Transfer Talk: Manchester United eye Chelsea’s Kante for Ten Hag’s rebuild
Julien Laurens breaks down the appointment of Erik ten Hag as Manchester United’s new manager. (1:47)
The summer transfer window is approaching, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
Manchester United could make N’Golo Kante their first signing of Erik ten Hag’s tenure, with the club looking at a move for the Chelsea midfielder in the summer, according to the Mirror.
It is reported that Ten Hag believes the 31-year-old is a perfect fit for his system. The France international could set an example for the younger players in the squad, while still having plenty left to offer in the Premier League.
The Old Trafford hierarchy are also optimistic of landing him, with Thomas Tuchel expected to receive a significant transfer budget once Chelsea confirm their new owners. That could trigger a squad rebuild and Kante, who will enter the final year of his contract in June, is one of the stars that could be moved on from Stamford Bridge.
Kante came on as a substitute on Saturday as Chelsea lost on penalties to Liverpool in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
– ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (U.S.)
– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access
13.33 BST: This could get ugly…
Bayern president Herbert Hainer has suggested that star striker Robert Lewandowski won’t be allowed to leave before the end of his contract, despite insisting he won’t sign a new one.
“Lewandowski has a contract until June 2023 and will play for us until then,” Hainer told Sport1. “When you sign a contract, you can’t speak of ‘forcing’ someone to fulfil it…”
The Poland striker said on Saturday that he had not yet received an offer to renew, but Hainer claims CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic made a proposal but Lewandowski rejected it.
“Oliver and Hasan made him an offer for an extension. Apparently that wasn’t accepted,” he added. “Players like Lewandowski permanently receive offers from other clubs, it is nothing new. We already had the case in 2019 when Robert flirted with Real Madrid. FC Bayern knows this situation.”
12.48 BST: Arsenal have agreed a €25m fee to sign Bologna’s full-back Aaron Hickey, says Calcio Napoli.
Hickey, 19, moved to Italy in the summer of 2020 from Hearts but the Scotland international is now ready to move on again.
Napoli, Bayern Munich and AC Milan have also been credited with interest in Hickey, who can play on either side of defence.
https://www.calcionapoli24.it/calcio_mercato/hickey-napoli-calciomercato-accordo-bologna-arsenal-n518699.html
12.02 BST: Manchester United could be closing on a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Gab and Juls debate whether Frenkie de Jong could reunite with Erik ten Hag at Man United.
11.18 BST: Newcastle want to sign Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer, according to Football Insider.
Calvert-Lewin, 25, has three goals in 15 games but has struggled with injury this season. Nevertheless, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his attacking options and is willing to pay the £50m needed to land the England international.
Arsenal have also been strongly linked with the striker and may hold the edge as Calvert-Lewin is reportedly more interested in moving to London.
10.43 BST: Lille striker Jonathan David scored twice on Saturday and Fabrizio Romano claims the French are open to offers for him this summer.
David, 22, is highly rated and has 17 goals in 46 games this season. The Canada international could cost around €50m to sign but Romano claims that the “Lille board had a meeting with his agent few days ago to discuss price tag and details.”
His contract doesn’t expire until 2025, so Lille hold the cards over his future for now.
10.05 BST: Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke has been confirmed as the new head coach of A-League Men’s club Macarthur FC.
Yorke has signed a deal to lead the Bulls for the next two ALM seasons in what will be the ex-Trinidad and Tobago international’s first senior coaching role.
He’ll replace Ante Milicic, who has stepped down after two seasons as the Bulls’ foundation coach to move to Croatia for family reasons.
Yorke is no stranger to Australian football having been Sydney FC’s marquee player in the inaugural ALM season in 2005-06, as the Sky Blues went on to win the first ALM Grand Final.
“Having played in the inaugural A-League Men’s season I have continually followed the competition and am aware of both the footballing and fan demands in Australia,” Yorke said.
“I look forward to adding a positive contribution and improve the game at all levels, however of course my primary focus will be with the Bulls, to deliver them success and a style of football that defined me as a player.”
09.29 BST: Arsenal are closing in on a €3.5m deal with Sao Paulo for teenage striker Marquinhos, sources have told ESPN.
The two clubs agreed a fee after the 19-year-old rejected multiple contract offers from the Brazilian club and sources suggest Arsenal moved quickly to secure a cut-price agreement.
Marquinhos is a left-footed forward also able to operate as a winger but he is viewed by Arsenal as a future prospect rather than an immediate first-team signing.
09.00 BST: Robert Lewandowski confirmed that he has told Bayern Munich he won’t be signing a new contract with the club, adding that he wants to “find the best solution for both sides.”
The Polish striker, who was speaking after Bayern’s final game of the Bundesliga season, a 2-2 draw with VfL Wolfsburg, still has a year remaining on his current deal but there have been widespread reports that he is keen for a move this summer.
“I can confirm that I spoke to Hasan [Salihamidzic, Bayern sporting director] and informed him that the decision was made — and that I am not extending my contract with FC Bayern,” he told Sky Germany. “Both sides have to think about the future. It’s best if we find the best solution for both sides.
“I said to [Salihamidzic] that if an offer comes, then we have to think about it — also for the club. Both sides have to think about the future. That’s all I can say.
“I still have a year’s contract [left at Bayern]. But I said that we have to find the best solution for both sides. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Jan Aage Fjortoft says Bayern Munich’s gamble for Erling Haaland is looking like a lose-lose with Robert Lewandowski now keen to leave.
– Juventus are set to step up their pursuit of Paul Pogba next week, with the club set to meet with the 29-year-old midfielder’s representatives on Monday, reveals Gianluca Di Marzio. The France international is set to leave Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer, having not shown any interest in signing a new deal throughout the season, and it looks as though Juventus are ready to make the first move. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with him.
– Bayern Munich are interested in landing Ousmane Dembele, reports Sky Sports. The 24-year-old winger is available to leave Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer, and the Bundesliga club have added him to their shortlist. The report comes amid the drama of Robert Lewandowski confirming on Saturday he will not sign a contract extension at Bayern, with Barcelona among his potential destinations.
– AC Milan could make a move for Ajax Amsterdam striker Sebastien Haller, according to Calciomercato. The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international has been in fine form this season, scoring 34 goals for Ajax, and a fee of around €40m could be required for them to allow him to begin talks over a possible move to San Siro.
– West Ham United, Southampton, and Brentford are tracking Bright Osayi-Samuel, reveals Football Insider. The 24-year-old Fenerbahce winger came through the ranks at Blackpool and also played for QPR, but it looks as though he could be set for a Premier League move in the summer.
– Real Madrid are set to offer Vinicius Junior and Eder Militao new contracts, as Carlo Ancelotti begins to make squad preparations to retain the LaLiga title next season. AS writes that both players’ entourages have been informed that the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy would like to commence negotiations soon, with hopes of tying them down to long-term deals. Militao, 24, has been a regular starter at centre-back since joining from FC Porto, while 21-year-old winger Vinicius is seen as a key part of the team’s future.