Chelsea get boost in Mkhitaryan chase
The summer transfer 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: Chelsea encouraged in Mkhitaryan chase
Chelsea have been given a boost after news emerged that Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Borussia Dortmund have failed to agree a new deal, according to the Mirror.
The attacking midfielder has just one year remaining on his contract and so far has reportedly refused to sign an extension without a buyout clause, as Dortmund have insisted upon. Arsenal are also said to be interested in the 27-year-old, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, with the German club now under pressure to sell the player or risk losing him for free in a year.
Pochettino pushes for Lallana reunion
Tottenham will tempt Liverpool with a £20 million bid for Adam Lallana this summer as Mauricio Pochettino attempts to link up once more after the pair’s successful time together at Southampton, reports The Sun.
The Argentine manager was unable to move for Lallana when he moved to White Hart Lane from Saints due to the terms of his arrangement. Now, two years removed from his St Mary’s departure, Pochettino will now make the England international his No. 1 target this summer.
Lallana has been a regular under Jurgen Klopp this season, but with the German keen to reshape his squad this summer — with the likes of Mario Gotze and Marco Reus linked with moves to Anfield, potentially eating up minutes normally handed to Lallana — Spurs might be able to tempt the Reds.
West Ham prepare for spending spree
West Ham look to be on the brink of capturing Arsenal’s Theo Walcott with the England international set to snub Chelsea. And that’s just the first of the Hammers’ big-money moves.
Walcott is itching to depart the Emirates this summer in search of first-team football, and despite the Blues’ interest, the 27-year-old is attracted by the Hammers’ ambitious project. The Gunners will demand a fee of £20m for Walcott, whose time at Arsenal appears to be winding down.
With the move to the Olympic Stadium coming ahead of next season, co-owner David Sullivan is bullish ahead of the transfer window and has confirmed the Hammers have already tabled a €30m bid for an unnamed striker. The gossip is that the bid is for Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi, though the Hammers are also reportedly interested in Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony, Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and Liverpool’s Christian Benteke.
Tap-ins
– Slaven Bilic’s side look to be very busy in the market, with the Mail reporting their interest in Juventus’ Argentine midfielder Roberto Pereyra. The 25-year-old, who can play out wide or as a box-to-box midfielder, will reportedly be made available for £12m by the Old Lady.
– Manchester United will lose out to AC Milan in this summer’s race for the biggest free agent on the market in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. United are unwilling to offer the 34-year-old a multi-year contract, according to the report, which could leave the Rossoneri in the clear to secure a sensational return of the enigmatic Swede.
– Louis van Gaal’s side could be set to invest in one of the globe’s finest young talents this summer, tabling a £9m bid for Brazilian striking sensation Gabriel Jesus, though the 19-year-old would prefer to stay in Brazil, reports the Express.
– Tottenham winger Erik Lamela has settled into life in North London in 2015-16, but could the Argentine be on the move in 12 months’ time? “Honestly, I feel comfortable in Tottenham. I’d like to stay one more year here, we’re going to play the Champions League,” he’s quoted as saying. “I grew up in River Plate since I was seven. I’d like to go back, although I’m aware it will be in the future.”
