Football

Chelsea compile £210m transfer shortlist, Man Utd release clause, Liverpool, Arsenal bids


Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip

Friday, February 21

  • Chelsea have identified three leading transfer targets
  • Clubs chasing Erling Haaland will have to be patient
  • Bayern Munich’s Christian Fruchtl rejected Liverpool
  • Arsenal are keeping tabs on Roma’s Bryan Cristante

Liverpool react to Roberto Firmino and Timo Werner dilemma

Liverpool are interested in signing RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner in the summer and Bayern Munich are hoping to capitalise on this by making a move for Roberto Firmino.

However, according to Goal, if a deal is agreed to bring Werner to Anfield, it wouldn’t be to replace Firmino but instead as a back-up role.

The 28-year-old Brazilian is seen as a key member of Jurgen Klopp’s side and will not be allowed to leave in the summer.

Werner recently commented on the speculation surrounding his future at the Bundesliga side and being linked with a summer move to Anfield.

After scoring to help Leipzig beat Tottenham 1-0 in the Champions League, the German international said he felt “very proud” to have been linked with a move to the Premier League leaders.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Kai Havertz to Liverpool

Liverpool will look to wrap up the signing of Bayer Leverkusen starlet Kai Havertz “discreetly”, says Steve McManaman.

The 20-year-old Germany international has been linked with multiple European heavyweights with Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona expected to challenge.

But McManaman thinks Jurgen Klopp’s side will look to do business under the radar.

“We’ll have to wait and see; he’s a young player with plenty to improve on, who might be the type of player that Liverpool are looking at rather than a fully-fledged superstar,” McManaman told HorseRacing.net when quizzed about Havertz.

“Liverpool do a lot of their transfer business discreetly, and a lot of the other players were bought when we didn’t know it was happening, such as the likes of Alisson Becker and Fabinho, while Virgil van Dijk was very much the exception.

“They’re very low key when it comes to signing players they want in the summer, that’s why I take transfer rumours at the moment with a pinch of salt – and if Liverpool want to do business then they’re not going to tell anyone else about it. They’ll try and get it done before anybody else knows.”

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Emerson to Serie A

Juventus and Inter Milan are interested in signing Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri.

That’s according to the player’s agent Luis Fernando Garcia, who claims the Serie A duo are tracking his client, but have yet to make official contact with Chelsea.

“We know very well about Juventus’ interest but also about Inter. So far there has been no talk of a transfer with Chelsea, nor has there been any official offer.” he told Juvenews.eu.

“I believe that until May there will be no official offers from the two clubs. In the summer we will decide what to do.”

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Boubakary Soumare deal

Newcastle are cooking up a plan to secure the signature of Boubakary Soumare from Lille in the summer transfer window.

The Magpies, who failed with a January effort for the midfielder, face competition from Liverpool and Manchester United.

A deal that could have been worth up to £45million for Soumare was accepted by Lille last month but the player rejected the switch.

Newcastle look set to revive their interest ahead of the next transfer window, however.

According to Le 10 Sport, the Magpies will offer Soumare a key guarantee of playing time if he accepts a switch to St James’ Park.

The Premier League outfit are also willing to double his salary to £1.67million (€2m) per season after tax.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Lionel Messi happy at Barca

Lionel Messi insists his commitment to Barcelona is unshaken by recent events off the field.

It has been a turbulent season at Barca, who trail LaLiga leaders Real Madrid by a point, with a recent coaching change sparking an angry exchange between Messi and director of football Eric Abidal.

But in the full interview published on Thursday, the Argentina captain vowed he is going nowhere – despite the reported existence of a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for nothing this summer.

“I have said many times that my idea is (to stay) and as long as the club continue to want that, there will never be a problem,” the 32-year-old said.

“I want to win another Champions League, I want to continue winning LaLiga and I always aspire to that. I love Barcelona, this is my home.”

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Marcos Alonso to Inter Milan

Inter Milan remain interested in Spanish defender Marcos Alonso.

But Chelsea won’t allow him to leave on the cheap.

According to Italian website Calciomercato, Frank Lampard’s side value their 29-year-old at £25million.

That’s reportedly out of Inter Milan’s price range but are hopeful that they can negotiate a significantly lower fee.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Martin Braithwaite surprised

Barcelona signing Martin Braithwaite admitted he was surprised to learn the Spanish champions wanted to bring him to the club but said he had always felt he could perform among European football’s elite.

The Denmark striker signed a four-year contract with Barca on Thursday from La Liga strugglers Leganes after the Catalans paid his £15million release clause. Upon signing for Barca, Braithwaite’s release clause rocketed to £250m.

“I was surprised at the moment but at the same time not so surprised because for many years I’ve been seeing this in my head,” Braithwaite said at his presentation at the Camp Nou.

“It was always my ambition to play at this level.”

