Sunday’s transfer news: Man Utd’s Matthijs de Ligt boost and much more from ahead of the summer window
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The summer transfer window is officially open with Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and others set to be busy.
Chelsea face an uncertain summer due to their current transfer ban, but one thing they know is that Eden Hazard will be heading for the exit after expressing his desire to join Real Madrid. Arsenal are due to push on with their first signing of the summer, with a bid for Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser set to be lodged in the coming weeks.
A new centre-back is high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority list at United, with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester’s Harry Maguire both options. Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another on the Norwegian’s radar. It won’t just be incomings at Old Trafford, however, with Paul Pogba a high-profile target for Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez on his way out with Inter Milan and Juventus fighting it out for his signature – if he drops his wage demands.
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Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the latest transfer news.
First, a recap of some of the biggest news from yesterday:
Sarri to leave Chelsea?
Juventus are understood to be preparing a compensation package to prise Maurizio Sarri away from Chelsea.
The Italian giants want Blues boss Sarri to replace Massimiliano Allegri in Turin, and must now stump up in the region of £5m to secure their top target.
Chelsea are said to have no plans to sack Sarri, who led the club to a third-place Premier League finish and Europa League triumph in his maiden Stamford Bridge campaign.
Juventus sent a delegation to Baku for talks with Chelsea bosses on Sarri's situation, ahead of the Blues thrashing Arsenal 4-1 to lift the Europa League crown in style.
Sarri appeared delighted with the first major trophy of his managerial career, but had long since accepted he would talk to his Chelsea bosses about his future come the end of the campaign.
While Chelsea would be prepared to let Sarri take the helm for a second season, club bosses are also mindful that the 60-year-old may prefer to return to his native Italy.
Richarlison happy at Goodison
Everton's Richarlison has insisted he is happy at Goodison Park amid reports of a summer exit.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Manchester United after hitting the ground running with the Toffees.
But the forward has talked down all transfer speculation. "It’s a nice feeling when you get praise for your good work, but I’m not thinking about a transfer at the moment," he said. "I’ve just arrived at Everton.
"I’m happy here."
United's De Ligt boost
Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt with the news that the young Dutch defender will reconsider his future in the coming days.
De Light is one of the most exciting young talents in football and United are currently battling Barcelona to sign the teenager.
And The Telegraph claim that the Ajax defender is set to make a new decision on his future in the coming days, having decided not to agree to an imminent move to Barcelona.
Bayern Munich and Liverpool also have an interest in signing the defender, although may struggle to finance a move.
James to Naples?
James Rodriguez could be headed to Napoli, according to the Daily Mirror.
Carlo Ancelotti is allegedly seeking a reunion with his former player, both having served together at Real Madrid.
With the Colombian's two-year loan at Bayern Munich at an end, and with no future at the Bernabeu, it's been reported that Ancelotti is now looking to lure Rodriguez to Naples.
Arsenal identify key target
Arsenal want their summer rebuild to begin with the signing of RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, according to reports.
Upamecano excelled last season in the Bundesliga, helping Leipzig to keep five clean sheets in his 15 league appearances, before missing the rest of the campaign with a knee injury.
Leipzig are desperate to keep hold of the young defender, who is under contract until the summer of 2021, and The Sun hope that the player’s £88m release clause will prove enough to deter any potential suitors.
QPR want to sign Chelsea youngster
QPR are confident of signing Jay DaSilva on loan from Chelsea, according to West London Sport.
The England Under-21 spent last season on loan at Bristol City, who are keen on keeping him.
But QPR are among a number of clubs hoping of enticing the 21-year-old defender.
DaSilva joined Chelsea from Luton Town in 2012 and has so far had two loan spells at Charlton as well as his stint at Ashton Gate.
Villa close to signing rival player
Aston Villa’s deal to sign Jota from Birmingham City is reportedly ‘complete’ as they close in on their first signing of the summer.
According to The Birmingham Mail, Villa have completed the signing of Jota, although the deal is yet to be announced officially by the club at this time.
Jota is poised to join Villa as part of a swap deal involving Gary Gardner – who will be signing for Birmingham on a permanent deal after he spent last season on loan at St Andrew’s.
Ozil heading for Arsenal exit?
The Gunners boss is set for talks this week with the club’s hierarchy to devise a plan of action to overhaul his underachieving squad, according to the Daily Star.
And top of the agenda is what to do about the increasingly toxic presence of Ozil at the Emirates.
The German’s stroppy reaction to being hooked with 12 minutes left of his side’s Europa League final hammering by Chelsea last Wednesday sparked outrage.
Pochettino to leave Spurs?
Could Mauricio Pochettino be on the move? The Tottenham manager was certainly ambiguous over his future after last night’s loss to Liverpool in the Champions League final.
“It’s too early to talk a lot now, so early,” Pochettino said.
“We need to assimilate that defeat.
“For sure we are going to have time to talk in the future. The future can be tomorrow, after tomorrow.
“It is not a moment to talk too much. You can interpret things in different ways.
“People want to compare me with different managers but they don’t know that we are in a different project in a different position and different place. But the people want to be more clever and they want to give an opinion without an argument.
“In five years at Tottenham, the project was so clear, our ambition was amazing, and the commitment from the players was amazing – the club played their first Champions League final.
“Now is the time to stay calm, change the mood, for sure we are going to have time to talk
Maguire staying put?
Manchester City and rivals United have reportedly been priced out of signing Leicester City's Harry Maguire.
According to the Metro, the Foxes have set too high a price for the defender, with both clubs now reconsidering their options for the summer transfer window.
It's been reported that an excess of £90m would be needed to land Maguire, which would be a world-record fee for a defender.
However, contrasting reports have suggested that Leicester are unwilling to name a price for the players the intend to keep hold of, including the England international.
United were eyeing Maguire as an alternative to Matthijs de Ligt, who now looks set to join Barcelona, while Manchester City are looking to replace veteran Vincent Kompany.
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