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Hello and welcome to the Premier League transfer news and rumors of the day! Here are the top stories of the day surrounding the Premiership!
#4 All about Gareth Bale
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has made it absolutely clear that he doesn’t want Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu. Speaking to the press after the Galacticos’ 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, the Frenchman claimed that he hopes for the Welshman to leave soon.
He also added that the former Spurs man’s departure would be good for all the parties involved and that everyone is working to transfer him to a new team. Zidane also claimed that he has no personal quarrel with the former Southampton star and is only carrying this action because it has to be done.
"We hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone. We are working on his transfer to a new team.
"I have nothing personal against him, but there comes a time where things are done because they must be done."
Meanwhile, Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett is furious with the Frenchman over his words. According to him, the former World Cup winner is ungrateful towards the contribution of the Wales star.
He also added that he has a clear mindset about what he is going to do now and confirmed that the forward will not be pushed out of the club. Instead, Bale will only leave because of his own desire and it will be to a big club.
"Zidane is being very ungrateful to Bale", Barnett said. “I don't know if Madrid are really working finding another club for him. But it's very clear what I am doing about the situation”.
“If Gareth Bale leaves, it will be because he wants to, not because Zidane or Real Madrid push him out”, Barnett said. “Gareth is still one of the best players in the world, one of the top five players in terms of market value, and his future lies at a big club”.
Meanwhile, Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol has claimed that the Welshman will only leave if he thinks it is the right move for him and that there could be a surprise in the summer.
#3 Pochettino unsure over Bale’s next move
There is a lot of news surrounding Gareth Bale's future in the media today after what Zinedine Zidane revealed about him. One of the clubs that have been linked with the Welshman is his former team Tottenham Hotspur.
And according to Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, he has no clue as to whether the Lilywhites are in for him. He stated that while he knows about Madrid’s stand, he is not sure about Bale coming to Tottenham and that it is the task of the chairman to make new signings to strengthen the team.
"I don’t know if we are [in for him] or it’s another club,” he said.
"I saw in the media but I do not know which club is going to sign him. I do not know if it is us or another club. It is the job of my chairman to build the best possible club."
#2 Liverpool target Philipp Max, De Gea close to signing bumper extension at United
Liverpool may have one of the best left-backs in English football in the form of Andy Robertson but they are in the market for another left-sided defender, according to a report from Sport.
The report claims that Barcelona are looking at Bundesliga for a backup for Jordi Alba and among many, Philipp Max is an option they are keen on. However, the Red have also spoken to the player, who is valued at around €20 million.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are very close to tying David De Gea down to the club for 6 years. According to a report from The Telegraph, the former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper is set to earn around £375,000-per-week and will put pen on paper once the Red Devils return from their tour.
That amount will make the Spaniard the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.
#1 Manchester United join race for Nicolas Pepe
After a super season in the French Ligue 1, there seem to be a lot of suitors for Lille superstar Nicolas Pepe. The forward had previously been linked with a move to Liverpool, with Bayern Munich’s name also in the mix.
However, it seems as though a new club have joined the race in the form of Manchester United. According to The Times, the Red Devils have advanced their discussions with the French outfit over a potential transfer of the player.
Arsenal and Everton are also the other clubs in the Premier League who are eying a move for him. The Reds, meanwhile, are yet to make a formal move for the star but have instead contacted the player’s camp to know of his willingness to move.
The valuation of the player is around £70 million.
