TRANSFER GOSSIPS: Transfer gossips from European newspapers July 11, 2022
Dembele set for Barcelona pay cut and other transfer updates making the rounds
- Ousmane Dembele set to sign new deal with Barcelona. After becoming a free agent at the end of June, Dembele has decided to return to Barcelona. (Fabrizio Romano.)
- It is reported that full agreement has been reached with the Blaugrana over a new deal that will see the 25-year-old France international accept a reduced salary to continue his career at Camp Nou. (ESPN)
- While Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with him, it looks as though Dembele's priority was always to continue with Barcelona, despite his agents testing the waters across Europe; and it is now understood that only final approval is required over his new contract that will secure him at the club until June 2024.(ESPN)
- Dembele has been a priority for Xavi Hernandez this summer, having impressed the LaLiga side's manager when he welcomed him back into first-team activities. He made 21 appearances in Spain's top flight last season and assisted 13 goals.(ESPN)
- Barcelona are set to win the race to sign Raphinha. Leeds United have been looking for a fee of around £63 million to part ways with him, and despite Chelsea having a proposal accepted, the LaLiga side have now met Leeds' valuation. The 25-year-old winger was determined to wait for the Blaugrana, having chosen them as his priority destination. (Daily Mail)
- Kyle Walker-Peters is attracting interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United. While neither club are yet to advance negotiations for him, it is reported that the 25-year-old right-back is on both of their radars. He made 32 Premier League appearances last season, contributing to three goals for Southampton. (Athletic)
- Bayern Munich will meet with Juventus this week as they look to table a bid for Matthijs De Ligt. The 22-year-old centre-back has been on the radar of Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks but, having heard of interest from the Bundesliga champions, he is reported to be waiting for an agreement to be reached between Julian Nagelsmann's side and the Bianconeri. It is understood that he has a release clause of €125 million. (Gianluca Di Marzio)
- Barcelona are set to end their interest in Bernardo Silva if they cannot move on Frenkie de Jong this summer. Division among the Blaugrana camp has seen conflicting reports surrounding the 25-year-old Netherlands international midfielder's future, but the latest indicates that Xavi will only get one of his prime targets this summer by using the funds raised by parting ways with De Jong. Manchester City are reported to be looking for around €100 million for Silva, with the 27-year-old attacking midfielder still deemed to be an important part of Pep Guardiola's squad. (Mundo Deportivo)
- Despite speculation linking Harry Kane with Bayern Munich, he is not on their shortlist this summer. Reports suggested that the Bundesliga side were eyeing the 28-year-old Tottenham Hotspur striker as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the Allianz Arena. Having been linked with an exit from north London last season, Kane is understood to now be happy at the club following Antonio Conte's appointment. (Bild)
- In another report, Bayern Munich are considering Tottenham and England forward Harry Kane, 28, as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, with the 33-year-old Poland striker wanting to leave the Bundesliga champions this summer. (Kicker - in German)
- Chelsea and Paris St-Germain will enter the race to sign Lewandowski should his desired move to Barcelona fail to materialise. (Mail)
- Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to bring Manchester United and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, to Stamford Bridge this summer. (Mail)
- West Ham have turned their attention to Roma and Netherlands winger Justin Kluivert, 23, after missing out on Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma, 25. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)
- Chelsea are preparing to match Napoli's £34m asking price for Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, 31. (Corriere dello Sport, via Sun)
- However, Juventus are planning to fund the signing of Koulibaly with the £90m fee they hope to receive for Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, with Bayern Munich and Chelsea favourites to sign the 22-year-old. (Tuttosport - in Italian)
- Everton are set to offer England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 28, a new long-term contract. (Liverpool Echo)
- Arsenal are in talks with Benfica after submitting a £6.4m offer for their Spanish left-back Alex Grimaldo, 26. (Express)
- Manchester City will sign a new centre-back this summer if Netherlands defender Nathan Ake, 27, joins Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano)
- Arsenal and Newcastle are interested in Lyon and Brazil attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta but both Premier League sides feel the French club's valuation of 65m euros for the 24-year-old is too high. (CBS Sports)
- Chelsea want £7m from Barcelona for Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, who has already agreed personal terms with the Catalan club. (Evening Standard)
- Newcastle United have been offered Watford and Nigeria forward Emmanuel Dennis, 24, along with Burnley's 25-year-old Ivory Coast winger Maxwell Cornet. (Chronicle Live)
- Arsenal face competition from Manchester United to sign Chelsea and France midfielder N'Golo Kante, 31. (Express)
- Barcelona and Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets, 33, has been approached by MLS clubs over a move next summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
- Norwich City have agreed to a club-record deal worth £11.5m for Sao Paulo's Brazilian attacking midfielder Gabriel Sara, 23. (Mirror)