Sancho wants Man Utd move due to one player, Liverpool find Van Dijk partner, Chelsea bid

Saturday, April 11

Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho prefers a move to Manchester United over Chelsea and Liverpool because of his budding friendship with Marcus Rashford at international level

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to prepared to battle Barcelona to sign Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos as the German sees the Brazilian as the ideal partner for Virgil van Dijk

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has identified Ben Chilwell as a top target in the summer transfer window the left-back position a key area he must improve

Man Utd’s James Rodriguez talks

Manchester United are in talks with Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez’s agent Jorge Mendes, according to AS.

The 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner looks set to leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season after a miserable campaign. He has been limited to 13 appearances in all competitions due to a combination of injuries and poor form.

AS claim Old Trafford officials have already held discussions with super agent Mendes over a potential deal.

A possible swap deal involving Paul Pogba, who looks set to quit the Red Devils, has been mooted.

Liverpool’s stance on Jadon Sancho transfer

Liverpool are being priced out of a move for Jadon Sancho, according to Football Insider.

Borussia Dortmund want an initial £88million for Sancho rising in excess of £100m.

It is claimed he is not considered a viable option for Liverpool, who already boast Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in their squad, to pursue in the next transfer window.

That is desperate Jurgen Klopp being a huge admirer of the 20-year-old and would be interested in adding him to his squad.

Liverpool make Mario Gotze transfer decision

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has already made his mind up over a potential swoop for Mario Gotze.

The World Cup winner has announced he will be leaving Borussia Dortmund when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Gotze knocked back a move to Anfield in 2016 and speculation is likely to be sparked now he will be available for free.

Liverpool will not be making a second attempt for his signature, however, because Klopp believes the transfer makes no sense. The Evening Standard claim signing Gotze does not fit the bill for the Reds chief.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho Man Utd transfer belief

Borussia Dortmund believe Manchester United are in pole position to sign Jadon Sancho.

The Red Devils have made the England international their top transfer target but he is valued at £120million by the Bundesliga giants.

According to the Evening Standard, Dortmund believe a move to Old Trafford is the most likely outcome for Sancho.

Crucially, Westfalenstadion bigwigs will not stand in the 20-year-old’s way if he wants to depart.

Chelsea star ‘could play for Man City’

Paul Merson has claimed that “world class” Chelsea winger Willian is good enough to play for Manchester City.

The Arsenal legend said: “Willian is very fortunate. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a brilliant player and I still think he’s one of Chelsea’s best players, there’s no question about that whatsoever, but I think he’s been fortunate in terms of getting away with the contract situation this season.

“He’s let his contract run down and no one has said a dicky-bird about it. We’ve seen so many players get plenty of stick over running down their contract and leaving on a free. Normally everybody goes mad but with Willian, because he’s played so well, it’s gone under the radar.

“He’s got no stick off the fans whatsoever and you’ve only got to look at the Christian Eriksen situation at Tottenham to know he’s been a bit fortunate with that.

“But Willian is world class, and Chelsea haven’t got a lot of world-class players. Willian has been outstanding, he could play for Manchester City tomorrow. There will be teams queuing around the block to sign him. He’s a special player and for me, Chelsea have dropped one by letting it get to this situation.”

Liverpool talks

Liverpool have made contact with the representatives of Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare, who is also wanted by Manchester United, according to transfer expert Duncan Castles.

“I can tell you that Newcastle United have again made an offer for Soumare for the summer window, whenever that will open,” Castles said on the Transfer Window podcast.

“I’m told that their offer is for €40m, not as high as they offered in January but I think that is going to be something we see throughout this next transfer market, that transfer fees will come down because there is significantly less money in the game of football because of the coronavirus epidemic.

“Basically none of the clubs can tell how much less money they’re going to operate with because they don’t know when they’re going to be playing again and they don’t know what future broadcasting contracts are going to be as a result of the damage the pandemic has caused to the sport.

“I’m also told that of the many other clubs interested in Soumare, Liverpool are one of those clubs. They’ve been watching the player I’m told for two years now and rate him highly, have been in contact with the player’s representatives to do their due diligence.

“Liverpool are probably one of the best clubs in the English transfer market in terms of assessing not just a player’s ability on the field but their qualities as an individual and how they would fit into a squad if they were to sign him.

“No official offer to Lille at this stage I’m told but an interest there and I think he is a player who is an obvious fit to the Premier League and I think he’s one of the players that Lille will look to sell in this window. They’re a club that are designed around the transfer market.”

