Premier League transfer news: Jerome Boateng, Max Meyer, plus Spurs clear-out
Lilywhites aim to raise £170m for rebuild by selling Danny Rose, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama
Premier League transfer news and rumours
Spurs clearout could raise £170m
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is planning a major overhaul of his squad this summer as another season comes to an end without a trophy.
The Lilywhites are currently in danger of assuming Arsenal’s mantle as an easy-on-the-eye outfit destined to finish in the top four but without any silverware.
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Pochettino is aiming to prevent that with an injection of cash raised through the sales of Danny Rose, Toby Alderweireld, Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele.
“Rose, Alderweireld and Wanyama are all valued in the £50m bracket while Dembele, who has one year left on contract, can go for around £20m plus,” says the Daily Mail.
“Tottenham are willing to sacrifice them to help rejuvenate the squad for next season when they move to their new ground,” the newspaper adds.
Bernd Leno: Beyer Leverkusen to Arsenal
The Gunners are poised to enter the race to sign Bernd Leno, after the Germany goalkeeper told Bayer Leverkusen he wants to move on this summer. Arsenal believe the 26-year-old, who has a £17.5m release clause in his contract, could be a worthy long-term successor to Petr Cech. Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Napoli are also said to be interested. (The Sun)
Jonny Evans: West Brom to West Ham
David Moyes is the latest manager to express an interest in former Man United defender Jonny Evans, who will be available for just £3m this summer if West Brom are relegated. The defender has been linked with a return to Old Trafford, but Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Leicester, Everton are also interested, so West Ham will need to act quickly. (Daily Mirror)
Max Meyer: Schalke to Arsenal or Liverpool
Max Meyers looks set to spark a tussle between the Gunners and the Reds, after it was confirmed that the £35m-rated German utility player would leave his current club this summer. The 22-year-old can operate as an attacking midfielder, forward or in a deep-lying playmaker role. Arsenal and Liverpool may face competition from Bayern Munich and AC Milan for his signature. (The Sun)
Federico Chiesa: Fiorentina to Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp is one of several managers said to be interested in signing Federico Chiesa this summer, following an impressive run by the 20-year-old winger in Serie A this season. But he won’t come cheap: it is rumoured that Fiorentina will not consider any offers below their £44m asking price. With Man City, Man United and Napoli also keen, a bidding war could break out. (Daily Express)
Jerome Boateng: Bayern Munich to Man United
Germany defender Jerome Boateng says he will consider his future this summer and could become a target for Jose Mourinho, despite his connection to Man City. The centre back has won six Bundesliga titles, the Champions League and the World Cup since leaving City seven years ago. Man United boss Mourinho is a big fan of the 29-year-old and has been linked with a £50m move to bring him back to Manchester this summer. (Metro)
Premier League news and talking points
Mourinho denies selling Salah
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has denied that he was responsible for offloading PFA Player of Year Mohamed Salah during his time at Stamford Bridge. The Egyptian, who has scored 43 goals for Liverpool this season, spent two-and-half years on Chelsea’s books but made little impact and was sent out on loan, before being sold to Roma in 2016.
“People say that I was the one that sold Salah and it is the opposite,” said Mourinho. “I bought Salah. I was the one that told Chelsea to buy Salah. It was with me in charge that Salah came to Chelsea. But he came as a young kid, physically he was not ready, mentally he was not ready, socially and culturally he was lost and everything was tough for him.
“Chelsea decided to sell him, OK? And when they say that I was the one that sold him it is a lie. I bought him. I agreed to send him on loan, I thought it was necessary, I thought that Chelsea had wingers. Some of them are still there like Willian, Eden Hazard and all those players already in a different level.” (The Daily Telegraph)
Sam Allardyce faces uncertain future at Everton
Goodison Park manager Sam Allardyce has held talks with the club’s major shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, over his future. Allardyce wants the billionaire businessman to end the uncertainty around his role, but has yet to receive public backing. The 63-year-old is unpopular with fans despite lifting Everton to eighth place in the Premier League. A decision will be made at the end of the season about both Allardyce and Steve Walsh, Everton’s director of football, whose position is in doubt and who was also at yesterday’s meeting. (The Times)
Arsene Wenger visits Old Trafford for the last time
The outgoing Arsenal manager will make a final visit to the scene of some of his most memorable moments this weekend, when the Gunners take on Man United. The rivalry between Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson was intense during the early years of his reign, and the stadium saw some unforgettable moments, including Sylvain Wiltord’s title-winning goal in 2002. This time, Wenger will be up against another fierce adversary in Jose Mourinho, who is unlikely to extend any largesse towards the departing Frenchman. (The Guardian)
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