SADIO MANE has elected to LEAVE Liverpool this summer, according to reports.
Liverpool lost 1-0 in the Champions League final to Real Madrid on Saturday night and it looks like that will have been Mane’s last game for the club.
Meanwhile, Real have set their sights on French wonderkid Aurelien Tchouameni according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer guru has revealed that Los Blancos will focus on signing Tchouameni immediately after the Champions League final.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are said to be leading the race for Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic’s signature.
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Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news across the globe…
De Jong contract offer
Man Utd are prepared to make Frenkie De Jong their highest paid player in order to tempt him away from Barcelona, according to reports.
New United boss Erik ten Hag is desperate to bring the Dutch midfielder to Old Trafford to bolster the squad.
De Jong, is well known to want to play Champions League football, but United are prepared to offer an eye-watering £395,000 a week in order to tempt him into a move, according to the Daily Star.
This would immediately elevate him above the likes of David de Gea (£375,000), Jadon Sancho (£350,000) Raphael Varane (£340,000), and above Cristiano Ronaldo (£300,000) in United’s books.
Nunez and Timber targeted
New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly plotting a double transfer raid of Darwin Nunez and Jurrien Timber.
The new Old Trafford chief has already set his sights on fresh talent as he looks to rebuild the team.
Ten Hag is now wasting no time in recruiting talent, with the Mirror reporting that the club has identified two priorities.
Benfica striker Nunez caught the eyes of fans this season as he hit 26 goals in 28 league games for Benfica, and has been heavily linked with the Manchester side.
While ten Hag wants Ajax defender Timber to join him from his former club, with the 20-year-old valued at £35 million.
Alonso ‘agrees’ contract with Barcelona
Marcos Alonso is on the brink of signing for Barcelona, reports claim.
The Chelsea defender has agreed a three-year deal with the Catalan giants, according to Diario SPORT.
Alonso’s Chelsea contract expires next summer, but the Blues are hashing out a low price transfer with Barca, the report added.
Raphina price set by Leeds
Barcelona will have to cough up £40 million for Leeds’ Raphina after the Premier League side survived relegation, according to reports.
Jesse Marsch’s team pulled off a dramatic final day rescue job to lift themselves out of the bottom three at the expense of Burnley.
Prized asset Raphina scored a second-half penalty to help the Yorkshire club on their way.
The result means that Barcelona now may need to pay more to land the Brazilian winger, according to Sport.
Had Leeds been relegated, a release clause in Raphina’s contract could have seen him go for as little as £21m.
But now it is believed Barcelona will have to pay £40m to land their man.
Prem sides in transfer battle
West Ham and Southampton are reportedly interested in RB Salzburg forward Junior Adamu.
The 20-year-old Austrian international is under contract with his current club until 2025.
But his nine goals in the 2021/22 season – including one against Bayern Munich in the Champions League – have caught the attention of several teams across Europe.
Ajax, Hertha Berlin and RB Leipzig are all thought to be monitoring him.
And The Mail is now reporting that West Ham and Southampton have joined the race.
Brighton are also thought to be keen on acquiring his services.
Colwill makes future decision
Chelsea ace Levi Colwill has refused to rule out a stay with Huddersfield next season.
He said: “There’s too much respect for me to close the door. We need to get promotion first, which is the only thing I’m thinking of right now.
“I’m not planning for next year, all I can focus on right now is Wembley on Sunday and then the internationals after that. After when I’ve finished all of that, well that’s when I’ll start thinking about that.
“For me, playing for Chelsea will always be the main aim right now because it’s my club. But if that doesn’t happen, well then I have to find other ways to progress and become the player I want to be.”
Benji Siegrist in Preston talks
Preston boss Ryan Lowe is in talks with Dundee United’s Swiss keeper Benji Siegrist in a bid to sign him on a free transfer, ALAN NIXON WRITES.
Lowe wants THREE new shot stoppers and the highly rated Siegrist who started his career in England with Aston Villa.
Siegrist is out of contract and has also been watched by Celtic and Manchester United as cover but North End would give him the chance to be first choice.
The Swiss has impressed since joining the Tangerines from Vaduz in 2018.
He helped them to the Scottish Championship title in 2019-20, before easily taking to top flight football.
