Transfer Talk: Tottenham eye €25 million move for Kessie
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: Tottenham make Kessie enquiry
Tottenham Hotspur are tracking Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie, according to Sport.
The Premier League side, who were linked with the 26-year-old in January, have reportedly returned to the negotiating table with hopes of landing him this summer.
The Blaugrana are reportedly willing to accept an offer of €25 million for the Ivory Coast international and, despite interest emerging from Serie A side Internazionale, there is belief that only teams from the Premier League would be able to meet the Camp Nou hierarchy’s demands.
Arriving in Catalonia last summer on a free transfer from AC Milan, Kessie still has three years left on his deal. It is reported that he could be prepared to cut his stay short with Barcelona for a potential move back to Italy, but there are no guarantees whether he would be prepared to leave LaLiga if a fee is agreed with Spurs.
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LIVE BLOG
14.26 BST: Roma are closing in on deal to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar as free agent this summer, says Fabrizio Romano.
Aouar, 24, was linked with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham back in 2021 but did not make a move and his contract is now expiring.
The playmaker made one appearance for the senior France national team before switching his international allegiance to Algeria.
13.55 BST: Strange one, given their financial situation, but Joao Cancelo’s agent is reportedly in Spain to discuss a move to Barcelona for his client, says Sport.
After being usurped in the Manchester City first XI by teenager Rico Lewis, Cancelo, 28, chose to leave in January for a loan to Bayern Munich, with a €70m clause to sign permanently included.
However, Bayern are unlikely to trigger that amount and the Portugal international will head back to Manchester in the summer.
Barca boss Xavi wants to sign a new right-back and Cancelo is one of the best, but the LaLiga leaders don’t have that kind of money anymore and could only hope to land him on a season-long loan deal.
13.09 BST: Napoli defender Kim Min-jae is the subject of interest from Manchester United, says Corriere dello Sport.
Kim, 26, signed from Fenerbahce for €18m last summer and his performances at the back helped Napoli to claim the Serie A title this season.
The South Korea international is happy to move to the Premier League, while Napoli would regrettably let him depart for a fee of €60m.
12.00 BST: Can Liverpool land a spot in the top four and improve their transfer market options?
1:05
Is Liverpool’s strong finish cause for optimism next season?
Janusz Michallik says Liverpool’s run of six consecutive wins proves the squad are still buying into Jurgen Klopp’s ideas.
11.11 BST: Sport reports that Barcelona winger Raphinha could leave the club this summer.
Raphinha, 26, only signed from Leeds United for €60m last summer and has scored 10 goals and provided 11 assists from 45 games this season.
However, the Brazil international would consider leaving Camp Nou as the club look to balance their finances and Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle are all interested.
10.22 BST: Juventus, Milan and Roma are interested in signing Manchester United outcast Mason Greenwood, says The Sun.
Greenwood, 21, has not played for United since January 2022 after he was suspended following his arrest in November over allegations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The forward was due to face trial this year but criminal charges were dropped in February.
Man United have launched an internal investigation, with sources telling ESPN the club could only proceed with their own review once the criminal case had ended. Greenwood will not play or train with United until that investigation is over.
Greenwood’s contract expires in 2025, with the possibility of a loan move reportedly being explored by the three Serie A sides and there has also been interest from Turkish clubs.
09.50 BST: Bild reports that Manchester United and Real Madrid want to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong this summer.
Frimpong, 22, looks set to leave the club for a new challenge and his transfer has been valued at around €50m, despite having a contract that expires in 2025.
Newcastle United and Arsenal are also following the Netherlands international, but Madrid are frontrunners as they eye a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal at right-back.
09.17 BST: Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is being tracked by Liverpool, but Man City have now joined the race to sign him, according to The Mirror.
Gravenberch, 20, only moved to Munich in the summer for €18m from Ajax but hasn’t settled and is looking for more playing time.
City want to bring in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, but the 19-year-old appears close to joining Real Madrid, so the Premier League leaders need another option.
09.00 BST: West Ham United are expected to demand £100m for midfielder Declan Rice this summer as they attempt to ward off interest from several Premier League rivals, sources have told ESPN.
The east London club would prefer to keep Rice but there is an acknowledgement his situation is reaching a critical point given he effectively has two years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium. The 24-year-old’s deal expires in 2024 but there is an option to extend by a further 12 months.
Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal want to pursue a deal for Rice at the end of the season while Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Liverpool are monitoring developments.
Arsenal are keen on bringing in two central midfielders this summer with Rice and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo on their shortlist.
1:22
Michallik: Kane is the only one who delivers for Tottenham
Janusz Michallik reacts to Tottenham’s 1-0 home win vs. Crystal Palace where Harry Kane moves second in the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts after netting the only goal of the game.
PAPER TALK (by Adam Brown)
– Newcastle United are closing in on an agreement with midfielder Bruno Guimaraes over a new contract, says Football Insider. It is reported that the 25-year-old is set to become the club’s highest earner in history, with head coach Eddie Howe keen to make him a main feature of their long-term project. With talks now at an advanced stage, it is expected that the deal will be complete at the end of the season.
– Club Brugge wing-back Tajon Buchanan has been offered to Celta Vigo, writes Calciomercato. The 24-year-old has caught the attention of a number of clubs across Europe, with Inter also viewing him as a potential replacement for Denzel Dumfries.
– Negotiations over a fee for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham are set to take place at the end of the season, according to Fabrizio Romano. Real Madrid are reported to have already agreed personal terms with the 19-year-old, but they are keen not to disrupt BVB’s Bundesliga title challenge with Bayern Munich.
– Real Betis striker Raul Garcia is attracting interest from the Premier League, reports Mundo Deportivo. The 22-year-old, who is on loan at Segunda Division side Mirandes, has scored 19 goals in 36 league appearances this season, and it is reported that Brighton & Hove Albion are among the sides from England’s top flight keeping a close eye on his situation.
– West Ham United are keen on Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, reveals the Times. City boss Pep Guardiola will reportedly make a decision on the 27-year-old’s future at the Etihad at the end of the season, with the Hammers at the front of the queue should he be allowed to leave the club. Phillips arrived at the club from Leeds United last summer for £45m but is yet to make a start in the Premier League.
