English Premier League
£100,000-a-week Chelsea star confirms Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing him
Antonio Rudiger has acknowledged that he was serious about leaving Chelsea last summer amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain. The centre-back fell out-of-favour under then-manager Frank Lampard, and he was linked with a possible departure before the transfer deadline. However, a deal failed to materialise and Rudiger had no option but to stay with the Blues, where he has revived his career under current boss Thomas Tuchel. Speaking exclusively to Kicker, Rudiger said he was weighing up a move elsewhere as he needed playing time in the lead-up to the European Championships. He added that Les Parisiens and Spurs were interested in him, but the former were the most serious option. Ultimately, he ran out of time to make a decision. He said: “I was really about to leave. ...
Report: £20m star among nine players who could leave Liverpool this summer
Liverpool completed their first signing of the summer today after the club confirmed the arrival of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. Bolstering the defence was a priority for Jurgen Klopp, and the Reds wasted no time in securing the signature of arguably one of the best young talents in world football. The Reds are planning to offload some of their fringe players this summer, with as many as nine players likely to depart. According to reports from The Athletic, Liverpool could offload Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri. Origi, who has etched his name among Liverpool’s cult heroes, struggled for regular games last season. The Belgian international needs to pursue a new challenge, and a move away from Anfield looks likely. He is valued at around £20 million. Likewise, Shaqiri played a bit...
Report: Spurs keen on in-demand £17m int’l, club have held talks with player’s agent
Tottenham Hotspur are keen to sign Ugurcan Cakir. Spurs probably need to sign a goalkeeper this summer, with Hugo Lloris’s future uncertain as his contract expires in 2022. The 34-year-old is yet to pen a new deal and Spurs must start planning for the future, with or without Lloris. Spurs have already seen one of their prime targets – Mike Maignan – move to AC Milan, while another goalkeeping target – Gregor Kobel – is set to join Borussia Dortmund in the next few days. According to reports from Fotomac, Trabzonspor want €20 million (£17m) for Cakir. Lille and Inter Milan are also interested in signing him. The report claims that Spurs have held talks with the player’s agent over a potential move this summer. Trabzonspor will listen to offe...
West Ham hold talks with 23-yr-old’s agent, Hammers prepared to pay £14m
West Ham United have recently been linked with a move for Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral. According to the Express, the Hammers have now held extensive talks with the 23-year-old’s representatives. The player’s agent Karol Kisel has been in England this week to hold talks with the Premier League club regarding a summer transfer. Kral is keen to move to the London club and join up with international teammates Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal. The Hammers are prepared to pay around £14 million for the highly talented defensive midfielder and are keen to get the deal over the line. SL View: Potential replacement for Rice? West Ham already have two quality defensive midfielders in Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, and it is unclear how they would accommodate Kral in their starting line-...
Celtic reportedly want 56-cap int’l EPL winger, top-flight sides keen too
Republic of Ireland winger Robbie Brady is a man in demand following his release from Burnley and Celtic are interested in him, according to The Athletic. Premier League clubs are also keeping tabs on his situation, and the Hoops have a huge battle on their hands in their attempt to sign him. Brady joined Burnley in January 2017 from Norwich City, going on to make 87 appearances across all competitions for the side. The midfielder’s time at Turf Moor was plagued with injuries, and a move to Scotland and change of scenery could do him some good. Celtic are looking to make a major squad rebuild this summer following last season’s debacle, and landing an experienced player from the Premier League could be huge. Brady has 56 caps for Ireland, and the Hoops could do with such a quality player w...
West Ham keen on €12m-rated La Liga midfielder, but face competition from another PL club
West Ham United are keen on signing Osasuna midfielder Jon Moncayola. According to Spanish publication AS, Crystal Palace are also interested in the 23-year-old who has a €12 million release clause in his contract. The Spanish club want to keep Moncayola and have offered him a new contract. However, a move to the Premier League may prove too tempting to turn down. SL View: Long term replacement for Mark Noble? The Hammers certainly need more depth in the central midfield, and the Spaniard would be a quality long term addition as Mark Noble’s replacement. He has been a key player for Osasuna in La Liga, and his ability to operate in numerous positions would benefit either of the London clubs. The reported asking price seems quite reasonable for a player of his ability and potential. If Monc...
