Man United lead chase for Benfica's Sanches
The summer window will be opening before you know it, and rumours around the world are picking up steam. As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest gossip. See the latest deals here.
TOP STORY: United in the clear for Sanches
Manchester United appear close completing a deal for Benfica’s wonder kid Renato Sanches after Manchester City stepped away from the race for the 18-year-old, according to the Express.
City were reported to also be interested in the Portuguese youngster, but the Red Devils are now in the clear and could pay £47 million for the attacking midfielder.
Benfica will receive an initial £31.5m and could receive a further £15.9m in add-ons as Louis van Gaal looks to the future.
Arsenal look to Kante, Xhaka
Arsenal will overhaul their midfield this summer and hope to bring in Leicester City’s N’golo Kante or Borussia Monchengladbach’s Granit Xhaka, according to the Sun.
Arsene Wenger hopes to bring Kante to the Emirates after the Frenchman secured a place in the PFA team of the year and the 25-year-old now tops his summer wish list.
Should a move for Kante not materialise, Arsenal could push ahead with a move for Xhaka, who would cost around £27.5m.
United back in for Kroos
Manchester United will rekindle their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos this summer, according to the Mirror.
The Red Devils were heavily linked with the Germany international two years ago when Kroos departed Bayern Munich and former manager David Moyes was known to be a big fan.
Upon replacing the Scottish manager at Old Trafford, Van Gaal reportedly rejected the player as Kroos moved to the Bernabeu, but now United could make another attempt to bring the World Cup winner to the Premier League.
Liverpool bid for Barcelona’s Vermaelen
Liverpool have made a bid for Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, but will not pay more than £7.8m, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.
The Reds will look to the former Arsenal defender to strengthen their back four this summer, but could face fierce competition.
Sport states that Barcelona hope to recoup more than the €19m they paid the Gunners two years ago and that West Ham, Chelsea and Besiktas may also enter the frame.
Tap-Ins
– Liverpool appear to be prioritising a centre-back this summer, as reports from Germany state that Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic is a prime target for Jurgen Klopp. That’s from the Express.
The Serbian international has found himself drop down the pecking order this season under Thomas Tuchel, which could push him to be reunited with his former manager Klopp.
– More from the Express, as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have received a boost as Ousmane Dembele’s agent has declared there is no deal in place with Dortmund for his client.
The 18-year-old shot to prominence with Rennes this season and looked to be heading to the Bundesliga this summer, but that has been denied, giving hope to numerous other suitors.
– Graziano Pelle, says the Mirror, could return to Serie A this summer with Lazio keen on the Southampton striker.
Pelle is seen as the ideal replacement for the outgoing Miroslav Klose and the Saints forward is a firm favourite of the Biancocelesti’s president Claudio Lotito.
– West Ham have pulled out of the race to sign Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, leaving former club Southampton and the Manchester clubs in the race for the England international.
The Mirror reports the Hammers will instead focus their efforts on capturing a top striker this summer with Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi their No. 1 target.
