has reportedly told Bayern Munich he will NOT be signing a new contract.
Bild claims Lewandowski informed Bayern chiefs of his shock decision on Thursday.
Coutinho takes pay cut
Philippe Coutinho has agreed to take a colossal pay cut of over 70 per cent in order to join Aston Villa, according to reports.
The Brazilian had been earning massive wages with Barcelona, figures Aston Villa would certainly not be able to afford without breaking apart their financial structure.
However, now Coutinho is thought to have cut his wages in order to force through a £17m move to play under Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, his former team-mate at Liverpool.
He had been earning an incredible £480,000-a-week at Barcelona – Villa had paid him £120,000 a week during his loan spell.
Ten Hag wants De Jong reunion
Erik ten Hag desperately wants to be reunited with Frenkie de Jong as he kick-starts his Manchester United revolution.
The former England chief met Ten Hag at an Amsterdam summit, along with the new manager’s No 2 Mitchell van der Gaag and United’s football director John Murtough.
And Barcelona’s ex-Ajax star De Jong emerged as Ten Hag’s top summer target at the get-together.
The meeting took place less than 24 hours after Ten Hag — who labelled his new job ‘a fantastic challenge with something to build and win’ — clinched the Dutch title with Ajax.
But United admit it will be tough to get the playmaker away from Barcelona and also fight off interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and neighbours Manchester City.
Lewandowski to quit Bayern
Robert Lewandowski has reportedly told Bayern Munich he will NOT be signing a new contract.
Bild claims Lewandowski informed Bayern chiefs of his shock decision on Thursday.
The 33-year-old has been at the Allianz Arena since 2014 after joining on a free transfer from rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool star’s war cry
Thiago Alcantara is fully focused on winning the FA Cup with Liverpool.
He said: “It doesn’t matter if we didn’t win for a long time.
“It’s just about a trophy that we can win and we add in our backpack this new challenge.
“Wembley is an amazing stadium. It’s special itself but then you know that Wembley is used for special moments.
“There’s different context and we’re ready to go to London.
“It’s a new game with Chelsea and we have to be prepared, nothing else.”
Haaland’s chock release clause
Erling Haaland has a shock release clause in his Man City mega contract.
German newspaper Bild reported Haaland, 21, has an arrangement whereby he can leave the Etihad after just two years for €150m (£128m).
However, SunSport understands that while a release clause DOES exist in the contract, those figures and dates are not correct.
Social media reacted to the claim with ‘shock’ – one saying: “The only loser here is City. Crazy!”
Coutinho to Aston Villa CONFIRMED
Aston Villa have confirmed the permanent signing of loan star Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona – who have made a £125million LOSS on the Brazilian playmaker.
Coutinho, 29, linked up with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard on a six-month loan in January.
Gerrard made no secret of his desire to make the midfielder’s loan permanent.
And after talks with Barcelona, Villa have now snapped up Coutinho on a long-term deal for just £17million.
Gerrard plans Liverpool raid
Steven Gerrard is planning to raid former club Liverpool in a bid to improve his leaky Aston Villa defence, according to reports.
Gerrard is understood to be eyeing up Joe Gomez as his transfer target, according to The Mirror, with a centre-back and central midfielder on his wish list to bring Aston Villa into European contention next season.
One of Villa’s Achilles’ heels since Gerrard took over has been a weak defence.
While The Villans have seldom had many problems scoring goals, thanks to the talents of Philippe Coutinho, Ollie Watkins, and Danny Ings, they have kept just eight clean sheets in 24 league games.
This poor record has ultimately cost them vital points and thwarted the chances of easily finishing in the top half of the table this season.
Gomez therefore would be a welcome addition to a defence which is in desperate need of some upgrades.
Fabinho blow for Liverpool
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is OUT of the FA Cup final on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
The Brazilian was forced off in the first half of the Reds’ game against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Klopp confirmed his number one midfield anchor would miss this weekend’s fixture due to a muscular injury but could still make a return before the season concludes.
He told Liverpool’s official site: “There’s a good chance that he will be back whenever – not for the weekend but whenever.”
Erling Haaland’s agent fees
Erling Haaland’s £51million switch to Manchester City is eclipsed by incredible agents’ fees of £42m and his £34m annual wages.
The Borussia Dortmund striker’s dad Alf-Inge-Haaland could pick up around £25m as he has helped represent his son.
Some figures are unclear, such as if they are before or after taxes, but they are still a staggering example of how negotiations can work.
Norway hero Haaland is expected to earn about around £170m in pay if he sees out his five-year contract.
But he also has a staggering release clause, meaning he could leave City for £64m after just two years.
Hugh battle for George Miller
Mark Hughes is weighing up a move for Barnsley’s George Miller on a free transfer.
But the Bantams face stiff competition from newly-promoted League One side Exeter for the 23-year-old striker.
Miller, who is out of contract this summer, spent last season on loan in League Two with Walsall, scoring 12 league goals in 41 appearances.
The forward, who has had two temporary spells at fourth tier Bradford, has also attracted interest from Stockport.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
