Premier League
Rafael Benitez urges Everton to sign £35m star as potential Yerry Mina replacement – report
Everton manager Rafael Benitez is keen on a reunion with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, 90min reports. The Toffees currently have four senior centre-backs in Michael Keane, Mason Holgate, Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina. However, there are doubts over Mina’s future, and Benitez has identified Koulibaly as the top candidate to replace him. The Spaniard previously managed Koulibaly at the Naples outfit, and he could be signed for just £35 million this summer. Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma and Barcelona’s Clement Lenglet are regarded as alternatives if the club can’t lure the Senegalese. Sportslens view: Koulibaly has been linked with a Premier League move for several years, but the price tag has often proved a major stumbling block. Napoli president Aurelio di Laurentiis has been a no...
Manchester United, Chelsea jostle for £25 million Euro 2020 star
Manchester United and Chelsea have expressed interest in signing Denmark defender Joachim Andersen following his impressive performances at Euro 2020. Lyon centre-back Andersen, 25, featured in all three of Denmark’s knockout matches at the Euros, as Kasper Hjulmand’s side beat Wales and the Czech Republic before suffering a semi-final defeat to England. Having spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Fulham – and impressing for Scott Parker’s side despite the Cottagers’ relegation – Andersen is known to Premier League clubs. Despite returning to Lyon this summer, Andersen is expected to sign a permanent deal at an English club before next season, with a number of sides interested in securing his signature. The Sun say both Manchester United and Chelsea have identified the £25m star as a cheape...
Report: Leeds want to sign £25 million winger after EURO 2020 heroics
Leeds are keen to sign Sampdoria ace Mikkel Damsgaard after his fine performances for Denmark at Euro 2020 this summer, according to a report from Tuttosport. Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa seems to be on a mission to get Leeds back to the top echelons of the game. Junior Firpo has already arrived from Barcelona while links with Nahitan Nandez (Corriere dello Sport) and Matheus Cunha (Leeds Live) continue to circulate. And it seems as though another name is now on the Whites’ radar. Mikkel Damsgaard is allegedly a transfer target for Leeds United Mikkel Damsgaard a transfer target for Leeds Tuttosport claims that the Yorkshire outfit could challenge Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur for the talented 21-year-old this summer. And what a coup it would be for Bielsa if he manages to bring the...
Report: Liverpool need to increase opening bid by £25m to sign ‘exquisite’ league winner
Liverpool have had an opening bid worth €40 million (£35 million) for Saul Niguez rejected by Atletico Madrid according to a report from Mundo Deportivo. Atleti are ready to sell the Spaniard to the Reds, as covered on Sportslens earlier this week (Click here to read more). It seems as though the fee for the 26-year-old could be a big sticking point, however. Jurgen Klopp has allegedly convinced FSG to make an opening £35 million offer for the Atletico Madrid ace. Liverpool have allegedly made an opening offer for Saul – breton-realvall210522_np5BZ PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJosexBretonx The La Liga giants want closer to £60 million according to a recent report from The Times. Liverpool keen to get Saul signed up The energetic midfielder would be a tremendous addition to Klopp...
Manchester City legend Kun Aguero to play backup role at Barcelona
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero will play a backup role at Barcelona next term. The striker spent 11 trophy-laden years in Manchester, winning the Premier League five times and the FA Cup once. He is fourth in the all-time Premier League goalscoring charts with 184 strikes in 275 appearances. The ‘perfect’ combined England and Italy Euro 2020 XI Despite his incredible record, Barca have warned Aguero that he could spend a significant amount of time on the bench next season. That’s according to Spanish outlet AS (via Daily Mail), who claim that the Argentinian has already accepted the role. Barca are worried about Aguero’s fitness after he was limited to 12 top flight appearances in 2020/21. He suffered with a knee injury at the start of the campaign, a hamstring problem in November an...
‘They are interested’: Agent confirms club are in talks to sign 25-year-old Arsenal target
The agent of goalkeeper Andre Onana has confirmed that Lyon have entered talks with Ajax over a potential transfer this summer. The Cameroon international has entered the final year of his contract with the club, and he is widely expected to leave in the coming weeks. Premier League club Arsenal were deemed favourites to sign him a few weeks ago, but they have not made any formal approach for his services. A recent report claimed that Lyon have moved ahead of Arsenal in the player’s pursuit, and they could sign him with the assurance of game time and European football. His agent Albert Botines has now confirmed that talks are underway between Ajax and Lyon over a possible transfer agreement this summer. He told Voetbal Primeur: “Yes, they are interested. The clubs are in talks.” Sport...
