Man Utd have two Harry Kane transfer problems, Chelsea £102k striker target, Arsenal scout

Wednesday, April 1

• Arsenal are watching Lech Poznan attacking midfielder Filip Marchwinski

• Marchwinski is said to share a similar playing style to Kevin De Bruyne

• Tottenham are confident of keeping talisman Harry Kane for twoi reasons

• Chelsea are still interested in Napoli forward Dries Mertens

• Manchester United target Jack Grealish could remain an Aston Villa player

Dani Ceballos interview

Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos would like to feel ‘important’ for his next club.

The Real Madrid midfielder hasn’t been able to make a significant impact during his loan spell at the Emirates Stadium because of a mixture of managerial change and injuries.

“I finish my contract on June 30 but I would have to [continue to] play for Arsenal [when football resumes]. I don’t know how,” Ceballos told TV show El Chiringuito de Jugones.

“It would be irresponsible from my side to talk about my future. The most important thing will be to be important for my new team. I came to Arsenal to be an important player but in the last month that all disappeared [due to the coronavirus].”

Olivier Giroud rejection

Olivier Giroud has rejected an offer from Chelsea to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.

The French striker’s current deal expires this summer and a number of clubs from around Europe are supposedly interested in signing up the 33-year-old.

The French international agreed personal terms with Inter Milan before Chelsea pulled the plug after failing to secure a replacement.

And now reports from Italy claim Giroud is closing in on a move to the San Siro once again after rejecting a new contract proposal from Chelsea.

Tuttosport report that new contacts have been made between the Blues and Giroud’s entourage, with an offer of a one-year extension tabled.

Gabriel Magalhaes agreement

Chelsea have agreed a fee with Lille for defender Gabriel Magalhaes.

That’s according to transfer expert Duncan Castles, who claims the Ligue 1 side have accepted an offer worth £31million including performance-related add-ons.

“There have been four offers for Gabriel received by Lille and accepted by Lille,” Castles told the Transfer Window podcast.

“Lille are a club dependent on transfer revenue, they’ve agreed a deal with a total value of €35m (£31m). Everton are one of the clubs who have had an offer accepted. Two clubs in Italy have had an offer accepted. The fourth club is Chelsea.”

But there could be a problem for Frank Lampard’s side.

Last week, The Independent claimed Magalhaes had already completed an ‘offsite medical’ with the Toffees.

Three-way James Rodriguez battle

Three Premier League clubs have eyes on James Rodriguez.

Real Madrid are planning to offload the Colombia international in order to finance other signings in the upcoming transfer window.

Arsenal have a long-standing interest in the 28-year-old, but they have competition in the form of Everton and Wolves.

And Spanish publication Marca claim the Toffees hold a significant advantage courtesy of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who shares a good relationship with Rodriguez from their days at Bayern Munich and the Bernabeu.

Wanted: Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo’s six-year spell with Manchester United could coming to an end.

The Argentine international, 30, arrived at Old Trafford in 2014 from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £16million.

But having made a combined 17 Premier League appearances over the past three seasons, Rojo was deemed surplus to requirements and joined Estudiantes in January.

Now, Italian website Gazzetta dello Sport claim Roma are interested in securing his services – perhaps to partner Chris Smalling at the Stadio Olimpico.

Layvin Kurzawa pursuit

Arsenal are keen on signing Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa, who will be available on a free transfer in the summer, but will face competition from across Europe.

Kurzawa’s contract with the Ligue 1 champions will expire at the end of the season and with his starts limited by Juan Bernat, the France international is keen to move on for regular minutes elsewhere.

Spanish outlet Sport claim that Kurzawa is also a target for Liverpool, Inter Milan, Napoli and even Barcelona.

And per their report, Barca may hold an advantage over the Gunners and the rest of the competition because the defender is represented by a company with whom Barca have regularly worked with of late and are said to have a good relationship with.

Jadon Sancho talks

Manchester United have contact Jadon Sancho’s agent over a possible transfer. The Borussia Dortmund winger has been tipped to return to the Premier League this summer. United, Chelsea and Liverpool are eyeing the England international, 20.

And according to the Mirror, United have tried to beat their rivals to the former Manchester City winger.

The Red Devils have contacted Sancho’s agent over a possible move.

