Premier League transfer news: Hazard, Pogba, Coutinho, Lacazette, Alexis, Bale, Rice

Premier League transfer news and rumours

Hazard has made decision

Maurizio Sarri hopes Eden Hazard will stay at Stamford Bridge but the Chelsea manager says the club must respect the Belgian’s decision if he wants to leave.

Hazard is linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid and according to the BBC he has already made his decision and informed Chelsea. The 28-year-old is out of contact at the end of next season.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up

“I hope he will stay,” said Sarri. “I think Eden has played here in Chelsea for seven seasons, trying in every match to do his best and now it’s time to respect his decision.”

Chelsea play Arsenal in the Uefa Europa League final on 29 May and Hazard said his future will become clear after the clash in Baku.

He told Sky Sports: “Yes, I have made my decision but it is not just about me. I have made my decision, that’s it. We have a final to play and then I will see.”

Coutinho to replace Hazard?

If Eden Hazard does leave Stamford Bridge, and the west London club overturn their transfer ban, then Chelsea could replace the playmaker with Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian has struggled to impress at Barcelona since his move from Liverpool in January 2018. (Daily Mail)

United fans abuse Pogba

Manchester United supporters threw insults at midfielder Paul Pogba following their side’s 2-0 home defeat against Cardiff City on Sunday at Old Trafford. United have finished sixth in the Premier League and Pogba has become a target following speculation that he could join Real Madrid. One fan called for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sell the Frenchman. (Sky Sports)

Rebuild needed at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits that the Old Trafford squad needs major changes this summer following their disappointing season. He said: “I’ve had loads of conversations and they’ve been up front and honest - we know where we are. The end of the season makes it clearer than when we had that great run of form. We played some great football at times, and towards the end we’ve seen that exceptional efficiency we had didn’t last and they know we’re in for a rebuild.” (ESPN)

Lacazette flattered

The Daily Star reports that Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is “flattered” by the interest shown in him by Spanish giants Barcelona. The Daily Mail adds that the north London club are “moving to secure the long-term future” of Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The strikers have starred for the Gunners in their run to the Uefa Europa League final.

Pellegrini: impossible to know Rice’s future

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini admits he cannot predict if the club can hang on to midfielder Declan Rice. The 20-year-old made his England debut this season and has been linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. Pellegrini said: “It’s impossible, I cannot know the future.”

Zidane: Bale’s situation is clear

Zinedine Zidane says that Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid situation is “clear” after the Welshman was again left out of the squad. Zidane said: “It’s very clear what I’ve done this weekend. Next week we see what I do, and also what happens next year. That’s it!” (AS)

Battle for Butland

Premier League sides Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are both keen on signing Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland. The England international, 26, is set to leave Stoke this summer. (Stoke Sentinel)

Rondon impresses

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez says Salomon Rondon’s impressive loan spell at St James’ Park could make it difficult to sign the West Brom striker on a permanent deal. “He’s really happy, and a key player for us,” said Benitez. “I think he wants to stay. The problem is, because he was so good, the more people have been watching him, so we have to wait.” (Sky Sports)

Silva wants loan stars to stay

Everton manager Marco Silva is keen for the club to sign loanees Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma on permanent deals. Midfielder Gomes, who is a target for Tottenham, has been on loan from Barcelona while defender Zouma has been on loan from Chelsea. Silva said: “Andre’s future we keep open, and not just Andre but Zouma also. But you asked me about Andre. His future is open and it is up to us the best we can do to sign him. I don’t know all the details but I think we already started to do something.” (Sky Sports)

Italian job for Alexis

Reports in Italy suggest that Juventus could make a move for Manchester United striker Alexis Sanchez. Juve’s Serie A rivals Inter, Roma and Milan are also possible destinations should Alexis leave Old Trafford. (The Guardian)

Premier League final day results

• Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Manchester City 4
• Burnley 1 Arsenal 3
• Crystal Palace 5 AFC Bournemouth 3
• Fulham 0 Newcastle United 4
• Leicester City 0 Chelsea 0
• Liverpool 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
• Manchester United 0 Cardiff City 2
• Southampton 1 Huddersfield Town 1
• Tottenham Hotspur 2 Everton 2
• Watford 1 West Ham United 4