The transfer window may have slammed shut, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
TOP STORY: Man United eyeing Valverde if Pogba leaves
Manchester United are monitoring Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde in case they lose Paul Pogba this summer, reports the Sun.
United scouts have reportedly been watching the Uruguay international regularly for some time, but they have stepped up their efforts this season with a view to a possible move this summer.
Valverde, 22, has impressed for Zinedine Zidane’s side this season and it’s his versatility that has seen United place him high on their list of potential targets.
United are once again facing the potential exit of Pogba this summer, with his agent Mino Raiola suggesting that the Frenchman may seek a move away from Old Trafford at the end of the season. Juventus are the favourites to re-sign the World Cup winner, should he decide to turn his back on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with Real Madrid also linked.
Valverde could replace some of Pogba’s qualities, particularly his box-to-box running, but has four years left on his contract and Madrid will be asking for over €150m to sign him.
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LIVE BLOG
10.00 GMT: Why might Lionel Messi choose to stay at Barcelona this summer?
1:58
Craig Burley says the grass may not be greener at another club should Lionel Messi leave Barca this summer.
09.25 GMT: Barcelona presidential hopeful Joan Laporta has been speaking about the future of Lionel Messi after Tuesday’s Champions League 4-1 hammering by Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi, 33, revealed in the summer that he wanted to leave the club, with Manchester City and PSG most linked with a move for him, and with his contract expiring in five months’ time speculation will only increase.
“Messi wants to win with Barcelona,” Laporta told Sky Sports Italia. “I’ll do my best to keep him, there are some clubs really interested in signing him…
“Leo wants to win titles, not just to earn money. He’s not a ‘problem’ for Barca, Messi is 30% of the club’s profit.”
08.51 GMT: Kylian Mbappe said he is “happy” at Paris Saint-Germain following his hat trick in Tuesday’s 4-1 Champions League round-of-16 victory over Barcelona.
Mbappe scored his side’s first, second and fourth goals on the night and then opened up on his future with the Ligue 1 champions after the match.
“I have always said that I am happy here. This sort of match makes me even happier. The PSG shirt is one that I hold dear to my heart,” the France international told RMC Sport in a postmatch interview. “I am happy. I always want to give the best of myself. I have not always had that success but never in my life will I hide. Today, my hard work is paying off.”
08.30 GMT: ICYMI – David Alaba will leave Bayern Munich on a free transfer at the end of the 2020-21 season, he confirmed on Tuesday.
Alaba, who has won nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues during his time at Bayern, has been linked with Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea but has not revealed his next move.
“I have made the decision to try something new after this season and to leave the club. It was a difficult decision. I have been here for 13 years. I made so many memories here,” Alaba said. “I have not decided what is next for me. I decided to seek a new challenge. That’s why it took time.
“I have five, six, seven years left in my career. That’s why I decided to try something new. It’s no secret my management is in touch with several clubs. I will focus on my task here and will remain in contact with my management.”
1:36
Steve Nicol is baffled by the absence of Christian Pulisic since Thomas Tuchel took over as Chelsea manager.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Barca, Blues battle for Ruiz-Atil
Chelsea have been keeping tabs on Paris Saint-Germain youngster Kays Ruiz-Atil, but AS reports that Barcelona are also interested.
The 18-year-old midfielder’s contract runs out at the end of June and he is now free to speak to clubs in other countries about a move in the summer.
Ruiz-Atil would appear to be out of the picture in Paris; he hasn’t featured under Mauricio Pochettino since the arrival of the Argentine manager in January, yet previous boss Thomas Tuchel had given the youngster some game time. Chelsea hope that now Tuchel is in west London, he can help persuade the midfielder to move to the Premier League.
However, Ruiz-Atil left Barca’s youth system in 2015 and so a return to his former club could appeal. Ultimately, it depends whether or not the player would rather return to Catalonia or choose to reunite with Tuchel, who has already given him game time at the highest level.
Carmo the ideal replacement for Ramos in Madrid
Real Madrid are keeping an eye on suitable replacements for Sergio Ramos, with Braga defender David Carmo high on the agenda, according to AS.
Los Blancos are making plans for Ramos’ possible departure on a free transfer in the summer, with the 34-year-old still locked in talks over a new contract, and Carmo is emerging as a candidate to step in.
The 21-year-old is a towering defender who was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in January. AS believe that while Braga wanted a modest loan fee of €4m, they were keen to trigger a €25m compulsory option to sign him in the summer. However, the Reds were only willing to pay €20m.
That means that Carmo is still available and Madrid have a rich history of buying players from Portugal’s Primeira Liga, including Eder Militao, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao.
Carmo is under contract until 2025 and is reported to have a release clause of €40m. AS Roma and Manchester United are also interested.
Tap-ins
– Marek Hamsik could return to Europe, according to Russian outlet Match TV. Hamsik has been playing in China for two years since leaving Napoli in 2019, and Lokomotiv Moscow are keen to sign the Slovakian attacking midfielder on a free transfer. Hamsik has nine months left on his contract in China, which means he would have to free himself from his obligations there before entertaining a move back to Europe.
– Neymar may have not featured in PSG’s win over Barcelona on Tuesday but he continues talking to Lionel Messi on a regular basis about the Argentine forward swapping Camp Nou for the Parc des Princes, according to L’Equipe. The result, which saw a rampant PSG win 4-1 at Barcelona, might further tempt Messi, but Neymar is doing all he can to try and link up with his former teammate.
