ERLING HAALAND has COMPLETED his medical ahead of his imminent transfer to Manchester City this summer.
The Norwegian’s switch to the Etihad is set to be announced as soon as this week.
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 a potential move to the Bernabeu.
Aston Villa are also busy ahead of the summer and have reportedly bid £12m for loanee Philippe Coutinho.
Should the transfer go through, it would represent a world record £130m loss for Barcelona on the fee they paid to sign the Brazilian from Liverpool.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news across the globe…
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Haaland compared to Shearer
Incoming Man City star Erling Haaland has been tipped to make a big impact in the Premier League like Alan Shearer.
The bold prediction was made by Shearer’s ex-Toon team-mate Steve Howey.
He told Football Daily: “I mean Alan [Shearer] wasn’t slow, by any means but obviously the lad’s [Haaland] very quick.
“The similarities when you do look at the goals that he scores, Al scored a big range of goals and all the goals. He was aggressive, he was strong, he did like the physicality of it as well.
“But not only that, he was a very good player. I think, the way that City play football with the intricate passing, I think that suits his game as well because he pretty much is the all around package. When you watch him, he has got everything.”
‘Big fish’ role for Lingard
Jesse Lingard will be a ‘big fish’ at Newcastle if he decides to join the Magpies.
That’s the opinion of Jonathan Woodgate who reckons Lingard will flourish on Tyneside as he will have a point to prove following a dismal spell with Man United.
Woodgate told BritishGambler.co.uk: “I think if he comes to Newcastle he will be the big fish, and he’s not the big fish at [Manchester] United.
“If he goes [to Newcastle] he will be one of the main men, and that might help him.
“I like him and think he has great qualities, and great attitude. He will want to prove a few people wrong.”
City release Haaland statement
Man City have confirmed they have an “agreement in principle” to sign Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
If City and Haaland agree on terms, he will be unveiled by the club on July 1, 2022.
A club statement read: “Manchester City can confirm we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.
“The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.”
Real Madrid CONFIRM Rudiger transfer
Real Madrid have COMPLETED a deal to sign Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger, according to reports.
Spanish giants Real Madrid have now finally secured his services after snapping up the free transfer on a four-year deal.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Everything is now done between Real Madrid and Toni Rüdiger. The deal has been completed, club sources confirm: he will play for Real.
“Contract until 2026, there’s no option for further season.
“Official announcement: end of the season. Here we go confirmed.”
Haaland signs long-term deal
Man City have tied Haaland down to a long-term deal, reports claim.
The 21-year-old’s transfer to City was confirmed this afternoon.
And City fans will have the pleasure of watching Haaland work his magic for the next five years, according to The National.
Haaland’s wages revealed
Haaland’s wage packet will reportedly put him amongst the highest earners at Man City.
The attacker will pocket £400,000 weekly during his Etihad stay, according to The Times.
And the eye-watering sum is similar to the amount City star Kevin De Bruyne earns on a weekly basis, the report added.
Haaland transfer CONFIRMED
Erling Haaland’s transfer to Man City has been CONFIRMED, according to reports.
Borussia Dortmund and City are completing the final pieces of the transfer said to be worth £51million which will be announced this afternoon.
It was previously thought that Haaland’s release clause was £64.1m, but The Times claim his exit fee is just over £51m.
And the fee will rise to £85.6m when agents’ fees and bonuses are added into the mix, the report added.
Chelsea bidder supports Spurs
Chelsea bidder Jonathan Goldstein will not take up a place on the club’s board because he is a Tottenham fan, according to reports.
The businessman, who has a close relationship with Chelsea’s incoming owner Todd Boehly, was being talked about as a potential successor to Blues chairman Bruce Buck.
But it has since been revealed that Buck is set to remain in his role when Boehly buys the club from Roman Abramovich.
It was then thought that Goldstein could assume a position on the board at Stamford Bridge.
But according to The Times, he will not take up the role because he is a Spurs supporter.
The report states that he is a Tottenham season ticket holder.
Pep silenced over Haaland transfer
PEP GUARDIOLA said he has been banned from talking about Erling Haaland until the deal to bring him to the Etihad is complete, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.
Manchester City are poised to activate the release clause – reported in Germany to be £64 million – to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker.
But both clubs urged Guardiola not to speak about what he might bring to the champions until everything is agreed.
Pep was speaking ahead of the trip to Wolves on Wednesday night and said: “Everybody knows the situation but I should not talk because I do not like to talk about the future, next season.
Credit: GETTY “At the same time I should say something, but Borussia Dortmund and Man City told me I’m not allowed to say anything until the deal is completely done.
“So I cannot talk, I’m sorry. We’ll have time to talk.
“I would love to talk, honestly, but I can’t! They tell me don’t say anything for the legal actions or the legal situation, it’s far away from my perspective.
