The winter transfer window is closed, but now it’s time to look ahead to the summer! Here are the new rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: PSG and Chelsea targeting Donnarumma
PSG sporting director Leonardo is keen to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, reports Tuttosport, but he faces pressure from Frank Lampard at Chelsea.
Both clubs are said to be interested in the Milan star, though both prefer a swap deal. Leonardo is hoping to include Alphonse Areola in any negotiations, while Lampard is thinking along the same lines — and wants to offer Kepa Arrizabalaga in any deal.
However, the Rossoneri are intent on selling Donnarumma for cash if they’re to lose the keeper at all, according to Tuttosport.
That could involve a huge fee, which could put off Chelsea. However, PSG could still be tempted, given that it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they could receive a large sum in return for Neymar if the Brazilian’s protracted move to Barcelona happens this summer.
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LIVE BLOG
09.45 BST: Manchester United have been linked with a £150m move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, but the Guardian reports a deal won’t happen.
That’s because United “are redrawing their transfer strategy because of financial uncertainty caused by coronavirus and accept it will leave them unable to buy a striker as expensive as Kane.”
09.04 BST: Tottenham coach Jose Mourinho says it’s not impossible for him to coach Portugal one day but it’s not on his short-term plans.
“I left Portugal in 2004 and I still haven’t returned,” he told Fox Sports Brasil. “There are people that are hoping that one day I will return and coach the national team and I can’t reply yes or no. I’m 57, I’m a young coach. I know how to silence those that say I’m tired because I’ve been many years (coaching) at a high level.
“But no. I’m not tired of coaching, I’m tired of being at home due to the COVID-19. God willing, I will be have many years ahead of me and never say never. It’s difficult to say yes but impossible to say no.”
08.44 BST: Lazio plan to strengthen their squad this summer by acquiring Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Diogo Jota, A Bola reports.
The Portugal international could join the Serie A club should the Biancoceleste qualify for next season’s Champions League. Lazio were second in Serie A standings, one point adrift of Juventus, before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jota, 23, is tied to Wolves until June 2022. He scored six goals and set up one more in 25 league appearances. He is Lazio’s top summer target.
Lazio sold Portuguese pair Pedro Neto and Bruno Jordao to Wolves last summer and according to A Bola, the good relationship that exists between the two clubs and with Jota’s agent, Jorge Mendes, could smooth the transfer.
08.00 BST: David Silva is in talks about a return to former club Valencia but a potential deal is being complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, sources have told ESPN.
Silva has signalled his intention to leave Manchester City at the end of his contract, which is set to expire on June 30.
Valencia are keen to re-sign the Spain midfielder 10 years after he left the club for the Etihad Stadium but negotiations are being hampered by the uncertainty surrounding the implications of COVID-19 for players out of contract this summer.
FIFA have suggested contracts due to end on June 30 should be extended until the season can be completed but there is concern among Premier League bosses that the guidance is not legally enforceable.
Sources have told ESPN that Silva, who turned 34 in January, will have to either agree to a short-term extension to stay with City or decide to leave on June 30.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Real Madrid have eyes for Alaba
Zinedine Zidane is preparing a bid for Bayern Munich star David Alaba, reports Bild.
Alaba has been repeatedly linked with a move to Spain, though it’s Barcelona and not Real Madrid who are supposed to have been monitoring the defender’s situation.
However, with the Austrian’s contract negotiations stalling, Zidane is said to be keen to pounce, with Alaba himself not against the idea of changing clubs.
Real Madrid will have to find a reasonable transfer fee, and a sizeable salary, if they want to tempt Alaba away from Munich, however, while Bayern are keen to keep Los Blancos at bay.
Alaba is one of several Bayern players, including Manuel Neuer, with whom they’re holding contract talks. Madrid, meanwhile, are in the process of trying to offload up to seven players as they prepare for a summer of change.
Juve plan Higuain, Icardi swap
The next step in the career of Mauro Icardi is one of the ongoing subplots of the summer, and Gazzetta Dello Sport is suggesting that he could move to Juventus, with Gonzalo Higuain heading to Paris in the other direction.
Inter Milan striker Icardi is currently on loan at Paris Saint-Germain, yet his future continues to be enshrouded in mystery. He has a €70m buyout clause, and it’s reported that PSG could utilise it, before selling him on.
The Italian outlet believes Juve could be the club to buy him, particularly if they can convince PSG into taking Higuain as part of the deal.
Juve are said to be interested in adding more players into the negotiations too, including Miralem Pjanic and Alex Sandro. All three players could be used as further makeweights to ensure the Turin-based club get their hands on Argentine star Icardi.
Tap-ins
– Chelsea’s left-back search might be reverting back to square one after Brazilian outlet Gauchazh reports that PSG are close to agreeing a move for FC Porto defender, and Blues target, Alex Telles. The former Gremio defender appears to be heading to the French capital after Porto accepted an offer of £28.1m. It means that Lampard will have to go back to his wish list in his efforts to find a new left-back, which includes the more expensive Ben Chilwell.
– Rangers are trying to make loan star Ianis Hagi‘s temporary move to Ibrox a permanent one, reports the Daily Mail. Hagi joined Rangers from Genk in January, with an option to buy him in the summer, and the club are looking to make that happen for £4.3m. Hagi has attracted glances from Real Madrid and Lazio, but it seems likely the Romanian will stay in Scotland.