The coronavirus pandemic has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the rumours floating around Europe’s big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Messi wants Bielsa at Barca
Look away, Leeds United fans: Manager Marcelo Bielsa is attracting interest from Barcelona before a Premier League ball has been kicked at Elland Road, says The Sun.
Bielsa is yet to agree a new contract with the Lilywhites and, according to the report, Lionel Messi wants his Catalan employers to do everything in their power to tempt the 64-year-old to Camp Nou to replace under-fire Quique Setien.
Barca would appear to be in turmoil after having lost out to Real Madrid in the title race, and their finances are such that they’re having to sell up to 11 players.
Setien’s position is under threat after just six months, and his strained relationship with Messi appears to be one of the biggest issues, with the Barca talisman believing Bielsa would sort out Barcelona in the short term.
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09.00 BST: Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is on Manchester United’s list of alternatives if they cannot secure a deal for Jadon Sancho this summer, sources have told ESPN.
United are hopeful they can land Sancho, despite Borussia Dortmund’s insistence it will take a bid of around £120m. United believe that price tag is unrealistic in a transfer window impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and value the 20-year-old at closer to £80m.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to sign a winger to complement his other forwards and Coman, 24, has emerged as an option if a deal for Sancho cannot be agreed.
United would be open to exploring a loan move for the France international, although there is a feeling at Old Trafford that Bayern would only consider a permanent transfer.
PAPER TALK (by Nick judd): Spurs lead chase for £10m Wilson
The sharks are already circling around AFC Bournemouth, and if the South Coast club are relegated, you can expect Tottenham Hotspur to try to land striker Callum Wilson on the cheap.
That’s according to The Sun, who believe Daniel Levy is plotting a £10 million offer for Wilson in the face of the Cherries’ impending drop to the Championship unless results go massively their way on the Premier League’s final matchday on Sunday.
Wilson’s form has taken a dip this season, but Spurs believe he could be the perfect cover for Harry Kane next season, particularly given that Eddie Howe would have to get the striker off his wage bill.
Wilson currently earns £110,000 a week, which is too much for Bournemouth should they find themselves outside of the Premier League at full-time on Sunday.
Wilson could lead a mass exodus out of Bournemouth, with Josh King, David Brooks, Jefferson Lerma and Aaron Ramsdale also expected to attract interest.
Inter asks Sanchez to take a pay cut
Inter Milan are keen to make Alexis Sanchez‘s move from Manchester United a permanent one, but they’re asking the Chile international to take a pay cut, reports Sky Sports in Italy.
Sanchez has been on loan in Milan this season, but his £500k-a-week salary at Manchester United is making a permanent switch difficult to negotiate. Inter were paying £4.5m of Sanchez’s annual salary, and if the striker’s stay is to be extended beyond this season, he will have to agree to reduce the numbers involved.
Sanchez has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford, but Manchester United are desperate to get him off the wage bill. The outlet is also suggesting that United won’t sanction another loan move and will look only to facilitate a permanent transfer.
Sanchez has contributed six assists in the past seven games since the restart and has impressed Antonio Conte. With Lautaro Martinez potentially moving to Barcelona, the Nerazzurri need reinforcements in attack.
Tap-ins
– Serie B champions Benevento are looking to sign former Liverpool and Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge, according to The Sun. Sturridge is a free agent after having left Trabzonspor and the Italians are looking to him after former Chelsea striker Loic Remy failed a medical. Thirty-year-old Sturridge was suspended for four months in March after breaching betting rules but could now end up in Serie A.
– Southampton are closing in on Real Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu, according to Marca. The Ghana international has been one of the standout players in La Liga this season, making 31 appearances for Valladolid and scoring one goal. The 21-year-old joined the club in 2017 but is now set to swap Spain for England‘s South Coast.
– Le10Sport says Stade Rennais, AS Monaco, Olympique Lyonnais, AC Milan and Leicester City are all chasing Saint-Etienne‘s Wesley Fofana. The young centre-back has impressed all season and starred once again in his side’s narrow defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final on Friday. Milan are said to be leading the race to sign the 19-year-old.
