NEWCASTLE UNITED have been told to pay £50m if they want to sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City.
Eddie Howe wanted the centre-back in January and has identified him as a transfer target once again this summer.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are set to lose their goal machine Robert Lewandowski this summer which has left clubs on red alert.
However, the Poland international has revealed that his preferred destination is the Nou Camp despite the deal being complex.
And Ajax are closing in on a sensational swoop for Tottenham's Steven Bergwijn – which is where the Dutchman's career first started.
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Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news across the globe…
- Alex Cole
De Ligt up the world
Manchester United and Chelsea have been dealt a potential blow with Matthijs de Ligt reportedly close to signing a new contract with Juventus.
The centre-back, 22, has a deal until 2024 with the Turin club.
De Ligt said: "There are talks ongoing between me and Juventus.
"Once the right moment arrives, I will decide to extend or to look further."
- Alex Cole
Forest ready for Pope bid
Nottingham Forest are ready to try their luck with a low bid for Burnley’s England keeper Nick Pope, writes ALAN NIXON.
The Premier League new- boys want the impressive shot-stopper, who is keen to stay in the top flight after the Clarets dropped down.
Pope, 30, is valued at £40million and also fancied by promoted Fulham but neither of the outfits plan to go to that figure for their target.
Sources close to Pope think they can force through a deal at closer to £10m but that is being laughed off at Turf Moor.
But a compromise figure could be reached in the coming weeks.
- Alex Cole
Liverpool ‘want Raphinha from Leeds for £60m’
Liverpool are prepared to pay Leeds United £60million PLUS Takumi Minamino in order to land Brazilian Raphinha, according to reports.
Jurgen Klopp is a massive fan of the pacey winger, and wants to bring him to Anfield to compensate for the expected loss of Sadio Mane.
Raphinha scored 11 goals and provided three assists as Leeds barely avoided relegation from the Premier League – only securing their safety thanks to a 2-1 victory over Brentford on the final day.
The 25-year-old is also wanted by Barcelona, but their tricky financial situation means they must sell before they can buy, whereas Liverpool have far more freedom in their budget.
However, according to the Mirror, The Reds believe including Minamino as a part of a cash-plus-player transfer offer could be a deal-breaker for Leeds.
The Whites are looking to rebuild their beleaguered squad this summer, and while losing Raphinha would no doubt be a massive loss, a major player-plus-cash deal such as this would ease much of their woes.
- Alex Cole
Woodman wanted by Preston
Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is wanted on loan by Ryan Lowe’s Preston.
Woodman, 25, is back from a spell at Bournemouth, where he had to sit on the bench.
After starting all of the Magpies' first four games of the Premier League season, a hip injury put the keeper out of action.
And after heading to the South coast, Woodman was disappointed not to get a minute of Championship action.
Now North End are keen to take him — although that would mean them having to guarantee him game time to get approval from the Toon.
Boss Lowe’s assistant Mike Marsh worked with Woodman at Swansea which could be a contributing factor.
Preston are also in talks with Dundee United’s keeper Benjamin Siegrist.
- Alex Cole
Matondo open to Prem move
Rabbi Matondo has opened the door to a return to English football this summer.
Premier League newboys Fulham and Bournemouth as well as Scottish giants Rangers have all been linked with the 21-year-old Welsh forward.
Schalke’s Matondo spent last season on loan at Belgian club Cercle Brugge but an agreement on a permanent deal could not be reached.
But Matondo, in the Wales squad for today’s World Cup play-off final, said: “There’s always an appeal to be playing football in England.
“I grew up in the United Kingdom and, one day, if the opportunity is right, this summer or whenever, I’m open to it.
“As things stand, I’m a Schalke player. I’m here with Wales and whatever is getting done by my agent and family, we’ll see what happens.”
Ex-Manchester City trainee Matondo scored nine goals in 26 games in Belgium last term.
