Transfer Talk: Man City seek assurances from Bellingham ahead of record move
The January transfer window may be closed around Europe, but teams are looking ahead to the summer and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Is Bellingham willing to buy into Pep’s philosophy?
Manchester City lead the race for Jude Bellingham but the Premier League giants want assurances over the midfielder’s desire to play under manager Pep Guardiola, reports the Sunday Mirror.
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The paper suggests that due to the £130 million valuation from Bellingham’s club, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool have been forced to cut their interest in the 19-year-old, leaving rivals Man City in pole position to sign the England international. Earlier in the week, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp likened their interest in Bellingham to a child asking for a Ferrari at Christmas, indicating that a move for the Dortmund talisman looks unlikely.
Real Madrid are also believed to hold an interest in the youngster. However, the Spanish club will have to allow players to depart the Bernabeu first, before they make a move for the former Birmingham City midfielder.
Shrewd business from the Premier League champions in recent years, which has seen the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus leave for hefty fees, leaves City in a promising financial position to acquire Bellingham in the summer.
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15.00 BST: Dario AS reports that Aurelien Tchouameni won’t be allowed to leave Real Madrid this summer, despite a difficult first season and reported interest from Liverpool.
The France international moved to Madrid from AS Monaco in a €30m deal, but has flattered to deceive and made just 18 LaLiga appearances.
Los Blancos see the 23-year-old as a long-term prospect who will improve as he adapts to life at one of Europe’s biggest clubs and a successor to veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
14.05 BST: Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to agree a new contract with Eric Dier shortly, reports Football Insider.
The centre-back is about to move into the final year of his deal, and Spurs are set to offer him fresh terms to run to the end of the 2025-26 season.
13.12 BST: Chelsea will not allow centre-back Levi Colwill to leave the club in the summer when his loan deal at Brighton expires.
The 20-year-old, who was ineligible to play against his parent club as they lost 2-1 at home to the Seagulls on Saturday, is coveted by other Premier League clubs, such as Liverpool.
Press Association Sport says that Chelsea see the England under-21 international as a part of the club’s long-term future, and he will join their first team for the 2023-24 campaign.
Chelsea reportedly have a three-year option on his contract and the Blues intend to activate it.
12.17 BST: Ivan Perisic wants to return to Inter Milan after just one season at Tottenham Hotspur, reports Tuttosport.
The 34-year-old joined Spurs last summer when his Inter contract expired, linking up with Italian boss Antonio Conte. But the Croatia international is said to be disillusioned with life in the Premier League after Conte left Spurs, and wants to return to the Serie A club.
The complication is Inter will not be able to match the €6m annual salary that Perisic receives in north London.
Inter could allow Robin Gosens to join Bayer Leverkusen in the summer to free up funds.
11.20 BST: David De Gea is due to be a free agent at the end of the season and his future at Manchester United remains uncertain.
United have a one-year option to extend his contract, but that would be on the huge £375,000-a-week salary in his current deal.
The Red Devils want the 32-year-old to stay, but only by signing a new deal on vastly reduced terms.
The Sunday Mirror says that the goalkeeper has rejected £200,000-a-week — a cut of £9m-a-season. The club remain hopeful of finding a compromise, perhaps by placing higher bonuses in his new contract.
10.26 BST: The Sunday Times reports that Liverpool are to step up their interest in Netherlands international Ryan Gravenberch.
The 20-year-old joined Bayern Munich from Ajax last summer in a £21m deal but has struggled to make an impression with the Bundesliga champions.
The midfielder was one of the most highly rated young players in Europe at Ajax, but could be available for £25m at the end of the season.
Liverpool have identified Gravenberch as a key target as they look to reshape their squad after a poor season.
09.30 BST: Alexis Mac Allister could be allowed to leave Brighton this summer if the club received a transfer offer in the region of £60m, reports Football Insider.
Mac Allister, 24, has seen his value soar after impressing in the Argentina team which won the World Cup in Qatar. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all said to be admirers, but Brighton have no need to let him leave and will hold out for their valuation.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Arsenal have set their sights on forward Ollie Watkins this summer, according to Football Insider. The 27-year-old has been in impressive form for Aston Villa this season, notching 15 goals in all competitions, with the report suggesting the Gunners will monitor his contract situation. Villa manager Unai Emery — Arsenal’s former head coach — is reportedly eager to tie Watkins down to a long-term deal as he looks to build a team around the forward for next season.
– Midfielder Luka Modric wants to extend his stay at Real Madrid and is waiting for the club to open talks regarding a new deal, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Croatia international is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. However, it is believed the 37-year-old has turned down a €60m offer from one of the clubs in the Gulf and wants to see out his career with Los Blancos.
– Chelsea have identified Internazionale goalkeeper Andre Onana as a back-up target, if they cannot sign Brentford‘s David Raya, according to Ekrem Konur. The Blues are in the market for a new shot-stopper in the summer and have been rumoured to be interested in Raya, though they face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, which dampens their chances of securing the 27-year-old’s signature.
– Bayern Munich must slash their asking price for Marcel Sabitzer if Manchester United are to sign the Austria international, according to the Sun on Sunday. The report reveals the German outfit are happy to let Sabitzer leave in the summer, however, they will demand €25m to part ways with the 29-year-old. Sabitzer has impressed at Old Trafford since his loan move in January and is believed to be keen to sign permanently for the Red Devils.
– Leicester City are eyeing Aston Villa duo Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey ahead of the summer, using the lure of manager Dean Smith, reports Football Insider. The pair have impressed on loan at Championship club Middlesborough this season and the Foxes have reported identified them as ideal signings if they suffer relegation. New manager Smith has a reputation for nurturing young talent, with Ramsey spending the first half of the season on loan under Smith at Norwich City.
