Premier League transfer news: Tierney, Pogba, Milinkovic-Savic, Maguire, Rose
Celtic reject Arsenal’s third bid for Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney
Premier League transfer gossip and rumours
Tierney deal in doubt
Arsenal may have to call off the chase for Kieran Tierney after their third offer for the Scotland left-back was rejected by Celtic.
According to the Daily Record, the Gunners had met the Scottish champions’s asking price of £25m, but the sticking point was Arsenal’s insistence on what the Record describes as “staggered payments and add-ons”.
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The Bhoys refused to countenance such a deal and now Tierney is staying put in Glasgow. “It’s as you were really,” said Celtic manager Neil Lennon. “The deal, as far as I’m aware, is not happening. We are delighted about that and it’s just a question of appeasing his mind now.”
While the Gunners will “look elsewhere” for defensive reinforcements, the Record says that Napoli may make a bid for Tierney in the coming days.
United eye Lazio star to replace Pogba
Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
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TalkSPORT reports that the Red Devils were linked with the Serbian midfielder 12 months ago and have now “stepped up their pursuit at a time where Paul Pogba’s Old Trafford future is unclear”.
It will cost United around £67m to prise Milinkovic-Savic from the Roman outfit, but that is well within United’s financial means if, as reported, they sell Pogba to Juventus for in excess of £100m between now and August.
Real to pinch Pogba
But might Juventus’s deal for Pogba be hijacked by Real Madrid? Yes, claims The Sun, with the paper reporting that the Spanish outfit are prepared to offer United £150m for the French playmaker and then pay him a weekly wage of £600,000, which is what Gareth Bale is pocketing.
But before Pogba gets too excited, the Sun - citing Spanish publication AS as its source - says that first Real must jettison Bale.
That may be easier said than done with Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, vowing that the Welshman will see out the remaining three years of his contract if no better offer comes in.
“Gareth is a Real Madrid player and for now he’s staying as a Real Madrid player,” he said, just hours before Bale scored for the Spaniards in a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Arsenal in Washington.
“If something comes along that suits us, then things could change and he could be gone in a day or a week. Or he could still be a Real player in three years when his contract ends.”
Leicester defiant over Maguire
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has reiterated that the club are not looking to sell Harry Maguire, despite growing speculation that the England central defender is bound for Manchester United.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Leicester’s 3-0 friendly win over Cambridge United - in which Maguire scored with a header - Rodgers said: “At this moment in time there’s nothing there that is going to tempt the club at all. The club don’t need to sell, the club don’t want to sell.”
According to Sky Sports, Maguire is becoming “increasingly frustrated” with the club’s refusal to sanction a move to Old Trafford, but Rodgers brushed off suggestions that there was any conflict.
“We’re very relaxed,” he said. “The clubs that have spoken to Leicester have not met any valuation that the club has put on him, so at this moment in time he’s very much a Leicester player.”
United push for Maguire and Longstaff
The London Evening Standard reports that Manchester United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward will remain in the UK this week to try and tie up deals for Leicester defender Harry Maguire and Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff.
Magpies make a statement
Newcastle United have confirmed the capture of Joelinton from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim for what their official website describes as an “undisclosed club record fee”.
In fact, says The Guardian, the 22-year-old Brazilian frontman has cost them in the region of £40m for the six-year deal.
“I know it’s a large investment that the club has made in me, and that comes with a huge responsibility,” said Joelinton. “I’m highly motivated and hope to give back on the pitch.”
PSG favourites to sign Rose
Paris Saint-Germain have moved ahead of Juventus in the race to sign Tottenham defender Danny Rose. The England left-back looks set to end his 12-year spell with Spurs and would be available for around £20m. (The Sun)
Levy to increase Alderweireld price
A £25m release clause in Toby Alderweireld’s Tottenham contract expires on Friday and should the defender remain at the club chairman Daniel Levy will increase his transfer value to £40m. (The Daily Telegraph)
New deal for Hudson-Odoi
England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to sign a new £100,000-a-week contract with Chelsea worth £50m. Hudson-Odoi had been linked with German giants Bayern Munich, but new Blues boss Frank Lampard has persuaded the 18-year-old to stay at Stamford Bridge for the long term. (Daily Mirror)
Today’s back pages: Hudson-Odoi is Chelsea’s £50m kid
