LIVE Transfer Talk: Arsenal want Rice for UCL return, track Mount too

The 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: Arsenal make Declan Rice their No. 1 target, track Mason Mount

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta will step up his plans for squad strengthening after securing Champions League football for next season, with the Daily Telegraph reporting that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice will be one of his key targets.

The Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League title appear slim after Wednesday’s 4-1 loss at Manchester City, who are now two points behind with two games in hand. Arteta is determined to add to his squad to make sure they can challenge next season.

Rice, who has regularly said he wants to play Champions League football, is tipped to leave West Ham this summer. The England international has been linked with most of the Premier League’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United. Hammers boss David Moyes has said he would expect a transfer fee of above £100 million for the 24-year-old.

The report adds that Arsenal have held exploratory talks with Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, 24, who is about to move into the final year of his contract and is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the next window. Liverpool appear to be leading the race for Mount, who is out for the rest of the season through injury.

Arsenal are also said to be keeping tabs on Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda. To finance strengthening, the Gunners could offload Kieran Tierney, Folarin Balogun, Nicolas Pepe and Pablo Mari.

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21:30 BST: Internazionale could opt for defender Tosin Adarabioyo ahead of Samuel Umtiti, according to Sport. While it has been reported that Inter hold an interest in Umtiti and would be willing to take on the Frenchman’s salary, Adarabioyo has been identified as an alternative to the Barcelona centre-back.

The Fulham defender’s ability to play out from the back, alongside his impressive aerial abilities have not gone unnoticed by Inter, with the report suggesting the Englishman has gone above Umtiti in the running.

21.00 BST: Juventus are prepared to meet Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco‘s release clause, report CalcioMercato. The Bianconeri are in the market for a young left-back as they hunt for a long-term replacement for Alex Sandro, however with competition rife for the 18-year-old’s signature, the Italian giants are considering meeting Barco’s $10m release clause.

Barco has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in world football, which has seen him become the fourth youngest player to feature for Boca.

20.20 BST: Internazionale could sign Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek as part of a swap deal that would see goalkeeper Andre Onana move to Chelsea, report Gazzetta dello Sport.

It is believed that Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek would be allowed to depart the Blues in the summer as the West London outfit look to offload several players following a period of heavy spending.

Chelsea are reportedly in the market for a goalkeeper with Onana identified as a priority signing for the summer and by organising a swap-deal, the Premier League giants would pay significantly less for the services of the Cameroon international, making this an enticing approach for Chelsea.

20.00 BST: Tottenham will allow Harry Kane to be involved in discussions over the club’s new manager, in a bid to keep the forward, according to Football Insider.

The 29-year-old sees his current deal with Spurs expire next June, which has left the North London club desperate to extend their talisman’s contract. The report indicates that Spurs are hopeful that by involving the England captain over discussions regarding the new manager, the striker will be persuaded into signing a new deal.

It is believed Kane would favour a more attack-minded manager with Antonio Conte’s replacement a significant factor in whether he will decide to remain at his boyhood club.

19.03 BST: Goalkeeper Yann Sommer could depart Bayern Munich in the summer following a run of poor performances between the posts, reports BILD.

The Switzerland international was signed in January from Borussia Monchengladbach as a replacement for the injured Manuel Neuer, who broke his leg during a skiing accident over the winter break. However, some disappointing games by Sommer have raised question marks over the 34-year-old’s future with the Bavarian club. It is believed the shot-stopper is eager for first-team football somewhere next season so that he can ensure he is Switzerland’s No.1 for the 2024 European Championships, but with Neuer set to return for the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Sommer may have to leave the Allianz Arena to find what he’s looking for.

Bayern could still win the Bundesliga title this season, though they’ll need to pick up their form if they’re to have a chance: the Bavarians sit second behind Borussia Dortmund, one point back with five games remaining.

18.33 BST: Juventus are hopeful that Leeds United will exercise the option to sign midfielder Weston McKennie permanently, reports CalcioMercato.

The United States international is currently on loan at Elland Road, from the Italian giants, and the Premier League side have the chance to sign the 24-year-old permanently in the summer for £40m. However, with Leeds just one point above the relegation zone, their financial situation for next season is unclear: relegation would significantly reduce their chances of completing that deal.

17.56 BST: Time for another bit of Barcelona info! Newcastle United are interested in signing Barcelona winger Raphinha, per Football Insider.

The story suggests that Barcelona have placed the Brazilian forward at the top of their proposed “departure list” for the summer as the Catalan giants look to raise enough funds with which to bring back Lionel Messi to Camp Nou. The former Leeds star has had a good season in Spain, featuring in 43 games (all competitions) including 29 in LaLiga, with six league goals and five assists from wide positions.

