The Premier League transfer window is open. You can click here to review all the latest transfers and keep up to date with all the latest gossip below.
When does the window open in Europe? | QUIZ: Which club should you join?
TOP STORY: Madrid won’t give Hazard No. 10
Eden Hazard will be wearing the famed No. 7 shirt at Madrid — if and when his switch to the Bernabeu is finally confirmed.
So says The Sun, who reports that Real Madrid are as keen as the Belgian on getting the deal signed, sealed and delivered as quickly as possible.
Despite the monumental fee that Hazard is expected to fetch when he finally leaves London, Madrid are reluctant to let him wear the No. 10 shirt that he has worn with such distinction at Chelsea.
Instead, he’ll be wearing the No. 7 — which belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo before he left the club for Juve last summer. It’s currently under the ownership of Mariano Diaz, but he’s said to be more than happy to hand it to the man who helped inspire Chelsea to Europa League glory against Arsenal in Baku earlier this week.
And let’s face it, if it’s good enough for Ronaldo then it’s surely good enough for Hazard too.
Barcelona plan big summer sell-off
Barcelona are ready to sell big over the next month – in order to balance their books for the 2018-19 campaign. That’s according to Marca.
The outlet reports that the cost of transfers and payments, which have been spread in order to provide the La Liga giants with some short-term gain, have come back to haunt them this month, meaning that player sales, rather than new arrivals could be the name of the game at Camp Nou in the coming weeks.
The amount that Barca need to recoup by selling players hasn’t been revealed, but on Catalunya Radio reported that it could be as much as €70m, although Marca claim that figure could be closer to €40m.
Whichever is true, it’s clear that the start of the transfer season could be a race to get bodies out, including the likes of Everton loanee Andre Gomes and failed Arsenal loan-signing Denis Suarez.
Man City have backup plan if Rodri move fails
Manchester City have been seeking a suitable backup and eventual replacement for long-serving midfield stalwart Fernandinho and it sounds like they have a contingency plan if a move for their first choice Rodri of Atletico Madrid falls through.
The Manchester Evening News reports that the two-time Premier League holders are targeting one of two options if Rodri is unavailable, with Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele and Real Madrid’s Marco Llorente in frame to take up the position Fernandinho has had on lock down in the heart of Pep Guardiola’s team.
The report says that City don’t want to pay Atleti the €70 million release clause in Rodri’s contract, but time is not on their side as Tottenham are already moving for Ndombele, with the Champions League finalists having an initial bid rejected earlier this week.
Sarri asks for Chelsea release
Maurizio Sarri has requested his release from Chelsea in light of reaching an agreement to take over as Juventus manager, according to Goal.
The Italian led the Blues to a Europa League title and a Premier League third-place finish in his first season at Stamford Bridge, but hasn’t fully adjusted to the demands of English football.
– When are the Premier League fixtures published?
– When does the transfer window close?
According to the report, Sarri’s agent met with Chelsea management on Friday to express a desire of returning back to Serie A, this time to succeed Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus.
Chelsea have not yet given their answer, but previous reports have tied Frank Lampard to take over should Sarri depart. The former club great led Derby County to the Championship promotion play-off final in his debut season as a manager.
Tap-ins
– The Manchester Evening News reports that United’s quest to land Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes will be done as soon as next week. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team will face competition for the attacking midfielder from crosstown rivals Manchester City, but recent reports suggest he’s more likely to end up on the red side of town.
- Sergio Ramos made it clear to everyone that he is — and will always be — a Madridista on Thursday, but there was a key player behind the scenes that ensured the long-time Real captain didn’t leave Madrid after a back and forth with club president Florentino Perez in the Spanish papers. Guess who it was?
– Despite uncertainty over contract talks this summer, the Daily Mail says Ilkay Gundogan will remain at Manchester City for the Premier League champions 2019-20 campaign. The outlet reports that David Silva will stay on for their quest for a third-straight title in England’s top flight amid links to a move to Japan and Qatar. Both players would leave for free if new contracts weren’t negotiated.