.png)
8 hours ago
4
As sports fans everywhere eagerly await the resumption of cricket’s County Championship season, what better way to while away a few minutes than to contemplate the latest football transfer rumours?
Manchester United and Michael Carrick want to sign the 23-year-old Portugal winger Francisco Conceição from Juventus. The tricky former Porto player, who recently returned from the World Cup, is valued at around £43m (€50m). United are also said to be ahead of Chelsea in the race to snap up Alex Scott from Bournemouth.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have increased their offer to RB Leipzig for Yan Diomande – who Leipzig had hoped to replace with Conceição – to around £98m. Reports in Germany say further talks are in order to get the deal for the 19-year-old Côte d’Ivoire international over the line.
Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign the France international Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, having reportedly held preliminary talks with the 23-year-old over a lucrative transfer.
Bruno Guimarães continues to be the subject of strong interest from the Premier League champions Arsenal. Newcastle, naturally, have insisted the Brazilian is not for sale, but personal terms have reportedly been agreed between the Gunners and Guimarães’s people, so a bid is surely imminent. Arsenal are also being linked with Vinícius Júnior, with Mikel Arteta apparently determined to sign the Madrid and Brazil forward. Speculation reached fever pitch on Tuesday when it was reported Vinícius Júnior will not train this week, further increasing uncertainty over his future. José Mourinho is keen to keep the winger.
Paris Saint-Germain have distanced themselves from a move for all-conquering Manchester City midfielder Rodri, but the Premier League club anticipate an offer from Real Madrid.
Seemingly having fought off Chelsea’s pursuit of Granit Xhaka, Sunderland are ready to boost their defensive options by signing the full-back Dayann Methalie from Toulouse.
Over in Spain, it has been reported that Sevilla are ready to sell Ruben Vargas for around £17m – Aston Villa, Newcastle and Brighton are among potential suitors in His Majesty’s Premier League.
Leeds are poised to confirm a £40m deal for James Trafford, who re-signed for Manchester City after a couple of seasons at Burnley, while Manchester United are keen to send Joshua Zirkzee on a season-long loan to Juventus, with an option for the Bianconeri to buy the 25-year-old.
after newsletter promotion
Chelsea have held talks with the Brighton forward Danny Welbeck (35) and are also keen to sign Jordan Henderson (36). Welbeck knocked in 13 Premier League goals for the Seagulls last season and was fancied as a possible option for England at the World Cup, while Henderson made the cut, only to suffer a freak wrist injury. Chelsea are presumably drawing up eight-year contracts for both veterans.
In Germany, Borussia Dortmund have agreed to sign the midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas from Racing Genk in Belgium, for a fee that could rise to £32m.
And John Stones, a free agent after leaving Manchester City, has moved closer to completing his move to Inter as reported in these pages: a deal has been verbally agreed.
