Mbappe was ‘in talks’ with Liverpool before PSG new deal, Tottenham ‘ready to poach Gabriel Jesus transfer from Arsenal

Spurs stars want transfer spree

Tottenham’s senior stars have urged the club to back Antonio Conte in the transfer market this summer.

Conte wants around six signings and Spurs are considering moves for the likes of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and former hero Christian Eriksen.

The Italian’s side secured a Champions League spot with Sunday’s 5-0 rout of Norwich at Carrow Road.

Conte, 52, is set for talks with chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici this week — but he has hinted he could still walk if the club do not match his ambition, despite having a year left on his contract.

The ex-Chelsea and Inter Milan boss was backed in January to sign Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski, whose loan is set to be turned permanent for £29.2million.

Centre-back Eric Dier, revitalised by Conte, said: “The club needs to take advantage of this moment, of this team and this manager.

“It’s in the club’s hands now. We’ve done our job and now it’s the club’s job this summer to do the best work they can.”

Skipper Hugo Lloris, 35, added: “I believe Conte knows exactly what he wants and needs. I believe there is huge confidence. It’s just about making decisions together.”

Pep faces tough decision on City ‘legends’

Pep Guardiola has some agonising decisions to make over his ‘legends’ this summer.

The Manchester City boss was full of praise for his squad after clinching a fourth Premier League title in five years on Sunday — calling them “eternal”.

But there remains a question mark over whether a handful of the heroes will be there when their latest title defence kicks off in August.

And one of those whose future must be decided is Sunday’s two-goal saviour Ilkay Gundogan.

You might think a team who amassed 93 points and scored 99 goals in another outstanding campaign does not need much work doing to it.

But Pep has shown before he is not one for standing still and admiring the view from the summit.

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s signing has made all the headlines — but Argentina international Julian Alvarez will also arrive from River Plate and has the potential to be just as exciting.

Mbappe reveals Liverpool talks

Ky;ian Mbappe has confirmed he held talks with Liverpool over a sensational Anfield move.

The French striker ended speculation around his future by announcing he’s signed a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 23-year-old sparked rage from Real Madrid, who expected the forward to join them.

But Mbappe confirmed he’s staying put in the French capital in a highly-anticipated announcement at the weekend.

And the 23-year-old has since revealed that Real Madrid weren’t the only club he considered joining.

Mbappe told TeleFoot: “It was not just Real Madrid and PSG – I was in talks to join Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.”

Sterling future uncertain

Raheem Sterling’s Manchester City future remains up in the air – despite his key role in another title triumph.

The 27-year-old acewho has been linked to Arsenal, enters the final 12 months of his £300,000-a-week contract after spending the last seven years at the Etihad.

And he plans to have a think about his future once he is finished with England duty in mid-June.

Sterling’s primary concern is that he continues to play regularly after he lost his place in the team earlier in the season.

While he won it back in the winter, he was left on the bench for both legs against Real Madrid in the Champions League and the final two matches of the season.

And he will be concerned the summer arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez will make the competition for places in Pep Guardiola’s squad even stronger.

Spurs target Jesus and Eriksen

Tottenham will let Antonio Conte bid big for Arsenal target Gabriel Jesus this summer amid a potential six-player spree.

Ex-Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen is also on the list after his sensational Prem return with Brentford.

But Manchester City striker Jesus could cost £60million-plus.

The Brazilian admits his future is uncertain.

Frenzy over Kounde

Speculation over Sevilla defender Jules Kounde being in London today reignited talk of the Sevilla defender joining Chelsea or Arsenal.

Sevilla president Jose Castro admitted this morning the club are ready to sell players to fund new signings after finishing fourth in LaLiga.

And reports in Spain reckon nine-cap Frenchman Kounde is one of the likely departures.

It’s also thought Chelsea came close to landing the 23-year-old last summer.

Villa land Man Utd and Atletico target Boubacar

Aston Villa have pulled off one of the summer’s best free-transfer coups after beating Atletico Madrid to Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara on a five-year-deal.

The 22-year-old was outstanding for the Ligue 1 runners-up and made it to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.

That form earned Kamara rave reviews and a call-up to Didier Deschamps’ French national team, where he will team up with Villa’s Lucas Digne, before completing his move to Villa Park when his current deal expires at the end of this month.

It is a stunning piece of business from Villa, who fought off fierce competition from Manchester United, Newcastle United, Jose Mourinho’s Roma and Spanish giants Atletico to land one of the hottest young prospects in Europe.

