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Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. We are only weeks away from the summer transfer window and the rumour mill has hardly seen busier days.
With several top clubs across Europe looking at the upcoming transfer window with great interest, we expect several transfer records to be broken over the course of the next few months.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 13 May 2019.
Eden Hazard says he has made a decision and Sarri asks everyone to respect it
Eden Hazard has gone ahead and dropped the biggest hint yet that he won't be a Chelsea player beyond the summer. With a move to Real Madrid being on the horizon for a very long time, we could very well see the Belgian donning the white kit next season.
Hazard said,
"I have made my decision, that’s it.
"I’m still waiting [for the situation to develop]. Yes [I told the club] a couple of weeks ago.
"I have made my decision but it is not just about me. We have a final to play and then I will see. I wanted that [to have the situation sorted out] but that’s not happened. I’m still waiting like you are waiting and like the fans are waiting."
If that was enough cause for Chelsea fans to be upset, Maurizio Sarri further intensified speculations as he asked everyone to respect whatever decision Hazard has taken on his future. The Chelsea manager said,
"I hope he will stay,"
"I think Eden has played here in Chelsea for seven seasons, trying in every match to do his best and now it's time to respect his decision."
Eden Hazard started openly flirting with Real Madrid in the wake of his eye-catching performances for Belgium at the World Cup. He has had a stellar season and Real Madrid are convinced more now than ever before that the 28-year-old ought to be their next 'galactico' signing.
Manchester United to battle it out with Manchester City for Declan Rice
Manchester United are in desperate need of a squad overhaul in the summer. Well, you can't say the same for Manchester City. However, with Ilkay Gundogan's future still hanging in the balance, the Cityzens are looking to find a cheap, young option in midfield who can blossom into a top player in the future.
Consequently, Manchester City now find themselves rivalling Manchester United to land West Ham United youngster Declan Rice. West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini had earlier admitted that he doesn't know whether the 20-year-old will stay at the club beyond this season.
Pellegrini said,
"All of the big teams will want him. That is one thing, and this other [thing], if he will stay or if he will go, I cannot say in this moment."
Declan Rice has been quite impressive at defensive midfield for the Hammers. He joined the West Ham academy as a kid, rose through the ranks and has now gone on to represent the Three Lions on the international stage.
Matthijs De Ligt remains coy about his future amid Manchester United and Barcelona links
Matthijs De Ligt is one of the brightest young prospects in a star-studded Ajax team and has been turning heads in Europe with consistent showings of maturity and sure-headedness. He has for long been tipped for a move to Barcelona in the summer. However, the Dutchman has said that he has not reached an agreement with any club despite several reports claiming that he has.
De Ligt, however, admitted that talks have been held about his future. He said,
"I don't know yet. There have been conversations, but there is still no agreement,"
With Ajax's Sporting Director Edwin Van der Sar conceding that the 19-year-old is likely to depart in the summer, Manchester United are said to be keen on signing the centre-back to solve their defensive problems. However, a move to Barcelona looks like the most likely outcome.
Edwin Van der Sar had earlier admitted,
"I think these will be de Ligt's final games with Ajax, but I hope he goes out on a high,"
He also said that there's a chance that De Ligt might end up in England.
"He's been here since he was a child and will end up at a big club. I think he'll go to England or Spain."
Zinedine Zidane wants Marcelo and Thibaut Courtois sold in the summer
The Real Madrid manager has decided to take no prisoners as the club braces itself for a busy summer. With the Blancos having to seriously up their game and their standards to mount a challenge domestically and go shoulder to shoulder with Barcelona, they will need to cut a lot of deadwood and make some inspired signings over the course of the next few months.
As such, Zinedine Zidane has decided to drop the guillotine on Marcelo's and Thibaut Courtois' careers at Real Madrid. Marcelo has not been anywhere near his best this season, often condemned to warm the bench and playing deputy to a young Sergio Reguilon. Marcelo continues to be erratic with critics and fans consistently questioning his defensive acumen.
Thibaut Courtois has failed to impress after joining from Chelsea in the summer and it looks like the big Belgian's dream move is all set to fall apart. Zidane wants to keep Keylor Navas in the team while he looks for a worthy successor to the Costa Rican international in the transfer market.
Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to sign Antoine Griezmann in addition to Kimmich and De Ligt
Lionel Messi is a force to reckon with. Barcelona haven't felt the impact of some of the best players to have graced Camp Nou leaving the camp thanks to the exploits of the diminutive Argentine who has made a habit out of leaving us with our jaws on the floor. However, what happened at Anfield in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final was anything but.
Humbled by a group led by the hungry Jurgen Klopp, Barcelona found themselves in one of the most embarrassing moments in their recent Champions League history after having conceded a defeat from a greatly advantageous position. As such, the club is reconsidering their transfer market strategy.
And now, Lionel Messi has made it clear to the top brass that he wants at least 3 players signed up in the summer if Barca are to be strong enough to challenge on all fronts next season. He wants Atletico Madrid Antoine Griezmann to be one of the Cules' priority signings.
Messi has also asked for the signings of Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich as an alternative to Nelson Semedo- with the view that Roberto is more suited to play midfield- and Matthijs De Ligt from Ajax.
