Transfer News

BRIGHTON have slapped a whopping £70million price tag on striker Joao Pedro.Interest in the Brazilian, 23, has heightened as it appears the Seagulls are willing to do business.Joao Pedro is attracting plenty of transfer interestCredit: ReutersBut they will only be listening to offers around that figure, a huge mark-up on a player who joined in a £35m deal from Watford in July 2023.Newcastle, Liverpool Arsenal and Aston Villa are thought to be keen.Pedro hit ten goals in 27 Prem games last term.But he was left out of the last two games of the season by boss Fabian Hurzeler after a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAhead of Brighton’s final day victory at Tottenham, boss Hurzeler offered an update on Pedro’s situation.The 32-year-old said: “With Joao, we had a small issue in training, a type which isn’t uncommon from time to time at all football clubs.“We dealt with it internally and the matter is closed.“Joao is an incredible football player, he is a match-winner for us and he is a great player and that’s why we invested in him.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“But there are principles, there are values that are non-negotiable that count for everyone. I don’t make any compromises.“I am sure that Joao is still a young player, there is still a lot of potential where he will grow.What does Brighton player Joao Pedro’s controversial ‘throat-cutting’ goal celebration mean?“I am sure that he will learn from this and come back stronger next season.“I am really looking forward to seeing him renewed and reinvigorated at his highest peak into our team. That is all I would say to this.”The only thing is how we dealt with it as a football club, how we dealt with it as a team.”Meanwhile, the Albion boss is set to offer a new one-year deal to veteran midfielder James Milner.The 39-year-old revealed this week that he had feared he would not walk again after surgery.He is 16 league games from breaking Gareth Barry’s  Prem appearance record of 653 matches.James Milner has been offered a contract extensionCredit: Getty More

JOHN STONES could make a shock return to Everton to keep his World Cup dream alive.And that may grease the wheels for Jarrad Branthwaite heading in the opposite direction as part of an all-change summer at Manchester City.Manchester City star John Stones could make a shock return to EvertonStones’ return to Everton would grease the wheels for Jarrad Branthwaite heading to Man CityStones was one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings as manager — costing £50million in 2016 — and is the only one of six players to join that year still at the club.Guardiola continues to rate him as one of Europe’s finest ball-playing  centre-backs and would be quite happy to keep him at the Etihad.But the last two seasons have been an injury-ravaged disaster for Stones, who has been dogged by hip and particularly hamstring problems.The last of his 13 starts saw him limp out of the Champions League defeat at Real Madrid in February after only eight minutes.Read More on FootballAnd as fitness concerns limited his openings at City, he also faded from the England reckoning since his 83rd appearance in Finland in October.Stones, 31, knows he needs regular games to have any chance of forcing his way into boss Thomas Tuchel’s plans for next year’s World Cup.But although Guardiola is happy for him to stay, there are no guarantees on how much game action he will get — even though their relationship is as strong as ever.Stones would certainly play more at Everton but he has 12 months left on a £250,000-a-week Etihad contract.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd the Toffees, for all their new investment, are not going to sanction that kind of package for a player of his age and with his injury record.Yet Guardiola is well aware of that and club sources claim he would let the player go for peanuts as a gesture, which would leave wriggle room on personal terms.City would also hope the move puts them in pole position to sign Branthwaite, one of the best young centre-backs in the country.They are long-time admirers of the Cumbrian, 22, now the prize asset on Everton’s books and a summer target for a host of clubs — though Chelsea remain the hot favourites.If Stones does move to Merseyside, he would be linking up with the manager who signed him as an unknown Barnsley teenager in 2013.David Moyes paid £3m even though Stones had made just 22 starts in the Championship and he had three sensational years at Goodison.Although there was ill feeling from some fans  at his departure — having pushed for a move — that would not harm his return. More

MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow after Barcelona reportedly declared they do NOT want to pay for Marcus Rashford.The England forward’s future is in the spotlight following a half-season loan at Aston Villa.Barcelona do not want to pay to sign Marcus Rashford this summerCredit: GettyRashford scored two goals in 14 outings under Unai Emery while helping Villa reach the Champions League quarters.But their failure to qualify for next season’s competition means they are unlikely to sign Rashford permanently for an already-agreed £40million.SunSport exclusively revealed the 27-year-old wants to play in the Champions League.And he has now set his sights on a move to Spanish champions Barcelona.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHansi Flick’s men are indeed interested in Rashford.However, German outlet Bild claims they do not want to sign him permanently and are only willing to discuss a loan deal.It leaves United in a precarious position, with the Red Devils hoping to cash in on Rashford to fund new signings.It’s believed they would give the OK to one more loan move for Rashford.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut it requires Barcelona to cover the entirety of his £315,000-a-week wages while also paying a loan fee between £5m and £10m.United also want to agree an option fee for a permanent deal in the summer of 2026.Marcus Rashford sells Lamborghini supercar for £450,000 and buys incredibly rare £177,000 Audi However, Barcelona’s reluctance to hand over any money for Rashford could see them look elsewhere.If they are to spend hard cash, the Catalans would reportedly prefer to sign Liverpool’s Colombian star Luis Diaz.Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli is also in their sights.While Flick remains a fan of Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman. More

RAHEEM STERLING’S son has joined Arsenal despite his dad’s loan coming to an end.Thiago, 8, is the eldest of the Chelsea forward’s two children with partner Paige Milian, who met Sterling during his QPR days before moving to Liverpool with him in 2010.Thiago Sterling has signed a deal to join Arsenal’s academyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/paigemilian/He is the eldest son of Raheem Sterling and Paige MilianCredit: https://www.instagram.com/paigemilian/Thiago is heading to Arsenal as dad Sterling’s loan from Chelsea comes to an endCredit: https://www.instagram.com/paigemilian/And youngster Thiago has now penned a deal to sign for Arsenal’s famed academy, just as dad Sterling’s loan finishes.The news was announced by Paige on social media, who also shared family pictures with her 100,000 Instagram followers.Showing Thiago holding up an Arsenal shirt alongside younger brother Thai, 6, she said: “Beyond proud of my first born son Thiago for signing with Arsenal Academy’s U9s.“The growth, dedication and hard work you’ve shown over the past year has been incredible to watch, you’ve earned this.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“This is just the beginning so keep your feet on the ground, stay humble and keep grinding.“The journey doesn’t stop here, let’s go.”Fans were quick to congratulate Thiago on his amazing feat.One said: “Wooohooo yessss congratulations, so so proud.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnother declared: “This is amazing, well done Thiago.”One noted: “Congratulations superstar.”Thierry Henry hits out at Mikel Arteta as trophyless Arsenal are shown up by ‘the Man Utd that everyone laughs at’Sterling failed to score a single league goal during his time at the EmiratesCredit: GettyThe forward still has no future at ChelseaCredit: PAAnother added: “What an exciting future you have ahead of you.”Thiago will be hoping for a longer and more successful spell at Arsenal than dad Sterling, who also has a 13-year-old daughter called Melody Rose from a previous relationship.The winger, who has been engaged to partner Paige since 2018, joined on loan from Chelsea last summer after scoring 19 goals in 81 games.However, Sterling managed just one goal in 28 outings for the Gunners, failing to hit the target in the Premier League for the first time since his maiden 2011/12 season where he played just three times for Liverpool.He now faces an uncertain future, with Arsenal opting against a permanent deal and Chelsea having no plans to keep him either. More