- Alex Cole
Barca make vow with Salah
Barcelona have promised Liverpool superstar Mo Salah they will sign him next summer on a free transfer when his contract runs out, according to reports.
Salah, 29, has one year left on his current Anfield deal, and talks have stalled over a new contract.
And the Spanish giants have reportedly promised him a huge deal in 12 months’ time if he runs down his contract and walks away for nothing.
The Egyptian King wants a 15 per cent increase to his current deal – currently worth around £200,000-a-week.
Barcelona boss Xavi is rebuilding the side for an assault on the LaLiga title next season, with Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski his top summer target.
But he is also planning ahead, and wants Salah to join in a year’s time, according the The Mirror.
The report also states that Barcelona’s interest is a major factor in Salah’s reluctance to extend his five-year stay at Liverpool, who last weekend lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
- Alex Cole
Exclusive – West Brom want Choudhury on loan
Leicester will let midfielder Hamza Choudhury leave on loan.
Choudhury, 24, needs game time and West Brom boss Steve Bruce is keen to take him on loan after trying to take the Foxes player to Newcastle.
There could be a sale if an offer comes in but Baggies may be able to do a loan deal with a fixed fee should they win promotion to the top flight.
The midfielder only played in six Premier League games last season and had a handful of substitute appearances in Europe.
- Alex Cole
Foxes keen on £20m Diop
Leicester are pondering a move for Monaco left winger Sofiane Diop, who is available for around £20million.
Frenchman Diop, 21, who qualifies for Senegal, has emerged as one of the best prospects in Ligue 1 this season.
- Alex Cole
Exclusive – Newcastle will have to pay £50m to seal Ake transfer
Newcastle have been told to splash out £50million if they want to sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City, writes Phil Thomas.
Eddie Howe wanted the centre-back in January and has identified him as a transfer target once again this summer.
The Toon boss has made a second inquiry about Ake after City gave him short shrift when he first asked in January.
The Dutch defender obviously knows Howe well, having spent four years under him at Bournemouth, before moving to the Etihad for £40m in 2020.
Although Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones are ahead of him in the pecking order, City would still want an increase on the money they paid two years ago.
But at least his £80,000-a-week salary will not be an issue for Newcastle, even if keeping up his regular flow of winners’ medals – two titles and a League Cup so far – may be.
And although Pep Guardiola doesn’t want to lose the centre back, City won’t stand in his way if he does decide he wants to move, given it will mean regular first-team football.
- Kealan Hughes
Overnight transfer talk
Gabriel Jesus and Ousmane Dembele could be heading to London – but for the time being Declan Rice looks unlikely to leave the capital.
Arsenal are prepared to pay Brazil striker Jesus £190,000 a week plus bonuses – way above his Manchester City wage of £110k.
Chelsea have emerged as favourites to sign ex-Gunners and Manchester United target Dembele from Barcelona.
The France winger, 25, is also wanted by PSG.
But it's claimed Barca have offered Arsenal and Tottenham the chance to borrow centre-back Clement Lenglet.
But West Ham reportedly rate England midfielder Rice at £150million as they fight to ward off Chelsea and the Red Devils.
RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku says PSG are his 'heart club' – another blow for the Blues and United.
Nottingham Forest are dreaming of capturing Old Trafford midfielder James Garner for a THIRD spell – and this time not necessarily on loan.
And Chelsea striker Christian Pulisic is being talked out in some quarters as a replacement for Sadio Mane if Liverpool fail to keep the Senegal hitman.
- Ian Tuckey
Forest in cheeky Pope bid
Nottingham Forest are ready to try their luck with a low bid for Burnley’s England keeper Nick Pope, writes ALAN NIXON.
The Premier League new- boys want the impressive shot-stopper, who is keen to stay in the top flight after the Clarets dropped down.
Pope, 30, is valued at £40million and also fancied by promoted Fulham but neither of the outfits plan to go to that figure for their target.