Siegrist, 30, played his part last term as Dundee United qualified for next season’s Europa Conference League by coming fourth in the Premiership.
Ronnie Edwards transfer frenzy
Aston Villa and Southampton have joined the host of Premier League clubs eyeing a £10million summer swoop for Peterborough teenager Ronnie Edwards.
The centre back has been linked with Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Manchester United after being a shining light in a season that ended in Posh being relegated to League One.
Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has insisted that it would take a record offer for one of the club’s players to persuade him to let Edwards go this year.
And the ever-increasing interest in the 19-year-old makes it certain Fry will be able to generate more than the £6.2m received for Britt Assombalonga in 2014.
If Edwards performs well for England at next month’s European Under-19 Championship, his stock will rise further.
Peterborough may seek a deal that would see Edwards return to the club on loan for next season, but any buyer could prefer him to play at a higher level than League One.
Fabregas makes Frenk assessment
Man United have been warned that transfer target Frenkie de Jong isn’t the complete package.
That’s the view of ex-Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas who claims De Jong’s passing isn’t up to scratch.
He said when assessing De Jong: “He just lacks the final pass.”
Bissouma transfer battle
Chelsea are reportedly interested in Brighton star Yves Bissouma.
That’s according to Football London who claim the Blues have been tracking the Mali international.
But the Blues have competition in the form of Aston Villa who are keen on the midfielder.
Arsenal enter Raphinha race
Arsenal have entered the transfer race for Leeds ace Raphinha.
But the Gunners face stiff competition from Barcelona and Man United for the Brazilian, according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari.
Barca view Raphinha as the ideal replacement for Man United target Ousmane Dembele, the report adds.
Gerrard makes Liverpool transfer fee
Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to sign a midfielder after their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
And it has to be a midfielder that scores goals Gerrard believes.
He said: “Liverpool, if you think about the next five, six, seven years, they’re going to need a midfielder, an eight, who can get goals, who can get double figures.
“They are heavily reliant on the front three – or the front five if you include Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
“But you always need one of those midfielders that’s going to get in the box and get you goals.”
Leeds want Huddersfield’s O’Brien
Leeds Utd boss Jesse Marsch will make a new move for Huddersfield midfield star Lewis O’Brien.
But the Terriers plan to offer him a second new contract in a year if they get to the Premier League.
Academy product O’Brien, 23, was on Leeds’ radar last summer.
However, they failed to come up with a decent offer despite lengthy inquiries.
Instead he stayed with Huddersfield and was rewarded with a rise.
Saints in for Gibbs-White
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl wants to sign midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolves — and will pay up to £20million.
Gibbs-White has headed back to his parent club after the 22-year-old’s dazzling campaign on loan at Sheffield United, with a dozen goals as Blades reached the Championship play-offs.
Now Wolves are facing a fight to keep him as clubs come in for the impressive England U21s star, who looks ready for Premier League football.
Saints head the queue as boss Hasenhuttl looks for fresh legs and ideas after the St Mary’s club’s season fizzled out towards the end.
McGregor’s support for Liverpool
Conor McGregor claimed to be a Liverpool fan ahead of the Champions League final – despite supporting Manchester United.
The Notorious has previously pledged his allegiances to United and Celtic – but changed his tune ahead of the showdown in Paris.
Being interviewed at the Monaco Grand Prix’s qualifying event, McGregor made a shocking revelation.
Asked about the Champions League final, the Irishman said: “My family are Liverpool.
“I am a supporter of Liverpool. I am a supporter of Real Madrid also.
“Again, I hope for a great game. But I have to go for the ‘Pool for this one.”
Fulham chasing Gyokeres
Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres is wanted by both Fulham and Middlesbrough.
The Swedish international caught the eye with his displays for the Sky Blues in the Championship this term.
He scored 18 goals in 47 matches for Mark Robins’ men.
Now that form has caught the eye of their rivals – and the club could cash in.
Promotion winners Fulham are keen on the 23-year-old ahead of their return to the Premier League.
And Championship rivals Middlesbrough are also interested.
Kompany to raid City
Man City centre-half Taylor Harwood-Bellis is wanted by Vincent Kompany at Burnley.
The England Under-21 defender had a spell under Kompany at Anderlecht last season after spending time at Blackburn.
