Transfer news and rumours: Gareth Bale, Leon Goretzka, Olivier Giroud
The latest transfer gossip from the world’s football media
Gareth Bale: Welshman ‘will stay’ at Real Madrid
Despite widespread speculation over the Real Madrid star’s future, Sky Sports’ football expert Guillem Balague believes Gareth Bale will stay at the Spanish club. The Welsh forward has been linked with a move to Manchester United, but according to Balague: “Gareth Bale is somebody now that just needs to be continuously playing. Hopefully, not being affected by injuries, actually if the goals come and the assists come and his presence is important, especially in the Champions League - remember that’s the main target this season now - I don’t think he will go anywhere.”
Leon Goretzka: Schalke to Bayern Munich confirmed
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka will join Bayern Munich on a free transfer in the summer. The 22-year-old has signed a pre-contract agreement with Bayern and has passed a medical. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “We’re very pleased Leon Goretzka, a Germany international with great potential, has decided in favour of FC Bayern despite big-name international competitors. This way Leon Goretzka remains in the Bundesliga.”
Peter Crouch: Stoke City to Chelsea
Chelsea are looking to sign a target man and they don’t come much bigger than Stoke City’s Peter Crouch. With West Ham’s Andy Carroll ruled out through injury, The Daily Telegraph reports, the Blues have made “surprise” enquiries about 6ft 7in Crouch. The Stoke striker, 36, was a boyhood Chelsea fan and would be brought in as back-up to Alvaro Morata at Stamford Bridge.
Edin Dzeko: Roma to Chelsea
Another striker on Chelsea’s transfer hitlist is Roma’s Edin Dzeko. According to Sky Sports, the Blues are interested in signing the former Manchester City forward and are prepared to pay €50m (£44m) for Dzeko and his teammate Emerson Palmieri.
Olivier Giroud: Arsenal to Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could leave for Borussia Dortmund as part of the deal to take Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Emirates. With Alexis Sanchez set for Manchester United, and Theo Walcott joining Everton, Giroud would be the third frontman to leave the Gunners. The Daily Mirror reports that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has “refused to rule out Giroud’s exit”.
Jonny Evans: West Brom to Manchester City/Arsenal/Leicester
West Brom are resigned to losing their captain Jonny Evans, says The Sun. The 30-year-old defender is available for £23.5m, and Manchester City are the favourites to sign him. Arsenal are also interested in Evans, but according to The Sun, he would “prefer to join City”. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that Leicester City are ready to start a “transfer scramble” for Evans’s signature.
Emre Can: Liverpool to Manchester City
Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is a shock target for Manchester City, the Daily Mirror reports. The German is out of contract at the end of the season and has not ruled out leaving Anfield, but City are keen to join Juventus and Bayern Munich in the transfer battle.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
6 charming homes for the whimsical
Feature Featuring a 1924 factory-turned-loft in San Francisco and a home with custom murals in Yucca Valley
By The Week Staff Published
-
Big tech's big pivot
Opinion How Silicon Valley's corporate titans learned to love Trump
By Theunis Bates Published
-
Stacy Horn's 6 favorite works that explore the spectrum of evil
Feature The author recommends works by Kazuo Ishiguro, Anthony Doerr, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published