Sources close to Pope think they can force through a deal at closer to £10m but that is being laughed off at Turf Moor.
But a compromise figure could be reached in the coming weeks.
Burnley will sell at the right price and boss Vincent Kompany would ask old club Manchester City for Arijanet Muric, 23.
The Kosovo international, who had a loan spell at Forest in 2019-20, was in Turkey on loan last season and Kompany rates him highly.
- Ian Tuckey
Forest launch ANOTHER Garner bid
Nottingham Forest want Manchester United midfielder James Garner for a THIRD time, writes ALAN NIXON.
Promoted Forest Reds would be happy with another loan – or a permanent deal – after Garner's key role this term.
For now, the 21-year-old is going back to United and will definitely be in Erik ten Hag’s squad when pre-season training and games begin.
But Forest are optimistic that they lead the queue for Garner but that will mean waiting for an answer and possibly starting the season without him.
Boss Steve Cooper will need to shelve moves for alternatives until that point but Forest may be willing to take that gamble.
- Ian Tuckey
Tammy pushing Kane… – but will pull for him too
Tammy Abraham is ready to push skipper Harry Kane for his England place – amid links to Arsenal and Liverpool.
But Roma's ex-Chelsea striker will also be happy to be understudy to the man who is eyeing England’s all-time scoring record.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate challenged Abraham, 24, to prove he is the right striker to put the pressure on 49-goal Kane to keep on delivering as he chases Wayne Rooney’s record mark of 53 — or even replace him.
Abraham said: “I think for every player that’s the mentality you’re supposed to have — to be positive.
“Of course, we are all buzzing for Harry, we want him to smash the record and we’re always here to support him.
“Whenever I’m given a chance if I’m on a pitch with him, I’ll try and help him to get to his targets.
“But for me, it’s all about whenever you get the opportunity, to just try and grab it with two hands and just show what you are made of.”
- Ian Tuckey
City want £50m for Toon target Ake
Manchester City want £50million for Newcastle target Nathan Ake.
The 26-cap Holland centre-back, 27, played under Toon boss Eddie Howe at Bournemouth.
- Ian Tuckey
Tevez quits playing after dad’s death
Carlos Tevez has retired from playing because he could not cope with the loss of his No 1 fan — his dad.
The ex-United, Manchester City and West Ham striker, 38, quit boyhood club Boca Juniors last June after the death of his adopted father Segundo Raimundo, who contracted Covid.
The Argentine has not played since and revealed he turned down offers from the MLS.
Tevez said: “I stopped playing because I lost my No 1 fan. I’ve been offered many things — but that’s it, I have given everything.”
- Ian Tuckey
Foxes keen on £20m Diop
Leicester are pondering amove for Monaco left winger Sofiane Diop, who is available for around £20million.
Frenchman Diop, 21, who qualifies for Senegal, has emerged as one of the best prospects in Ligue 1 this season.
- Ian Tuckey
Wolves fight to tie Morgan down
Wolves want Morgan Gibbs-White to sign a new contract — as rivals Southampton and Nottingham Forest battle for his signature.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is back from a loan at Sheffield United and both Saints and Forest want him and are poised with offers.
But Wolves coach Bruno Lage wants Gibbs-White (left) to stay and will attempt to agree terms this month. If he says no then they will reluctantly sell.
The asking price is likely to be higher then the current £25million valuations being discussed.
- Ian Tuckey
Baggies eye Hamza
Leicester will let midfielder Hamza Choudhury leave on loan — with Steve Bruce keen to take him to West Brom.
Choudhury, 24, needs game time and Bruce is a long-term fan after trying to take the Foxes player to Newcastle.
There could be a sale if an offer comes in but Baggies may be able to do a loan deal with a fixed fee should they win promotion to the top flight.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners face tough competition for Yves
Monaco are tipped to launch a big offer for Arsenal and Aston Villa target Yves Bissouma.
Brighton reportedly want £50million for the ex-Lille midfielder.