After Konate, Liverpool are ‘progressing in negotiations’ for 27-year-old’s new deal
Liverpool are close to signing Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. According to reports from the Independent, Liverpool have triggered Ibrahima Konate’s £36 million release clause. Paul Joyce of The Times has confirmed on Twitter that the deal is expected to be finalised in the next 48 hours. Liverpool expect to complete the transfer of Ibrahima Konate in next 48-hours. Agreements with player on personal terms and also RB Leipzig now in place. Exit clause value is £36m. — paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) May 28, 2021 The report claims that the defender will become Liverpool’s first signing of the summer. The Reds are trying to put the finishing touches on the deal before the end of the weekend. The 22-year-old has been the club’s primary defensive target, although The Athletic reported that the ...
Journalist: Mourinho wants to sign in-demand £100k-per-week Arsenal star, club have opened talks
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka could leave the club in the summer transfer window. According to reliable journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Xhaka is being wanted by several clubs, including Roma. The Serie A giants have appointed Jose Mourinho as their new manager, and the Portuguese boss wants to sign Xhaka. Arsenal are expected to sell a host of players this summer as Mikel Arteta is looking to sculpt the squad to his own taste. Romano claims that Xhaka has the chance to leave the Gunners along with the likes of Willian, Hector Bellerin and others. Several Bundesliga clubs are keen to sign Xhaka, while Roma have opened talks with the player’s agents. Granit Xhaka has chances to leave Arsenal this summer as Willian, Hector Bellerin and many other players. 🚨 #AFC AS R...
Why Bayern’s Alaba stance means United could sign £50m winger this summer
Bayern Munich’s refusal to meet exorbitant wage demands from their players could be good news for Manchester United. According to German football expert Florian Plettenberg, the Bundesliga champions were unwilling to pay David Alaba what he was looking for. The 28-year-old is now set to sign for Real Madrid, and he may not be the last player to leave Bayern this summer. Plettenberg has claimed that Kingsley Coman could be sold, with the winger stalling on signing a new contract with the club. SL View Coman’s current deal runs out in 2023, and he is believed to have asked super-agent Pini Zahavi for advice about his future. United have already reportedly submitted a financial proposal to Coman, and their offer may well have had the desired effect. The 24-year-old is thought to be seeking fi...
‘Returning to England’ – Guillem Balague comments on reports linking Pochettino with Spurs
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a sensational return to Tottenham Hotspur in recent hours, with the Argentine even spotted in London. It is believed Spurs have held talks with their former boss as they search for Jose Mourinho’s replacement. However, it does not seem PSG are entertaining the idea of letting him go after just five months in charge of the club. Pochettino joined the French giants in January as Thomas Tuchel’s successor and has since won the French Super Cup and Coupe de France. He is reportedly open to returning to Tottenham but has also been linked with the Real Madrid vacant managerial post after Zinedine Zidane left the job this morning. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague does not see him leaving PSG anytime soon, though, taking t...
‘This is emotional’ – Rice reacts as West Ham star pens goodbye message
Jesse Lingard has established himself as a West Ham United star and hero in just five months, helping the Hammers secure European football after hitting the ground upon arriving at the London Stadium in January. The England international joined West Ham from Manchester United on loan during the winter transfer window, ending his spell with nine goals and four assists in 16 Premier League games. Manager David Moyes would love to sign Lingard permanently, but it remains to be seen whether Man Utd are open to selling the attacking midfielder. The 28-year-old has reflected on his West Ham stint, taking to social media to thank the club and fans for the opportunity and leaving the door open for a permanent move: Lingard’s mate and Hammers skipper Declan Rice is gutted to see him leave, taking t...
Goalkeeper leaves future in club’s hands amid West Ham and Tottenham links
In-demand West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has put his future into the club’s hands (as related to iNews) amidst growing interest from West Ham United and Tottenham. The 28-year-old keeper has been a rare shining light in West Brom’s dreadful Premier League campaign. Even though the Baggies suffered relegation from the top flight and conceded a staggering 76 goals, the Englishman has enjoyed a stunning individual season. Johnstone has benefitted from playing behind one of the worst defences in Europe’s top-five divisions, making over 150 saves to catch the eye of several Premier League clubs. An array of magical moments includes a fantastic save to thwart James Ward-Prowse’s spot-kick in a 3-0 win over Southampton in mid-April. His impressive displays for the West Midlands out...
