TRANSFER NEWS & RUMOURS
MADRID AND BARCA TO CLASH OVER THIAGO
Barcelona want a reunion with Thiago Alcantara but face a battle with rivals Real Madrid over his services, report Sport .
Thiago played for the Barcelona first team from 2009-13 before departing for Bayern Munich, however, the Bundesliga champions will allow the midfielder to leave for €70 million (£62m/$82m).
The La Liga club have decided to go in for Thiago, but have to hope he doesn’t sign with their rivals.
BAYERN REJECTED LEWANDOWSKI-BENZEMA SWAP
Bayern Munich rejected an offer from Real Madrid to swap Robert Lewandowski with Karim Benzema, Kicker claims.
The Bayern striker has become the Spanish side’s top target as they look to bolster their attack and he has already expressed a desire to leave.
Madrid hoped a straight swap with France man Benzema might have interested the Bundesliga side but could not convince them to take him.
JUVE CONSIDER €20M GODIN DEAL
Juventus are leading the chase to sign Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin, according to AS.
Godin has a year left on his contract at Atletico and has a €20 million (£17.6m/$23.3m) release clause, which Juve are considering triggering as they search for a new leader for the heart of their defence.
The 32-year-old’s impressive World Cup for Uruguay has only heightened interest in his services and the centre-half is weighing up the potential of one last big contract if he decides to leave Atletico.
DORTMUND RULE OUT MORATA BID
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc says Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata is too expensive for the club, as they continue to search for a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Dortmund sold Aubameyang to Arsenal in January, and are focusing their efforts on recruiting another centre-forward this summer.
Zorc believes it will be incredibly hard for Dortmund to extract the Spaniard from Stamford Bridge after he cost an initial £58 million ($76.8m) last summer.
FEKIR COULD SIGN LYON EXTENSION
Nabil Fekir is open to signing a contract extension at Lyon after a transfer to Liverpool fell through, president Jean-Michel Aulas says.
The 24-year-old appeared on the verge of joining the Premier League side as the clubs discussed a £60 million (€68m/$80m) transfer, only for Lyon to declare that he is going nowhere when negotiations hit a snag.
Aulas revealed that Lyon called off the deal because it was taking too much time and added that there is further interest in the France star, but he is confident the Ligue 1 side can hold onto their attacking midfield star.
MAN UTD TARGET PELLEGRINI OVER MILINKOVIC-SAVIC
Manchester United are looking at Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini as their main midfield option over Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, reports the Manchester Evening News .
The Serbia international has been a main target of the Red Devils this summer, but they have baulked at Lazio’s £88 million price ($116m) tag.
Pellegrini is seen as a cheaper alternative after he re-joined Roma last season for €10m from Sassuolo last season.
WEST HAM TO ONLY OFFER WILSHERE ONE YEAR
West Ham United will not go beyond a one-year contract offer for Jack Wilshere, putting a move to the London Stadium in doubt, reports the Sun .
The midfielder’s time at Arsenal has come to a close after talks over a new deal broke down last week.
Wilshere’s availability on a free transfer has made him appealing to West Ham, but his history of fitness problems means the Hammers do not want to offer him a long-term deal.
REAL MADRID BEGIN QUINTERO TALKS
Real Madrid have begun talks with Colombia international Juan Fernando Quintero, reports Don Balon .
Though Quintero only joined River Plate last December, new Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui rates him from their time together at Porto.
Though the World Cup is expected to raise his price, that is not likely to be a problem for Madrid.
SILVA TO MOVE ON FOUR EVERTON PLAYERS
New Everton manager Marco Silva is prepared to move on four players ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, reports the Daily Star .
Silva has already shipped out Ramiro Funes Mori, and is looking to also part ways with Morgan Schneiderlin, Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie.
Wayne Rooney also appears to be set to depart for MLS side D.C. United.
HAZARD OFFERED TO REAL MADRID
Chelsea star Eden Hazard was offered to Real Madrid by his father days before the Champions League final in Kiev, reports Marca .
Hazard said last week that Madrid knew what they had to do if they wished to sign him, and his father has told the Spanish club that contract negotiations at Stamford Bridge have come to a standstill.
The attacker is not happy with the lack of Champions League football at Chelsea this upcoming season and his father, Thierry, looks to have tried to facilitate a move.
CANCELO CLOSE TO JUVENTUS MOVE
Valencia and Juventus are close to agreeing a deal for Joao Cancelo, reports Mundo Deportivo .
The right-back played on loan at Inter last season, but appears set to join Serie A champions Juventus next season for €38 million (£33m/$44m).
FIVE PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS INTERESTED IN MOOY
West Ham United are the latest team in the Premier League to show interest in Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy, reports The World Game .
The Australia international reportedly has the interest of Everton and Southampton, with West Ham and two unnamed Premier League clubs also admirers of the midfielder.
In addition, a club in Serie A and a side in France are looking at Mooy, who has a contract through to 2020.
RITCHIE COULD SWAP NEWCASTLE FOR BOURNEMOUTH
Matt Ritchie could make a return to Bournemouth in a swap deal for Josh King, reports the Sun .
Rafa Benitez is hoping to secure King, who is rated at £20 million ($26m), but does not want to meet Bournemouth’s asking price and may offer Ritchie in an effort to get the price down.
CHELSEA TO OFFER MORATA FOR PULISIC
Chelsea are hoping to use Borussia Dortmund’s interest in Alvaro Morata to help land them Christian Pulisic, according to the Daily Mail .
The Blues are hoping to beat Bayern Munich to the American teenager’s signature and, while the Bundesliga club have gone cool on Michy Batshuayi, they are interested in Morata.
Morata may not have the same desire for a move to BVB, however, as he has held talks with clubs in Italy after a disappointing debut campaign with Chelsea.
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