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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 prepare for summer squad overhaul
In the wake of Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League capitulation at the hands of Bayern Munich, the Blues are preparing a massive squad overhaul this summer, according to the Sun. The report suggests as many as eight first-team players could be moved on come the end of the season.
Ross Barkley, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Jorginho are all “in danger” of being sold. Kurt Zouma, Willian and Pedro — the latter two are out of contract this summer — are “under the microscope.” Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri “are not rated as good enough.”
The report also states that Chelsea would be keen to swap Kepa for Atletico Madrid No. 1 Jan Oblak, and that Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell is highly rated.
The Mirror echoes many of those names, but adds that RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano is the club’s priority this summer, with the Londoners desperate to improve their defence. The 21-year-old is in demand, however, with Arsenal having been linked with the France youth international for months.
Mane and Salah put Barca and Madrid on alert
European champions, world champions and now on the brink of becoming Premier League champions, you could be forgiven for thinking there’s no better place than Anfield to be playing your football right now. But the Express writes that Liverpool might yet face a battle to keep sensational pair Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah beyond the summer after it was revealed that both players have ambitions to play in La Liga.
The duo’s desire to play in Spain was confirmed by journalist Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window Podcast and might cause concerns among the club’s hierarchy amid rumours that both might crave a new challenge should Liverpool secure a first Premier League title as expected.
Thankfully for Reds supporters, both players are tied down to long-term contracts and boss Jurgen Klopp remains adamant that he will keep hold of his best players, but that is unlikely to deter the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are still expected to test the club’s resolve.
Inter Milan eye swoop for Spurs defender
The Evening Standard reports that Serie A title challengers Inter Milan have made contact with Tottenham about the possibility of signing centre-back Jan Vertonghen, who has fallen out of favour at the North London club.
The versatile defender is out of contract at the end of the season, and Antonio Conte has set his sights on securing the Belgium man on a free transfer should the 32-year-old fail to agree terms over a new deal with Spurs.
The Nerazzurri are said to be facing a battle to keep hold of highly rated centre-half Milan Skriniar, linked with Manchester City, and might see Vertonghen as the ideal replacement.
Vertonghen has been free to speak to overseas clubs since January and could follow ex-Spurs star Christian Eriksen to the San Siro, although Jose Mourinho remains keen to keep hold of the player.
Tap-ins
– Injury-hit forward Ousmane Dembele will be allowed to leave Barcelona this summer, but Liverpool should not pursue the 22-year-old, according to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague. As published in the Express, Balague said of Dembele: “He isn’t a player for Liverpool but Barcelona will be open for offers in the summer.”
– West Ham and Newcastle have been boosted in their attempts to keep hold of two of their star assets after it was revealed that Manchester United have moved onto fresh transfer targets. United were previously said to be keen on Hammers youngster Declan Rice and Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, but the Manchester Evening News writes that the club have now turned their attention elsewhere.