Transfer Talk: Bayern keen on Kolo Muani but Eintracht won't budge
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: Bayern eye Kolo Muani but Frankfurt won’t budge
Eintracht Frankfurt will dismiss offers of €70 million for striker Randal Kolo Muani amid interest from Bayern Munich, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Frankfurt are reportedly aware of interest from their Bundelsiga rivals for Kolo Muani’s signature. With the 24-year-old in excellent form in Germany’s top flight, it is believed that it would take a “crazy” offer for them to consider parting ways with him this summer.
The France international, who is also attracting interest from the Premier League, has contributed to 23 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches this season. Oliver Glasner’s side are planning to keep hold of him for one more campaign, though they would be open to offloading him after the 2024 Euros.
Kolo Muani signed a five-year contract at Deutsche Bank Park after arriving on a free transfer from Nantes last summer.
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10.33 BST: Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr are monitoring Alex Telles‘ situation and could potentially reunite him with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, according to AS.
The Brazilian left-back, who has a contract at Old Trafford expires in June 2024 is on a season-long loan at Sevilla. Telles has made 32 appearances across all competitions for the Spanish outfit but is set to return to Old Trafford this summer.
The 30-year-old’s priority is to have minutes next season so he can return and play for Brazil’s national team, and he is considering playing outside one of Europe’s top five leagues to have regular playing time. He is also a reported target of former club Galatasaray.
09.44 BST: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is confident that the squad could improve next season and the club are looking to bring in new players in the summer.
The Merseyside club have endured a disappointing campaign and could miss out on Champions League football for the first time since 2016.
“I understand that this season makes people nervous,” Klopp said ahead of Sunday’s match against Tottenham, one of their rivals for a European place. “We were not ourselves in big parts of the season, but we still have to make good decisions and not panic decisions where we say: ‘That’s it for him, he will never come back and play football for us again.’ That is not how it is.
“That is why I said that whatever we do in the summer, it will not be enough for these people [on social media] in the first place. We have to make decisions on what we know and on the basis of the things we know. That is exactly what we will do.
“We have a lot of potential in this team and we didn’t show it enough this year. We will keep that, use that, improve that and bring new players in. That is both possible, I think.”
– O’Halloran: Liverpool could make UCL, no matter what Klopp says
09.00 BST: Raheem Sterling has backed Chelsea to challenge for trophies next season once a new permanent manager is in place without the need for another overhaul of the squad.
Chelsea have spent £600m over the past two transfer windows on a multitude of signings including Sterling, who joined from Manchester City in a deal worth around £47.5m ($59.72m) in July. However, having fired two managers in Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this term, the Blues enter their final six games of the season 11th in the Premier League table.
Chelsea are now being led by interim boss Frank Lampard, with former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino the frontrunner for the permanent role.
“We need to look in the right direction and look to whoever comes in as the next manager to build for the future,” Sterling told The Sun. “I enjoyed my time at my previous club and won a lot of trophies.
“But I like a new challenge and this is the challenge I signed up for. It will taste even sweeter to win silverware coming from a moment like this than if you were winning every single week.
“The ability in the dressing room is undeniable and if we have someone who can take control of that we are more than capable of challenging every year.”
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– In addition to their Kolo Muani interest, Bayern are also said to be tracking Adelaide United wunderkind Nestory Irankunda. Paramount+ commentator Andy Harper confirmed during the Reds’ 4-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday he had received “very hot mail” that the 17-year-old would be joining the German giants. Yet to make his Socceroos debut, Irankunda is widely considered one of the hottest prospects in Australia.
– Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets is set to extend his stay by one more year, according to Sport. The 34-year-old has been linked with a potential switch to MLS, but manager Xavi Hernandez has been able to persuade him to remain at Camp Nou. Busquets played a key role in the Blaugrana squad this season, having made 26 LaLiga appearances.
– Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan are both keen on Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin, writes the Mirror. The Magpies are reported to be looking for a fee of around £50 million to part ways with the 26-year-old, who has scored just one goal in 20 Premier League appearances this season. Spurs are said to have already made an enquiry over a potential move.
– Liverpool are set to move forward with their approach for Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte, reports O Jogo. Multiple Premier League clubs are reported to be interested in the 22-year-old, but it is the Reds who are looking to move quickly in case they fail to qualify for the Champions League. Ugarte has a release clause in his contract that allows him to be signed for a fee of €60m.
– Newcastle United have shown the most interest from the Premier League in Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, understands Mundo Deportivo. The 20-year-old is understood to be on the radar of a number of clubs in England’s top flight, while Celta are also looking to resist approaches from both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
– The race for Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu is heating up with Aston Villa at the front of the queue for his signature, reveals the Mirror. Kokcu, 22, who is also the Eredivisie side’s captain, is believed to be on the radar of six Premier League clubs, but Villa manager Unai Emery is already considering an offer ahead of the summer transfer window. The Turkey international has made 41 appearances across all competitions this season.