“We’ll have time to talk about that. It’s not because I don’t want – but because I can’t.”
Clarke-Salter wanted
Chelsea’s Jake Clarke-Salter is wanted by top clubs across Europe including Leeds and PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer, writes PHIL CADDEN.
The 24-year-old centre-back has had an impressive season on loan at Championship outfit Coventry.
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.
Chelsea’s ownership issues means the Blues cannot currently activate new deals under the sanctions imposed by the UK government.
But American billionaire Todd Boehly still needs his deal to be rubber-stamped with Government approval with the completion of the sale expected in late May.
That means Clarke-Salter can speak to other clubs with Leeds and Sheffield United already enquiring for his services.
If the former England Under-21 captain is on a free, Coventry boss Mark Robins has also stated the Sky Blues will be in the market.
Clarke-Salter made 31 appearances last season, 29 of those in the Championship.
Villa ‘closing in’ on Coutinho deal
Aston Villa are “closing in” on a permanent deal for Philippe Coutinho, say reports.
The Brazilian has impressed since linking up with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard in January.
Coutinho, 29, joined from Barcelona on an initial loan deal, with Villa possessing an option to buy for £33million.
Credit: Instagram / @ainee.c And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has tweeted an update on the Coutinho situation.
He wrote: “Aston Villa are closing on Philippe Coutinho permanent deal.
“It’s fully agreed on player side – he wants to stay as he’s more than happy with Gerrard.
“Aston Villa fee will be close to €20m, as per @gerardromero@ffpolo. Final detail to be discussed with Barcelona on payment terms.”
Watkins top of the Hammers transfer shortlist
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has emerged as an ambitious target for top six chasing West Ham, writes Jack Rosser.
Hammers boss David Moyes is desperate to add competition for Michail Antonio this summer having failed to do so in January.
Former Bees striker Watkins, 26, fits the profile for the kind of established player Moyes wants to add this summer but Aston Villa have grand ambitions themselves and are reluctant to sell.
The England striker has 26 goals in 72 games for Villa since his then club-record £28million move from Brentford two years ago.
Moyes is exploring a number of options this summer with centre-forward a priority having missed out on Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata on deadline day during the last window.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who has impressed on loan at Southampton, is well liked at the London Stadium while Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has been linked.
Mega money for Haaland
Manchester City could pay £300MILLION for Erling Haaland, despite snapping him up for a transfer fee worth £64m, writes Dylan Terry.
On the face of it, the deal for Haaland appears to be a financially sound one as Man City have been able to trigger his £64m release clause at Dortmund.
But according to Marca, Haaland’s wages will be in the region of £34m annually – meaning he will collect around £170m if he sees out his contract.
That works out as £2.8m per month and £700,000 per week, although SunSport understands his wages will be closer to £385,000 a week.
Haaland’s agents will then receive £42m for their part in facilitating the deal.
And the Dortmund striker’s father Alf-Inge – who played for Man City between 2000 and 2003 – will also receive around £25m.
Put it on R-ice
Declan Rice has given the biggest hint yet he will stay at West Ham next season. writes Jordan Davies.
The Hammers midfielder has been linked with mega-money moves away to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City this summer.
Rice, 23, has turned down three improved contract offers that would make him the highest paid player in the club’s history on around £200k-a-week.
Rice’s current deal has two years left with the club having the option of extending that by a further year – while boss David Moyes has valued Rice at “north of £150m”.
And speaking at the club’s end-of-season awards last night, Rice picked up the Hammer of the Year before being asked if they will see him for the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Rice smiled and replied: “Yeah of course.”
After the crowd started chanting his name, he added: “There has been so much speculation but you can see every time I put on a shirt what this club means to me.
“Every time I step onto that pitch, every time I leave the pitch, I will always walk off having given 100 per cent and I will always give everything for this club and the manager and my teammates.”
Palace set to agree new deal with Olise
Crystal Palace are set to agree a new deal with Michael Olise to ramp his price up above £50million writes Jack Rosser.
The winger, 20, has been a sensation since his £8m move from Championship side Reading last summer.
London-born Olise, a France Under-21 international, has hit four goals and laid on eight assists this term — and his form is attracting attention from Prem rivals.
The Eagles have already rebuffed several approaches and are now planning to agree a one-year extension to his initial five-year deal.
That would keep him at Selhurst Park until June 2027.
Olise’s new Crystal Palace contract will see his release clause rocket from £35m to £50m-plus.
The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Lille and Bayern Munich were all said to be interested in Olise earlier in the campaign.
Villa chase a permanent deal for Coutinho
Aston Villa have launched a £12million bid for Philippe Coutinho, according to reports, writes Etienne Fermie.
The Brazilian has impressed since linking up with former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard in January.
Coutinho, 29, joined from Barcelona on an initial loan deal, with Villa possessing an option to buy for £33million.
