LIVE Transfer Talk: Kane picks Bayern Munich over Man United
The summer transfer window is open for some leagues in Europe, 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: Kane wants Bayern move
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has informed Bayern Munich that they are his preferred destination, with the Bavarian club planning to make an official bid imminently for the 29-year-old, according to Sky Sports Deutschland.
The England captain is reportedly the top transfer target of Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, and the Bundesliga giants are growing confident that they can negotiate a deal that sees Tottenham part ways with their talisman for less than €100 million.
Spurs’ all-time-leading goal-scorer has one year left on his contract and is tipped to depart north London this summer in search of some silverware after the Premier League side failed to secure a place in European competition next season.
Kane has previously been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly searching for a striker. However, Bundesliga giants Bayern are now in pole position to sign Kane as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski following his move to Barcelona last summer.
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LIVE BLOG
09.21 BST: Manchester City have had their first bid for Declan Rice rejected by West Ham, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
City stepped up their pursuit of the England midfielder on Monday with an offer of £80m plus another £10m in add-ons. However, sources have told ESPN that West Ham have knocked back the bid and are holding out for at least £100m in guaranteed payments.
Arsenal had a bid of £75m plus £15m in add-ons rejected last week. Manchester United have also shown an interest in Rice but there are doubts about whether they can get anywhere near West Ham’s valuation.
City have firmed up their interest in Rice following Ilkay Gundogan’s decision to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
The Premier League champions were keen for Gundogan to stay but were only willing to offer a two-year contract — Barca offered a two-year deal with the option of a third — and were also reluctant to meet the Germany international’s wage demand given he will turn 33 years old in October.
08.39 BST: Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson has completed his medical at Chelsea ahead of his proposed €35m transfer to Stamford Bridge, Sky Sports reports.
Jackson had been on the verge of a move to Bournemouth in January, but a hamstring problem led to him failing his medical.
However, he has been deemed fit to sign by Chelsea, who are finalising a deal to sign the Senegal international on an eight-year contract.
Jackson, 22, enjoyed a breakout season at Villarreal last term. He scored 13 goals and registered five assists, including 10 goals in his final 10 games of the campaign.
08.00 BST: Real Madrid remain cautious over the possible signing of Kylian Mbappe, sources have told ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez, but the club are also hopeful that a deal could finally be done to land the Paris Saint-Germain forward this summer.
There is a reluctance to talk openly about the arrival of Mbappe at the Bernabeu after last summer’s abrupt U-turn that saw the France international agree a new contract with PSG when he had been on the verge of a move to Madrid.
The club’s public position is that their transfer market activity has been completed after the signings of Jude Bellingham, Joselu, Fran Garcia and Brahim Diaz. However, the reality is that the club has left vacant the No. 9 shirt that belonged to Karim Benzema before his departure for Al Ittihad because there is also hope that Mbappé could become available.
Sources have told ESPN there has been no notable progress since Mbappe announced on June 12 that he had informed PSG that he would not be exercising an option to extend his contract beyond 2024.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Abbie Ingham)
– AC Milan are interested in Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah, reports Relevo. The Rossoneri are believed to have deemed the 20-year-old an ideal replacement for Newcastle United-bound Sandro Tonali and are in the early stages of negotiations of a deal. The Spanish side are reportedly looking for close to €30m to part ways with the United States international, who was instrumental to their survival in LaLiga last season.
– Kyle Walker is expected to make a decision on his future soon, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 33-year-old right-back, who is out of contract in summer 2024, is in talks with Bayern Munich over a move to Germany but also in discussions with Manchester City over a renewed deal. It is reported that the treble winners offered him a new contract last week, with a decision from the England international imminent.
– Tottenham are set to make an opening offer to Leicester City for James Maddison, reports the Telegraph. The Foxes are demanding up £60m for the 26-year-old midfielder, but Spurs will reportedly propose an initial £40m with add-ons and further installments as a compromise. The England international is reportedly a priority target for new manager Ange Postecoglou.
– Al Nassr are closing in on Internazionale‘s Marcelo Brozovic, according to Sky Sports Italia. It is reported that the Saudi Pro League club has reached a full agreement with the Nerazzurri for the 30-year-old midfielder in a three-year deal reported to be around €23m. However, the Croatia international is yet to green light the move, which would see him depart the San Siro after eight years and 330 appearances.
– Newcastle are in talks with Southampton over a move for Tino Livramento, reports the Telegraph. The England under-21 international made his Premier League return in May after 13 months out because of an ACL injury. Despite just two top-flight appearances for the Saints last season, Eddie Howe views the young right-back as a welcome addition, with the Magpies boss eager to bring in reinforcements in the full-back areas this summer.
