Man Utd plan striker medical after transfer agreement, Chelsea hijack Liverpool, Arsenal

Chelsea won’t sign Kalidou Koulibaly

Chelsea will not sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the next transfer window, says European football expert Guillem Balague.

Chelsea are one of a number of Premier League clubs who have been linked with Koulibaly, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City all rumoured to be keen on the Senegal star.

But Balague does not think the centre-back is a realistic target for Chelsea.

Balague said on his YouTube channel: “Basically any link like with Koulibaly of Napoli, or any other big player, will face the impossibility of No 1: raising the money, and No 2: spending that kind of money that’s necessary to get a player like this because nobody wants to make a huge investment into a player. That’s quite clear.

“Neither PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City – nobody wants to put £100m on a player.

“He’s more, £100m-plus is what Koulibaly will cost, so forget about that.

“Chelsea have got a priority of course, full-back No 1 and No 2 quite clearly they want a striker.

“That would be the biggest thing, to get a striker.

“How will the market work? Swap deals, loan deals, free agents will be a priority for everyone and those swaps will be interesting because it will mean putting a tag on those players that obviously both clubs would have to agree on, and that will be one of the difficulties.

“Those are the difficulties that the market will face so the likes of Koulibaly I don’t think it can happen, not this summer.”

Manuel Neuer uncertain on future

Manuel Neuer wants to stay at Bayern Munich but talks over a new contract have reached a tense period.

The German has just turned 34 and wants a long-term contract and a pay rise.

Bayern are hesitating as like many clubs across Europe they are fearful of giving long contracts to players who are approaching the end of their careers.

Bayern have already agreed to sign Alexander Nubel in the summer on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Schalke.

Liverpool tipped to sign Timo Werner

Liverpool should sign Timo Werner despite Dietmar Hamann’s claims the Germany international would not fit in at Anfield, says former Reds midfielder Don Hutchison.

Ex-Reds star Hamann says Werner would not be suited to the style of play of Jurgen Klopp. However, Hutchison disagrees and believes signing Werner would only be a positive for Liverpool.

“Well I would disagree with Didi on that one,” Hutchison said on ESPN FC.

“I’ve been commentating on Timo Werner for quite a while now and everything I see, I see a top-class player.

“He can play as a No 9, he can play off that left-hand side, he’s super quick, he’s got a great attitude, good work ethic.

“The trouble is Liverpool fans might argue where is he going to fit into the XI?

“Well Jurgen Klopp doesn’t really tend to rotate his best players but he might need to, whenever the African Cup of Nations is played Sadio Mane’s going to be away, Mo Salah’s going to be away.

“I just think it gives Liverpool more ammunition, it gives them more goals. Timo Werner going into Liverpool, I can only see that as a positive.”

Man Utd to delay Jadon Sancho transfer

Manchester United are considering delaying their transfer swoop for Jadon Sancho by 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Bundesliga side are under no pressure to sell and will not lower their asking price for the England international.

The Red Devils had made Sancho their top target this summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to continue his cultural reboot at the club.

United have been working on a deal for months and have moved well ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for the 20-year-old.

Sancho has been in sensational form this season, netting 17 goals and providing 19 assists in all competitions.

United believed a deal for the winger would definitely happen this summer but the coronavirus pandemic could now change that.

The Mirror claim Ed Woodward could now delay a move for Sancho by 12 months because of COVID-19.

Kalidou Koulibaly interested in Newcastle

Kalidou Koulibaly may be interested in a move to Newcastle United because he believes the Magpies “could become one of the biggest clubs in the world”, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

Koulibaly looks set to leave Napoli in the next transfer window after years of speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.

“[Koulibaly] is likely to leave Napoli this summer,” Solhekol said.

“They value him at about £80m and if this Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of Newcastle goes ahead, then the new owners want to sign Koulibaly.

“And our information is that Koulibaly could be interested in moving to St James’ Park to be part of a new project because he thinks that with this new economic power, Newcastle could become one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

Lucas Moura happy at Tottenham

Lucas Moura’s agent insists the forward plans to stay at Tottenham for a few more years, but there has been strong interest from sides in La Liga. Moura was signed by Mauricio Pochettino in January 2018 from Paris Saint-Germain in a move which was seen as a big win for the former Tottenham boss.

The player’s agent, Junior Pedroso, suggests Mourinho’s arrival has helped Moura decide he wants to continue battling for his place in the side for several more years.

“We discuss it a lot. Lucas is a very strong personality, a very intelligent guy, and when he finishes his career he will come to work with us for sure. We have discussed a lot about that,” Pedroso told ESPN.

“Today he’s in the main league in the world, in the most competitive league, Tottenham are a team that dispute titles in European leagues. 

“So, he desires to continue, obviously to grow at Tottenham and seek a more competitive team. I think Mourinho will work on that.”

Newcastle eye Kalidou Koulibaly

Newcastle’s prospective new owners want to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Senegal international is likely to leave the Serie A side in the summer and is valued at £70million.

Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham are also interested in signing one of the most highly regarded centre-backs in Europe.

Mike Ashley has agreed to sell Newcastle for £300m to a Saudi-based consortium.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang future

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has told Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang he should not need convincing to stay at the Emirates Stadium as the striker continues to dwell over his future.

Aubameyang’s contract is due to expire in 2021 and Arsenal are debating whether to cash on the forward this summer if he does not pen an extension.

Arteta is hoping to keep his captain and top scorer at the club but he will not pander to the 30-year-old.

“The moment we mention Arsenal you know what it means around the world,” Arteta said during a conversation with Ian Wright. “Everybody wants to come here. We have a very clear idea of what we are. It doesn’t need much convincing and if they do then it’s not a good starting point.