Raphinha is eager to sign for a club in the Champions League and with Eddie Howe’s side currently on course for a top-four finish, the Magpies are in good shape to sign the 26-year-old in the summer given their resources and likely qualification for Europe’s top competition.

17.18 BST: Barcelona manager Xavi has given the green light to allow midfielder Franck Kessie to leave in the summer, per Sport.

The report reveals that in order for the club to sign its targets in the summer, the Catalan club must raise €200m, which highlights the need to offload players in the upcoming window. Kessie has been identified as one player who can depart the Nou Camp, with interest present in the 26-year-old from Italy and England.

Kessie has made 23 appearances in LaLiga this season for the presumed league champions, notching one goal and one assist.

16.25 BST: L’Equipe reports that a host of clubs are queueing up to make a move for Lille striker Jonathan David in the summer.

Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are all credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, who has scored 21 Ligue 1 goals this season.

The Canada international still has two years remaining on his contract, but Lille are expected to look for a new club to capitalise on such a prolific season and will look for a transfer fee of around €65m.

15.40 BST: Inter Milan are monitoring Club Brugge winger Tajon Buchanan, according to Sky Italia.

The Canada international has seen his transfer value double since joining the Belgian giants from New England Revolution in January 2022 in a €6m transfer.

Buchanan, 24, has made 30 appearances across all competitions for Brugge, including six in the Champions League. Under contract with Brugge until June 2025, Buchanan has attracted the attention of several clubs. Inter are interested but are waiting until the end of the season before considering making an offer.

14.58 BST: Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho has committed his long-term future to the club after signing a new contract on Friday.

The teenager’s new deal will see him remain at Old Trafford until June 2028.

“When I joined this incredible club, I dreamt of achieving my debut, playing at Old Trafford, scoring my first goal and winning trophies with this badge on my chest,” Garnacho said in a statement.

“I feel very proud and emotional to have experienced these moments already, together with my family who have supported me every step of the way.

Locked in 🔏

We are thrilled to announce @AGarnacho7 has committed his future to United! 🤩#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 28, 2023

14.13 BST: Atletico Madrid are looking to beat Aston Villa to the signing of Mallorca attacking midfielder Lee Kang-In, Estadio Deportivo reports.

The South Korea international has scored five goals and set up five more in 30 appearances to help Mallorca all but secure their LaLiga status. Aston Villa have monitored the former Valencia star in recent months but it’s Atletico who are looking to make the first move to sign Lee.

Lee, 22, joined Mallorca in the summer of 2021 as a free agent after his contract with Valencia expired. He is under contract with Mallorca until June 2025 and the club will only accept offers in the region of €20m.

13.32 BST: Marcos Rojo has claimed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only started Harry Maguire ahead of him at Manchester United because of his world-record price tag for a defender.

The England international became the most expensive defender of all time after he moved to United in the summer of 2019 for a record fee of €87.1m from fellow Premier League club Leicester City.

“That year [2019], I was doing really well in England, I was playing in the Europa League,” said Rojo, who now plays for Boca Juniors. “I was really angry with the coach. Maguire was playing, now thanks to God, they dropped him and Licha [Lisandro] Martinez is playing.

“He knew that it was wrong that I wasn’t playing all the time. He told me that they had paid so much for him that he had to play no matter what. And I would tell him, ‘let me play because this guy is making huge mistakes every Sunday’.”

12.51 BST: The Sun reports that Chelsea are hoping to keep hold of Joao Felix next season — but they will not be able to sign the striker permanent.

Felix, 23, has done well at times since moving to Stamford Bridge on loan from Atletico Madrid in January, even though Chelsea’s form has been diabolical and led to the departure of coach Graham Potter.

There’s no clause in the transfer which gives Chelsea the right to make the move permanent, though with £600m spent on players already and no European football next season business will be tricky for the London club this summer.

The story says that Chelsea are hoping to agree terms on a fresh loan for the striker, who has fallen out with Atletico boss Diego Simeone and is unlikely to play for them again.

12.10 BST: LaLiga president Javier Tebas has reiterated that it will be “very complicated” for Barcelona to afford the signing of Lionel Messi this summer.

Barca, through vice president Rafa Yuste, have confirmed contact with Messi’s camp in recent weeks as they explore the possibility of bringing him back to Spotify Camp Nou.

However, to make signings this summer Barca must first raise up to €200 million — either through reducing the wage bill or transfer fees — to comply with LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations.

