Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Barcelona lose hope in battle to sign De Ligt

Chelsea are prepared to offer Reece James a new contract this summer as they face a looming transfer ban, according to the Independent.

James still has three years remaining on his contract, but is in line for first-team opportunities next season after impressing on loan with Wigan this term.

Seen as the successor to Cesar Azpilicueta, James has attracted interest from teams such as Manchester United, but Chelsea are confident he will commit to a new deal.

Gareth Bale could “make a difference” at Manchester United, believes Harry Redknapp, but a return to Tottenham for the Real Madrid forward would also be “amazing”.

The former Spurs boss told the Daily Mail: “Anybody who gets Gareth Bale is going to lift them. If it’s Spurs, Man United, whoever it is, it would be an amazing signing for them.”

Read the full story on Goal!

Manchester United will not be offering a contract to Mason Greenwood until he turns 18, according to The Sun.

The Red Devils have had their fingers burned by supposedly promising talents such as Federico Macheda and Adnan Januzaj in the past and will hold off putting terms to a 17-year-old striker as a result.

West Ham are weighing up a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, according to the Evening Standard.

The Argentine currently fills back-up duties at Stamford Bridge, but could cross London this summer to take on a similar role with the Hammers.

Fernando Llorente is to leave Tottenham after the club missed the deadline for triggering a contract extension, reports the Daily Mail.

Spurs have opted against taking up a 12-month option, meaning that the Spanish striker is now set to drop into the free agent pool.

Toni Kroos has welcomed Real Madrid’s links to Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, but is eager to point out that he does not make transfer calls.

He has said of links to Mbappe: “I cannot buy him. I have a good contract but it’s a question for the club!”

Read the full story on Goal!

Barcelona have made contact with Atletico Madrid to discuss a possible deal for Antoine Griezmann, manager Ernesto Valverde has confirmed.

The Blaugrana boss has said: “It is true we have already made contacts.”

Check out the full story here.

✅ PFA Manager of the Year 2018-19
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Your new Scotland National Team Head Coach is…#NothingMattersMore pic.twitter.com/M8VSTpjLhd

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) May 20, 2019

Leeds are planning to hold future talks with Marcelo Bielsa amid links to Serie A side Roma, claims the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The mercurial Argentine coach missed out on promotion to the Premier League during his debut campaign in England, but the Whites are hoping to see him stay out.

Kylian Mbappe has sensationally threatened to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer – and that is understandable given the amateurish running of the club this season,

Here, Goal takes a look at why the World Cup winner may be destined for Real Madrid.

Striker agrees to Stamford Bridge stay

Chelsea have activated a clause in Olivier Giroud’s contract to extend his deal for an extra year and keep him with the club for next season, Goal understands.

The World Cup-winning striker had been heavily linked with a return to his native France this summer.

Check out the full story on his future here.

Reds to battle Man Utd & Arsenal for star

Liverpool have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the hunt for Bournemouth forward Ryan Fraser, claims The Sun.

The Scotland international, who is approaching the final year of his contract, registered 14 assists in the Premier League during 2018-19 to attract mounting interest from afar.

Inter have expressed an interest in taking Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich, claims Bild.

The World Cup-winning defender could be among those moved out by the Bundesliga champions this summer as they seek to freshen up an ageing squad.

Manchester United are still hoping Juan Mata will sign a new contract at Old Trafford, with his existing deal set to expire in June – according to ESPN.

The Red Devils have tabled a fresh offer for the Spaniard but there is also interest from Spain, Italy and a number of English rivals.

Mata contributed three goals and two assists in 22 Premier League matches for United this season.

Marcos Rojo has admitted that a second spell with Estudiantes is part of his future plan, with the Manchester United defender currently being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

The La Plata native is a product of the academy system at his hometown club.

Rojo has gone on to represent Sporting and United, with the last five seasons seeing him turn out in English football.

Read the full story on Goal.

Camp Nou may not be the Dutchman’s next destination

Barcelona have fallen behind Paris Saint Germain and Juventus in the race to sign Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to ESPN.

The Spanish champions have not been able to agree on a deal for the 19-year-old, which has opened the door for rival interest.

De Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola is demanding a huge salary for his client and Barca are in danger of being priced out of the running after months of negotiations.

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is a primary transfer target for Paris Saint Germain this summer, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Ligue 1 champions want the 28-year-old to help the team conquer the Champions League, but the Blues may be reluctant to sell with Eden Hazard also nearing the exit door.

Kante has racked up over 50 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea this season.

Dwight Gayle will not be staying at West Brom permanently after technical director, Luke Dowling, confirmed the club are not in a financial position to keep the striker at the Hawthorns.

The 28-year-old has been at West Brom on loan this season from Newcastle United, helping the Baggies secure fourth in the Championship and a spot in the play-offs.

The loan move has proved successful, with Gayle scoring 24 goals in all competitions, as well as assisting eight after forming a dangerous strike partnership with Jay Rodriguez.

Read the full story on Goal.

Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero has emerged as a transfer target for West Ham, according to the Evening Standard.

The Hammers are in the market for a back-up shot-stopper, with Adrian set to leave the club this summer.

Cabellero will become a free agent next month and could compete with Lukasz Fabianski for a number one spot at West Ham if he is not offered a new deal at Chelsea.

German giants want Man City winger

Bayern Munich are ready to step up their interest in Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, claims Kicker.

The Germany international has slipped out of favour under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium and may be offered the chance to head home this summer.

Alexis Sanchez is ready to cut short his summer break and look to force through a move away from Manchester United, reports The Sun.

The Chilean forward has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford and hopes proving his fitness will help to land him a switch elsewhere.

Tottenham want to bring in Massimiliano Allegri as their new boss if Mauricio Pochettino heads in the opposite direction to Turin, claims Express Sport.

The man currently in charge of Spurs is among those being linked with a Serie A post that is about to become vacant.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has received an offer to return to management at Celtic, according to Chris Sutton.

The Portuguese has been out of work since leaving a role at Old Trafford in December 2018.

Here is what a former Hoops striker has had to say on the options he is considering.

Yannick Carrasco has left the door open for Arsenal to rekindle their interest in his services this summer, with the Belgium international admitting to being intrigued by a Premier League challenge.

He has told The Sun: “England would be a good competition for me. I think I would be OK. If I have the opportunity to go to England, why not?”

Read the full story on Goal!

Manchester City are to reward Pep Guardiola with a new £100 million, five-year contract, claims The Sun.

The Catalan coach guided the Blues to an historic domestic treble in 2018-19 and is set to see those achievements earn him a lucrative extension at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool are the latest side to show an interest in Ajax defender Mattijs de Ligt, according to BBC Radio 5 Live.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has revealed that talks have been held with the Netherlands international by the Reds, with the likes of Barcelona and Juventus also keen.

Blancos star pens new deal

Toni Kroos has committed his future to Real Madrid by agreeing a contract extension through to 2023.

The World Cup-winning midfielder has seen another 12 months added to his terms at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Check out the full story here.

Juventus vice-president Pavel Nedved said the Italian champions have not decided who will replace outgoing head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Allegri will leave Juve after Sunday’s Serie A finale against Sampdoria and the likes of Chelsea‘s Maurizio Sarri and Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi have been linked.

Former coach Antonio Conte, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and France boss Didier Deschamps have also emerged as potential replacements.

Read what Nedved has had to say on the managerial race here.

Real Madrid midfielder Isco looks set to reject advances from Juventus and remain at Santiago Bernabeu, according to Calcio Mercato.

The Spaniard has been mooted as a primary transfer target for the Bianconeri for months, but Zinedine Zidane has no plans to sanction his departure.

Isco has been a regular in Madrid’s line-up since the Frenchman’s return as manager, after a disappointing spell under Santiago Solari.

Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko looks set to return to Stamford Bridge this summer, with AC Milan unwilling to pay his £35m ($45m) transfer clause.

According to Calcio Mercato, the Rossoneri have the first option on the 24-year-old but do not wish to make his loan move permanent.

Bakayoko secured a one-year loan switch to San Siro last summer and earned 30 Serie A appearances in total this season.

