Premier League transfer news: De Ligt, Pogba, Mbappe, Willian, Coutinho, Rodri, Felix

Premier League transfer gossip and rumours

De Ligt’s big decision

Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt would be best off joining Liverpool this summer, but the smart money would be on the 19-year-old joining Paris Saint-Germain.

That’s the opinion of ESPN’s Mark Ogden, who has weighed up the pros and cons of De Ligt’s potential next move.

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As well as Liverpool and PSG, the Dutch international has also been linked with Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Ogden writes: “Wherever De Ligt ends up this summer, he will find himself at a major club and with a hugely increased pay packet.

“But if he could hand-pick his best destination, Liverpool would be top of the pile due to the strength of the team and the opportunity to play alongside international teammate [Virgil] van Dijk.

“The smart money is on De Ligt moving to PSG, who look to have outbid Barcelona, but Liverpool would be the best option for the Ajax defender.”

PSG: Mbappe is 200% staying

Any faint hopes that Liverpool had of landing Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe appear to have been wiped out. The French champions have indicated that they would be willing to sell Neymar, but not their other attacking spearhead. Ruling out a move for the 20-year-old, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told France Football: “Mbappe will 200% be at PSG next season.”

Liverpool transfer news: Mbappe, Fernandes, Dembele, Ojo

Willian bids rejected

La Liga giants Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have seen £35m bids rejected by Chelsea for winger Willian. With Eden Hazard leaving the club for Real Madrid, Chelsea are keen to keep hold of Brazilian Willian for next season. (Sky Sports)

Coutinho’s respect for Liverpool

Sky Sports reports that Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho will not move to Manchester United “out of respect for his former club Liverpool”. The Brazilian playmaker looks set to leave Barca this summer, and Spanish newspaper AS says Paris Saint-Germain want to close a deal once the Copa America is finished.

Felix Atletico move is ‘fake news’

Atletico Madrid is reported to have seen off competition from Manchester City to sign Joao Felix in a £107m deal. However, the 19-year-old’s club Benfica have dismissed the claims as “fake news”. (AS)

Rodri wants out

Spanish midfielder Rodri has told Atletico Madrid that he wants to leave. Manchester City and Bayern Munich are both interested in the 22-year-old, who has a €70m (£62.5m) buyout clause in his contract. (Sky Sports)

New deals for Pogba and Rashford?

The Daily Mail reports that Manchester United will offer unsettled star Paul Pogba £500,000-a-week to stay at Old Trafford.

French midfielder Pogba admitted this week that it “may be time for a new challenge”, a comment that has left “frantic” United bosses preparing a mega-money contract, according to the newspaper.

Pogba has been linked with Real Madrid and former club Juventus, but The Independent reports that Paris Saint-Germain are willing to give the World Cup winner a way out of Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, The Times says that United are set to be given a huge boost, with England striker Marcus Rashford ready to sign a long-term deal with his boyhood club.

Today’s back pages: Pogba panic, Rashford deal, Lampard’s first battle