“As of today it seems complicated to me,” Tebas said when asked if Messi coming back to Spain was a possibility. “What salary would he have? Barca aren’t like PSG, who have an oil tap and money for a massive wage. We have to see how everything evolves but [Barca] would have to fulfil various conditions.

“They have to reduce the wage bill to register players. It’s like the metro, people have to get off for others to get on. And people still have to get off the metro.”

11.31 BST: AC Milan are closing in on the signing of French teenage goalkeeper Noah Raveyre, according to Calciomercato. Raveyre, who turns 18 in the summer, will join AC Milan once his contract with Saint-Etienne expires.

Milan have monitored the France under-17 goalkeeper for almost a year. In recent weeks, the Rossoneri have intensified talks for a player who has made one league appearance for Saint-Etienne’s first team.

10.50 BST: AS Monaco striker Breel Embolo is attracting interest from several unnamed Premier League clubs, reports RMC Sport.

The 26-year-old Switzerland international has scored 12 Ligue 1 goals in 28 appearances this season, and Monaco could be prepared to allow him to leave if a good offer comes in. Embolo was signed from Borussia Monchengladbach for a transfer fee of just €12.5m, so Monaco could make a profit on the deal.

10.04 BST: Jude Bellingham “has chosen Real Madrid,” Diario As reports, with negotiations between the LaLiga giants and the midfielder’s club, Borussia Dortmund, set to begin in the coming days.

Madrid have been battling with Manchester City and Liverpool for the England star’s signature, but according to AS, Bellingham has finally decided to snub the Premier League in favour of a move to Madrid this summer.

The newspaper says that Bellingham, 19, believes the reigning European champions — who are preparing to face City in this season’s Champions League semifinals — are the best “sporting option” for this next phase of his career.

Madrid have been unwilling to get into a bidding war with their Premier League rivals so are eager to agree a fee.

09.20 BST: Mateo Retegui says he is fully focused on his season at Argentine club Tigre knowing that he may leave in the next transfer window.

The Italy international has attracted the attention of Inter Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt, among other European clubs, after scoring eight goals in 13 appearances for Tigre this season.

“My focus is on Tigre, I’m really concentrated on being here,” Retegui told ESPN Argentina. “I try not to think about the future. I know it’s possible that I will be transferred midway through this year but right now I want Tigre to do well.”

Retegui, 23, is on loan at Tigre from Boca Juniors until the end of the year. Tigre are set to execute an option to sign Retegui on a permanent basis for €2.5m, while Boca retain 50% of a future sale — which will lead to an almost immediate windfall.

08.30 BST: Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is looking to leave Stamford Bridge this summer with Bayern Munich among his options, according to Sport1.

The 28-year-old will enter the final 12 months of his deal in June, but with no Champions League football secured next season, the Croatia international is looking to bring his time in west London to an end.

Bayern are said to be interested in his services as they continue to build their shortlist of potential midfield reinforcements. With manager Thomas Tuchel an admirer of his former player, a switch to the Allianz Arena would suit the Blues, who would prefer a deal with a club from outside of the Premier League.

Kovacic joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2019, and he has since gone on to make 139 appearances in England’s top flight.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Barcelona are ready to step up their pursuit of Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, says Sport. The 33-year-old has been keen on returning to the Camp Nou in recent months, and It is reported that he is prepared to accept a lower salary. He has scored just one goal in 14 appearances for the Blues in the Premier League this season.

– Club Brugge winger Tajon Buchanan is set to join Internazionale in the summer, reports Belgian newspaper HLN. The 24-year-old Canada star will make the switch to the San Siro for a fee of €15m, with a verbal agreement already reached. The Nerazzurri have been linked with him for a number of months as a potential replacement for Denzel Dumfries, and it looks as though they are on the cusp of getting the move over the line.

– A proposal worth at least £50m will be required before Fulham will consider offers for defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, reveals Football Insider. Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all interested in the 27-year-old, following an impressive debut season in the Premier League. Palhinha has made 29 appearances in the league.

– Atletico Madrid and Lazio are among the teams interested in acquiring Feyenoord forward Santiago Gimenez, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. A fee of €20m would be required to sign the 22-year-old, who is in excellent form having scored eight goals in his last 10 matches across all competitions. He has earned 10 caps for the Mexico senior national team.

– Bayern Munich have identified Manchester United midfielder Casemiro as a dream signing this summer, according to Kicker. The Bundesliga champions are on the lookout for reinforcements in midfield when the transfer window opens, and the 31-year-old Brazil international is near the top of the Allianz Arena hierarchy’s shortlist.