ERLING HAALAND has COMPLETED his medical ahead of his imminent move to Manchester City this summer.
The Norwegian’s switch to the Etihad is set to be announced as soon as this week.
Which will be an emotional one for Haaland, whose father spent three years playing for City between 2000 and 2003.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are reportedly eyeing up a shocking move for Liverpool star Sadio Mane with his current deal in Merseyside coming to an end next summer.
And Kylian Mbappe has been spotted leaving a restaurant in Madrid ahead of his potential move to the Bernabeu.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news across the globe…
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Title race heats up
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has done his best to shake things up a bit of late.
Not least straight after Sunday’s 5-0 win over Newcastle when he claimed “everyone loves Liverpool”, implying there was a bias against his City team.
The City boss said: “Everyone in this country supports Liverpool — of course, because Liverpool has an incredible history in European competition.
“Not in Premier Leagues, though — because they’ve won one in 30 years — but it’s not a problem at all.”
When Guardiola’s quotes were read out to the Liverpool boss at his press conference ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Aston Villa, he laughed heartily.
Klopp on Haaland transfer
Jurgen Klopp insists Erling Haaland’s proposed transfer to Man City will set new levels.
The Liverpool boss told Sky Sports as Haaland’s switch from Borussia Dortmund edges closer: “If Erling Haaland goes there, that will not weaken them. Definitely not.
“I know in the moment that other people talk about money, but this transfer will set new levels. Let me say this.”
Lautaro Martinez wants Inter stay
Lautaro Martinez has no intention of leaving Inter Milan this summer.
That’s according to the Argentine’s agent, Alejandro Camano who claims his client is happy in Milan despite reports in the media linking him with a Prem move.
Camano said, via Football Italia: “Sometimes the media publishes stories about his possible transfer, but Lautaro is only focused on Inter, giving the fans joy and making them champions again, then he can start preparing for the World Cup with Argentina.
“We are not expecting or looking for a transfer. He is at Inter, he is happy, the city is wonderful. We are thinking only of Inter.”
‘No club needs Declan Rice’
No Premier League club will have a use for Declan Rice next season.
That’s the opinion of Stephen Warnock who reckons none of the Prem’s clubs have a need for Rice in their squads.
Warnock said: “Chelsea was the team that we all thought would be in for him. Now the situation is at Chelsea that we don’t know what the new owners are going to put into the club, do we? There’s talk that they’re going to go in heavily but until we know and we see that first move from them.
“You look at every other club and you think, would he go to Manchester United at the moment? Would that be an option for him? He’d benefit them, but would it benefit him at this moment, because again you don’t know what Ten Hag’s going to be like and you don’t know the influence he’s going to have.
“United need to shift a load of players out in order to probably get him in as well, and it’s like where else? Does he go abroad? I don’t see anyone else in the Premier League needing him. I don’t see Manchester City needing him, I don’t see Liverpool needing him.”
Man United chase Pau Torres
Man United have reportedly shortlisted Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a potential summer target.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Manchester United have bookmarked Torres as one of three or four potential new centre-back options.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has a £51million release clause in his contract.
The Red Devils have not tabled anything concrete as of yet as they are waiting for Erik ten Hag to take up his position as head coach.
Possible changes in the boardroom also mean negotiations with the LaLiga side over a deal for Torres are yet to get underway.
Van Dijk defensive status questioned
Virgil Van Dijk IS NOT the best defender in the world.
That’s the opinion of Everton star Richarlison who said there are three defenders who are better than his Liverpool rival.
Richarlison said: “Everybody in England hates Liverpool. Everyone is obsessed with Van Dijk, but he’s not the best defender in the world.
“Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and Sergio Ramos are all better than him.”
Mbappe seen in Madrid
Kylian Mbappe has fuelled speculation of a transfer to Real Madrid after being spotted eating in the Spanish capital.
The PSG ace’s contract is up this summer and he’s been constantly linked with a move to the La Liga champions.
And now, the France international has been seen leaving a restaurant in Madrid.
But Mbappe wasn’t alone, his PSG pal Achraf Hakimi was also snapped at the venue, reported the Daily Express.
