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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: Chelsea to hand Coutinho Premier League return
Philippe Coutinho‘s name is at the top of Chelsea boss Frank Lampard’s summer shopping list, according to Spanish title AS.
AS reports that the Blues have made contact with Coutinho’s parent club Barcelona and have even held discussions about bringing the Brazilian back to the Premier League.
Coutinho is on a season-long loan at Bayern Munich but hasn’t impressed, and the Germans are unlikely to take up the €120m option of a permanent deal once the season finally comes to a close. Meanwhile, his future at Barca also remains unclear. Earlier, as reported here, Diario SPORT suggested that Barca’s preference is to sell him and AS agree, with Lampard attempting to persuade Coutinho to move to London.
Chelsea have already landed Hakim Ziyech and now they’re targeting attacking players to help them mount an assault on the title.
Barca meanwhile are planning their own spending spree, and any money raised by the sale of Coutinho could help them land one or more of their striker targets Neymar, Lautaro Martinez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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08.21 GMT: Careful everyone, super-agent Mino Raiola has told Marca that he wants to take one of his players to Real Madrid in the summer.
“My relationship with Real Madrid is really good,” he said. “I’m in touch with Jose Angel (Sanchez, the club’s director general) and I love talking about football with him… I hope one day I can bring a big player to Real Madrid. Right now I have [Alphonse] Areola [on loan from PSG], but it’s a “halfway” operation because it’s a loan. I want to bring them a definitive player and I’m going to try this summer. It would be a source of pride for me and for my players because Madrid is a great club.”
Paul Pogba is the obvious choice, but Raiola said: “Paul is going through a difficult time but let it be clear, because in England they are very sensitive, Pogba is concentrating on making a great end to the season with Manchester United. He wants to get back in the team and make a great end to the season so United can reach the Champions League.”
Erling Haaland is another choice, with a reported €75m release clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract, but Raiola said: “I don’t think he’ll be leaving Dortmund this summer.”
08.00 GMT: Portuguese media is reporting that AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has been ordered to pay €16.5m to former club Sporting Lisbon for unilaterally terminating his contract in 2018.
On May 15, 2018, the Sporting team, including players, staff and personnel, were attacked at their own academy by a group of 40 alleged supporters. Leao was among nine Sporting players that cancelled their contracts, citing just cause because of the attack.
Leao, 20, joined Lille as a free agent in August 2018; Sporting had requested €45m in compensation.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport have reportedly ordered the Portuguese club to pay Leao €40,000 for “moral siege.” The Portuguese forward had demanded €100,000.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Arsenal, Bayern battle to sign Swedish phenom Roback
Arsenal are keen to sign Hammarby’s 16-year-old striker Emil Roback, but they face pressure from German giants Bayern Munich, according to the Sun.
The Swedish youngster is quick, strong and is scoring goals aplenty at the youth level, and Arsenal have attempted to steal a march on their German counterparts by inviting him to train at the academy at the club’s London Colney training ground. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is said to have been impressed by the youngster.
Roback turns 17 in May and while Arsenal will hope their hospitality will help persuade the youngster to swap Stockholm for north London, they know they face stiff competition from Bayern.
United rekindle interest in Saul Niguez
Manchester United are chasing the signature of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish paper suggests that United lead the chase for a player who is yet to commit his future to Atletico, and whose original buy-out clause of £138m could be reduced.
United have been linked with Niguez in the past and they even turned down the opportunity to sign him under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal. However, United’s interest is very much back on and they see Niguez as the perfect partner for new midfield star Bruno Fernandes.
Niguez is contracted to Atletico until 2026, but United feel they could tempt him away following the news that he is reluctant to commit to the club any further.
Tap-ins
– Crystal Palace are keen on signing Queens Park Rangers starlet Eberechi Eze, according to the Sun. The 21-year-old has enjoyed some admiring glances from the Premier League thanks to his scintillating form in the Championship, and while Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be keen, QPR sporting director Les Ferdinand had admitted Palace are the only club to make a tangible enquiry.
– Jude Bellingham grows more popular by the day. Manchester United have been courting the youngster for some time and the Daily Mirror reports the Reds are prepared to break the bank for their long-term target. However, German title Bild reports that the Birmingham City star is about to reject United and any other would-be Premier League suitors and will instead opt to join Borussia Dortmund, where he could team up with stars including Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland.