Friday’s European transfer round-up

Joao Felix in a Manchester tug-of-war

After missing out on a top-four return and many of their squad coming under heavy scrutiny at the end of the season, Manchester United are expected to spend big this summer.

Already linked with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Youri Tielemans, The Sun are reporting that another one of Europe’s most sort after starlets is topping Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s transfer wishlist.

Scoring 20 goals and picking up 11 assists in his debut season with Benfica, the 19-year-old reportedly has a huge £105million buy-out clause in his contract, something that United are willing to meet.

While the Red half of Manchester might be desperate to bring the Portuguese international to Old Trafford, they face stiff competition from their crosstown rivals.

Fending off Liverpool and successfully defending their Premier League title, The Sun are suggesting that Felix is also on Manchester City’s radar and they have made Benfica aware they are happy to match his release clause.

With Pep Guardiola boasting a squad glittering with attacking talent, it is also claimed City could be tempted to sign Felix and loan him back to Benfica for a further spell.

#ManchesterUnited are really interested in signing #JoaoFelix from #Benfica for €120M and they could pay the clause. Contacts ongoing. #RedDevils have offered to him a contract until 2024 (€6M plus bonus at year). #transfers #MUFC #mutd

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) May 26, 2019

 

Spurs eye Maddison move

While James Maddison may have missed out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s UEFA Nations League squad next month, it appears the Leicester playmaker is a man in demand.

It is being reported by The Mirror that the 22-year-old is being heavily monitored by Tottenham as Mauricio Pochettino plans how to spend his Champions League jackpot.

Their windfall for reaching their first Champions League Final could match the £72million Liverpool pocketed last season and Pochettino will be given a chunk of that cash to strengthen his squad.

Spurs will travel to Madrid on Saturday for their all-Premier League showdown against Liverpool and you can see all our Champions League final betting tips here.

Leicester paid Norwich £22.5million for the former Coventry starlet last summer and would want substantially more before they would even consider selling him.

He was handed his first England call-up for the Nations League games against Croatia and Spain last autumn.

With some speculation surrounding Christian Eriksen’s future in North London, The Mirror are suggesting that Spurs have identified Maddison as a perfect replacement.

Enjoying a breakout year with the Foxes, no player in the Premier League created more chances than the 22-year-old last season.

Tottenham eyeing summer transfer for Leicester star James Maddison https://t.co/qCOyfWnS59 pic.twitter.com/yIr6QV1tQC

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) May 29, 2019

 

Dybala on his way to Munich?

While Bayern Munich may have managed to reclaim their Bundesliga title on the final weekend of fixtures, many are expecting the Germain giants to complete a squad overhaul this summer.

With both Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben ending their spell at the Allianz this summer, reports coming out of Italy are suggesting that Niko Kovac’s side have made an £80million bid to sign Juventus’ Paulo Dybala.

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport report that Bayern are ‘really serious’ in their move to secure Dybala’s signature, and have gone straight in with the large bid.

After struggling to hold down a permanent spot with Juventus since Cristiano Ronaldo made the move to Turin last year, it is believed Dybala is weighing up his options from across Europe.

Despite the Bavarians opening their bidding at £80million, it is believed Juventus value the 25-year-old around the £100million mark.

Along with being linked with a swoop for the Argentina forward, Bayern are reportedly still chasing a potential deal to bring Manchester City winger Leroy Sane back to Germany this summer.

Paulo Dybala could leave @juventusfc

Bayern Munich are interested

They’ve made an €80 million offer

?https://t.co/hnbWQ09J1u pic.twitter.com/uz8nK4Kctl

— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) May 30, 2019

 

Real Madrid’s Hazard offer imminent

Only days removed from spearheading Chelsea’s Europa League title charge in Baku on Wednesday, it appears that Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid is inching closer.

Scoring twice in the Blues’ thumping 4-1 win, the Belgian talisman announced that his match-winning performance was likely his last for the Premier League outfit and that he is just waiting “waiting on both clubs”.

Making no secret of his desire to link up with Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, Spanish outlet Diario AS are reporting that Los Blancos will make their first definitive offer before the weekend.

Real Madrid bosses have been in touch with Hazard over the past two weeks to settle his nerves about the deal and convince him that Chelsea will accept the offer they are going to make today.

It was reported last week that Maurizio Sarri’s side have slapped a £130million price tag on the 28-year-old.

Hazard’s current deal at Stamford Bridge expires next summer and Chelsea are desperate to avoid their key man leaving on a free in 12 months.

Hazard is on international duty next week with Belgium and wants to be presented at Real Madrid as soon as possible. With no plans for a parade for the Europa League he is free to head to the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid want Eden Hazard to be their first signing of the summer and be presented as soon as possible (next week even). They do not plan a revolution at the side, just key changes pic.twitter.com/e8ZsqcWrJt

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) May 30, 2019

 

Atletico Madrid break the bank for Ben Chilwell

While Atletico Madrid may have been linked with a potential move for Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier this summer, it is being reported that Diego Simeone has his sights set on another English full-back.

According to The Sun, via Spanish outlet AS, Los Colchoneros have identified Leicester’s Ben Chilwell as one of their key transfer targets this summer.

With World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez heading to Bayern Munich next month and Felipe Luis expected to leave the Spanish giants for a second time, AS have gone as far to suggest that Madrid are weighing up a huge £71million move for Chilwell.

Once again earning a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next months UEFA Nations League semi-finals, the 22-year-old is seen to be England’s #1 choice at left-back after enjoying a stellar year.

Tied down to a deal at the King Power until 2024, Atletico will reportedly have to fight off interest from Manchester City if they’re to secure Chilwell’s signature next month.

Despite allegedly pulling out of a deal for the Leicester ace back in January, Pep Guardiola has remained a firm admirer of the full-back and sees Chilwell as a perfect replacement for the persistently injured Benjamin Mendy.

Atlético Madrid want to sign Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell. He would be a possible £70m replacement for Lucas Hernandez. (AS) pic.twitter.com/QbuLnWLOTB

— TransferNewsCentral (@TransferNewsCen) May 30, 2019

Read More: See our Champions League final predictions and betting tips.

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