Premier League transfer news: Coutinho has been offered to Manchester United, Arsenal target wanted to move to the Premier League and more – March 23, 2019

Hello and welcome to the Premier League transfer news and rumours of the day! Here are the top stories of the day surrounding the Premiership!

Duncan Castles on Eden Hazard

Journalist Duncan Castles believes that the deal to bring Eden Hazard to the Santiago Bernabeu is going to take some time to be completed. He thinks that the way Florentino Perez’s recruitments methods from the past is a testament to his claim.

He stated that the Galacticos first make the player know that he is wanted by them and then contact the club where the player belongs and make small offers initially. He also added that Perez waits for the player to exert pressure on the club, which brings the price down the level Madrid want.

“One of the things with Hazard though is I would suspect that this will be a deal that goes a long way through the transfer window,” he told The Transfer Window podcast.

“I think if you look at the way that [Florentino Perez] has tended to recruit players in the past, they make these approaches, they make it clear to the player that he’s wanted. They get the player onboard.

“Then they go to the club that owns the player’s contract and they put lowball offers in and wait for the pressure to be exerted on the club and them to assess their options, and that club try and get the biggest transfer fee possible and, generally, it goes down close to the wire in the transfer window as that negation process goes through with Madrid confident that they will get the best price because they know the player wants to come to them.”

As a result, Chelsea have to make a difficult choice.

“And in a situation like this, Madrid knowing that Chelsea have got a difficult choice because they will lose him for nothing in a year’s time.”

Varane speaks out

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has spoken out amid reports linking him out of the Bernabeu and to the Old Trafford. The Frenchman has claimed that he is not unhappy with the Galacticos as he is at the biggest club in the world.

He then added that he is always challenging himself due to the level of brilliance required to play at the Bernabeu.

‘To say that I am not happy at Real Madrid is not true,’ said Varane. ‘I’m at Real Madrid. The biggest club in the world.

‘I’m constantly in a state of challenging myself because the requirement here is that of the highest level.’

Varane also stated that he has worked with dedication with the Merengues and is proud of that.

‘I’m focused on my career. We had a tough time in the middle of the season where we had to fight. I’ve given my all in this shirt and I can be proud of that.

Benfica give Felix update

Juventus FC v Benfica FC - International Champions Cup 2018

Joao Felix has caught the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs with his performances. The likes of Juventus, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been linked with him.

However, Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira has claimed that the youngster is not for sale and that his release clause, which is a whopping €120 million, should be increased.

Furthermore, he was happy that top clubs are looking at him and dubbed Felix as the best Portuguese talent since Ronaldo.

"I am happy that all of Europe is talking about Benfica's talents," Vieira told Tuttosport.

"Now it is clear that our project of betting on young players is bearing the desired results.

"Joao Felix the next Ronaldo? There is only one sure thing: Felix is one of the best talents produced by Portuguese football since Ronaldo.”

"At this moment we are not interested in selling him and soon we will increase the release clause in his contract.”

Manchester madness ft. Arsenal

FC Barcelona v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Manchester United are doing well since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the reins at the Old Trafford. As a result, many are expecting him to be signed permanently by the Red Devils and be given financial backing in the summer.

One of the players that they have been linked for a while now is Philippe Coutinho and according to reports, his agents have offered him to Manchester United but the Old Trafford outfit have rejected to act upon it.

Meanwhile, Ivan Perisic was previously linked with a move to Manchester United and then Arsenal in the winter. And now, former Croat star Dario Simic has revealed that his compatriot wanted to move to England.

“I know that Ivan [Perisic] wanted to go to England but now he is in a great team and must demonstrate doing well,” he said.