Transfer Talk: PSG join Barcelona in race to sign Man City's Ilkay Gundogan

The summer transfer window isn’t open yet in Europe, but teams are getting ready for it, 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: PSG keen on Man City’s Gundogan

Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer, according to L’Equipe.

The 32-year-old is in the final weeks of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and he is set to decide on his future after the Champions League final on Saturday.

Although PSG believe Barcelona are leading the race to sign him as a free transfer, they are hopeful that the potential hiring of head coach Julian Nagelsmann — who ESPN sources revealed held talks with PSG earlier this week — could tilt the pendulum in their favour.

Gundogan has also been on the radar of Arsenal, though City remain keen on extending his deal.

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10.50 BST: Real Madrid will reportedly not offer more than €100m to land Tottenham striker Harry Kane this summer, according to COPE.

Kane, 29, is under contract with Spurs for another season but is Madrid’s first choice to replace Karim Benzema, who turned down a contract extension to join Saudi champions Al Ittihad on a free transfer this week.

The England captain is also a target of Manchester United and Los Blancos know negotiations to sign Kane will be hard, with Spurs not looking to put the striker on the market.

Earlier this week, Spurs unveiled their kit for the 2023-24 season with Kane front and centre.

10.20 BST: Chelsea have confirmed the signing of USWNT forward Catarina Macario.

Macario, 23, has signed a deal until 2026 after moving from Lyon, where she won the 2021-22 Champions League and two Division 1 Feminine titles.

“I can’t wait to get started here!” she said. “I’m really happy to sign for Chelsea and I hope to represent the jersey well over the next few years. I can play either as a No.10 or a more traditional number nine and I’m looking forward to linking up with so many good forward players such as Sam [Kerr], Lauren James and Guro [Reiten]. It will be good to play with Kadeisha [Buchanan] again also.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some great experiences in Europe already with Lyon, playing with many top players and of course winning the Champions League also. I hope to carry on those experiences here and bring home the trophy for Chelsea as well!”

10.11 BST: ESPN Brasil reports that Endrick’s goal for Palmeiras in the 4-2 triumph over Barcelona SC in Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores has earned his team €2.5m.

Real Madrid announced in December that the club had agreed to sign the 16-year-old for a reported fee of €72m in 2024, when he turns 18.

One of the clauses stipulated in the contract between Palmeiras and Real Madrid was that Palmeiras would pocket €2.5m for every five goals scored until he reaches 25. And the goal against Barcelona SC was Endrick’s fifth of the 2023 season.

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira described the Madrid deal as “the biggest negotiation in the history of Brazilian football.”

09.37 BST: AC Milan have joined the race to sign Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze, according to Sky Italia.

Chukwueze, 24, scored 13 goals and gave 11 assists in 50 games this season, but he has not signed a contract extension, with his current deal ending next summer.

The Rossoneri have reportedly approached Villarreal to express interest in signing the Nigeria international, while Real Madrid have also monitored him.

A youth product of Villarreal, Chukwueze is also a target of Premier League clubs and has an €80m release clause.

09.04 BST: Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of defensive midfielder Konrad Laimer on a free transfer from RB Leipzig.

Laimer, 26, has signed a deal until 2027 and the Austria international will join up with his new teammates for preseason.

“FC Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said. “I will give everything for the club and the fans. FC Bayern always has the highest goals — just like me. I’m in the right place here. I’m only capable of giving 100% and that’s what I’ll put into every training session from day one. I can hardly wait.”

08.55 BST: Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is prepared to reduce his wages by 40% to continue at the club beyond June 2024, according to COPE.

The Spain international is in talks to sign a contract extension with the Rojiblancos.

Morata, 30, is aware of the club’s financial struggles and is willing to accept a lower salary to continue in Madrid. Morata has scored 15 goals in 45 games for Atletico this past season.

08.32 BST: Sergio Aguero admits he was surprised that friend and former teammate Lionel Messi has decided to join Inter Miami instead of returning to Barcelona.

Aguero told ESPN Argentina: “It was surprising for everyone because there had been a lot of talk of [a return to] Barcelona. He sought happiness more than the pressure to keep winning and winning. He did well to try to seek happiness for him and his family.”

Aguero, meanwhile, has not ruled out Messi playing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, when he would be 39.

“Knowing Leo, who takes great care of himself, a door must be left open,” Aguero said. “He will not be at the same level, but he is Messi, with a set piece he can score a goal.”

08.00 BST: Luis Suarez will not be joining his friend and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, the Uruguayan striker said on Thursday.

Messi revealed his intention to join the MLS club following the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain on June 30.

Speculation immediately followed that Miami could look to surround Messi with some other familiar faces. Suarez, who was linked with a transfer to Miami before he left Europe to return to South America — first with Uruguayan giants Nacional and then with Brazilian club Gremio — was one of those tipped for a potential move.

But the 36-year-old, who spent six seasons alongside Messi at Barcelona, said his contract with Gremio means a move to Miami is not on the cards.

“This is false, it is impossible,” Suarez told Uruguayan newspaper El Observador about the reports. “I am very happy at Gremio and I have a contract until 2024.”

PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)

– Manchester City have reached an agreement over personal terms with Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, writes Fabrizio Romano. The 29-year-old Croatia international is interested in joining the Premier League champions, who will begin negotiations over a transfer fee with the Blues after the Champions League final on Saturday. It is reported that Chelsea are willing to move Kovacic on, as they look to trim their first-team squad this summer.

– Arsenal are set to launch an approach for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, The Telegraph reports. The Gunners had been waiting for David Moyes’ side to finish their season after Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final that saw them secure a 2-1 win over Fiorentina. Despite interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United, it is Mikel Arteta’s side who are reported to be leading the race for Rice’s signature. The Hammers are said to be looking for a fee in the region of £92m to part ways with him.

– Barcelona fear falling behind in the race for Manchester City attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva, writes Sport. While the Blaugrana are keen on the 28-year-old, it is reported that they are able to make a move for him only if they offload a number of players this summer, while there are also concerns over whether they would be able to match the level of salary that PSG are willing to offer.

– Talks will take place this week between AS Roma and winger Stephan El Shaarawy over a new contract, Gazzetta dello Sport reveals. The 30-year-old’s deal will expire on June 30, but it is reported that he is keen to stay at the Stadio Olimpico, and he would be willing to accept a salary reduction to help reach an agreement. He made 42 appearances across all competitions last season.

– West Ham are leading the race to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, The Telegraph says. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also reported to be interested in landing the 25-year-old, but the Hammers securing Europa League football for next season on Wednesday sees them as frontrunners for his signature.