Despite being big underdogs Alejandro Moreno believes Manchester United have more of a chance than people think in their quarterfinal Champions League tie against Barcelona.
Antoine Griezmann sits down exclusively with ESPN’s Martin Ainstein to discuss his love for American sports and his hopes of finishing his career in MLS.
The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals, and keep track of who has joined the big boys. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
TOP STORY: Griezmann switch to Barca back on
It had promised to be one of the transfer sagas of last summer, but ended up being a non-starter: Antoine Griezmann‘s proposed move to Barcelona was exposed as a red herring in June last year when the France striker announced he was committing himself to Atletico Madrid in LeBron James-style TV special “La Decision.”
A few days later, Griezmann signed a new deal until 2023, and as such the matter was considered closed.
However, according to L’Equipe, Griezmann is now reconsidering his future at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, following their exit from the Champions League and Barcelona on course for yet another La Liga crown.
The French sport daily claims that Barca could take advantage of the fact that a €200 million release clause in Griezmann’s deal does not come into effect until June, meaning they could sign him for €120m this summer.
Perhaps we can look forward to finding out how this ends by watching “La Decision: Part Deux” in a few months’ time.
LIVE BLOG
09.55 GMT: If Real Madrid want to sign long-term target Christian Eriksen this summer it will cost them a world-record fee, according to the Sunday Star.
The British tabloid claims that Tottenham will not sell their star playmaker for anything less than £200m, despite his contract expiring in June 2020.
Eriksen, 26, is seen as a player who returning boss Zinedine Zidane can build a new dynasty around, but he won’t come cheap.
PAPER TALK (by Richard Edwards): Spurs to make Sessegnon move
The Mirror says Tottenham Hotspur are stepping up their efforts to bring Ryan Sessegnon north of the Thames, as the Fulham prodigy stalls on contract talks with the relegation-bound side.
The report claims that Fulham’s attempts to persuade the 18-year-old to sign a long-term deal at Craven Cottage have hit a dead-end.
Manchester United are known to be keen on signing a player who has emerged as one of English football’s brightest young talents, but the player himself is understood to be keen on remaining in London rather than heading north.
Spurs are readying a bid of £50 million for a player who has also captured the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, who are equally desperate to lure him across the Channel, having coveted him for the best part of a year.
The paper suggests that Spurs could sign Sessegnon, who would be the club’s first signing in two transfer windows, and loan him back to Fulham who, let’s face it, will be playing in the Championship by then.
No loan for Foden
Sessegnon might not be keen on Manchester, but Pep Guardiola is insisting that his own teenage sensation won’t be heading out of the Etihad anytime soon.
Phil Foden is becoming an increasingly prevalent presence at Manchester City and scored for the club in their 7-0 hammering of Schalke midweek.
The Mirror reports that a growing number of teams have been attempting to take the 18-year-old on loan next season — to no avail.
The FA Cup escapologists are still eyeing the quadruple this season, having come back from the dead against Swansea in the competition on Saturday.
Guardiola still sees Foden as being an integral part of the legacy he’s creating.
The hunt for Monchi takes new twist
In days gone by, the hunt for a new technical director would have been a story drier than the Sahara, but not anymore.
Arsenal’s quest to bring Monchi — one of the world’s best-renowned talent hunters — to the Emirates has had more twists and turns than the Albert Park track that will host the opening Grand Prix of the Formula One season.
Now Football London reports that Arsenal’s quest to land the Spaniard could be scuppered by Sevilla, a club Monchi has worked at in the past. That eventuality could see Marc Overmars make a sensational return to the club he graced with such distinction as a player.
Overmars is currently director of football at Ajax and has caught Arsenal’s eye after doing an incredible job with a Dutch side that just reached the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2003.
He has also brought through the likes of Frankie de Jong, who was bought from Willem II for £800,000 and has been shipped to Barcelona for £65 million. Not bad going.
The outlet says Ajax are aware of Overmars’ interest in returning to London — interest that must have grown in light of Monchi’s U-turn.
Tap-ins
— The Sun reports that West Ham are worried about missing out on Uruguay hitman Maxi Gomez if Celta Vigo get relegated and his release clause shrinks by a half. That clause is currently a hefty £21.3 million, but if the Spanish side drop out of La Liga, Gomez will get a whole lot cheaper.
— A-League expansion side Western United have signed Ajax youngster Sebastian Pasquali, according to SBS.
— Zinedine Zidane’s return to Real Madrid has revived Los Blancos’ long-standing interest in Manchester United custodian David De Gea — that’s in the Mirror.
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