Despite being available for free, Villa will have to invest a staggering £30million over the next five seasons as Kamara will rake in over £100,000-a-week after turning his back on Champions’ League football with Marseille.

He confessed the chance to work with midfield legend Gerrard was too good to turn down and said: “When I met with Steven, Christian [Purslow, chief executive] and Johan [Lange, sporting director] in my home I knew Aston Villa was for me. 

“Their ambition and determination to succeed matches my own. I cannot wait for pre-season to get going.”

Brazilian lawyer Pimenta takes Raiola role

Before super agent Mino Raiola passed away last month, he had one request for his long time ally.

The Italian, who boasted football stars including Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as clients, asked Brazilian lawyer Rafaela Pimenta to take over the reins of his business.

It is she who is tasked with advising France World Cup winner Pogba of his next move – with a move away from Man Utd said to be imminent.

Whether he stays at Old Trafford or re-signs for Juventus, who are believed to have offered the playmaker a three year deal worth £6.3million-per-year deal, Pimenta will be at the centre of all negotiations.

In truth, she could become the most powerful woman in football.

For 18 years, Pimenta was Raiola’s right-hand woman – working by his side.

She was entrusted as a vital cog in his affairs, as well as a brain to lean on for advice.

Spurs offer Conte six-player spree

Tottenham are reportedly set to promise Antonio Conte at least six new signings this summer to persuade the manager to stay.

Conte, 52, has flown to Italy to spend time with his wife and daughter after living alone in London since taking over at Spurs in November.

The Italian is said to be considering his Tottenham future and will talk with his family before making a decision, as they are unlikely to move to London with him.

Conte has a year remaining on his contract but Spurs Managing Director of Football Fabio Paratici is planning to join his compatriot in Italy to encourage him to stay, report The Telegraph.

The Spurs boss has refused to commit to the club but Paratici hopes the offer of new signings will persuade him to stay.

Conte is said to want between six to eight new players, including three defenders, a midfielder and a forward who can play centrally or out wide.

Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus fits the last category and Spurs could try and hijack Arsenal’s move for the forward. His representatives have held talks with the Gunners and Jesus is believed to be a fan of Mikel Arteta’s project – but they are open to other suitors.

As well as the Brazilian Tottenham are reportedly eyeing moves for midfielders Christian Eriksen, James Ward-Prowse, and Kalvin Phillips.

Middlesbrough right wing-back Djed Spence, who has impressed on loan at Nottingham Forest this year, is also thought to be of interest.

Juve won’t spend big on Jorginho

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is still a Juventus target but the Serie A giants won’t ‘spend big’ to land the Italy midfielder.

That’s the understanding of Fabrizio Romano for Caught Offside, who believes Juve are prioritising moves for Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba over the 30-year-old.

Mikel: Nketiah, Elneny, Lacazette futures ‘decided’

Mikel Arteta has remained cryptic about the futures of Eddie Nketiah, Mo Elneny, and Alexandre Lacazette.

The trio are out of contract at the end of the season, and their futures at the Emirates remain in the balance.

But, it appears, the Spanish tactician already knows what lies ahead for them.

Arteta revealed: “It’s been decided, but it’s very difficult to communicate it. What they deserve is to have what they had today.”

Toffees offer Tarkowski £90k a week

Everton will offer Burnley free agent James Tarkowski £90,000 a week.

The Telegraph suggest the Toffees and Aston Villa are current frontrunners for the twice-capped England centre-back.

Everton aren’t looking to spend big this summer but the out-of-contract defender offers value for money.

The former West Ham target has clocked up 194 Premier League appearances.

And he’s keen to resolve his future before jetting away on holiday.

Jesus admits ‘uncertain’ future

Gabriel Jesus has opened up about his future at Manchester City amid speculation over a move to Arsenal or Tottenham.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Etihad, particularly since the Premier League champions confirmed the signing of Erling Haaland earlier this month.

And Jesus admitted everything is still very much up in the air heading into the summer window.

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, he said: “About my future, it’s still uncertain.

“I have a contract with City and I have already expressed my desire to the City people and to my agent. I have in my head [a very clear idea of] what I want.

“I want to celebrate a lot with City. It’s obvious that I’m very happy here.

“And, on vacation, I [will] decide about my future.”

Red Devils & Toon in for Ekitike

Manchester United and Newcastle are currently in the middle of a six-way battle for the signature of Reims teenager Hugo Ekitike.

However, it’s being reported in France that PSG are lining up a £38m for the striker.

