With the transfer market speculations going wild, it was yet another eventful day as Leicester City confirmed a new signing and Zlatan Ibrahimovic getting one of the most bizarre transfer offers in the history of football. Here are some of the other major transfer news and rumours of the day.
Serie A.
- Pepe Reina's father has ruled out speculations that the Napoli goalkeeper could return to Liverpool or move to Barcelona this summer. Reina, 33, made a permanent switch to Napoli last year after having spent the 2014-15 season at Bayern Munich. His father, Miguel, has cooled down rumours that he could leave the Serie A club. Reina Sr. told Radio Crc: "At the moment, my son is in Cordoba on holiday. We celebrated his first daughter's communion, so we're enjoying a bit of down time.”
- Roma is reportedly trying to score a summer move for Newcastle United midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. The Netherlands international, who had scored his country's winner in a friendly against Poland on Wednesday, is extensively expected to leave Newcastle this summer following their relegation to the Championship. Despite his team's scuffles during the 2015-16 campaign, Wijnaldum netted 11 Premier League goals and is said to be interested in offers from across Europe.
- Juventus striker Alvaro Morata has validated his club’s proposed interest in Barcelona defender Dani Alves. Juventus are believed to be in prime position to sign the decorated Brazil international, and forward Morata admits he would love to play alongside the full-back next season. “Yes, I would like to have Alves as a team-mate. I have seen him several times on holiday, he has treated me very well. He is one of the best in the world. If he plays in your own team it would be incredible,” he told AS.
English Premier League
- Premier League champions Leicester City have officially signed Germany international goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler from Hannover 96. The 27-year-old former Manchester United apprentice has signed a four-year deal and will be playing for the Foxes till 2020. Zieler has made over 200 appearances for Hannover and was playing in their past five Bundesliga campaigns. He was also a part of the Germany squad which won the World Cup in 2014.
- Chelsea is reportedly preparing a summer bid for 29-year-old Lazio player Antonio Candreva, reports Il Tempo. But, the Serie A club will apparently not allow the Italy international to join the Blues for less than €25m as Candreva is in contract with the Romans until the end of June 2019.
- Aston Villa has confirmed the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as their new manager on a two-year contract. The 46-year-old Italian had won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 but had not managed in the second tier of English football since 2009-10, when he won advancement for West Brom.
- Chelsea is reportedly preparing to bid for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke this summer if they fail in their pursuit of Everton forward Romelu Lukaku. Incoming Blues manager Antonio Conte is believed to be keen to sign Romelu Lukaku, who left Stamford Bridge in 2014 following a three-year spell at the club. The Belgian was sent out on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Everton as he struggled for first-team action at Chelsea, but the London club is said to be preparing a bid for the striker's return.
La Liga
- Cristiano Ronaldo has once again gestured his desire to retire at Real Madrid. Though he had been linked with moves to former club Manchester United and PSG over the past few years, none of them were confirmed or even negotiated. According to recent reports from Spain, Real will look to extend his current contract, which expires in 2018. "I am going to retire at Real Madrid with more than 40 years of age. I am very happy here and I work hard to achieve that," he told AS indicating his intentions clearly.
- According to reports by AS, Barcelona, Celta Vigo, Valencia and Villarreal are apparently in pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto. The Argentine player joined Atletico from Villarreal in a €20m deal last summer but had failed to shine for the capital club with him scoring only three goals in 28 appearances over the course of the 2015/16 season.
- Barcelona is reportedly set to extend Marc Bartra's contract at the Camp Nou but will only send the defender to Fiorentina on a two-year loan deal. According to Spanish daily Sport, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal both were not ready to accept the terms offered to them by the Blaugrana, leaving La Viola free to seal his services on short-term terms.
Rest of Europe
- Fenerbahce has joined the rising list of clubs in pursuit of disconcerted Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, Turkish publication Fotomac reported. James, according to sources in Spain, is considering leaving Madrid in search of regular first-team football after a grim second season at the Bernabeu club.
- PSG are reportedly looking to sign Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho after missing out on a number of other attacking options recently, according to reports in Le 10 Sport. The Brazil international, 23, is currently playing for the Reds until the 2020 summer end. With the Ligue 1 champions willing to spend over £45million in order to appeal the player to the French capital next season, this transfer seems highly likely.
- Bundesliga club Augsburg has declared Dirk Schuster as their new manager, the club announced. Schuster will take over from the Schalke-bound Markus Weinzierl and will be directed Darmstadt from the German third tier to the Bundesliga in consecutive seasons.
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