Clubs are slowly turning their eyes toward the summer window; Transfer Talk has the updates on all the latest rumours.
PSG ‘open talks’ ahead of Courtois swoop
Antonio Conte suggested on Friday that Chelsea players involved in the team’s near-certain failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League should feel obligated to stay with the club and fight their way back into top-flight European competition.
But according to the Mirror, one player who probably won’t heed that advice is goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The 25-year-old goalkeeper’s representatives have reportedly “opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain” over a move to the French capital as he nears the end of his current deal at Stamford Bridge.
Courtois has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent windows and the Belgium international has said on occasion that the city feels like home to him after spending three seasons there on loan to Atleti.
However, the Mirror says that the PSG hierarchy is keen to add a world-class goalkeeper to their star-studded lineup ahead of next season with none of Alphonse Areola, Kevin Trapp or Salvatore Sirigu impressing enough when given chances to nail down a first-choice spot.
Flamengo making room for Vinicius Jr.?
It’s always big news in Brazil when two of the giants of the game swap players — and this one could also have implications for current European champs Real Madrid as well.
According to multiple reports in Brazil, Flamengo are set to sell stalwart left-winger Everton for R$15 million (€4 million) to Sao Paulo after indications the Paulista club are set to trigger the 29-year-old’s release clause.
So where does Real come into this?
Everton’s departure would clear the way for Los Blancos‘ 17-year-old wonderkid Vinicius Junior to assume a permanent starting role with the Rio de Janeiro club ahead of his expected — but not yet decided — move to the Bernabeu this summer, giving the talented youngster increased first-team minutes before beginning his European voyage.
Liverpool have plan to appease Salah
Jurgen Klopp says he knows for a fact that Mohamed Salah will be a Liverpool player next season. The Reds boss recently slammed the door about the possibility of the Premier League’s leading scorer leaving, saying: “It’s not a situation I would even think about.”
But just in case, the Mirror says that Liverpool are lining up a summer move for Stoke City winger Ramadan Sobhi, a teammate of Salah’s on Egypt’s World Cup-bound squad.
The report says that Liverpool are preparing a summer bid for the 21-year-old, who has been highly recommended by Salah.
Tap-ins
– L’Equipe is reporting that Everton are set to make a move for 16-year-old Nantes midfielder Kamal Bafounta. The France U16 international has drawn interest from a host of clubs around Europe and would be allowed to leave for a minor fee to join the Premier League side.
– Arsenal stars Alexandre Lacazette and Petr Cech believe that a Europa League title will ensure that Arsene Wenger sees out his contract at the Emirates.
Despite a disappointing season thus far, the Gunners progressed to the semifinals of the competition on Thursday after a 6-3 aggregate victory over CSKA Moscow.
– Rafael Benitez admits loan signing Kenedy could price himself out of a permanent move to Newcastle if he continues his stunning form for the Magpies. The 22-year-old Brazilian — a target for Bayern, PSG and Tottenham — has been a key figure in the club’s fine run since the turn of the year after heading for Tyneside from parent club Chelsea in January.
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