French duo have both been touted for summer exits

Manchester United will only submit a formal bid for Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele once Paul Pogba’s future is cleared up, according to Metro Sport.

The Red Devils are keen on signing the Frenchman if Pogba decides to leave the club, amid ongoing links with Real Madrid.

Lyon are reportedly demanding an £88m ($112m) fee for Ndombele, who has enjoyed a stellar season in Ligue 1.

Stoke City defender Nathan Collins has emerged on Manchester United‘s transfer radar, according to the Daily Mail.

Ex-United midfielder Darren Fletcher recommended the 18-year-old to his old club, who has earned three Championship appearances this season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to recruit younger, homegrown talent this summer and Collins is now among those being considered for a transfer.

Bournemouth are ready to make a move for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to Football Insider.

The Cherries have already made their first summer signing, splashing out £13million ($16.5m) on Bristol City defender Lloyd Kelly.

Now they have turned their attention to Phillips as they continue their policy of targeting young English talent.

Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko has insisted he is happy at the North London club after playing a pivotal role this season, but admits “anything can happen in football very quickly”.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino continues to be linked with a move away from the club and Sissoko has hinted that his manager’s future may dictate his own.

Read the full story on Goal!

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has already turned his attention to winning the Champions League just days after securing the English domestic treble.

City became the first English side to win all three major domestic trophies, adding the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup and the Premier League title – but Guardiola acknowledges that, ultimately, his time at the Etihad Stadium will be defined by whether or not they land Europe’s biggest prize.

Read the full story on Goal!

West Brom won’t try to make Dwight Gayle’s loan from Newcastle permanent this summer, report the Express and Star.

Gayle scored 24 goals this season to help the Baggies reach the Championship play-offs, where they were beaten on penalties by Aston Villa.

However the Black Country side will not pursue a permanent deal for Gayle, with techincal director Luke Dowling conceding the striker’s wages are too high.

Brighton are edging closer to appointing Graham Potter as their new manager, report The Argus.

The Seagulls have made Swansea boss Potter their number one target to replace Chris Hughton.

No announcement is expected on Monday but the Premier League side are happy with how things are progressing.

Manchester City are ready to offer Pep Guardiola a new contract to keep him at the club for the next five years, according to The Sun.

Guardiola has two years left on his current deal but City bosses are keen to reward him after guiding the club to the domestic treble.

The new contract would include a significant pay rise, earning Guardiola around £20million ($25.4m) a year.

Wolves have moved ahead of Everton and Newcastle in the race to sign Salomon Rondon from West Brom, according to the Daily Star.

Rondon was named Newcastle player of the year after scoring 11 Premier League goals while on loan at the club last season and the Magpies are keen to try and make the deal permanent.

Everton are also believed to be keen but Wolves have jumped the queue by making contact with the Venezuela international, who has a £16.5million ($21m) release clause in his contract.

Arsenal and Juventus are ready to go head-to-head in a battle to sign Romadefender Kostas Manolas, report Il Messaggero via Calciomercato.

The Greek defender is believed to have a release clause in his contract that both sides are willing to meet, leaving Roma powerless to prevent him from leaving.

It will then be down to the player to decide whether he wants to remain in Italywith Juve or move to the Premier League with the Gunners.

Guardiola sees England defender as ideal Kompany replacement

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is ready to pay a world-record fee for a defender in order to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester, according to the Daily Mail.

Guardiola sees the England international as the ideal replacement for Vincent Kompany, who has left City to become player/manager at Anderlecht.

However, Leicester don’t want to sell Maguire, who has five years left on his contract, meaning City may have to pay in excess of the record £75million ($95.4m) Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018 in order to get their man.

Marseille defender Adil Rami rubbished rumours that he could be on his way to the United States and underlined his commitment to the club.

A disappointing campaign for the 33-year-old, during which he made just 18 appearances, had sparked rumours of a move to LA Galaxy.

Read the full story on Goal!

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has thrown his future at the club into doubt by claiming he has reached what he sees as a “turning point” in his career.

The 20-year-old French international suggested he would like a bigger role going forward, either at PSG or “maybe somewhere else”.

Read the full story on Goal!