TRANSFER NEWS & RUMOURS
SARRI WANTS MERTENS AS FIRST CHELSEA SIGNING
Maurizio Sarri wants to make Dries Mertens his first signing as Chelsea manager, according to the Mirror.
The former Napoli boss is closing in on a move to take over the Blues, and wants the 31-year-old to come to London along with him.
Mertens scored 22 goals under Sarri last season, as Napoli finished runners-up to Juventus in Serie A.
DE GEA TO BE BEST-PAID KEEPER
Manchester United are prepared to make David de Gea the best-paid goalkeeper in world football with an £18.4 million-a-year ($24m) deal, reports Marca.
The Spain international is poised to pen a new five-year deal at Old Trafford which will end renewed talk of interest from Real Madrid.
WILSHERE ANNOUNCES ARSENAL DEPARTURE
Jack Wilshere has announced that he will leave Arsenal after 17 years, despite having agreed to sign a new contract on reduced terms.
In a message on Instagram, the 26-year-old confirmed that new manager Unai Emery had told him he wouldn’t be guaranteed consistent playing time should he stay with the Gunners.
Wilshere is set to become a free agent, with plenty of interest in the Premier League and Italy in the midfielder’s services.
LENO COMPLETES €22M ARSENAL MOVE
Arsenal have completed the signing of Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen for €22 million (£19.2m/$25m).
The 26-year-old goalkeeper is expected to replace Petr Cech as the Gunners starter next season.
Leno has been capped six times by Germany, but failed to make his country’s World Cup squad this summer.
GUARDIOLA MAKES KROOS TOP TARGET
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made Real Madrid midfielder his top target for the summer transfer window, reports Don Balon.
The Germany international is currently away on World Cup duty, but the Premier League champions are preparing to step up their efforts to bring him to England.
RAMOS WANTS COURTOIS AT REAL
Sergio Ramos has warned Real Madrid off a big-money deal for Roma goalkeeper Alisson and urged the Blancos to sign Thibaut Courtois, claims Diario Gol.
The Chelsea star has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu for some time, making no secret of his desire to return to Spain, and the Belgium international may be on the move this summer.
MONACO SEAL €20M DEAL FOR GEUBBELS
Monaco have completed the €20 million (£18m/£23m) signing of 16-year-old forward Willem Geubbels from Lyon.
Geubbels is one of the brightest prospects in Europe, having already made his senior debut for Lyon in the 2017-18 season.
The France Under-17 international also became the youngest player to ever appear in the Europa League last season.
ARSENAL TELL BELLERIN HE’S ‘UNTOUCHABLE’
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has told right-back Hector Bellerin he is one of five “untouchable” players the Gunners will keep at any cost, reports the Mirror.
Bellerin has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona, but Emery views the 23-year-old as a vital piece in his side.
WEST HAM LAND DIOP IN CLUB-RECORD DEAL
West Ham have announced the signing of centre-back Issa Diop from Toulouse for a reported £22 million (€25m/$29m) fee.
The 21-year-old has become the club’s record signing after impressing in Ligue 1 and with the France U-21 side.
West Ham beat a host of European clubs to Diop’s signature, with Everton and Sevilla reported to be interested.
PALACE TO OFFER ZAHA NEW CONTRACT
Crystal Palace will offer star Wilfried Zaha a new contract to keep him away from interested Premier League clubs, reports the Mirror.
Tottenham are leading a host of clubs hoping to land the 25-year-old, who only just signed a new contract at Selhurst Park last summer.
But Palace hope that a still-better contract worth £120,000 (€136,000/$158,000) a week will keep him away from a big-money move elsewhere.
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