According to Foot Mercato, Manchester United and Newcastle are the main interested parties from the Premier League.

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan are all also in the hunt.

Back in January, it was reported that Newcastle had had a £33m bid accepted by the French club, only for Ekitike himself to turn down the offer.

Both Man United and Newcastle are looking bolster their striker options for the upcoming season.

Up to NINE Gunners face axe ahead of £150m spree

Arsenal are looking to scrape together £60million from an Emirates yard sale of players who no longer figure in their plans, writes MARK IRWIN.

The club are ready to spend as much as £150million this summer but want to offset some of that by selling seven surplus players at knockdown prices.

Matteo Guendouzi and Konstantinos Mavropanos have already generated £12.5million after being offloaded to Marseille and Stuttgart respectively.

Now Arsenal are trying to negotiate further cut-price deals for Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Pablo Mari.

Arteta has told technical director Edu that he needs 22 outfield players to cope with the extra demands of Europa League football next season.

With Alex Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both set to leave as free agents and Mohamed Elneny just signing a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months, Arsenal currently have just 16 senior outfield players on their books.

That figure could be boosted by the return of William Saliba and possibly Reiss Nelson from their current loan deals.

And Arteta is ready to allow promising youngsters such as Charlie Patino, Miguel Azeez and Omari Hutchinson the chance to cut their teeth in the Europa League group games.

But he still wants to make four top quality signings this summer as he looks for two strikers, a central midfielder and possibly another full-back.

Wolves prepare for exit of Utd & Arsenal target Neves

Wolves have offered Morgan Gibbs-White a new deal as Bruno Lage prepares for life without Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal target Ruben Neves, writes GRAEME BRYCE.

Midfielder Neves seems certain to call time on his five-year Molineux career after an emotional bow following his final home game against Norwich last week.

And the 25-year-old Portugal ace uese international followed it up by admitting he is ready to ‘live his dreams,’ following Wolves’ final game of the season at Anfield on Sunday.

Now Lage has made his first move to rebuild his squad by offering AC Milan target Gibbs-White a bumper new deal.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a stellar season on loan at Sheffield United where he scored 12 goals in 37 appearances to convince Lage he can play a massive part in Wolves’ future.

Fresh terms have now been offered to the attack-minded midfielder who was voted the Blades Player of the Season.

New Neym for the Bridge?

Chelsea are 7/1 favourites in a star-studded field to sign PSG striker Neymar.

Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are thought to be in contention for the Brazil legend, as well as Newcastle and Manchester United.

Talk of Neymar’s future has hit the headlines this week.

French newspaper Le Parisien claim the 30-year-old has been put up for sale after “direct orders” from executives Qatar.

Neymar has scored 100 and provided 60 assists in 144 appearances for PSG since his £200million arrival from Barcelona in 2017.

And signed a contract extension last year which keeps him in Paris until June 2025.

SKY BET ODDS ON NEYMAR’S NEXT CLUB:

• Chelsea – 7/1
• Barcelona – 10/1
• Newcastle – 14/1
• Real Madrid – 14/1
• Bayern Munich – 16/1
• Manchester United – 16/1

Kylian deal is nothing to Mona about

Kylian Mbappe’s former club Monaco will receive £25million from Paris Saint-Germain after the forward renewed his contract.

PSG snapped up Mbappe from Monaco in 2017 for £123m.

But according to AS, the fee is set to rise to just shy of £150m thanks to a savvy clause Monaco inserted into the deal.

The clause compelled PSG to pay Monaco £25m in the event of a contract renewal or sale.

It also means that Mbappe is the second most expensive transfer in history, only behind his team-mate Neymar, who joined the Parisians for £186m from Barcelona.

The report also states there were rumours that PSG were hoping to avoid paying Monaco the agreed £25m.

Arteta ‘pushing for £25m Youri bid’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly pushing for the club to make a move for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans.

The Belgian playmaker is out of contract at the King Power at the end of next season and has been linked with a transfer this summer.

The likes of Real Madrid, Tottenham and Manchester United, as well as Arsenal, have all been touted as possible destinations.

Arteta though has urged the Gunners to table an opening bid of £25million for the 25-year-old, according to the Telegraph.

Leicester though could play hardball despite the dwindling months on Tielemans contract and demand over £30m for his services.

SunSport exclusively revealed it could take as much as £40m to prise him away from the East Midlands.

Spaniard Arteta has singled out Tielemans as one of his top summer targets and is claimed to have carried out a number of background checks on the midfielder.

