Transfer news LIVE! Kane, Ronaldo, Ramos latest; Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Tottenham, Liverpool gossip today
The European club season is over, and that means it is time for the Euros… and the summer transfer window.
With a draining 2020/21 campaign complete and many top players busy preparing for a busy summer at the European Championships, it could be a disjointed window as clubs attempt to improve their squads in the midst of a huge tournament.
The pandemic means few clubs have escaped from a financial hit, though we are likely to see bigger deals than we did during the last two windows – especially with some world-class forwards potentially available.
Harry Kane is intent on leaving Tottenham, and though his mind will be on England for the Euros, the likes of Man City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all interested in the Spurs star.
City’s Champions League Final loss to Chelsea, coupled with Sergio Aguero’s move to Barcelona, could spur on the City hierarchy to deliver a world-class forward to Pep Guardiola – but Thomas Tuchel and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also want Kane, so it should be a fierce battle.
That’s before we even throw in the chance of Mauricio Pochettino returning to north London and convincing Kane to stay…. but The Times says even that scenario wouldn’t be enough to keep the forward.
Romelu Lukaku’s future at Inter Milan is now considered in doubt following Antonio Conte’s exit. Borussia Dortmund may have done just enough to keep Erling Haaland for another season after qualifying for the Champions League, but Jadon Sancho could be on the move with Man Utd set to return with another offer for the England winger.
Liverpool have already made their move in the market by signing RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate, and may not stop there as they bid to regain their Premier League crown after being deposed by Man City.
As for Cristiano Ronaldo, his future at Juventus is unclear after the Italian giants finished fourth in Serie A… and a sensational return to Old Trafford remains a faint possibility.
City plot huge Kane deal
Manchester City are ready to offload both Gabriel Jesus and Nathan Ake, plus a load of cash, to land Harry Kane.
The Mail report that cashflow problems across the league are making part-exchange deals an option, and Spurs’ interest in the City pair could impact the Kane deal.
Spurs need homegrown talent and Ake would tick that box, though City would still be expected to part with north of £50m despite the inclusion of both.
Ronaldo back to United?
It’s not only City who could be making audacious moves in Manchester, with United also reportedly looking into bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club.
The Athletic claim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would welcome talks over a possible move while the club believes the cost of signing him could be lowered because Juventus need to get Ronaldo’s wages off the books.
Watch this space.
ICYMI: City want Ramos
Manchester City are weighing up a summer move for Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, according to ESPN.
Ramos is yet to sign a new contract with Los Blancos and is now expected to leave and City are exploring a two-year contract, with the option of a third with City or their MLS affiliate New York City FC.
Ramos will meet with Real Madrid this week to firmly decide his future, with City monitoring closely as Pep Guardiola looks for an experienced head.
Lukaku named Serie A MVP
Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku has been heavily linked with a return to Chelsea this summer – and those links are coming off the back of a stellar season for the Belgium international.
On Monday night, Lukaku was named as the best overall MVP of Serie A, the official league award for the player of the season.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea striker scored 24 league goals and provided 11 assists to help Inter clinch a first Serie A title in 11 years this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo was selected as the best forward after he scored 29 league goals, making him the top scorer in the Italian top flight.
Will Messi stay at Barcelona?
Barcelona may be hoping that in signing Sergio Aguero, who is handily one of Lionel Messi’s best friends, they can in turn persuade Messi to stay at Camp Nou.
“I talk to Leo every day and he sent me a congratulatory message. Now that I will have him every day it will be much easier,” Aguero said earlier today.
“What happens with Leo will be the decision of the club but it is a pleasure and a pride to play with Leo.
“If he continues, which I think he will, I will try to give everything as he has always done.”
Aguero shoots down Chelsea links
Chelsea were interested in signing Sergio Aguero back in April after Man City confirmed the striker would be leaving… but it appears as though once Barcelona were interested, there was only ever one choice.
“I didn’t even hesitate. I didn’t want someone else to talk to me, just Barca,” Aguero told reporters.
“(Pep) Guardiola, when we won the Premier League, he told me ‘You’re going to the best team in the world’.
“As a boy I said one day they will surely notice me and here I am.
Barcelona unveil Sergio Aguero
What a sight for Barcelona fans!
Sergio Aguero has officially signed a two-year contract with Barcelona, and has been presented to the media at Camp Nou in the club’s famous colours.
Barca confirmed Aguero’s buy-out clause had been set at 100 million euros (just over £86m).
Aguero has said earlier in the day: “We all know that Barca is the best team in the world, so it’s a good decision to be here.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to help the team. I’m very happy.”
Pochettino, Kane blow for Spurs
Tottenham face a huge challenge to try and keep Harry Kane at the club this summer.
One left-field solution which has been floated would be to bring back Mauricio Pochettino, with the much-loved coach said to be considering a return to north London from PSG.
However, The Times reports that even if Daniel Levy were to bring back Poch, it would not be enough to convince Kane to stay.
That is not hugely surprising given Poch failed to land a trophy during his time at Spurs, and the squad is arguably in need of another rebuild like the first time the Argentine arrived at the club.
