The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
Jump to: Real’s low-ball Hazard offer | Top clubs eye Ndombele
TOP STORY: United to entice Rice to Old Trafford?
The West Ham board is braced for an approach from Manchester United for their newly capped England international Declan Rice, according to reports in the Irish Independent.
Despite signing a long-term contract at the London Stadium back in December, Rice could be tempted by a big-money move to United that would bring a nice rise to his current £30,000 a week pay.
The 20-year-old’s contract leaves West Ham in a strong negotiating position, however, with the Londoners expected to demand a fee of at least £50 million for the midfielder, despite his playing in only 56 Premier League games in his fledgling career.
A move for Rice isn’t the only thing on United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s agenda, with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho also on his shopping list. The Norwegian is also planning a mass clear-out of some of his side’s aging stars.
LIVE BLOG
08.00 BST: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said he does not want to sign a midfield alternative to Jorginho but would like to make Mateo Kovacic‘s loan from Real Madrid permanent. Since the January sale of Cesc Fabregas, the coach said Kovacic is the only other player in his squad capable of filling in at the base of midfield.
“You know very well that, in that position, we have some problems because we have only Jorginho,” Sarri, whose side face West Ham at home on Monday, told a news conference. “In my opinion, Kovacic could become a very good central midfielder.
“Of course he is not a defensive midfielder but, as you know, in that position I prefer a very technical player. For us it’s very important for us to have big quality in that position. Big quality not for the last pass, but big quality in terms of moving the ball.”
Asked whether he would like to see Chelsea sign someone else to play the role, Sarri said: “No, I want to try with Kovacic. He is only on loan, of course. I’d like very much that Kovacic will stay with us.”
PAPER TALK (by James Capps): Real seek cut-price Hazard summer switch
Real Madrid are stepping up their pursuit of Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, with the Telegraph claiming that the Spanish giants want a deal finished before the end of the season.
The Belgium international’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer of 2020, and with the 28-year-old seemingly uninterested in signing an extension at the club, Real are confident about getting their man on a relatively cheap deal.
Despite Hazard’s increasingly ominous contract situation, Chelsea still value their star man at the £100 million mark, but Madrid officials are reluctant to pay anything above £85 million as they look to make the Chelsea No. 10 their first major signing of the second Zinedine Zidane era.
Despite the continued speculation, Hazard is expected to start in Chelsea’s Premier League game against West Ham on Monday and will be hoping to add to his tally of 17 goals in all competitions.
Ndombele attracts attention from six of the best
Calciomercato claims that as many as six top European are chasing Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, with the Italian outlet reporting Juventus as the team in pole position for his signature.
The French midfield destroyer is developing a big reputation following some impressive displays for his side in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League after signing permanently from Amiens last summer for just €8 million.
His performances have attracted attention from some of the continent’s biggest sides, with the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain keeping an eye on the 22-year-old, as well as admiring glances from Premier League trio Manchester United, Man City and Chelsea.
But Juventus appear to have stolen a march on their European rivals after the player’s agent met officials of the Turin club back in January ahead of a potential €60 million switch in the summer.
Tap ins
— Roma are eyeing a cut-price move for Sevilla winger Pablo Sarabia. The 26-year-old has just over a year left on his contract in Andalusia and could be available for as little as €18 million in the summer, with the Calciomercato claiming the capital club is set to trigger the Spaniard’s release clause in the coming months.
— Chelsea are plotting a permanent deal for on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian has become a mainstay in the Blues midfield, racking up 30 starts for Mauricio Sarri’s side, but a deal is dependent on the outcome of an appeal against a two-window transfer ban. Chelsea boss Sarri is on the record that Kovacic is the type of player he covets for his system.
— Calciomercato claims that Juventus are interested in a deal to sign Roma defender Kostas Manolas, but only if Claudio Ranieri’s side fail to qualify for the Champions League. The 27-year-old Greek international has a contract at the Stadio Olimpico until 2022, but failure to finish in Serie A’s top four could tempt him into a move elsewhere.