The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but you can click here to review all the deals. Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.
TOP STORY: Hazard makes Chelsea U-turn
It’s a story that rarely has been off the Transfer Talk pages since January, and now Eden Hazard has decided to further muddy the waters by dropping a hint that he could actually stay at Stamford Bridge next season.
The Belgian was part of the Chelsea side that drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Chelsea know that maximum points in their final two matches this season will be enough to secure Champions League football after a troubled campaign under Maurizio Sarri.
And now, sensationally, qualification could also be enough to see Hazard remain at the club, despite the incessant rumours surrounding his potential move to the Spanish capital.
The Express reports Hazard’s post-match quotes: “Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and me myself, I want to play in the Champions League,” he’s quoted as saying. “We will.”
That will raise more than a few eyebrows at the Bernabeu, with the Spanish giants seemingly in pole position to snatch him from Chelsea this summer. Blues supporters, meanwhile, will be sleeping slightly sounder this evening.
Hazard off to Dortmund
No, not that one, his brother. The Sun reports that Thorgan Hazard, brother of Chelsea star Eden, has told VTM News that despite massive interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, he’ll be staying in Germany.
The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has been linked with a switch to Arsenal and Liverpool in recent months, with the player reportedly available for £35 million. It looks, though, that Borussia Dortmund is his most likely destination, with the player himself confirming that he’s agreed personal terms at the Westfalenstadion.
“It is now up to the clubs to find an agreement,” he’s quoted as saying. “I myself have an agreement with them, now something has to move between the clubs.”
Hazard still has one year left on his deal with Gladbach, arriving from Chelsea in August 2015 after failing to make a single first-team appearance at Stamford Bridge in three years.
Barca No. 2’s number is up
There are plenty of potential new arrivals expected at the Camp Nou this summer, but one player who is unlikely to be there to greet them is goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
Marca reports comments made by the Dutch goalkeeper to Netherlands TV outlet, Ziggo Sport, which suggest that the Netherlands’ No. 1 will be off, just as soon as he gets back from sunning himself on a distant beach.
“First I will go on holiday and then I hope to have a new club where I can play, because I want to play,” Cillessen is quoted as saying, after backing up Marc-Andre ter Stegen since arriving in Barcelona from Ajax three years ago. He has made just 28 appearances for the Catalan club, and although he has been impressive whenever called on, he is no nearer to pipping Ter Stegen to the No. 1 shirt.
Now he’s preparing to throw in the towel — after lying on one poolside for a couple of weeks beforehand.
Tap-ins
– As Barcelona celebrate another La Liga title, Ivan Rakitic has made it clear that he wants to stay at the club, which will surely disappoint the Premier League clubs intent on bringing him to England. Marca quotes the Croatian international as saying: “I don’t want to be anywhere else. I hope they tell me that I’ll stay here for another three years.”