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Hello and welcome to the Premier League transfer news and rumours of the day! The Premier League season 2018-19 is officially over and now comes the time for summer transfers.
Almost every club in the top six – and beyond – need some fixes here and there and here are some of the top stories of the day surrounding the Premiership!
What next for De Ligt?
Matthijs De Ligt is currently one of the hottest prospect in the transfer market for clubs all around Europe. After an excellent season with Ajax, where his leadership helped the Dutch side reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, it might just be time for him to make the leap abroad.
Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool have been linked with the superstar with the Catalans seemingly the most favourite. However, according to the player himself, he doesn’t know yet as to whether he is going to leave Ajax or not. He also added that while he has had conversations with other clubs, no agreement has taken place.
"Has it been my last game at the Johan Cruyff Arena? I do not know yet," De Ligt is quoted as saying.
"There are conversations, but there is still no agreement. With who? The newspapers write, so choose one yourself."
Meanwhile, Ajax director of football Edwin van der Sar has claimed that the prized youngster will be off this summer. The former Manchester United goalkeeper also added that he hopes to see the youngster leaving with his head held high.
“I think these will be de Ligt’s final games with Ajax, but I hope he goes out on a high,” he said.
Finally, he revealed that De Ligt, who has been at Ajax for a long time now, would go to either England or Spain.
“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.”
Pellegrini on Declan Rice
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice’s stock is on the rise as the Englishman is being chased by a number of clubs. When asked about his future, Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini claimed that it is impossible to make a claim since he can’t know the future.
“It’s impossible. I cannot know the future,” he said.
He then praised Rice for the quality that he possesses and believes that all of the teams in the Premiership might want him. However, despite the interest in him, he is not sure whether Rice would stay or leave.
“He is, of course, a player who has had a brilliant season, who is 20 years old and an English player who has a lot of qualities.
“Maybe some of the big teams, or all of them, will want him. But that is one thing – the other is whether he will stay here or he goes, and I cannot say at this moment.”
Eden Hazard has made his decision
Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard has made it clear that the decision regarding his future has been made, although he hasn’t revealed what it is. The former Lille star has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and has stated that he informed the club of his decision and is now waiting for the situation to develop.
He also stated the club have a final to play and that he wanted the situation sorted out by now but is now having to wait to know the final outcome like everyone else is.
"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."
Pochettino to Juve
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been backed by Andrea Pirlo as a viable candidate for the managerial role of Juventus. Max Allegri might leave the Old Lady this summer and Pirlo thinks that the Argentine has the identity and the reputation to lead the Turin outfit.
“He has an identity like Juve, he is a modern coach who has done a lot in the English league. Modern coach does not mean only the construction of the game, but everything. It comes from Spanish football, it's a collection of things.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United, after a terrible campaign, are also up for a big summer of revamp. A lot of players are expected to leave with new faces taking their place.
And according to reports, Juan Mata is a player leaving the Red Devils. Barcelona have reportedly closed the deal to bring the Spaniard in for about €10 million.
Story of the day
Manchester City might have won the league but the team needs some tweaks here and there. As a result, Pep Guardiola has made a shortlist that consists of 7 Real Madrid and Barcelona players combined.
The players are: Ousmane Dembele, Ivan Rakitic, Toni, Kroos, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Casemiro and Marcos Llorente.
With the futures of Otamendi and Vincent Kompany unknown, Pep Guardiola could be in the market for a defender. As a result, he has targeted Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti and Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.
For a replacement for the aging Fernandinho, Carlos Henrique Casemiro and Marcos Llorente are being looked at. Meanwhile, to take the place of David Silva down the line, Toni Kroos and Ivan Rakitic are the two names targeted.
Finally, for the attack, Pep Guardiola is looking at the option of bringing in the super-talented Ousmane Dembele.
