'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAATSf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAhEAACAQMDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABBEFEyEiMUFCcf/aAAgBAQABPwCYzJf6Zp0KQRxvnd9gzuyqG7ZGBn7xSWUgRdk28UeOlBFwo8Cv/8QAFhEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEC/9oACAECAQE/AJZ//8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAh/9oACAEDAQE/ADW//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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!
Giroud to Nice
Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been linked with a move to Nice for a while and now, the club's technical director Gilles Grimandi has stated that if the Frenchman has decided to join the French outfit, it is because he likes the project in place.
He also added that should the Chelsea star not be happy at Stamford Bridge due to the lack of playing time, then everything major should be taken into account.
"If Olivier Giroud decides to come that is because he likes the project at Nice," Grimandi was quoted as saying. "If Olivier is not happy at Chelsea, if he wants to play, we will take all the elements into account.”
Grimandi then went to reveal that while he did speak to manager Patrick Vieira about the French forward, he has not yet spoken to the player.
"I have spoken with manager Patrick [Vieira] about Olivier Giroud, but we have not spoken with Olivier Giroud.”
Finally, he spoke about his relationship with the player, claiming that he knows the Frenchman well as he was involved in the forward’s transfer to Arsenal. Even though he hasn’t spoken to him in a while, he believes that should Giroud decide to come to Nice, it would be because of what the club could offer to him as a player.
"I know Olivier very well because I was involved in his transfer from Montpellier to Arsenal. Olivier will choose his destination. For the moment I have not spoken to him. If Olivier Giroud decides to come to Nice it is because he knows the means that we have."
Youri Tielemans on his future
Leicester City star Youri Tielemanns, who is on loan from Monaco, has revealed what could happen in his immediate future. According to the talented number 21, he is almost certain to go back to his parent club Monaco after the completion of his loan spell.
He also added that he doesn't know what Monaco would be asking for him and also stated that he would like to keep things going well for him.
“I expect that I will return to Monaco in the summer unless something’s moving,” he said.
“At the moment there’s nothing. If things are going well you want to keep it like that. I don’t know what Monaco will be asking, so I can’t talk about it.”
The midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester United but it seems like that won't come to fruition, after all.
Liverpool and United
Matthijs de Ligt is currently the most sought-after young defender in the world after his terrific performances throughout the season. The Dutchman was rock-solid for his team in their semi-final run to the Champions League and is being eyed by Barcelona.
However, it seems like the Catalans aren’t the only ones interested as Liverpool have also been touted with a move for the Dutchman and according to reports, Barcelona feel that the Reds are using Virgil Van Dijk to persuade his compatriot to join him at Anfield.
Meanwhile, according to reports from Spain, Lionel Messi wants Barcelona to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United. The Catalans also realise that signing the Frenchman would hurt the plans of the Galacticos, which is why they are willing to include Ivan Rakitic in a deal to bring the Frenchman who has also been linked with the Merengues.
Story of the day
Speaking of Pogba, it seems as though the Frenchman is really in demand this season. As mentioned earlier, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with him.
In Barcelona’s case, the story is not new as they have been touted with a move for him for a year now. However, in the case of the Galacticos, stories began to gather pace after Zinedine Zidane took over the helm at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And it seems as though the Blancos are set to dig in their heels to get the Frenchman as reports from Spain claim that the Madrid outfit are willing to offer Isco Alarcon in exchange for the former Juventus star.
Apparently, Real Madrid are willing to make a bid of €40 million plus Isco for the French superstar. The Red Devils are also said to be interested in the Spaniard.
