Man Utd want second Ajax transfer, Chelsea 'closest' to opening bid, Arsenal £150m warning

Ryan Fraser latest

Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser this summer despite Liverpool apparently holding advanced talks with the star earlier this season.

Fraser is in the final three months of his contract and is weighing up his options.

TalkSPORT claim Fraser held talks with Klopp in November regarding a potential January switch.

No bids materialised from the Reds but they could reignite their interest this summer as they need cover for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who will miss parts of next season due to the African Cup of Nations.

However, TEAMtalk report that Arsenal have now entered the running and they are confident of getting a deal over the line.

Matthijs De Ligt blocked

Juventus are looking to offload several players this summer but defender Matthijs De Ligt isn’t one of them.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have been tipped to launch an offer for the former Ajax centre-back, who arrived in Turin for an initial £67.5million in July 2019.

Italian website Calciomercato claim Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici is prepared to listen to offers for Douglas Costa, Gonzalo Higuain, Miralem Pjanic and Adrien Rabiot.

But two players are ‘blocked’ from leaving and they are De Ligt and forward Paulo Dybala, who is close to signing a contract extension.

Jadon Sancho convinced

Manchester United have agreed to sign Jadon Sancho this summer, according to reports in Spain.

However, there won’t be an official announcement just yet.

Chelsea and Liverpool are also admirers of the Borussia Dortmund star, while PSG and Barcelona have also been linked.

Yet Catalan newspaper Sport say United have convinced the England international to join them instead – but no announcement is forthcoming.

It’s said the agreement hasn’t yet been made official and United winning the race for Sancho has prompted Chelsea to look elsewhere.

Now, Frank Lampard’s side are eyeing Philippe Coutinho.

Wanted: Unai Nunez

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made Athletic Bilbao defender Unai Nunez a priority signing.

That’s according to Spanish publication La Razon, who claims Arteta has ‘several’ targets currently playing in Spain including Carlos Soler and Marc Roca.

The centre-back, 23, has delivered some impressive displays during his 69 appearances for Basque side and made his international debut for Spain during a Euro 2020 qualifier in September.

Nunez has a ‘bargain’ £26million release clause in his contract that, according to La Razon, Arteta’s side are willing to pay later this summer.

Manchester City, West Ham, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are also thought to be interested.

Wanted: James Rodriguez

Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez could ‘finally be on his way’ to the Premier League.

That’s according to Sky Sports, who believe the Colombia international is a top target for Arsenal, Everton and Wolves.

Rodriguez, 28, has just over 13 months remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu and Zinedine Zidane’s side are desperate to cash in before he becomes a free agent.

Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti could prove decisive in the player’s next destination having twice worked with Rodriguez at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Ferran Torres discussions

Several European heavyweights are queuing up to sign Valencia winger Ferran Torres.

Torres, 20, has been a stand-out player for Valencia over the past two campaigns having scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 88 senior appearances.

But his days at the Mestalla Stadium are numbered after refusing Valencia’s latest extension.

Torres is contracted to the Liga giants until June 2021 and has a £92million release clause in his contract.

With just over 12 months remaining on his deal, Valencia could be forced to sell for less with Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus and Manchester City having all enquired about his services, according to Goal.

Virgil van Dijk contract

Virgil van Dijk wants to achieve legendary status at Liverpool.

The Netherlands international, 28, has been immense for Jurgen Klopp’s side since his arrival – helping the club to Champions League glory with a Premier League title soon to follow.

The Reds want to extend his stay at Anfield and the defender sounds more than interested in extending his £180,000-a-week contract.

Asked how he hopes to be remembered at Liverpool, Van Dijk said: “As a Liverpool legend. I want to achieve incredible things here.

“Yes, I would like to be one of those players that return to Anfield after retiring. I see club legends at games and I feel part of a really big family.”

Nathan Collins tussle

Three Premier League clubs are interested in signing Stoke teenager Nathan Collins.

That’s according to The Sun, who claim Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all monitoring the 18-year-old centre-back.

The Red Devils sent scouts to track Collins last season but a deal never materialised and the defender opted to sign a five-year deal at the Bet365 Stadium.

Now, the Premier League trio are once again showing interest with Frank Lampard’s Chelsea the ‘closest’ to making an opening offer.

Olivier Giroud U-turn

Chelsea have opened talks with Olivier Giroud to discuss extending his stay at Stamford Bridge.

The France international was widely expected to leave west London during the January transfer window, but stayed because Chelsea couldn’t locate a replacement.

Journalist Nicolo Schira now claims the 33-year-old is in discussions to secure a two-year deal but Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia will not extend beyond 12 months.

Schira tweeted: “Olivier Giroud’s agent (M.Manuello) have talked with Chelsea about the contract extend. French striker want 2 years, Marina Granovskaia would only give 1. Inter are looking, because Conte would like Giroud.”

Jesse Lingard valuation

Manchester United have slapped a £30million price tag on Jesse Lingard.

The England international has struggled for form this season, failing to register a single Premier League goal or assist in over a year.

The Red Devils are open to letting Lingard go at the end of the season and Arsenal have emerged as a potential destination.

And the Metro say United have slapped a price of £30m on Lingard – but the player himself would prefer to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place.

Special request

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard issued a special request to Roman Abramovich about Jadon Sancho.

The Blues are battling Manchester United for the Borussia Dortmund sensation. He is valued at £120million by the Bundesliga title hopefuls.

A return to the Premier League appears to be on the cards for the former Manchester City winger, who was born in London and grew up supporting Chelsea.

The connection is unlikely to swap Sancho’s decision, however, because he is reluctant to join the Blues.

The 20-year-old’s stance will greatly frustrate Lampard, who Sport claim asked Abramovich to prioritise a move for Sancho in the next transfer window.