Credit: Reuters Villa Park chiefs believe they can get him for far less, however.
Reports claim the Midlands club have made an opening bid of £12m for the attacking midfielder.
Talks remain ongoing between the two clubs, with Villa confident a deal can be done.
Haaland deal to be wrapped up ‘over the next week’
Erling Haaland, 21, has scored an impressive 85 goals in 88 appearances for the Bundesliga giants, making him one of the most highly sought-after talents in world football.
Dortmund told Sport1 on Monday: “The players have no training today and we allowed Erling to take care of personal matters.”
Sources in Germany say Dortmund are now aware that the Manchester City plan to activate the release clause in his contract.
Haaland, who has a £64million release clause and is expected to sign a five-year deal, is believed to have visited the Erasmus Hospital in Brussels on Monday for some tests connected to the move.
The Bundesliga club’s director Sebastian Kehl said at the weekend that he expects “clarity over the next week”.
And Haaland is believed to be happy with the financial package on offer at the Etihad.
SunSport understands these will fall in line with the wage structure currently in place.
Mbappe welcomed in Madrid
Kylian Mbappe has sparked rumours he could be closing in on a move to Real Madrid after being spotted in the Spanish capital, writes KEALAN HUGHES.
The striker, 23, was snapped heading into a Madrid restaurant alongside Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Achraf Hakimi on Monday.
Mbappe has been heavily linked with a move to Real and his presence in Madrid has fuelled speculation he could be set to make a summer switch.
The Frenchman confirmed his presence in Spain on Instagram, posing for a photo with Hakimi and the defender’s brother.
Mbappe captioned the post: “Off” – a possible hint that the forward is set to make a move.
Bolton make first summer signing
League One Bolton have announced Jack Iredale as their first signing of the summer transfer window.
Iredale, 26, has spent the past two years at Cambridge United.
The left-back made 89 appearances for the U’s and chipped in with five goals.
He was a key feature in Cambridge’s promotion in 2020/21.
Boehly transfer boost
Todd Boehly is reportedly set to give Thomas Tuchel a summer transfer warchest to rebuild Chelsea once his takeover goes through.
The billionaire American was in attendance at Stamford Bridge to watch the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Wolves on Saturday after being confirmed as Roman Abramovich’s successor.
The LA Dodgers baseball team owner is now set to inject “heavy investment” to bolster Chelsea’s squad, according to the Evening Standard.
It comes amid fears that last season’s Champions League winners “have been left behind after months of crippling sanctions” against them.
Potential City XI next season with Haaland
Manchester 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.
Haaland is believed to have already met with Man City officials in Brussels and COMPLETED a medical ahead of the move, which he wants done by the end of the week.
City are also lining up a sensational move for free agent Paul Pogba this summer.
Sunsport revealed City bosses have asked to be kept informed on Pogba’s situation in the coming weeks.
Villareal centre-back Pau Torres has received interest from both cross-city rivals in Manchester.
Frenkie de Jong is on City’s wishlist and there is talk of a swap deal for Bernardo Silva.
Mitchell van der Gaag talks ‘getting closer’
Manchester United are “working on contract details” with Mitchell van der Gaag, who was Ten Hag’s assistant at Ajax.
Van der Gaag, 50, has been Ten Hag’s assistant since the summer of 2021, after moving up from the reserves at the club.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported the details this morning.
He wrote: “Manchester United are working on the details of the contract to bring Mitchell van der Gaag at the club from Ajax, as part of Erik ten Hag coaching staff.
“Van der Gaag has been considered an important addition for months – agreement getting closer. Talks ongoing.”
Now 50-years-old, Van der Gaag enjoyed a successful playing career spanning 18 years between 1989 and 2007.
Van der Gaag was a centre-back, as was Ten Hag, and spent time playing for clubs in his native Holland, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
But he also enjoyed a two-year spell in Scotland with Motherwell between 1995 and 1997.
Pow, Pow, Pau
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.
Haa-land of the century
Anyone not talking about the potential move of Erling Haaland to City this morning?
Good morning footy fans
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.
Belgian outlet DH claim the 21-year-old completed a medical at a Brussels hospital on Monday.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists Haaland’s proposed transfer to Man City will set new levels.
He told Sky Sports: “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.”
Meanwhile, Man United ace Paul Pogba won’t be joining Haaland at the Etihad next season amid interest from Pep Guardiola’s side.
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.
However, French giants Paris Saint-Germain are favourites to sign Pogba, according to Betfair.
The bookies have Mauricio Pochettino’s Ligue 1 champions best priced at 4/5 to secure the services of the midfielder.
Elsewhere, 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.
Finally, Kylian Mbappe has fuelled speculation of a transfer to Real Madrid after he was spotted dining in the Spanish capital.
The PSG ace’s contract is up this summer and he’s been incessantly 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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
