Transfers LIVE! Real Madrid sign Rudiger; Mbappe wants PSG overhaul
We are just over a week away now from the official opening of the summer transfer window as clubs strive to complete early deals, with Real Madrid confirming the arrival of Antonio Rudiger.
Kylian Mbappe is rumoured to be pressing for a comprehensive overhaul at Paris Saint-Germain, with Neymar among the names that could depart.
Manchester United are trying to kick off the Erik ten Hag era with the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, with Ajax’s Jurrien Timber also high on their wanted list following the departures of Juan Mata, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.
Chelsea are making another move for long-term target Jules Kounde at Sevilla after Rudiger’s exit, while Liverpool may have identified the perfect Sadio Mane replacement in Martin Terrier of Rennes.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been linked with an audacious swap deal involving Gabriel Martinelli as they also chase Youri Tielemans.
With Ivan Perisic already in the building, Tottenham want to sign his former Inter Milan team-mate Alessandro Bastoni as they also prepare to announce the arrival of Fraser Forster.
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Pogba poised for Juventus reunion
Speaking of unsurprising returns to former clubs, it is now being widely reported that Paul Pogba will indeed head back to Juventus this summer.
Goal claim that he is ready to finalise his Turin comeback, with only one more meeting required in order to agree personal terms.
Pogba previously spent four years at Juve after his first Old Trafford departure in 2012, making 178 appearances across all competitions and winning a plethora of major silverware including four consecutive Serie A titles.
The French World Cup winner is out of contract at United this summer and yesterday the Red Devils confirmed that he would be leaving on a free transfer, along with the likes of Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata.
Arsenal’s Lacazette set for Lyon return
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette looks to be heading back to Lyon.
The French marksman is out of contract at the Emirates this summer and is expected to depart, having not followed Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny by penning fresh terms.
A return to Lyon always appeared a possibility, certainly according to club president Jean-Michel Aulas, with L’Equipe and Fabrizio Romano reporting that the free transfer is now set to be completed.
Mbappe ‘wants 14 PSG exits’ this summer – including Neymar
Kylian Mbappe is supposedly ready to wield his new-found power at Paris Saint-Germain, if reports are to be believed.
The French superstar infuriated Real Madrid and LaLiga by performing a dramatic U-turn to pen a lucrative £650,000-a-week contract extension at the Parc des Princes earlier this month.
Mbappe is believed to have gained greater influence behind the scenes at PSG, with the Daily Mail carrying speculation from Spain that he wants up to 14 names out the door this summer – a list that includes fellow star forward Neymar and under-pressure manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler, Ander Herrera, Idrissa Gueye, Leandro Paredes, Thilo Kehrer, Danilo Pereira, Layvin Kurzawa, Pablo Sarabia, Juan Bernat, Colin Dagba and Sergio Rico are also reported to be on his list of preferred exits.
Chelsea bid farewell to ‘passionate’ Rudiger
Chelsea have also confirmed Rudiger’s departure with a lengthy statement on their official website.
“We bid farewell to Antonio Rudiger as he departs Stamford Bridge with his Chelsea contract expiring, bringing to a close his five trophy-filled years with the club,” the club said.
“The German defender has left the Blues to join Real Madrid, having played a huge role in our successes in recent seasons.”
The Blues added: “Rudiger made 54 appearances in all competitions in his final campaign, all from the start, more than any other Chelsea player.
“He departs with 203 appearances and 12 goals to his name, in that time establishing himself as one of the most passionate characters to represent the club in recent memory.
“Chelsea Football Club thanks Toni for his contribution to our success over the last five years and wishes him well in his future career.”
Done deal! Real Madrid announce Rudiger
Champions League winners Real Madrid have officially announced the signing of Antonio Rudiger.
The German centre-back will depart Chelsea when his contract expires this summer and head to the Bernabeu on a four-year contract.
Rudiger will be presented as a Real Madrid player at midday on Monday, June 20 before conducting an introductory press conference.
Spurs and Everton battling for Kim Min-jae
Tottenham and Everton are reportedly vying for the services of Fenerbahce defender Kim Min-jae.
Turkish newspaper Sabah report that the South Korean international is travelling to England and will complete a switch to the Premier League, just a year after arriving in Istanbul from Beijing Guoan.
It is suggested that Spurs and Everton have both made offers for Kim worth more than £17m.
Will it be Merseyside or north London for the 25-year-old centre-back?
Captain Mee leaving Burnley after 11 years
A key departure from Burnley following their agonising relegation from the Premier League.
Long-serving and beloved captain Ben Mee will exit Turf Moor this summer after 11 years when his contract expires.
The influential 32-year-old looks set to have plenty of suitors and will be expected to make a swift return to top-flight football.
Burnley will have to seek plenty of defensive recruits over the coming months, with Mee’s centre-back partner James Tarkowski also leaving for nothing.
Man United close to yelling Timber?
Frenkie De Jong is not the only player being actively courted by Manchester United early in the summer.
Erik ten Hag also appears to be prioritising defensive recruits after last season’s horrow show at the back.
He is keen to raid to former club Ajax for Jurrien Timber, who was a key performer at centre-back under his Dutch compatriot in Amsterdam and can also play at full-back.
Per The Guardian, United have opened talks with Ajax over Timber, who is said to be keen on a switch to Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old, who already has six senior international caps for the Netherlands, is said to be valued at around £43m, though Ajax have apparently offered him an improved contract.
Neymar to Chelsea ruled out
Any Chelsea fans expecting a superstar signing like Neymar to mark Todd Boehly’s first summer transfer window in charge are likely to be left sorely disappointed.
There had been fanciful whisperings that the Brazilian could rock up at Stamford Bridge in the coming months as a statement early arrival amid reports that Paris Saint-Germain want to sell him.
However, the chances of a deal of that magnitude happening look extremely unlikely despite Boehly’s takeover and transfer war chest.
“The one thing we’re told from this takeover is this will not be [Roman] Abramovich mark two,” transfer insider Dean Jones told GiveMeSport this week.
“With that in mind, I’m not expecting Neymar to arrive at Stamford Bridge as one of their first signings. I think they’ve got to be a little bit smarter than that.”
BREAKING: Man United confirm Mata departure
Another day, another Manchester United exit.
Following yesterday’s announcements over the imminent departures of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, the Red Devils have now also confirmed that Juan Mata will be leaving Old Trafford following the expiration of his contract this summer.
The Spaniard, who turned 34 in April, scored 51 goals in 285 total appearances for United after joining from Chelsea in a £37.1m deal during the short-lived reign of David Moyes back in 2014.
Mata won the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Europa League and Community Shield during his eight years at the club.