Transfer Talk: PSG hatch plan to reunite Silva and Mbappe
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: PSG plot swoop for City’s Silva
Paris Saint-Germain are pushing ahead in their efforts to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva in the summer, according to Le10Sport.
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Les Parisiens will likely lift the Ligue 1 trophy but, after an early Champions League exit and a series of poor performances, this season has been one to forget under manager Christophe Galtier and it remains to be seen if the 56-year-old will be in the dugout next campaign.
Regardless of who is in charge next season, the report says sporting director Luis Campos is pushing ahead with his rebuild of the PSG squad and Silva is French giants’ top priority. The Portugal international played with Kylian Mbappe at AS Monaco during Campos’ impressive spell as director in the principality, and it is suggested that the striker has been working alongside Campos for a year to aid the club’s efforts to lure Silva.
Silva’s future at the Etihad has been clouded for some time and there was a suggestion that a move to Paris last summer fell through because City weren’t willing to let the midfielder go, despite him being open to a transfer. Now PSG are doubling down in their attempts to sign Silva to fill the hole that be left by Lionel Messi and Neymar, who both seem certain to leave the Qatari-owned club.
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08.48 BST: Sevilla sporting director Monchi is optimistic that Pape Gueye and Loic Bade will continue at the club beyond this summer after both players joined the club on loan in January.
Sevilla intend to exercise the option to sign Stade Rennais defender Loic Bade for an undisclosed fee at the end of the campaign, while they are also looking to agree terms with Olympique Marseille to acquire Senegal midfielder Gueye.
Monchi said: “They have a good chance of continuing, although it will depend on how we finish, what happens with other teammates…
“It’s a puzzle. But with Loic we have a closed signing option and for Pape, another agreed upon.”
08.00 BST: Erik ten Hag said he has “no concerns” about David de Gea despite the Manchester United goalkeeper’s blunder against West Ham United on Sunday.
De Gea’s error, palming Said Benrahma’s weak shot into his own net, earned West Ham a 1-0 win at London Stadium on Sunday as United dropped more points in the race for the top four. His future as the No.1 at Old Trafford has been questioned this season, but Ten Hag insists he still has confidence in the Spain international.
“He has the most clean sheets in the Premier League, so we would not be in this position without him,” Ten Hag told a news conference. “So he has fully my belief, no concerns. Mistakes happen, but as a team you have to deal with it, you have to show character, be resilient and bounce back and this team will do.”
De Gea is out of contract in the summer, although talks are ongoing about extending his deal with the club. United have been linked with other goalkeepers, but asked about De Gea’s long-term future, Ten Hag said he hopes the 32-year-old will be at the club next season.
“We want him to stay and we want him to extend his contract,” Ten Hag said.
– Dawson: Man United losing form at worst possible time
PAPER GOSSIP (Danny Lewis)
– Football Insider have linked Aston Villa with moves for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. Villa are reportedly monitoring the situation of Torres, 23, as he could be forced to leave Barcelona due to their financial issues. In addition to that, they are willing to meet Fulham’s demands of £60 million for Palhinha, 27, and are preparing to move for Vlahovic, 23, if the Serbian is allowed to depart Juventus in the summer.
– As Juventus prepare to replace the injured Mattia De Sciglio and cover the potential departure of Juan Cuadrado, Calciomercato reports that the Bianconeri are looking at 18-year-old Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda. However, a high valuation and plenty of competition is expected, so they could look to Bayern Munich‘s Noussair Mazraoui, 25, as an alternative.
– Diario Sport have offered a list of eight midfielders that Barcelona are interested in ahead of the summer transfer window. Real Sociedad‘s Martin Zubimendi, Chelsea‘s N’Golo Kante and Wolverhampton Wanderers‘ Ruben Neves are all on the shortlist.
– Leicester City, Everton and West Ham United are all monitoring the situation of Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker, according to Ekrem Konur. There have been a number of clubs linked with the 32-year-old after it was suggested that there are doubts regarding whether or not he can adapt to Pep Guardiola’s new system, which requires full-backs to take up central positions.
– Borussia Dortmund are discussing a potential summer move for Werder Bremen striker Marvin Ducksch, reports Sky Sports Deutschland, with the 29-year-old’s release clause of €7.5m not likely to be an issue. Ducksch, who was born in Dortmund, has recorded a scoring tally in double digits in each of the last four seasons.