West Ham favourites to sign Aston Villa target with 18 goal contributions last season – report
West Ham United have jumped ahead of Aston Villa in the race to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham this summer, Football Insider reports. The England international was the Blues’ joint top-scorer last season with 12 goals, but he played just 16 minutes during the final three months of the campaign. The European champions are actively searching for an elite striker this summer, and Abraham is free to head through the exit door for the right price. Both West Ham and Villa have been regularly linked, but the latter are reluctant to make a move with Dean Smith having concerns over Abraham’s finishing qualities. Hammers boss David Moyes has previously suggested that the club may not afford Abraham for the reported £40 million price tag in the media. However, it is now reported that he coul...
Report: Aston Villa walk away from midfielder deal because of ‘ridiculous’ £20m asking price
Aston Villa have been linked with a move to sign Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. Dean Smith was said to be keen to bring the 18-year-old to Villa Park this summer according to The Daily Mail (July 8th, page 11). There has now been a fresh update on the situation, however. The Birmingham Mail’s chief Aston Villa correspondent Ashely Preece reckons that the Villans’ interest has cooled due to Metz’s ‘ridiculous’ asking price. PAPE MATAR SARR METZ FOOTBALL : Metz vs Lille – Ligue 1 Uber Eats – 09/04/2021 FEP/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxITAxBEL It is claimed that the French club are asking for north of £20 million for the teenager. Aston Villa smart to walk away from Sarr deal £20 million or more really is a lot of money to be paying for an 18-year-old who is totally unproven i...
Report: Nottingham Forest want to sign 20-year-old Tottenham ace on season-long loan
Nottingham Forest want to sign Tottenham youngster Jack Clarke on loan this summer according to a report from The Athletic. Exciting times may well lie ahead for Forest. Dane Murphy has just taken over as the new CEO and it will arguably be one of the toughest jobs of his life. Albeit an incredibly exciting challenge. Nottingham Forest are a huge club. Two time European Cup winners, the Reds are a club that deserves Premier League football. Or the fans do at least. And it seems as though Chris Hughton has an exciting plan in place to help get Forest back to where they belong. Nottingham Forest allegedly want to sign Tottenham youngster Jack Clarke – PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xAndyxRowlandx PMI-3812-0053 Nottingham Forest want Jack Clarke The Tottenham youngster is a transfer t...
Watford interested in signing 29-year-old with 63 Premier League goal contributions – report
Watford are lining up a contract offer for Joshua King, who is a free-agent following his release from Everton last month. The Norway international joined the Toffees on a short-term deal from Bournemouth in February, but barely played with just 137 minutes across 11 league games. The club decided against extending his contract beyond June 30, and The Sun journalist Alan Nixon claims that the Hornets are now keen on securing his free transfer. Sportslens view: Watford need more firepower up front on their return to the top-flight, given none of their strikers reached double figures in goals last term. Ismaila Sarr, who is a right winger by trade, stood out for them with 13 goals and 10 assists, but they can’t be overly reliant on him. The Hornets recently signed Andre Fletcher for free, bu...
Report: Aston Villa eyeing move to sign 96-capped international for absolutely nothing
Aston Villa are contemplating a move to sign free agent Wayne Hennessey this summer, according to Birmingham Mail journalist Ashley Preece. The Villans are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper this summer. Dean Smith expects to sell Lovre Kalinic when he returns from his summer break, according to the Birmingham Mail. Villa have already been fairly active in the summer transfer window, with Emi Buendia and Ashley Young already arriving at the club. However, Villa boss Smith seems to be intent on bolstering his ranks even further. Aston Villa target Wayne Hennessey in action for Wales Aston Villa eyeing Wayne Hennessey swoop The Birmingham Mail reckon that the 34-year-old former Crystal Palace stopper is on Villa’s radar. Emi Martinez is the Villans’ undisputed number one goal...
Report: Wolves trying to sign striker with £43m release clause, could get him for just £8.6m
Wolves want to sign Santos forward Kaio Jorge this summer according to a report from Record. Bruno Lage will be desperate to add more attacking reinforcements to his ranks at Molineux this summer. After Raul Jimenez suffered a serious head injury last season, Wolves were completely toothless in attack. The Black County outfit scored just 25 goals in 28 Premier League games without the Mexican hitman. Wolves target Kaio Jorge in action for Santos last season PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK ActionPlus12299310 MaxxPeixoto That obviously needs to improve if Wolves are to force themselves back into the top 10 next season. Wolves chasing Kaio Jorge That’s according to Portuguese media outlet Record. Lage could face stiff competition from Juventus for the 19-year-old’s signature, however. Jorge is rea...
