TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea eye midfield duo, as Benzema rejects Saudi move

• According to Sport, Manchester City’s captain Ilkay Gundogan is close to joining Barcelona when his contract expires this summer. The La Liga side has reportedly enticed the 32-year-old German midfielder with a three-year deal.

• In another development, Chelsea is said to be demanding around £35m for their Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who is rumored to be nearing a move to Manchester City. (90min)

• Arsenal has reached an agreement on personal terms with West Ham captain Declan Rice, as reported by Football Transfers.

• However, Bayern Munich have not given up hope of signing Rice from West Ham. According to Sky Sport Germany, the German champions had a positive meeting with the player in London and are now preparing an official offer.

• The Guardian suggests that West Ham manager David Moyes could face the possibility of being sacked if his team fails to win the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.

 

• According to the Mirror, Manchester United is planning to offer 30-year-old England defender Harry Maguire to Chelsea as part of a deal to acquire England midfielder Mason Mount, aged 24.

• Italian football journalist Nicolo Schira says Bayern Munich and Manchester United are both still interested in Dusan Vlahovic, who would consider a move this summer if Massimiliano Allegri remains the coach at Juventus.

• Liverpool have reportedly agreed to meet Brighton’s release clause for Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and is willing to pay a fee of £55-60m according to Football Insider.

• Chelsea is looking to reinforce their midfield and is targeting Ecuador international Moises Caicedo from Brighton, and Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon, according to the Guardian.

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• As per 90min, Barcelona is confident that their financial plans will soon be approved by La Liga, allowing them to commence their transfer activities. This includes the anticipated re-signing of 35-year-old Argentine forward Lionel Messi, a club legend, on a free transfer from Paris St-Germain.

• Marca reports that despite rumors linking former France striker Karim Benzema with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia this summer, he will fulfill the remaining year of his contract with Real Madrid.

• According to Fabrizio Romano, Saudi clubs have begun to approach former Spain defender Sergio Ramos who has confirmed his departure from PSG as a free agent this summer.

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• Out-of-contract Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has received an approach from Saudi Arabia, and he has also attracted interest from French champions Paris St-Germain, as mentioned in 90min.

• Real Madrid continues to be interested in Chelsea’s 23-year-old German forward Kai Havertz. Club officials reportedly discussed a potential summer move for him during a meeting on Thursday, as per Mundo Deportivo.

• Marca reports that Manchester United target Randal Kolo Muani, 24-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt forward, has offered himself to Real Madrid as he seeks a move this summer.

• Everton is striving to secure a £27m deal for Tammy Abraham, the 25-year-old England striker currently playing for Roma, according to the Sun.

• The Times suggests that Newcastle United believes they will outmaneuver Aston Villa in signing Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney, aged 25, from Arsenal.

• Reiss Nelson, the 23-year-old English winger, is expected to sign a new contract with Arsenal following a breakthrough in talks over an extension according to the Mail.

• Sheffield United is considering a summer move for 30-year-old England defender Conor Coady from Wolves, following the conclusion of his loan spell at Everton. Football Insider reports this possibility.

• According to the Telegraph, Englishmen Steven Gerrard, and Scott Parker, are being considered for the Leeds United manager’s position, alongside West Bromwich Albion’s Spanish boss Carlos Corberan, aged 40.

• Leicester City is reportedly making a fresh attempt to appoint Graham Potter, the 48-year-old Englishman who formerly managed Brighton and Chelsea. The Sun reports that the club had previously tried to lure him earlier this season.

• Jordi Alba, the 34-year-old Spain left-back, who has announced his departure from Barcelona, has attracted interest from Benfica and Inter Milan, according to Marca.

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