Premier League transfer news: Gareth Bale, Mauro Icardi, Harry Kane

Premier League transfer news and gossip

Giggs: Bale is happy at ‘brilliant club’ Real Madrid

Wales boss Ryan Giggs says that Gareth Bale is happy at Real Madrid. Bale has been linked with a move back to the Premier League with Manchester United or Tottenham, but Giggs says that the forward’s future “doesn’t concern” him.

Giggs told the Daily Mirror: “He’s at a brilliant club. When you’re at a top club, as I know, you’re constantly under scrutiny. I went to see him and he was happy. He’s fit and looking really good. He made an impact when he came on against PSG. Everyone in Wales knows how important Gareth is. A fit and well Gareth Bale makes such a difference.”

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Mauro Icardi: Inter Milan to Manchester United

Manchester United are prepared to pay Mauro Icardi’s £97m release clause fee in his Inter Milan contract. According to CalcioMercato, and reported by the Daily Star, United want to “steal a march on their rivals” and pay the release clause to secure the 25-year-old’s signature. Argentine Icardi has scored 18 goals in 24 games for Inter this season and CalcioMercato says Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also willing to pay his release clause.

Harry Kane: Tottenham to Real Madrid

Brazilian legend Ronaldinho believes Harry Kane has the talent to play for any club in world football. England striker Kane has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Ronaldinho told the Daily Star: “Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, it doesn’t matter how strong the team. He is now one of those few players in the world that any team would have to make room for if they had the chance to sign him.” Meanwhile, the Independent suggests that Real Madrid will turn their attentions to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski because Tottenham “proved too difficult to deal with over Harry Kane”.

Matteo Darmian: Manchester United to Juventus

Manchester United’s Italian defender Matteo Darmian is “locked in talks” with Juventus, the Daily Star reports. The 28-year-old is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and the Star says that Juve are “desperate to secure his services”.

Christian Eriksen: Tottenham to Man Utd/Barcelona/Real Madrid

Christian Eriksen’s agent says the transfer reports linking the Danish midfielder with Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are a “compliment” to his form at Tottenham. Eriksen has scored nine goals for Spurs this season and also has nine assists. As reported by Goal.com, Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoots told Danish newspaper BT: “I don’t comment on rumours much. But when clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are mentioned, it’s always a compliment. Since Christian was 14 years old, big clubs have shown interest. The first were Chelsea, AC Milan and Barcelona, since then there has been no transfer window without any offer or interest.”

Premier League news and talking points

Allardyce ‘on borrowed time’ at Everton

The Daily Star reports that Sam Allardyce could be sacked this summer because Everton majority owner Farhad Moshiri is looking for a “younger, more dynamic coach to take the club forward”. Allardyce is “on borrowed time” at Goodison Park and Shakhtar Donetsk boss Paulo Fonseca is one name linked with the job. The Star says Moshiri has also discussed high-profile candidates including Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone.

Enrique wage demands could put off Chelsea

Luis Enrique’s wage demands could prove “a stumbling block” to his chances of replacing Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager. Conte’s future has been the subject of much speculation and former Barcelona boss Enrique is keen on the Stamford Bridge job. The Daily Telegraph says Enrique must be “prepared to accept a significantly lower wage than he was paid by Barcelona”.

Mourinho unhappy with player contract delays

The Daily Mail says that Jose Mourinho is “unhappy” with Manchester United’s delays over offering new contracts to players. The Mail reports that Anthony Martial and Marcos Rojo both held talks with the Old Trafford club in December but are still waiting for offers.