“If i have to convince a player to stay or join us then I am a little bit … it holds me back a little bit.”

Read the full article here.

Tiemoue Bakayoko to AC Milan

Tiemoue Bakayoko wants to join AC Milan on a permanent basis.

Bakayoko, 25, spent the 2018/2019 campaign on loan with the Serie A heavyweights – making 42 appearances and scoring one against rivals Inter.

The once-capped France international has finished his second loan spell away from Stamford Bridge with Monaco but the Ligue 1 side are undecided on whether or not to trigger their purchase option.

Now, Calciomercato claim Bakayoko is eager to return to the San Siro with Sevilla another possible destination.

Aster Vranckx battle

Two Premier League clubs are hopeful of signing KV Mechelen midfielder Aster Vranckx.

Vranckx, 17, is considered one of the brightest talents in European football having been promoted to KV Mechelen’s starting XI – scoring once and providing two assists in 10 appearances.

The Belgium Under-19 international, who plays in central midfield, is reportedly available for a paltry £1.5million with his contract set to expire in June 2022.

Bayern Munich and Feyenoord have been linked with Vranckx but they face competition from Premier League duo Manchester City and Liverpool, The Mirror claim.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United are claimed to have scouted the player in October.

Aaron Ramsey swap

Manchester United could sign Aaron Ramsey with Juventus willing to let the former Arsenal man leave if they were to secure the return of Paul Pogba in a blockbuster swap deal.

The World Cup winner’s future is uncertain at Old Trafford with rumours rife he could leave the club this summer with Real Madrid and Juventus the two clubs consistently linked.

And now Calciomercato claim Ramsey could be used in a swap deal to bring the midfielder back to Italy.

The reports claim Maurizio Sarri is happy with Ramsey and believes he was in his best form when the coronavirus pandemic put an end to football in the country.

The Italian sees a future for Wales international at the club, as do senior management, according to Calciomercato.

Therefore the only way they would sell Ramsey is if it was part of a swap deal for one of their top targets.

Bayern Munich plan

Kai Havertz and Dayot Upamecano are NOT priority signings for Bayern Munich.

That’s according to German newspaper Sport Bild, who claim the Bundesliga champions will pursue other targets ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen and and RB Leipzig duo.

As previously mentioned, Bayern are close to completing a deal for Manchester City star Leroy Sane with Ajax right-back Sergino Dest their next target.

The news could be positive for Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, who’ve been linked with the sought-after pair.

Jadon Sancho claim

Liverpool could beat Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho this summer, which could see Jurgen Klopp sell Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane, ex-Premier League ace Danny Mills claims.

Manchester United are desperate to sign the England international, with Ed Woodward willing to pay a record fee to land the winger.

However, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been credited with interest in Sancho ahead of the summer transfer window.

“Sancho would provide competition for places,” Mills told Football Insider. “At some point, that front three has got to change and it is how Klopp changes that and integrates that.

“If Sancho comes in and he does well Klopp may feel he may let Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah go.”

Leroy Sane agreement

Bayern Munich are close to signing Manchester City star Leroy Sane.

That’s according to German publication Bild, who claim the two parties are busy trying to reach a financial agreement for the player.

Journalist Christian Falk claims Sane will sign a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions ‘as soon as’ the fee has been decided with personal terms already agreed.

“As soon as Bayern Munich and Manchester City find an agreement, Leroy Sane will sign a five-year contract in Munich. Club and Player have reached an agreement,” Falk tweeted.

Wanted: Ibrahima Konate

Manchester United are focused on signing RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate.

That’s according to website Todofichajes, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have made Konate their ‘priority objective’ in the upcoming transfer window.

Konate, 20, joined RB Leipzig from French outfit Sochaux in 2017 and quickly cemented his place in the club’s starting XI – often alongside the highly-rated Dayot Upamecano.

The France Under-21 international has spent much of the season on the sidelines through injury but that’s not dampened United’s interest with the player reportedly valued at £43.5million.

Wanted: Mohamed Sankoh

Celtic are considering a move for Stoke teenager Mohamed Sankoh.

That’s according to Football Insider, who claim Neil Lennon’s side have ‘made contact’ to register their interest in the talented forward.

Sankoh, 16, has been dubbed the ‘new Romelu Lukaku having scored nine goals and provided nine assists for Stoke’s Under-18 side this season.

Chelsea, Everton and Atletico Madrid are also in the running for Sankoh.

Ryan Fraser to Spurs

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has been tipped to sign Ryan Fraser on a free transfer when his Bournemouth contract expires this summer, according to former Premier League striker Noel Whelan.

Fraser’s performances for the Cherries have attracted the attention of Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea after scoring 24 goals and providing 33 assists in 208 appearances for the club.

However, Whelan thinks the Scotland international would fit well into Mourinho’s plans at Spurs.

“Tottenham have got rid of a lot of wing-backs recently so there is definitely an opening because they have no replaced them,” Whelan told Football Insider. “He has the athleticism to play that role, is dangerous going forward, and has the work rate and pace to get back and defend.

“It is a great, exciting role to play but it demands a player with a certain character and level of fitness to do that. Ryan Fraser has got everything there to go and play in that role at a very high standard in the Premier League.”

Boubacar Kamara pursuit

Manchester United have joined Manchester City in the race to sign Marseille defender Boubacar Kamara in the summer transfer window, as the French club needs to sell players to stay within Financial Fair Play rules.

The Ligue 1 season has ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has seen Paris Saint-Germain crowned champions, with Marseille and Rennes qualifying for the Champions League.

However, despite the financial gains of this, according to French publication Le10Sport, Marseille will still be forced to sell play to stay within FFP regulations.

It claims 20-year-old Kamara is likely to be one of their star players Marseille looks to sell to balance their books.