The January transfer window may seem like a distant memory, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
TOP STORY: Real Madrid look to Mahrez
Real Madrid are showing an interest in signing Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, as has been reported by Foot Mercato.
The Algeria international has been impressive for Pep Guardiola’s side this term, which has captured the attention of Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.
This also comes with current wing options Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr. and Marco Asensio not performing to a satisfactory level for Los Blancos.
However, despite the interest from Madrid, it could prove very difficult to bring in the 30-year-old because of how influential he has become for City.
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LIVE BLOG
10.23 GMT: How much could West Ham ask clubs to pay in order to sign midfielder Declan Rice?
1:33
Gab Marcotti throws cold water on West Ham’s lofty price tag they’ve placed on Declan Rice.
09.32 GMT: Palmeiras are negotiating the signing of Nice midfielder Danilo Barbosa, according to Globoesporte.
Barbosa, 25, could join Copa Libertadores champions on loan until the end of the year, with a purchase option included in the deal.
A move back to Brazil would reportedly be welcomed by Barbosa, who has made just five appearances in all competitions this season. He joined the French club in the summer of 2018 from Sporting Braga and has a contract until June 2023.
08.46 GMT: Former Napoli captain Marek Hamsik has joined Swedish club Goteborg until the end of the season.
The Slovakia midfielder has returned to Europe after two years with Chinese club Dalian Pro where he scored five goals and set up four more in 45 appearances. He had considered returning to Slovan Bratislava, the club where he began his playing career, but has opted instead to join Goteborg.
Hamsik, 33, said on social media: “I’m delighted to be here. As everyone knows, I’ve signed a short-term contract, but I will do my best to help the team achieve success.”
Goteborg begin their season on April 10.
08.30 GMT: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said one reason Christian Pulisic hasn’t been in his starting XI is that he is “strong” coming off the bench, following his team’s 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
Pulisic, 22, came on as a very late substitute for Chelsea and has played just 134 of a possible 810 minutes since his former manager at Borussia Dortmund arrived to take over for the departed Frank Lampard.
“Maybe Christian’s problem is I know from Dortmund how strong he is from the bench,” Tuchel said after the match. “I think he started only in the cup game and in the end that’s my responsibility and my fault. It’s a bit unfair because I know what an impact he can have in 20 or 30 minutes. He was a bit unlucky in the last games but there’s no lack of trust or quality. He just has to be a bit patient.
‘We also have another guy I would love to mention, which is Emerson [Palmieri], who suffers from bad decisions against him from me. He does not play but he is an amazing guy who trains at the highest levels and never lets the team down with his mentality.
“This was a super hard decision today to have him out of the squad and the same with Tammy [Abraham]. It tells us we are a strong group and the guys just have to keep on fighting.”
0:56
Mark Ogden believes Thomas Tuchel will give Kai Havertz another season to prove himself at Chelsea.
PAPER TALK (by Danny Lewis)
Cavani set to join Boca
Edinson Cavani joined Manchester United on a free transfer in October, but it doesn’t seem the Uruguayan will be sticking around for very long.
That is because Ole have reported that he will be heading to Argentine giants Boca Juniors at the end of the campaign.
The 34-year-old has reportedly already decided that this will be his last season in Europe, as he looks to fulfil a childhood dream by joining Boca.
His decision was helped by a conversation with club legend and current vice-president Juan Roman Riquelme. No negotiations with United will be needed as his contract comes to an end once the season is over.
Lacazette proposed to trio of giants
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is evaluating his options ahead of a possible move, reports Calciomercato.
The Frenchman’s agent has even offered him to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, states the report.
There may be some work to be done in negotiating a deal, though, as the 29-year-old doesn’t want to take a pay cut and earns close to €6m-per-season.
Lacazette is looking for something different and Juventus are reported to be interested as well, but the report adds that now is not the time for the Old Lady to make their decision over a possible move.
Tap-ins
– Benfica have offered Diego Costa a €3m-per-year-contract to join them, as has been reported by Goal. The striker has been a free agent since he left Atletico Madrid in December and there have been links with various clubs during that time. It now seems that he will be moving to Portugal, with Benfica looking to sign him on a deal that runs for at least two years.
– Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Premier League clubs are interested in signing Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly. While the journalist doesn’t name anyone in particular, giants such as Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked with the Senegal international in the past. Anyone with interest will also receive a boost, as Bayern Munich aren’t working on a deal for the 29-year-old and Napoli are reportedly coming to the realisation they’ll need to lower their fee demands for Koulibaly.