LIVE Transfer Talk: PSG eye Arsenal’s Odegaard for midfield revamp
The summer transfer window may not be open yet in Europe, but teams are getting ready for it, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
Paris Saint-Germain are showing an interest in signing Arsenal attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard, according to the Daily Mail.
The 24-year-old has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, recording 15 goals and eight assists as Arsenal mounted their first title challenge in over a decade.
PSG have taken note of the Norway international’s impressive displays and could make a surprise move to sign him this summer.
Persuading the Gunners’ captain to leave could be a difficult task, though, as he is a key part of Mikel Arteta’s plans at the Emirates Stadium and enjoys life in London.
Arsenal will reportedly have £180 million in transfer funds, plus anything earned from outgoing players for the summer. Those include Granit Xhaka, who is expected to join Bayer Leverkusen, while Kieran Tierney is wanted by Newcastle United. Other players who could leave Arsenal are Thomas Partey and Rob Holding.
Along with Odegaard, PSG are looking at Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte, but are facing competition from Chelsea and Aston Villa. PSG’s current offer is to activate the 22-year-old Uruguayan’s €60m release clause but to do so in stages.
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09.44 BST: Real Madrid are in advanced talks with Borussia Dortmund to sign midfielder Jude Bellingham, according to Diario AS.
Bellingham, 19, is under contract with Dortmund until June 2025 and has turned down a contract extension, while Manchester City, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also interested in signing him.
The highly coveted midfielder, named Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2022-23, is Madrid’s top summer target. Los Blancos have been in talks to sign the England international in recent months, but the two clubs have yet to reach a financial agreement. Madrid are only prepared to pay €100m, plus add-ons, while the German outfit want at least €150m.
09.00 BST: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has called for more investment in the club so they can challenge for trophies after the team finished third in the Premier League this season.
United sealed the third place, finishing the season with 75 points, after they came from behind to defeat Fulham 2-1 in the last game of the league season on Sunday. The Old Trafford club, which won the League Cup in February, has the chance to add to their silverware when they face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
“We are in the right direction, but we are not there where we have to be, there’s still a long way to go, there’s potential in this team and individual players,” Ten Hag told reporters. “We showed during the season we made progress, that’s a compliment to the players and the coaches, we worked really hard, but we have to make an investment.
“The club knows if you want to play top four, compete for trophies in this tough league then you have to invest otherwise you don’t have a chance because other clubs will do.”
Gab & Juls debate what would happen to Barcelona if they can make a Lionel Messi move work financially.
– Real Madrid are looking at Alphonso Davies, with his future at Bayern Munich uncertain, reports AS. Although a move this summer is unlikely, Madrid could try to sign the Canada international in 2024, when he would have one year left on his contract. Manchester City also have an interest in the 22-year-old left-back.
– Lionel Messi wants to make a decision on his future in the coming days as the 35-year-old prepares to leave PSG as a free agent, reports Fabrizio Romano, who adds that this doesn’t necessarily mean his next move will be announced in that time. Marca suggests that the forward will join Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, who are offering a two-year deal worth over €300m per season.
– Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken with West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice about a move to Germany, according to Sky Sports Deutschland, which adds that Bayern have made an offer of €95m amid competition from Arsenal. In another report from Sky Sports Deutschland, it is stated that Bayern are looking at signing Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro as a free agent, although a final decision will be made after a new sporting director is hired.
– Manchester City are ready to permanently offload Joao Cancelo after Bayern Munich declined the €70m option to sign the full-back after his loan, reports Fabrizio Romano. Arsenal have been linked with the 29-year-old, while Barcelona have held a genuine interest since January.
– AS reports that Real Madrid are considering Espanyol‘s Joselu as a reserve striker behind Karim Benzema. With Mariano Diaz expected to leave Madrid, the club are considering a frontman before moving for Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland in 2024. At age 33, Joselu has a gross salary of €3m per season and a relegation clause in his Espanyol contract.