Maxxcash 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!
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TOP STORY: Juve want to swap Arsenal’s Gabriel for Arthur
Juventus are lining up a summer move for Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, according to Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio.
Gabriel was the match winner in the Gunners’ vital 2-1 win away at West Ham United on Sunday, and Di Marzio believes Juve could try and sweeten the deal by including 25-year-old midfielder Arthur Melo in exchange.
Juventus are desperate for a top centre-back ahead of the new season, with Giorgio Chiellini deciding whether to leave the club after 17 seasons, and Gabriel is the player they’ve identified to fill his boots.
The 24-year-old has been a consistent performer for Mikel Arteta’s side this season and on Sunday he played his 33rd game of the season.
Juve feel the former Lille man has all the necessary qualities to slot straight into boss Massimiliano Allegri’s system, and they’re keen to get a deal over the line to fend off interest from Barcelona, among others.
Gabriel is believed to be happy in North London, but Juve feel a swap deal could persuade Arsenal to part with the Brazilian.
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08.42 BST: ICYMI – Manchester United bosses are under strict instructions not to bother new manager Erik ten Hag in the 48 hours before Ajax games, sources told ESPN.
Ten Hag has been appointed on an initial three-year contract to take over at Old Trafford and has already been involved in the key decision-making ahead of next season. But with Ajax still in the hunt for the Eredivisie title, United officials have been told they should not distract the 52-year-old in the build up to games.
Ajax are four points clear at the top of the table with four games remaining. They have a home game against PEC Zwolle on Saturday and end their campaign with a trip to Vitesse on May 15.
Ten Hag made the request during negotiations to become United boss. Face-to-face talks were held during the March international break while follow-up conversations were only conducted during gaps in Ajax’s schedule.
Sources also told ESPN that the United squad have already started doing their research on their new boss with a number of players reaching out to former teammate Daley Blind, who returned to Ajax from Old Trafford in 2018.
08.00 BST: Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Pablo Sarabia will not continue at the club once his loan deal ends in June.
Sarabia, 29, is expected to return to PSG, where he has two years left on his contract. No option to sign permanently was included in the deal that saw the winger join Sporting on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain in August.
The Spain international has impressed in his spell, scoring 12 goals and setting up seven more in 27 league appearances, but hope that he could remain beyond this summer has been dashed.
Amorim said: “Is it a shame that we will not have Sarabia next season? Undoubtedly. Just as I was also sorry not to have [Portugal left-back] Nuno Mendes [who joined PSG on loan from Sporting Lisbon in August] but football is like that. Others will be here. We will continue with our project and we still have two games left to enjoy Pablo.”
1:31
Julien Laurens explains why Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni would be a good fit at Manchester United.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Manchester United and Arsenal are monitoring 22-year-old midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, according to the Sun. One of the hottest prospects in European football, the Frenchman is seen by United officials as a more realistic alternative to West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice. Tchouameni has impressed for AS Monaco this season, and the France midfielder would certainly be an upgrade to United’s midfield. However, such has been his sparkling form that United face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool for his signature at around €60m.
– Tottenham Hotspur winger Steven Bergwijn is actively looking “for a solution” to his lack of game time under Antonio Conte, reveals the Athletic. The 24-year-old former PSV Eindhoven star has struggled to establish himself in the side under a succession of managers, and current boss Conte has handed him just one start since his arrival as manager. Ajax attempted to sign Bergwijn in January, but their bid was rejected. Now, it looks as though crunch talks are looming between club and player as he looks to play more matches.
– New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will walk into a battle with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as he looks to improve United’s midfield, with the Dutchman keen to beat his Spanish counterpart to the signing of James Ward-Prowse from Southampton. That’s according to the Sun, who believe Ten Hag has made the England international one of his top targets. Saints skipper Ward-Prowse, 27, could command a fee of £75m, but Ten Hag sees him as a vital part of the rebuilding job he faces at Old Trafford.
– Barcelona are exploring a number of targets at left-back, with Chelsea‘s Marcos Alonso emerging as their latest option, according to Sport. Barca are looking to strengthen in several areas ahead of the 2022-23 season, with a new left-back high on the list. Current incumbent Jordi Alba isn’t getting any younger, and 33-year-old Alonso joins a list of targets that include Celta Vigo‘s Javi Galan, Benfica‘s Alejandro Grimaldo and Valencia‘s Jose Gaya. Alonso is contracted to Chelsea until 2023 but could be a bargain at €15m.
– Barcelona director Mateu Alemany dampened links between the club and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. Speaking to Movistar after Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Mallorca on Sunday, Alemany said: “There was no meeting with Lewandowski’s agent. Also, I don’t like to speak about the negotiations process — it’s something private.”
