Tuesday's transfer news: Eden Hazard closes in on Real Madrid move while Paul Pogba saga set to run and run
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Your support makes all the difference.Eden Hazard is nearing his dream move from Chelsea to Real Madrid but the Blues are playing hardball and want £100m for the brilliant Belgian.
Madrid are set to be active this summer, with Paul Pogba looking likely to be the window's deal that runs and runs. The club are also interested in signing Tottenham's Christian Eriksen.
Both Manchester clubs are also set to strengthen, with City looking to splurge before any transfer ban comes into place, while United are eyeing a series of options at centre-half. Re-live the day's major news lines:
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Atletico Madrid will hold talks with star man Antoine Griezmann with fears growing over his future.
The Frenchman only signed a new contract last year but there is talk in Spain that Barcelona could renew their interest in him.
Cadena Ser report that Atleti are keen to head off said interest despite suggestions he has already agreed to make the move.
Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham.
That's according to the Daily Mail.
They say that the club are keen to match Mauricio Pochettino's ambition and will do so by getting to the front of the queue for the 18-year-old.
Fulham want £40m with Spurs more keen to do a deal around £25m.
Back to Manchester United where Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Mark Dempsey will remain part of the coaching staff next season
United's Premier League season came to an ignominious end on Sunday as a 2-0 home defeat to relegated Cardiff saw them slump home in sixth.
A lot of work is needed this summer to improve the squad and background, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is happy with the coaching set-up of Carrick, McKenna and Dempsey.
"They are all going to stay," he told United's official app.
"I think that's important, that we keep that team going forward. We do bounce off each other and they are some excellent coaches."
Assistant manager Mike Phelan signed a three-year deal on Friday and goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez has been with the club since Jose Mourinho arrived in 2016.
Staying at United and they want to add Lille winger Nicolas Pepe.
The 23-year-old Ivory Coast winger has impressed all season and has caught the eye of a number of European heavyweights including PSG, Barcelona and Arsenal.
United can expect a bidding war starting at at least £45m.
Leicester City are desperate to keep Youri Tielamens but fear he could already be on his way out.
The Belgian international impressed on loan from Monaco with Brendan Rodgers keen to make the move a permanent one.
But the rumoured price tag of £40m as well as interest from across Europe could scupper their chances.
Paul Pogba makes his Manchester United team-mates worse, according to Sky Sports pundit Liam Rosenior.
The French midfielder has come under fierce criticism after United’s terrible season culminated in a final day humiliation at the hands of Cardiff, with one fan abusing him at the final whistle.
The initial bounce under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal quickly faded with just two victories in the final 11 matches.
And Rosenior believes Pogba is largely responsible and not a player United can build around.
“Pogba is not the right player that United need right now. Is he a world-class footballer? Yes,” Rosenior told The Debate.
“Is he the type of player that you can use your values, your structure on, make him leader of the team? He’s not.”
Manchester City have seen an opening offer for Tanguy Ndombele rejected by Lyon.
That's according to Le10 Sport.
The midfielder has shone in Ligue 1 and is one of a number of targets for City this summer.
The champions are looking for a long-term replacement for Fernandinho at the base of their midfield and the 22-year-old, who is also wanted by PSG, Juve and Inter, fits the bill.
He'll cost more than £43m though, it appears.
Patrice Evra expects friend and former teammate Paul Pogba to leave Manchester United.
Pogba was heckled by some fans after the embarrassing 2-0 home defeat to relegated Cardiff on Sunday, which is thought to have left the midfielder in an understandably bad mood as he made his way down the tunnel.
United have been steadfast in their stance that the midfielder is not for sale, but fans' favourite Evra cannot help but feel that his former Juventus and France colleague will leave.
"It's not like I am protecting Paul, but when there are incidents like yesterday (Sunday) with the fan, they are killing Paul," the former left-back told Sky Sports.
"He has the most goals, most assists. I know you can question his leadership and in the last few games you want more, so that's why you can criticise him right now, but overall he has been the best player this season.
"Just because it's Paul Pogba, he has haircuts, he dances, his Instagram and everything, people will criticise him while forgetting the player that he is.
"Only him and (David) De Gea can play in a big team in Europe."
Mesut Ozil has played down talk of him leaving Arsenal.
Despite being the Gunners' highest earner the German has failed to make himself a key part of Unai Emery's first-team plans.
As such he's been linked with a move away this summer, but he has moved to clarify the situation.
“I don’t think there’s a chance of that, to be honest,” he told DAZN.
“I’ve got two more years here and what happens afterwards is not in my hands. We’ll see then, but I’m proud to be at this club and really happy.”
Manchester City are "fully co-operating in good faith" with Uefa's ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations by the club.
The Premier League champions have, however, expressed concern about reports that investigators will push for a Champions League ban before any official statement has been made by the European governing body.
Uefa opened an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the club earlier this year.
A statement from City read: "Manchester City FC is fully co-operating in good faith with the CFCB IC's (club financial control body investigatory chamber) ongoing investigation.
"In doing so the club is reliant on both the CFCB IC's independence and commitment to due process; and on Uefa's commitment of March 7 that it '...will make no further comment on the matter while the investigation is ongoing'.
"The New York Times report citing 'people familiar with the case' is therefore extremely concerning.
"The implications are that either Manchester City's good faith in the CFCB IC is misplaced or the CFCB IC process is being misrepresented by individuals intent on damaging the club's reputation and its commercial interests. Or both."
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