Barcelona set for transfer exodus
Barcelona are reportedly preparing to let NINE players leave in the summer, with Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay among them.
They have been linked with bringing in a host of players at the end of the season.
Among those are Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Raphinha and Bernardo Silva.
But in order to bring fresh faces in there is also an expectation that several will be forced out of the door.
And according to Marca, De Jong and Depay are thought to be on the list of potential sales.
West Brom keeper signs deal
West Brom back-up goalkeeper David Button has signed a new two-year-deal with the Hawthorns club, WRITES GRAEME BRYCE.
The 33-year–old made 134 appearances for Brentford before making the move to the Midlands in 2020 but has only made a handful of appearances, due to Sam Johnstone’s excellence.
However, with Johnstone set to join Spurs in the summer, Button will challenge Alex Palmer and Josh Griffiths to become Steve Bruce’s new number one.
Button said: “I’m really looking forward to the next two years here.
“Despite not playing as much as I would have liked, I’ve really enjoyed my last two years here.”
Bayern want Sadio Mane
Bayern Munich are reportedly lining up a sensational swoop for Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
The Bundesliga champions are said to want the 30-year-old as a “statement transfer” in the summer.
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic held talks with Mane’s agent over the weekend, according to Sky in Germany.
Negotiations between Liverpool and Bayern are yet to get underway, but it’s understood they are keen on a move for the forward.
The report goes on to state contract discussions between the Reds and Mane are proving to be “difficult”.
Brighton offer shirt initiative
Brighton are offering fans the opportunity to secure their 2022/23 kits for FREE through a superb “Shirt Buy-Back initiative”.
The Seagulls are giving supporters the chance to swap any Brighton or Brighton Women’s shirt from the last decade for a voucher which will allow them to obtain the new kit for free.
The scheme begins on May 23 – the day after their final match of the season at home to West Ham – and ends on May 29.
All returned kits will be donated to KitAid – a charity which distributes shirts to children and adults in the world’s poorest countries.
The kit-recycling initiative, which will only be available to the first 250 fans on a first come first serve basis, has been created by American Express to celebrate 10 seasons of them sponsoring the club.
Albion confirmed that they are willing to accept “all wearable, official Adult and Junior shirts issued by Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. and Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. since the 2011/12 season – including all home, away, third and goalkeeper shirts”.
Man City Haal Erling in
Man City are set to announce the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland THIS WEEK after the German side allowed him to take care of “personal matters” on Monday.
Dortmund told Sport1: “The players have no training today and we allowed Erling to take care of personal matters.”
According to The Athletic, the Premier League champions have won the race for his signature.
Man City are set to inform Dortmund of their ‘intention to activate’ Haaland’s £64million release clause.
Man City close in on Haaland
Erling Haaland has reportedly passed his Manchester City medical.
The Borussia Dortmund goal machine is set to be announced as City player this week, and reports suggest he travelled to Belgium to undergo a medical examination.
Belgian outlet DH claim the 21-year-old completed a medical at a Brussels hospital today.
He was joined by Manchester City doctors, with Brussels chosen as the location for the medical “for geographical convenience and to try not to attract attention.”
Man United’s transfer blow
Man United’s pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg hotshot Karim Adeyemi is as good as over.
The 20-year-old is set to join German outfit Borussia Dortmund this summer.
United had tried to hijack Adeyemi’s transfer to the Bundesliga side.
But Adeyemi’s agent Thomas Solomon has confirmed a switch to Dortmund is “close” to completion, as revealed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Solomon said: “We’re now close to complete the deal with Borussia Dortmund.
“There will be no release clause included into his five-year deal.”
Chelsea star courts interest
Chelsea’s Jake Clarke-Salter is wanted by top clubs across Europe including Leeds and PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer.
Clarke-Salter is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer but Thomas Tuchel‘s side do have the option to extend his deal for another 12 months.
But Chelsea‘s ownership issues means the Blues cannot currently activate new deals under the sanctions imposed by the UK government.
That means Clarke-Salter can speak to other clubs with Leeds and Sheffield United already enquiring for his services.
German clubs match-rigging scandal
German football has been rocked by a new match-rigging row – with two teams playing out a draw that suited them both.
German fourth-tier clubs FSV Frankfurt and SV Elversberg played out the last 12 minutes of their game to a 1-1 draw.
Elversberg players passed the ball among themselves in their own half, amid applause from both sets of fans.
The result left the visitors effectively promoted and Frankfurt virtually safe from relegation with one match left to play.
Promotion rivals Ulm and drop-bound Grossaspach were left furious.
But Frankfurt boss Tim Gorner insisted: “A draw suited us just fine. In that case why should we go on the attack?”
Fulham open Adabioyo talks
Fulham have opened talks over a new deal for Tosin Adarabioyo to ward off any interest this summer.
The defender played almost every game as Marco Silva’s side won the Championship title at a canter but has just one year remaining on his current contract.
Silva is now keen for the club to quickly tie the towering centre-back down to a fresh long-term deal.
Given his Premier League experience, having played 33 games during Fulham’s last top-flight campaign, rivals may see the former Manchester City man as a bargain option this summer.
Fulham, however, are determined to keep Adarabioyo, 24, at the heart of their back line as they look to break the yo-yo cycle of promotion and relegation in recent years.
Leipzig warn Chelsea off Nkunku
RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff says they have no intention of selling £62million rated forward Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea this summer.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano tweeted a quote from Mintzlaff which says: “We have clearly discussed it internally: we won’t let Nkunku leave this summer, we told him and his agent.”
Gunners ‘explore’ Sterling summer transfer
Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Manchester City star Raheem Sterling this summer, according to The Telegraph.
The England winger, 27, is about to enter the final year of his deal and that could pave the way for former City coach and current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to make a move for him.
The report says Arteta would be “willing to make Sterling the focal point of the Gunners’ attack” next term.
Arsenal boost in Jovic pursuit
Arsenal have had some good news on target Luka Jovic with reports Real Madrid will put him on their transfer list.
The striker, 24, arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 for £52million but the move has not worked out as he has netted just three goals in 50 appearances.
The Gunners have been tracking the Serb for a while, and according to Mundo Deportivo his time at the Bernabeu is coming to an end.
Is Pogba off to PSG?
French giants Paris Saint-Germain are favourites to sign Paul Pogba, according to Betfair.
The bookies have Mauricio Pochettino’s Ligue 1 champions best priced at 4/5 to secure the services of Manchester United’s unsettled France superstar.
Pogba, 29, has reportedly turned down a move to Manchester City but looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer at the end of his contract.
Arsenal bookies’ favourties for Tielemans
Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Leicester central midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to Sky Bet.
The bookies have priced the Gunners at 2/1 to snap up the 25-year-old Belgium star.
Manchester United are next in the running at 4/1, with title chasing duo Manchester City and Liverpool both quoted at 7/1.
Tielemans has a year left on his Foxes deal and that could see him sold this summer rather than departing on a free next year.
Championship duo track Northampton’s McWilliams
Northampton midfielder Shaun McWilliams is being tracked by Championship duo West Brom and Barnsley, SunSport can reveal.
League One Portsmouth are keen on the 23-year-old, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.
McWilliams has impressed in a Cobblers side gunning for promotion via the play-offs and has put talks over a new deal on ice for now.
Town will face Mansfield in a two-legged play-off semi-final, with the away leg first up this Saturday.
Shaun McWilliams has impressed for promotion-chasing Northampton this seasonCredit: Phil Shephard-Lewis – The Times Pogba ‘rejects City approach’
Paul Pogba has reportedly turned down a move to Manchester City.
The Manchester United midfielder, 29, is said to have given serious consideration to an offer from their bitter derby rivals.
The France star looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer at the end of his contract.
But according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Pogba’s representatives have informed City he will be heading elsewhere.
City to ‘confirm Haaland deal’
Manchester City are reportedly about to bring a successful conclusion to their chase of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
City are set to announce the signing of the Norway striker, 21, this week according to The Athletic.
Haaland is just about the hottest property in world football after bagging 85 goals in 88 appearances for the German giants.
The Prem champions are reportedly due inform Dortmund of their “intention to activate” his £64million release clause.
City are set to seal a deal for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