However, The Mirror add that United are reluctant to submit a formal approach for the youngster due to concerns over the summer transfer window.

The summer window will be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with reports claiming it could be extended until next January.

Gabriel Martinelli claim

Arsenal will consider huge bids for Gabriel Martinelli this summer – despite the teenage striker having established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting youngsters.

Despite only coming to Europe last summer as an 18-year-old, Martinelli has produced 10 goals and four assists in 26 appearances, only 15 of which have been starts.

That has seen the Brazilian already repay the £6million fee that the Gunners paid Ituano to bring him to the Premier League.

Such an excellent start to his Arsenal career, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp calling Martinelli “the talent of the century”, has reportedly piqued the attention of Real Madrid.

But despite that, 90min report that Arsenal could be tempted by big offers for Martinelli in the summer.

The Traore brothers

Arsenal have expressed interest in brothers Hamed and Amad Traore.

The Ivorian pair have risen to prominence in Serie A this campaign and it hasn’t gone unnoticed with Gunners scouts monitoring their progress.

Attacking midfielder Hamed, 20, has impressed during his loan spell with Sassuolo from Empoli while winger Amad, 17 has made three appearances for Atalanta’s senior side.

Website 90min claim a move for Hamed would be difficult with Juventus having first refusal but believe a £20million offer would be enough.

Alexis Sanchez loyalty bonus

Alexis Sanchez is set to receive a £1.1million loyalty payment when he returns to Manchester United.

The Chilean forward has struggled to make an impact on loan with Inter Milan and Antonio Conte’s side have turned down the chance to sign him on a permeant basis.

Sanchez, 31, is now expected to move back to Old Trafford where The Sun claim he’ll be given a significant ‘cash windfall’ because of a clause in his £500,000-a-week contract.

A source told The Sun: “Everyone is aware of Alexis’ wages and there is bonuses in the contract as well.”

Harry Kane situation

Tottenham are confident of keeping talisman Harry Kane, the Daily Mail report.

The England international is growing restless in north London and has recently made noises that he’s prepared to look elsewhere to challenge for major honours.

Manchester City view Kane, 26, as a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero, while Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would reportedly ‘relish’ the opportunity to bring him to Old Trafford.

However, Spurs think they are in a strong position for two reasons.

The first is that Kane has four years left to run on his current deal and the second is the player’s £200million valuation, that could prove too steep given the financial impact the Coronavirus crisis.

Jack Grealish U-turn

Manchester United target Jack Grealish could remain an Aston Villa player.

But only if the Premier League season is declared null and void, according to The Mirror.

The Red Devils are still confident of capturing the 24-year-old’s £70million signature despite his recent misdemeanour.

Grealish remains a target for ‘several big clubs’ and would certainly leave his boyhood team if they are relegated but he may be encouraged to stay if the season is expunged.

Dani Ceballos heading home

Dani Ceballos doesn’t want to stay in London.

That’s according to Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo, who claims the on-loan Arsenal midfielder wants to re-join Real Betis.

The 23-year-old joined Real Madrid in July 2017 for roughly £15million but has managed just 35 La Liga appearances for the Bernabeu side.

Arsenal do NOT have the option to make his loan spell permanent and Ceballos has decided he would like to return to the Benito Villamarin Stadium for regular first-team football.

Work underway…

Arsenal are currently “working on” signing a new centre-back according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Mikel Arteta is known to want to strengthen the centre of his defence despite having multiple options in the position already.

The Gunners have seven centre-backs on their books in David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Konstantinos Mavropanos and the on-loan Pablo Mari.

William Saliba will also join Arteta’s squad for next season after a year on loan at Saint-Etienne, where Arsenal bought him from for £27million last summer.

Yet Mustafi, Sokratis and Mavropanos could all be sold to free up both funds and room for new additions, with it expected Saliba will play a key role next term.

Premier League statement

The Premier League, EFL, FA and FSA have released a joint statement claiming there are no quick answers to when football will return.

Football was originally suspended until April 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, due to the severity of the pandemic, the suspension was pushed back until April 30.

It remains to be seen whether the season can be finished and there’s still a possibility the campaign could be called null and void.

Football governing bodies are locked in talks with leagues, discussing how to return to normality.

And the Premier League, EFL, FA and FSA have now confirmed football will not return until it’s absolutely safe to do so.

Read the full statement here.