The European Championship is set to kick-off and the buzz surrounding the squads for the tournament is in the air, with Germany and England being the latest to announce their final 23-man squads. Some players have been picked up for the tournament, with Manchester United starlet Marcus Rashford set to play his first fame for his Country in a major competition while some players have not been able to make the cut, with Marcos Reus being the latest star player to have been dropped from his team.
But these Euro 2016 dealings have not deterred clubs from their pursuit of these players and the transfer market is in full throttle. Here are the transfer news and rumours for May 31st.
Serie A
- Roma have permanently signed Antonio Rudiger after the German defender impressed during his loan spell from VfB Stuttgart. The centre-back made 30 Serie A appearances for the club and also scored two goals, leading Roma to a third-place finish last season. The clubs agreed on a move worth €9 miliion and the new contract sees him tied to the Giallorossi until June 30,2020
- Juventus’s Alvaro Morata has spoken about rumours regarding his future, admitting a PL move is “tempting” and expressing his desire to have it sorted out before Euro 2016. “Hopefully, everything will be resolved before then, because it is uncomfortable to be helping your country with phone in hand,” Morata told AS. “My wish is to succeed in Madrid, but Madrid have great players and what I want is to play and feel important.
“There are some offers from England that are tempting, not only because of the contract. I think my characteristics mean the Premier League would be a great destination."
- Arsenal are rumoured to be interested in Inter Milan defender Jeison Murillo, according to IBtimes. The 24-year-old has been impressive for Inter at the heart of their defence with the club conceding only 38 goals in the league, the third best record by any team in Serie A in the 2015/16 season.
With Arsenal’s problems at the back evident this season too, Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen the defence and Murillo could be the answer for the Gunners. Inter are ready to part ways with the centre-back for a transfer fee in the region of €25 million.
English Premier League
- Michael Carrick has signed a new deal with Manchester United according to club legend Paddy Crerand. There has been no official announcement from the club’s side, but Crerand seemed to have spilled the beans while talking to MUTV: “Something that happened today that nobody has mentioned, and I'm delighted that he has signed another contract: Michael Carrick. He's signed a contract for another year.”
"There was a situation where it looked as if his contract was up at the end of this year and that was it, but from what I'm gathering he's there for another year."
- West Ham have submitted a £15m bid for AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca, according to Sky sources. The deal is unlikely to go through as Milan have been reported to put a £19million price tag on the Colombian. Bacca was a part of Sevilla’s Europa League winning squad last year, before being snapped up by the Italian giants for £21.3million. He has scored 18 goals for the Rossoneri since.
- Sunderland look to snap up West Ham’s Diafra Sakho for a transfer fee of £10million, according to the Daily Mail. Manager Sam Allardyce is reportedly ready to speak to the Senegal international as West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan prepares to give the go-ahead. The forward came in from Metz for a fee of £3.5million and has scored 12 goals in 26 games for the Hammers this season.
La Liga
- Barcelona have had an enquiry for Hector Bellerin rejected by Arsenal. The Catalan club is looking for a replacement for right-back Dani Alves, who seems to be on the verge of an exit with a move to Juventus on the cards. The Spaniard is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy but was scouted and signed by Arsenal in 2011.
He has been excellent this season and his incredible pace has even led to comparisons with Usain Bolt. The Gunners may have fended off interest in their star full-back for the time being, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to hold on to the 21-year-old if the Catalan club come back with a sizeable offer.
- Real Madrid have had a €50 million bid for David Alaba rejected by Bayern Munich, according to Guillem Balague. Writing in his column in Spanish newspaper AS, Balague reported that Los Blancos director Jose Angel Sanchez has flown to Germany several times to meet with George Alaba, the player's father and agent. Bayern have slapped a massive price tag of 80 million euros on the Austrian and are unlikely to budge for anything lesser.
- Diego Simeone has reportedly set the condition of bringing in world-class signings to Atletico Madrid in order to convince him to stay at the club. The Rojiblancos were once again left frustrated as they lost a second Champions League final in three seasons, and the Argentine manager wants his bosses to spend money to strengthen the squad, with Nicolas Gaitan and Diego Costa rumoured to be his prime targets. Simeone had earlier hinted on thinking about leaving the club following his “failure” in the two Champions League finals.
Rest of Europe
- FC Porto have fired head coach Jose Pesiero after less than five months, the club confirmed in a statement. Peseiro was the ninth man to coach the 27-times Portuguese champions in the last 12 seasons since the departure of Jose Mourinho.
- CalcioMercato report that Bayern Munich are ready to launch a £60m (€80m) bid for Higuain if Robert Lewandowski moves to Real Madrid. Higuain was earlier linked with a move to Manchester United but the Bavarian giants are looking to hijack the move. Higuain is in demand after bagging 36 goals in 35 games in Serie A this season.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted at a move to former club Malmo, after heavy speculations tipped the forward to become Jose Mourinho’s first signing at Manchester United. He reportedly told his hometown fans to “wait for him” during Sweden's 0-0 draw against Slovenia last night. The Sun quoted him as saying “ "I love Malmo and I wish I could play today. I apologise for that, but I will, I will. Just wait for me."