But he came home after becoming unsettled and went to Stoke in January.
Now new Clarets chief Kompany hopes his relationship with former club City can help get the defender.
Harwood-Bellis, 20, is also wanted by rival English clubs, with Brentford trying for him last year.
And Scottish champions Celtic, who have elite European football to offer him, are keen too.
Phillips wanted by Bournemouth
Liverpool want £15million for defender Nat Phillips after his successful loan spell at Bournemouth.
The centre-half became a cult hero at Anfield two seasons ago as he was thrust into the limelight by the Reds’ unprecedented spate of injuries.
But the returns of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez – plus the signing of Ibrahima Konate – left him well down the pecking order this term.
Phillips joined Bournemouth on loan in January and has been instrumental in their promotion to the Premier League.
Now the Cherries are desperate to keep hold of him for their return to the top-flight next season.
Newcastle enquire about Diaby
Newcastle have been quoted a fee of over £40million for winger Moussa Diaby, according to reports.
Eddie Howe is keen to add a wide man to his ranks this summer, with the Bayer Leverkusen man a favoured target.
Newcastle have enquired about the possibility of signing the 22-year-old, according to the Telegraph.
But with the Frenchman under contract until 2025, the Bundesliga outfit are under no pressure to sell.
It’s claimed it would take a fee of over £40m to prise him away.
Tottenham’s Lo Celso loss
Giovanni Lo Celso is set to make his Villarreal switch from Tottenham permanent this summer, according to reports.
Lo Celso has impressed while on loan in Spain, and Unai Emery would like to bring the midfielder to the club on a permanent basis.
Tottenham brought the Argentine in January 2020 for £45million but his career in North London never really got going.
And, according to Fabrizio Romano Spurs are prepared to take a whopping £28m loss on him to shift him out of the club.
Baldock switches allegiances
Sheffield United right-back George Baldock has switched his international allegiance and will represent Greece in the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Baldock, 29, is eligible to represent Greece through his maternal grandmother.
And according to The Athletic, the Greek National Team are eager for him to become a part of the squad.
The right-back has already had his Greek citizenship approved, and the process for international clearance has been completed.
The team is managed by former Brighton and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet.
Poyet and his side will take on Kosovo, Cyprus and Northern Ireland in the Nations League next month.
Just being Franck
Franck Kessie has confirmed his exit from AC Milan ahead of a switch to Barcelona.
He wrote on Instagram: “After 5 years I couldn’t hope to end this great experience in a better way! A unique emotion: we are Italian champions!
Proud to have worn this glorious shirt and to have shared this journey with some fantastic team-mates!
Thanks for everything! Thanks to everyone! Your ‘President’.”
Just give us a Koul
Barcelona have reportedly put Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly at the top of their defensive wishlist.
Koulibaly is yet to sign a new contract with Napoli despite the club’s best efforts.
And the Serie A side are willing to sell the centre-back to avoid letting him go for free next summer, according to Sport.
Napoli will take £25m for Koulibaly, a price that could prompt Barca to make a swoop for him, the report added.
Man United are also keeping tabs on Koulibaly.
What a Mess
Lionel Messi is believed to have told Barcelona president Joan Laporta to stop talking about him and a potential return to the Nou Camp.
The Daily Mail are reporting that Messi and his father Jorge have become increasingly frustrated by comments made from his former club’s president.
Reports claim that the player’s father phoned Laporta back in March politely asking for the Catalan giants’ president to stop making remarks about Messi in interviews.
It is rumoured the relationship between the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and Laporta was already fragile because Barcelona had to take back their contract offer made to Messi last year at the final minute.
Jesus slammed for transfer flirting
Man City striker Gabriel Jesus has been criticised by David James for flirting with a transfer away from the club.
Jesus, 25, is believed to be considering his options this summer with Arsenal and Tottenham keen on a move for him.
James told Genting Casino: “Jesus will have a shared role if he stays at Man City. They aren’t going to buy Haaland and start him every game, so there is still room for Jesus.
“Why would he want to leave? You’ve at the best team in England over the past five years, so would he risk it by moving somewhere else to Arsenal, who aren’t even in the Champions League?
“Or would he rather stay at Man City and try to get the Holy Grail, which is the Champions League?”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