Prem clubs have queued up for the 25-year-old but it’s claimed tonight Monaco have leapt into pole position.
- Ian Tuckey
Barca 'offer Lenglet loan'
Barcelona have reportedly offered Arsenal and Tottenham the chance to borrow centre-back Clement Lenglet.
The 26-year-old was a peripheral figure at the Nou Camp during the 2021-22 season where he featured in just 21 LaLiga games.
The likes of Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo were all preferred ahead of the Frenchman.
And with the Blaugrana set to snap up Chelsea's Andreas Christensen on a free transfer, Lenglet could fall further down the pecking order under boss Xavi.
As a result, the ex-Sevilla ace, who is tied down at the Catalan club until 2026, could be allowed to depart.
According to The Times, Lenglet could be on his way to England in the upcoming transfer window. They claim that the Gunners and Spurs have been told they can loan him. Gunners and Spurs have been told they can loan him.
- Ian Tuckey
Nkunku blow for Prem giants
Christopher Nkunku has disappointed Prem giants by suggesting PSG is his 'heart club'.
RB Leipzig's France midfielder has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea.
And the 24-year-old insists he won't 'close any doors' on his options.
But he said: “Paris [Paris Saint-Germain], I’ve always said it, it’s my home, my heart club.
"I don’t close any doors. Everything is possible in football.
“It’s flattering to have the biggest clubs in the world interested in me.
“But it’s also flattering that Leipzig is doing everything to keep me.
“We are in June, and I am focused on this gathering.”
- Ian Tuckey
Bale insists he is 'unlikely' to retire
Gareth Bale insists he will not retire this summer following his departure from Real Madrid.
The Welsh superstar, 32, left Los Blancos this week after a trophy-laden nine-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In 258 appearances he scored 106 goals and helped the club to FIVE Champions League titles.
But the ex-Spurs attackerhas hardly featured this season, so there were no intentions from the player or the club to negotiate a new deal.
And despite Bale's renowned status, nobody has approached him with a formal offer yet.
But when asked about the prospect of not joining a new club, he replied: "I think that's very unlikely."
He's been heavily linked with Championship side Cardiff.
And, having earned £600k a week in Spain, Bale's next step will not be motivated by money, which increases the possibility of a return to his homeland.
MLS side DC United are so interested in signing him they are willing to make him their highest-paid player ever.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners could double Jesus wages
Arsenal will offer Gabriel Jesus nearly £200,000 a week to tempt him into joining, writes PHIL THOMAS.
The Brazilian striker is on international duty but Manchester City want a £50million fee and plan to talk to his representatives over the next few days.
Arsenal have already spoken with his agent Marcelo Pettinati.
And even though the Gunners missed out on Champions League football, Jesus, 25, is still interested in a potential move to the Emirates.
He is also on the radar of clubs in Spain and Italy but Arsenal are offering better terms, worth a basic £190,000 a week — plus bonuses.
That would be a major increase on his £110k-a-week City salary. - Ian Tuckey
Blues linked to shock Kalvin move
Chelsea's hunt for a midfielder could switch to Manchester United 'target' Kalvin Phillips.
Leeds believe they are in a strong position to keep the 20-cap England ace, 26.
But after suggestions Newcastle would be prepared to offer £60million-plus, there are also reports tonight that Chelsea could also be pondering a bid.
The Red Devils were heavily linked with Phillips before the end of the season.
But any hopes of prising him from their fierce rivals dipped dramatically when Leeds stayed in the Premier League.
- Ian Tuckey
Real tipped to beat Prem giants to Aurelien
Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool face disappointment as Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to join Real Madrid.
The France star, 22, is reportedly close to a huge-money move to the newly-crowned European champions.
It was claimed last month that Tchouameni had 'agreed terms' with both Real and Liverpool.
But all the talk this weekend is of Los Blancos pipping Prem giants on the transfer front just as they did on the pitch this season.
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