Red Devils will Av a transfer spree

Manchester United owner Avram Glazer has hinted that the club could splash the cash in the upcoming transfer window.

The Red Devils are expected to dip into the market under Erik Ten Hag having posted their lowest ever Premier League points tally.

Two central midfielders, plus a striker and a centre-half are top of Ten Hag’s summer wishlist.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is one name on the list, but SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this month United face a battle to sign the former Ajax star.

Glazer though suggested funds will be available in the upcoming window.

When asked by Sky Sports if the club are able to invest before next season, Glazer replied: “We’ve always spent the money necessary to buy new players.”

The 61-year-old, a hugely unpopular figure among the United fanbase, was also asked if he was disappointed with the season just gone.

United posted a measly 58 points, finishing sixth-place in the table.

But Glazer initially said: “I don’t think this is the time to talk about that.”

Cottagers offload 14 players

Fulham have confirmed the exit of 14 players including TWO of their biggest transfers ever who cost the club a combined £50million.

Jean Michaël Seri and Alfie Mawson will depart the club this summer alongside 12 others players.

Seri joined the club for a near £30m in the summer of 2018, leaving OGC Nice.

The midfielder failed to make an impact and spent two spells out on loan at Galatasaray and Bordeaux.

Seri made 33 appearances for the Cottagers this season, managing just one goal which came in the 7-0 win over Luton.

Mawson left Swansea for Fulham in 2018 in a £15m deal. The centre-back, like Seri, failed to have an impact in Fulham’s squad and had a loan spell at Bristol City.

Cyrus Christie, Fabri, Michael Hector, Timmy Abraham, Jacob Adams, Eric Ameyaw, Xavier Benjamin, Tyler Caton, Jerome Opoku, Jonathon Page, Julian Schwarzer and Jaylan Wildbore have also left the club.

However, Fulham have tied down Sonny Hilton, Idris Odutayo and Adrion Pajaziti for a further year.

Pepe sale may fund new Saka deal

Arsenal have been tipped to sell Nicolas Pepe to help fund a huge new contract for Bukayo Saka.

Newly-crowned Serie A champs AC Milan have been linked with a £25million bid for the Ivory Coast winger – three years after his £70m arrival at the Emirates from Lille.

And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta is ready to offload erratic Pepe, 26.

A major reason is said to be the focus on keeping 20-year-old Saka.

It’s understood the 14-cap England wideman is frustrated at missing out on Champions League football but can still be persuaded to agree a new long-term deal.

Juve favourites to win Pogba hunt

Juventus are favourites ahead of PSG to sign Paul Pogba – with Manchester City and Real Madrid next on the list.

The French World Cup winner, 29, seems sure to exit Manchester United for a second time on a free transfer this summer.

The midfielder’s final United appearance lasted just eight minutes as he was injured early on in the 4-0 defeat at Liverpool on April 19.

But old club Juve are still thought to be keen.

Betfair odds on Pogba’s next club:

• Juventus – 6/4
• PSG – 9/4
• Manchester City – 6/1
• Real Madrid – 9/1
• Barcelona – 14/1
• Newcastle – 33/1
• Inter Milan – 33/1
• Liverpool – 66/1

Real ‘join Prem queue for Gnabry’

Real Madrid have reportedly joined a host of Premier League clubs in the race to lure Serge Gnabry away from Bayern Munich.

The 26-year-old is facing an uncertain future at the Allianz Arena with his contract set to expire in 2023.

It has been claimed that the Germany international has rejected a new deal to remain in Bavaria.

A Premier League return has been mooted, with former employers Arsenal linked with a move to bring him back to the Emirates.

Fellow English giants Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are also all rumoured to be keeping tabs on the winger.

Meanwhile Gnabry’s ex-Bayern team-mate David Alaba is looking to persuade Gnabry to quit Germany and join him at Real Madrid.

And according to Sport1, Gnabry is open to departing Bayern as he doesn’t feel valued by the Bundesliga champions.

They state that Alaba has recommended the ex-West Brom loanee to Real, who are now eyeing up a possible swoop for Gnabry.

Carv up for Kop challenge

Fulham whizkid Fabio Carvalho has finally joined Liverpool.

The Portugal Under-21 attacking midfielder helped the Cottagers return to the Prem as Championship winners, notching ten goals and eight assists in 36 league games.

Carvalho, 19, will move to Anfield on the expiry of his contract for a £5million compensation fee that could eventually rise to £8m.

Liverpool narrowly failed to get the move through on January’s transfer deadline day.