We are just over a week away now from the official opening of the summer transfer window as clubs strive to complete early deals.
Manchester United are trying to kick off the Erik ten Hag era with the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, with Jurrien Timber and David Carmo also high on their wanted list following the departures of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.
Chelsea are making another move for long-term target Jules Kounde at Sevilla, while Liverpool may have identified the perfect Sadio Mane replacement in Martin Terrier of Rennes.
Aston Villa have moved to complete the arrival of Diego Carlos, can Steven Gerrard now secure a reunion with fellow Anfield great Luis Suarez?
Newcastle are closing in on a deal for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, while Arsenal have been linked with an audacious swap deal involving Gabriel Martinelli and Juventus.
With Ivan Perisic already in the building, Tottenham want to sign his former Inter Milan team-mate Alessandro Bastoni in a big summer for Antonio Conte.
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Newcastle close to £36m Ekitike deal
Newcastle are on track to bolster their strikeforce this summer.
Hugo Ekitike is a known target for the resurgent Magpies, who tried to sign the teenage Reims star back in January.
They were frustrated on that occasion, but it looks like the deal is on track to happen this summer despite competition from the likes of Borussia Dortmund.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle are close to agreeing a transfer for Ekitike worth £36m including add-ons.
The France Under-20 international is said to be eager for a move to St James’ Park and will apparently sign a five-year contract, having scored 11 goals this term.
Gerrard considers Suarez reunion at Villa
The burning question on many Villa fans’ lips will now be if Gerrard can marry the deals for Kamara and Carlos with a high-profile Luis Suarez reunion.
Links between Suarez and a return to the Premier League have been plentiful ever since his former Liverpool team-mate succeeded Dean Smith at Villa Park last November.
However, they are ratcheting up once again this week, with The Athletic reporting that the controversial Uruguayan is being considered as a target as he prepares to leave Atletico Madrid on a free transfer this summer.
ICYMI – Aston Villa complete Diego Carlos deal
Aston Villa are certainly not wasting any time on the transfer front this summer.
After a difficult end to a tough season, Steven Gerrard immediately set about strengthening his squad with an impressive deal for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.
That was swiftly followed by news that Villa had agreed a fee – believed to be in the region of £26m – with Sevilla for Brazilian defender Diego Carlos.
The club confirmed last night that transfer was now also wrapped up, with the centre-back having agreed personal terms on a four-year contract and passed a medical.
He will officially move to Villa Park when the summer window opens on June 10.
“I am really happy because the Premier League is one of the best competitions,” Carlos said. “I always want to do the best for the club and the shirt I’m wearing.”
“Even now I can’t believe I’m here because it’s a dream to compete in the Premier League,” he added. “And now I have a very clear opportunity, I hope to give it 100% my best, and to be able to play to the best of my ability.”
Liverpool eye Terrier as Mane replacement
Have Liverpool identified the ideal replacement for Sadio Mane?
The Senegal star remains adamant that he will be leaving Anfield this summer, with Bayern Munich still the likely destination as they seek to cover for the imminent loss of Robert Lewandowski.
But Liverpool won’t let Mane leave without a successor, with doubts also surrounding the long-term future of Mo Salah as he too prepares to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Reds are tracking Martin Terrier, the 25-year-old French forward who notched 21 goals for Rennes in Ligue 1 this term.
Chelsea making new Kounde push
Chelsea are in discussions over finally signing long-term defensive target Jules Kounde.
That is per Catalan publication Sport, who claim that talks have been reopened with Sevilla over a summer transfer for the £50m-rated French international.
Kounde has long since been a top target for Chelsea, but a potential deal collapsed on deadline day last summer and was unable to be revisited in January.
However, there now appears huge confidence that it will finally happen over the coming months, with American billionaire Todd Boehly handing manager Thomas Tuchel a £200m transfer war chest after finally completing his £4.25bn takeover of the club last week.
Chelsea are desperate for new defenders, with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger leaving on free transfers, potentially to be followed by the likes of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.
ICYMI – Man United in De Jong talks
Manchester United are pushing hard to make Frenkie de Jong the first high-profile signing of the Erik ten Hag era at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils’ midfield is in need of major surgery with Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard out the door, to be followed by the likes of Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, United have now entered direct talks with Barcelona over De Jong, who could be available for a fee of around £72.5m as Barca continue to deal with some well-documented financial issues.
However, Romano adds that the Dutch international remains reluctant to leave the Camp Nou as he wants to play in the Champions League next season.
Chiellini off to America
Giorgio Chiellini plays his last international match tonight as Italy face Argentina at Wembley.
The 37-year-old will leave Juventus this summer but his club career doesn’t appear to be done yet, with reports suggesting he will be making a move to the MLS.
Los Angeles FC currently appears to be the most likely destination.
Vieri tells Liverpool to sign Osimhen
Christian Vieri believes Liverpool need to look to Serie A this summer as they look to bolster their forward options.
With Sadio Mane expected to leave and Mohamed Salah’s long-term future uncertain, Vieira is confident that Victor Osimhen would be an ideal signing for the Reds.
“If I were Liverpool, I would go and take Osimhen from Napoli,” Vieri said on Twitch.
“Everyone runs in Klopp’s squad, they go a thousand miles an hour. He would be perfect.”
Son misses out on shortlist
Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, but his team-mate Son Heung-min is a shock absentee from the six-man shortlist.
Son finished the season as the Premier League’s top scorer, winning the Golden Boot for the first time in his career.
The 29-year-old, however, has failed to be nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, with the fact voting takes place before the end of the campaign likely hindering his prospects.
Son had still enjoyed a fine season before then, though, and he is a surprise absentee from a shortlist dominated by Liverpool players.
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