The coronavirus pandemic has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
City leapfrog Arsenal in race for Leipzig’s Upamecano
Manchester City are reportedly edging closer to signing RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano amid stalling negotiations between the defender and Arsenal.
French outlet Soccer Link say the 21-year-old — who has 147 first team appearances under his belt — has long been a focal point for Arsenal scouts with doubts concerning the futures of David Luiz, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi.
The report states the defender wishes to play Champions League football. And City could be his preference as Pep Guardiola continues to doubt the capabilities of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.
Foxes lead to sign Bees star Benrahma
The Express claims that Leicester City lead the race to sign winger Said Benrahma from Brentford, who has also caught the attention of Chelsea and Arsenal.
Reports in France earlier this week first revealed Frank Lampard’s interest in the 24-year-old, but today it has emerged that Brendan Rodgers is favourite to prize the 24-year-old away from the Championship side with two years remaining on his contract.
The report says that Brentford want £25 million for Benrahma, who signed for the Bees from Nice for £1.5m two years ago. Twenty-one goals in 71 appearances for Brentford have put Benrahma in the spotlight of several top flight clubs, but in a recent interview he claims to be focused on the job he has at hand.
Havertz still on Chelsea’s radar valuation differences
Chelsea could yet make a bid to sign highly rated Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz despite reportedly failing to reach the German club’s initial transfer demands.
That’s according to German outlet Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger, who also say Bayern Munich currently lead the race to snap up the 21-year-old.
Manchester United are also strongly linked to Havertz, who has starred for Leverkusen since the Bundesliga resumed following the coronavirus pandemic by scoring five goals in as many appearances.
It is said that a difference in opinion concerning Havertz’s value is what is preventing Frank Lampard from tabling a formal offer.
Tap-Ins
– Football Insider says Sunderland have accepted a £500,000 bid by Norwich City for academy graduate Bali Mumba. The Canaries sit six points short of safety from surviving the Premier League drop, but that hasn’t stopped boss Daniel Farke from planning ahead for the 2020-21 season with the 18-year-old midfielder expected to join officially later this summer.
– A cluster of top Premier League clubs are said to be interested in Wissam Ben Yedder, who revealed to France Football that he no longer wishes to play for AS Monaco. The 29-year-old has scored 19 goals in 31 games this season, prompting Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham to consider the striker. Monaco value Ben Yedder at £40m after signing him for £37.1m last summer.