Chelsea target Higuain as insurance for Costa
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: Higuain could replace a China-bound Costa
Antonio Conte is confident of securing a £45m deal for Gonzalo Higuain, with Diego Costa the latest to be tempted by a lucrative deal to move to the Chinese Premier League, according to the Mirror.
The Napoli striker has bagged 32 goals in 33 Serie A games this season and has been made Conte’s No. 1 target this summer, according to the outlet.
Chelsea insist Costa is not for sale, though a reported £250,000-per-week deal from as many as three Chinese clubs, or a return to former club Atletico Madrid, could tempt the Spain international to move.
Arsenal target Inter’s Mauro Icardi
More from the Mirror, as Arsene Wenger wants Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi to bolster his attack this summer and hopes to tempt the Nerazzurri with a £25m offer.
The 23-year-old has scored 37 Serie A goals in the last two seasons and has also been tracked by Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Juventus striker Alvaro Morata could be an alternative to the Argentine, as Wenger looks to fix the mistakes that cost his side dearly this season. However, Juve have recently said that Morata won’t be going anywhere this summer unless Real Madrid buy him back, a move the Old Lady are powerless to stop.
Hart set for Man City exit?
Liverpool are set to swoop for Manchester City stopper Joe Hart, with Pep Guardiola reportedly keen to replace the England goalkeeper, according to the Express.
Guardiola wants Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to replace Hart, which could allow Jurgen Klopp to take advantage and lure Hart to Anfield.
Doubts over Simon Mignolet have continued this season, despite recently signing a new deal, and Klopp will hope the opportunity to bring in Hart does indeed present itself this summer.
Liverpool bid for Udinese’s Zielinski
More Liverpool Transfer Talk from the Star, as Klopp looks set to make his first move of the summer transfer window after registering a £12m bid for Udinese’s Piotr Zielinski.
The Polish midfielder has been in stunning form on loan at Empoli this season and has already confirmed talks have begun.
Jurgen Klopp hopes to close a deal for the 21-year-old as he begins to reshape the Reds this summer.
Tap-Ins
– Meanwhile, Liverpool have received a blow in their bid to bring in PSG U19 defender Mamadou Doucoure, with Borussia Monchengladbach now leading the race for the 17-year-old’s signature, according to the Express.
Reds scout Kevin Hunt was sent to Paris last week to keep tabs on Doucoure, but Gladbach could persuade Doucoure with greater guarantees of playing time.
– Another PSG youngster in Jonathan Ikone could be set for a move, with Manchester City and Liverpool keen on the talented midfielder, according to France Football.
The 18-year-old is also wanted by Juventus after impressing in PSG’s run to the final of the UEFA Youth League last month against Chelsea.
– Wenger is set to strengthen his back four this summer with Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez and Leicester’s Ben Chilwell on the Gunners’ wanted list, according to the Mirror.
Arsenal might also turn to Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon in a bid to revamp the defence, with Wenger keen to recruit some of the brightest talent in Europe.
– Juventus have quoted Chelsea and West Ham £20m for Italy striker Simone Zaza with the 24-year-old set for a move this summer. The Express cites Gazzetta dello Sport, who are saying the Bianconeri have not been able to use Zaza as much as the Sassuolo striker might have liked, with Mario Mandzukic, Morata and Paulo Dybala all ahead of him in the pecking order. That could mean Zaza departs Turin in search of a starring role elsewhere.