Chris Smalling update

Manchester United star Chris Smalling is set to return to Old Trafford at the end of his loan spell at Roma. The Italian club are struggling to raise the necessary funds to secure a permanent transfer, which could see the defender explore his options elsewhere, with Arsenal also interested.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed his spell in Serie A and is keen to make his stay at the Stadio Olimpico a permanent one.

Roma have held talks with United about a possible deal and while negotiations about a possible £25million transfer had been going well, according to The Sun, they are now on the brink of collapse.

The report claims that Roma are in financial difficulty due to the coronavirus pandemic and this has put an end to their plans of signing Smalling in the summer.

Real Madrid eye Harry Kane swap deal

Real Madrid are ready to pounce on the uncertainty surrounding Harry Kane’s future with a huge offer including Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez.

And the La Liga giants are considering making an approach this summer.

It is said Real are cautious of dealing with Daniel Levy after their dealings with the Tottenham chairman on deals for Bale and Luka Modric in the past.

But Kane’s recent admission that he could leave the club along with the current financial situation due to the coronavirus pandemic has given Real hope they could potentially swoop in this summer.

The Spanish club wouldn’t be able to afford Kane with one lump sum though and they’re prepared to sweeten the deal by sending Bale back to Tottenham, along with Colombia international Rodriguez.

Man Utd fans reckon Jadon Sancho will join

Manchester United fans are convinced that Jadon Sancho is joining after the Borussia Dortmund star played Marcus Rashford on FIFA 20. Both players took part in England’s Staying Home Cup on Friday night, with Sancho beating his pal Rashford 2-1.

The tournament is raising funds for the National Emergencies Trust to help fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Rashford faced Sancho in the last 16 of the tournament on Friday night, with the Dortmund star winning 2-1.

And United fans were quick to notice the connection between the youngsters, especially after Rashford scored with himself, with Sancho getting the assist.

“The connection already,” one fan wrote.

“Sancho to Rashford! Do it in real life at United,” another added.

A fellow United fan said: “Practicing his link up for next season.”

“Just foreshadowing the 2021 season, Sancho assisting Rashford,” another United supporter agreed.

Philippe Coutinho could return to England

Philippe Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian has revealed the playmaker would be keen to return to the Premier League.

He said: “The fact I’m an Arsenal supporter is not a secret.

“I don’t have any preference where the players go. I don’t try to push someone to one club or another. Everything is a possibility.

“After the Champions League game he played in England we had a long chat about it.

“The Premier League is something that he has always enjoyed playing in, and loved playing in, and would probably love to come back and play in.

“The question is what are going to be the financial conditions of all the clubs, including Barcelona and all the Premier League clubs at the end of this pandemic.”

Lionel Messi gives update on Barcelona future

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has slammed suggestions he will leave the club at the end of the season after rumours circulated that he could be on his way to Inter Milan.

Italian press suggested the six-time Ballon d’Or winner could move to the San Siro for a final big pay day of his career.

But the Argentine forward has assured fans that he will remain at the Nou Camp in a rare update regarding his future.

Messi also dismissed claims he paid former team-mate Ronaldinho’s £1.3million ($1.6m) bail after the Brazilian was charged for allegedly using fake passports.

Ronaldinho spent 32 days behind bars in Paraguay with his brother Roberto Assis.

The two have been released on house arrest but must remain in the capital Asuncion until a full investigation is completed.

Messi took to Instagram to slam both tales as ‘Fake news’.

Jadon Sancho to Man Utd update

Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho prefers a move to Manchester United over Chelsea and Liverpool because of his budding friendship with Marcus Rashford at international level.

The two attackers became close while on international duty with England and Rashford could play his part in helping Sancho adjust to life at Old Trafford.

Rashford has recently admitted he would like Sancho to help him return the Red Devils to their former glory.

And the Athletic claim the feeling is reciprocated and the Dortmund star is keen to link up with his international team-mate.

Liverpool and Chelsea may be higher in the Premier League table but they struggle to justify shelling out £100million. That leaves United at the front of the queue to wrap up a deal this summer.

Liverpool plan

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to prepared to battle Barcelona to sign Sevilla centre-back Diego Carlos as the German sees the Brazilian as the ideal partner for Virgil van Dijk.

The 27-year-old centre-back has had an impressive debut season for Sevilla since he joined from Nantes for £16million (€18m) last summer.

His performances have attracted the attention of several top clubs across Europe, with Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all vying for his signature.

However, according to Spanish publication Sport, Klopp not only sees the defender as the ideal complement to play alongside Van Dijk but has the funds to complete the transfer too.