Thursday’s transfer news: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs Man City latest, gossip, done deals and more
A round-up of the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals as attention turns to the summer transfer window
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and more are setting themselves up for business with the summer transfer window officially open.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready for the biggest revamp of the United squad in years. A new centre-back is high on his priority list with Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester's Harry Maguire both options. It won't just be incomings, however, with Paul Pogba a high-profile target for Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez on his way out with Inter Milan and Juventus fighting it out for his signature - if he drops his wage demands. Liverpool could be active too as they look to go one better after failing to win the Premier League title by just a single point. Champions Manchester City are always big players in the market and could go big with the prospect of a potential transfer ban looming.
Check out all of Thursday’s transfer stories below.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
Good morning and welcome to today's Independent transfer live blog.
The summer window is very nearly upon us with the Premier League’s biggest clubs set to spend, spend, spend as the sales re-open.
We'll bring you all the latest news plus all the done deals and the juiciest gossip throughout the day right here so don't touch that dial.
Without further ado, off we go.
Let's start with Crystal Palace, shall we?
Wilfried Zaha has told the club that he wants to leave this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal and Chelsea are long-term admirers but Palace's £80m valuation could put both off.
A move abroad shouldn't be ruled out with Borussia Dortmund keen back in January.
Manchester United have switched their attentions in attack and are now closing in on Swansea's Daniel James as one of their first signings of the summer.
That's according to the Evening Standard.
Top target Jadon Sancho is set to stay in Germany following United's failure to secure Champions League football.
And Welsh international James has emerged as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's top alternative.
He'll cost in the region of £15m.
Staying at United where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified centre-half as a key area for improvement with the club set to pursue long-standing and new targets like Harry Maguire.
Former manager Jose Mourinho had previously insisted the position had to be improved upon, only to clash with the hierarchy over the signings he wanted due to their age and price.
Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly has long been a desired target, but sources say the current asking price of over £90m is far too much.
That could well see them return to previous options like Leicester City's Maguire and Internazionale's Milan Skriniar.
There is some debate about Toby Alderweireld's suitability, given his age, at 30.
Barcelona expect Chelsea to bid for Philippe Coutinho this summer, according to Goal.
The former Liverpool midfielder has failed to make the impact he would've liked at the Nou Camp following his £142m move last January.
Barca would sell for the right price, but any transfer to Stamford Bridge would of course be contingent on any transfer ban being lifted.
We shall see.
Staying at Chelsea and they don't plan to extend Gonzalo Higuain's loan beyond this season.
The Daily Mail report that the Argentine's final game will be next week's Europa League final, regardless of any potential transfer ban.
The Blues still have Olivier Giroud, Michy Batshuayi, Tammy Abraham and Alvaro Morata on their books of course.
Manchester City could be about to spend big before any Uefa sanctions do or don't come down.
The Daily Mail suggest that Pep Guardiola has a £200m wishlist including some of Europe's hottest properties.
Ajax's Matthijs De Ligt, Eintracht Frankfurt's Luka Jovic, Atletico Madrid's Rodri and Lyon's Houssem Aouar are all on apparently on the shopping list.
Inter Milan now face competition from Juventus for the signature of Alexis Sanchez, as it now seems likelier his Manchester United nightmare will end this summer.
There have now been concrete meetings between intermediaries and both clubs.
The Old Trafford club desperately want to offload the Chilean flop this summer, but have found his huge wages an obstacle.
Inter and now Juventus are willing to look at a deal, but only so long as he drops his financial demands, or United subsidise his wages.
While that remains a hugely complicated prospect, it is understood there was progress in some of the meetings.
Inter are also interested in United's Romelu Lukaku in what is likely to be a busy summer for the Serie A club.
To Newcastle and the future of Salomon Rondon.
West Brom's play-off semi-final loss will have significant ramifications for Newcastle's summer business with the Mirror reporting the Baggies' failure to get promotion will see a clause inserted into the Venzuelan's contract.
As a result the Magpies could make a move to reunite with the striker for £16.5m.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments