The transfer window is buzzing with rumours and gossips all around, with big money moves being linked with Manchester United as Jose Mourinho seemingly prepares to take over with a supposed kit of £200 million at his disposal. Chelsea and Manchester City meanwhile are both set to have major shuffles with new managers Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte arriving.
Monday saw Louis van Gaal sacked by Manchester United, and reports emerged suggesting Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to become the first signing under Jose Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford.
Here are the transfer news and rumours on May 24.
Serie A
- Graziano Pelle's future looks uncertain as Lazio, Juventus and Milan all look to lure him away from Southampton.
- AC Milan have officially extended the contracts of Luca Antonelli, Davide Calabria and Riccardo Montolivo until June 2019. Milan’s captain’s Riccardo Montolivo continued stay was previously in doubt. The club released an official statement regarding the extensions “AC Milan communicate the extension until June 30, 2019, of the economic contracts of Luca Antonelli, Davide Calabria and Riccardo Montolivo”
- As reported by Football Italia, former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has signed a deal to take over the managerial reigns at Lazio. Prandelli will sign a two-year deal with the Aquile said to be worth €1.5m per season
- Juventus have reportedly rejected an offer of around €90 million from Barcelona for their highly rated striker Paulo Dybala, as reported by Goal.com. The 22-year-old Argentine striker has had a splendid debut season for the club, scoring 23 goals in all competitions and has been coined as one of the best young players in football.
English Premier League
- Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius has completed a £4.7m move to the club. Liverpool were in dire need of a good goalkeeper, as Simon Mignolet has put in some erratic performances and has not looked reliable at all throughout the season between the sticks.
- Manchester City are closing in on an agreement to a deal to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund. Reports suggest the midfielder will sign a four-year deal that would cost City an initial amount of €26m, rising to €29m with add-ons and
- Leicester are ready to hand midfielder Danny Drinkwater a new £80,000 a week contract, according to The Daily Mail. The midfielder has been an integral part of Ranieri’s title winning squad and is also set to feature in the Euro 2016. With Liverpool rumoured to have shown interest, the Foxes are keen to hold on to the 26-year-old England international.
- Everton are plotting a sensational £40m swoop for Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart, and could offer him weekly wages of £200,000 to tempt him to Goodison Park, as reported by The Sun.
- Manchester United may give Michael Carrick a contract extension, with The Daily Mail reporting Mourinho wants to keep the long-serving midfielder at the club for another 12 months.
La Liga
- Valencia have announced the appointment of Pako Ayestaran on a two-year deal. Ayestaran, who was assistant to Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, took over from the sacked Gary Neville in March until the end of the season.
- Barcelona is said to allow young striker Sandro Ramirez to leave the club. The youngster has impressed in his 17 appearances for the first team in the last two seasons and is said to be on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs including Tottenham, Everton, Crystal Palace and Swansea for a fee in the thereabouts of €8 million.
- Atletico Madrid’s Koke has dispelled all rumours of possible moves to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City by expressing his desire to stay at the club. Koke was quoted as saying “Atleti is special. It is a family, everyone supports one another. I am not looking for more money, I am happy where I am, I am in my home.”
Rest of Europe
- Mats Hummels has put pen to paper on a five-year-deal finalising his move to Bayern Munich. "It was obviously very tough for me to leave Dortmund, just like it was tough back in 2008, when I went the other way. Now I'm just looking forward to everything that awaits me at Bayern. I'm very excited,” Hummels said while speaking to the club’s official website.
- Liverpool target Mario Gotze has revealed his desire to stay with Bayern Munich. The Reds had been linked with a £20 million for the forward, but Bild have quoted him as saying "I look forward to the new season in Munich and will do everything possible to be in top shape for my first training session under Carlo Ancelotti."
- PSG have opened up talks to sign Gonzalo Higuain for a possible fee of £72 million in their hunt to find a replacement for star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Argentine has had a wonderful season with Napoli and has netted 36 goals in 35 appearances in Seria A. The player’s agent and brother were reportedly in Paris recently to finalize a deal with PSG, as reported on 90min.com.
-Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan has failed to come to an agreement over his contract extension with the club, alerting a number of clubs across Europe, with Arsenal and Chelsea heavily linked to sign the 27-year-old midfielder. Talks broke over the prospect of a release clause in his contract, which is to be activated if current boss Thomas Tuchel leaves the club or is fired.
