Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s reported move to Manchester United remains the talk of the town with fresh reports suggesting that the 34-year-old has already agreed terms to play at Old Trafford next season. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, who was instrumental in guiding the Foxes to their maiden Premier League title, is also said to be close to a switch to North London side Arsenal. We take a look at the transfer news and rumours of the day from around the world.
Serie A
- Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner is considering his future at Turin, with French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germin reportedly keen to sign the 32-year-old. The Swiss international, who moved to the Old Lady from Lazio in 2011 has managed to win 10 trophies during his five-year stint, which includes five Serie A titles. With former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves close to signing for the reigning Italian champions, the future of Lichtsteiner remains in doubt.
- Napoli defender Raul Albiol has expressed his desire to return to Spain and re-unite with his former side Valencia, according to the club’s sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch. The 30-year-old had moved to the Italian outfit from Real Madrid in 2013, having come through the youth ranks of Los Che. Pitarch said: "The situation is in Napoli's hands. The player wants to come, but he has a [one-year] contract left over there."
- Former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has confirmed that he will be signing for Italian champions Juventus in the coming days. The 33-year-old signed for Barcelona in 2008 and spent 8 successful seasons with the Catalan giants winning six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues among various other trophies.
“I am always happy, but even more so now. The moment to change had arrived. I have won a lot at Barcelona, I enjoyed it, but the moment for new challenges arrived. I want to enjoy at Juventus and try to win in Europe. In the next few days I will go to Turin to sign [my contract],” Alves was quoted as saying by Sportitalia.
English Premier League
- Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is reportedly heading for the exit door after a disappointing season with the Red Devils in which he managed to score a solitary goal in 31 appearances. Schweinsteiger, who is the captain of the German national team, arrived at Old Trafford last season for a fee reported to be in the region of £6.5million, bringing an end to his 13-year long association with Bayern Munich, but has struggled to make a positive impact in a season blighted by injuries.
- Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has claimed that English Premier League giants Chelsea are interested in his services. According to the 28-year-old, the Blues have made contact with the Giallorossi for his services and this is not the first time that former Juventus manager Antonio Conte has tried to sign him.
“There has been contact between Roma and Chelsea. But I will not get involved so long as there is no agreement between the clubs,” the 28-year-old said.
- New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is interested in signing defender Eric Bailly from La Liga outfit Villarreal. The Yellow Submarine signed Bailly in January 2015 from Espanyol to replace Gabriel Paulista, who had moved to Arsenal. The Ivory Coast international made 25 appearances for the La Liga outfit last season and has attracted the interest of a host of clubs across Europe including Barcelona and PSG.
La Liga
- According to Spanish daily Marca, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Arsenal-target Alvaro Morata from Juventus. Atletico boss Diego Simeone wanted to sign an established top-flight centre-forward this summer to allow his side to take a leap forward domestically and in Europe next term. Edinson Cavani, Diego Costa and Gonzalo Higuain are also on his shortlist but the club seems extremely keen on Juventus frontman Morata.
- In a shocking statement, Philippe Coutinho was advised to leave Liverpool this summer by Brazil team-mate Dani Alves. Alves, who will leave Barcelona this summer, said that his countryman has the ability to thrive at Camp Nou, along with Neymar and former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez. Coutinho had emerged as a crucial player for Liverpool since his 8.5m move to Anfield from Inter Milan in January 2013.
- Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea said that a move to Real Madrid seems unlikely as it is doubtful that Los Blancos will activate his €50m buyout clause before it expires this month, reports AS. De Gea signed a fresh deal at United shortly after his premeditated move to Madrid fell through last summer. That contract renewal included a clause which would have allowed the Santiago Bernabeu to secure his services for a fee of €50m before June 15. But according to reports, no-one from Real Madrid had contacted the goalkeeper or his agent Jorge Mendes to notify them of their desire to sign him.
Rest of Europe
- According to Bayern Munich technical director Michael Reschke, the club are not going to heed to any offers for Robert Lewandowski this summer. The Poland striker had been linked with a transfer to Real Madrid or the Premier League, having scored 30 goals in the Bundesliga last season but Reschke confirmed that they would all be wasting their time making an approach for the 27-year-old Polish international.
Reschke also ruled out a move for Napoli hitman Gonzalo Higuain. Bayern had been linked with a move for the Argentine striker in the event that Lewandowski moves away from the Allianz Arena, but with Reschke rejecting such a move, it is evident that they would not be looking to rope in another striker.
- Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has emerged as the front-runner to take over Scottish side Hibernian. The 44-year-old has been out of job following his departure from Bolton Wanderers in March. Hibs failed to earn promotion to the Scottish Premiership this season and will be aiming to achieve it under Lennon.