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Wanted: Eduardo Camavinga

Real Madrid have entered the race to sign Eduardo Camavinga.

The Rennes teenager, 17, is being tracked by several European giants including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

But Zinedine Zidane now wants the midfielder at the Bernabeu, according to Spanish publication Marca.

The France Under-21 international has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and is thought to be valued at a whopping £50million.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Willian in London

Willian could be set to extend his stay in London – but it might not be with Chelsea.

The Brazilian playmaker arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2013 but his contract is set to expire in June and no extension has yet been agreed.

The 31-year-old has been linked with Barcelona increment seasons – but Willian is desperate to remain in the English capital for family reasons.

“I have played for Chelsea for more than six years now, and I can honestly say that I am very happy here,” Willian told The Players’ Tribune.

“If you ask my wife if she wants to leave London, she’ll say no. My daughters feel the same way. Of course, Brazil is Brazil, right? It’s our home, our culture. We always feel good when we go there on holiday and see family and friends, but London is my second home.

“In fact, I recently passed a British citizenship test. Man, it was hard. It’s British history in a nutshell. Some questions are so difficult that not even some of my British friends knew the answers!

“As it turned out, I failed on my first two attempts, but got it on the third. I am now a British citizen! So, London is where I want to stay. This is where I have my family, my church. I want my daughters to grow up here.”

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Jonathan Tah to Arsenal

Arsenal are showing interest in Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah.

But Mikel Arteta will have to spend big to bring him to the Premier League next season.

Tah, 23, joined the Bundesliga outfit in 2015 and has since made 167 appearances for the club and earned nine caps at international level for Germany.

SportBild claim Arsenal are interested and are considering triggering his £34million release clause but will have to see off the challenge from Atletico Madrid.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Wanted: Jonathan David

Arsenal will battle Everton to sign Genk star Jonathan David.

That’s according to Jeunes Footeux, who claim the Premier League duo are eager to sign the highly-rated Canada international forward.

David, 20, has scored 33 goals in 78 appearances for the Belgian side and 11 goals in 12 games for Canada.

Jeunes Footeux claim the playmaker will cost around £17million with Napoli and RB Leipzig also interested in securing his signature.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Chelsea triple targets

Chelsea have identified three leading transfer targets ahead of the summer. Frank Lampard is looking to revamp his squad after a frustrating January window that saw no arrivals at Stamford Bridge.

A £33.5million deal for Ajax’s creative kingpin Hakim Ziyech has already been agreed but further incomings are expected once the campaign is finished.

According to Goal, Chelsea are looking to further invest in attacking areas while a new left-back is also on the agenda.

Borussia Dortmund’s £100million-rated Jadon Sancho is high on the wish list but there are plenty of clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool tracking his situation.

Timo Werner (£50m) of RB Leipzig and Leicester’s Ben Chilwell (£60m) are also wanted.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Erling Haaland pursuit

Clubs chasing Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland will have to be patient in their pursuit of Erling Haaland, according to Jan Age Fjortoft.

Manchester United and Real Madrid are among the sides interested in signing Haaland, who blitzed Paris Saint-Germain with a terrific brace during their Champions League encounter.

It was thought that the 19-year-old had a £62million release clause in his contract, but Fjortoft says that can’t be triggered in his first year with Borussia Dortmund.

“I don’t have all the contract details, he has a clause of €75m [£62m] but I don’t think that will be in the first year, so there won’t be a chance of that,” Fjortoft told talkSPORT.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Liverpool rejected

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Christian Fruchtl rejected the opportunity to join Liverpool.

Fruchtl, 20, still hasn’t made a senior appearance for the Bundesliga champions and is firmly behind Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich in the pecking order.

German newspaper Sport1 claim Liverpool made a phone call to enquire about his availability.

But Fruchtl would prefer a loan deal elsewhere to secure regular first-team football and not play second-fiddle to Alisson at Anfield.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Bryan Cristante interest

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante, Calciomercato report.

Cristante, 24, spent a season-long loan with Roma before the Serie A side made the deal permeant for an initial £12.5million with a further £8m in potential add-ons.

The Italian international has endured an injury-plagued season having missed 10 top-flight fixtures through injury.

But now back in action, Arsenal have sent scouts to watch the defensive midfielder in action.

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates

Transfer News: Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea gossip and latest updates (Image: GETTY)

Moussa Dembele decision

Manchester United transfer target Moussa Dembele wants to leave Lyon for Old Trafford, it has been claimed.

And, in a boost to the Red Devils, the Ligue 1 giants are reportedly open to selling their star asset.

“Manchester United will sign a striker in the summer and Lyon’s Moussa Dembele wants to move to Old Trafford,” Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol wrote.

“Dembele will be allowed to leave Lyon at the end of the season and he wants to return to England where he started his career at Fulham. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas will let Dembele leave in the summer but he will have to settle for less than his €100m (£83m) asking price.”





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.