The coronavirus outbreak has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the new rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Man United believe secret talks have secured Sancho
The past 24 hours have seen Borussia Dortmund claiming they’re hopeful of keeping Jadon Sancho at the club beyond the summer, but the Sun reports that Manchester United believe they’ve done enough to sign football’s hottest property.
The paper says that Sancho has agreed to move to Old Trafford, with even the small print of the deal finalised.
It is believed that United have been able to negotiate the deal through months of secret talks and that the signing on fee, salary and bonuses have all been agreed upon.
The only part of the deal yet to be finalised is the final transfer fee with Dortmund, and it is expected that a record price will be required to get the transfer over the line. Dortmund are determined to make more than the £89.3 million Man United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba in 2016.
Sancho left Manchester City to join Dortmund for around £8m in order to get more first-team football in 2017, but he has been considering a return home ever since a host of English clubs — United included — enquired about the possibility of signing him last summer. Now it would appear as those United’s persistence might have paid dividends.
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08.34 BST: AS says that Real Madrid want to renew talented youngster Cesar Gelabert’s contract and then send him out on loan.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been linked with Arsenal, Dortmund and Lyon as his deal expires in the summer. But he has yet to feature in the Real first team.
08.00 BST: RB Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche has rejected reports that Werder Bremen attacker Milot Rashica has all but agreed a deal with the club.
Some outlets in Germany had claimed that Leipzig were willing to pay a fee close to €40mn for the 23-year-old, who has also been linked with Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
But Krosche said: “A journalist must have mistaken us for another club. We have never been close to such numbers and fees, especially no in times like these.”
However, he did not deny the club’s interest in the player.
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Aubameyang and Lacazette out, Edouard in?
Arsenal are looking to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette this summer in an effort to land Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.
Both Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly interested in the 22-year-old, and the Express believes the Gunners are leading the race to sign the striker for £25m.
Edouard has scored 62 goals in 126 appearances for the Scottish league leaders; as a result, a number of clubs around Europe are said to be monitoring his progress.
Yet it’s Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta who is said to have the upper hand over clubs such as Lille, Lyon, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, as Arsenal look to reshape their attack for the 2020-21 season.
Everton are also said to be keen, though they could shift their attention toward Lille striker Victor Osimhen.
De Sciglio considers PSG move ahead of Euros
Juventus are contemplating what to do with defender Mattia De Sciglio amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia, reports Calciomercato.
De Sciglio is one of several players said to be considering their Juve futures. Although he has two years left to run on his contract, he could use this summer to find more first-team football elsewhere as he targets regular action ahead of the Euros.
De Sciglio isn’t Maurizio Sarri’s first-choice full-back, though the Juve boss does consider him an important squad player. However, the 27-year-old is keen to start on a regular basis.
PSG and Valencia are said to be interested and De Sciglio might feel he needs to move in order to further his career.
Tap-ins
– Timo Werner appears to be edging closer to a move to the Premier League, if you believe the Bleacher Report‘s suggestions that he is taking English lessons. Liverpool and Chelsea have been chasing the RB Leipzig striker for some time, and while the 24-year-old is contracted to the German club until 2023, both feel they can tempt the striker to England.
– Real Madrid are preparing to sell up to eight players as they prepare for a squad overhaul, with the likes of Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez and Mariano Diaz all said to be on the transfer list — that’s according to AS.