Transfer news and rumours: Man City had Kane approach turned down in January

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Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world

Barcelona set sights on Gosens

Atalanta left-back Robin Gosens has attracted the attention of Barcelona, reports Sport.

The Catalans are keen to reinforce that sector of defence, and as well as the Germany international are also following RB Leipzig’s Angelino and Jose Gaya of Valencia.

Terzic ‘very happy to continue’ at Dortmund despite Rose appointment

Edin Terzic is happy to stay at Borussia Dortmund when Marco Rose takes over as head coach.

Terzic replaced Lucien Favre in December as interim coach until the end of the season and was tipped to be given the job on a permanent basis.

But Terzic has been encouraged by many pundits to leave the club after they decided to give Borussia Monchengladbach boss Rose the reins ahead of next season.

What has been said?

The 38-year-old says he has no problem returning to a background role to support the new coach, however.

“We have clearly expressed the wish that my path can continue here with pleasure,” he told reporters.

“We will make the best decision in the interests of the club.

“At some point you will find out. I will go home with full enjoyment. I will enjoy that completely for the next few days.”

What jobs has Terzic been linked with?

The former West Ham assistant has been listed as an option for other teams in the Bundesliga.

Eintracht Frankfurt were said to be interested in hiring him to replace Adi Hutter, who is on the way to take over at Gladbach.

Terzic was also linked with the Wolfsburg job because coach Oliver Glasner could still leave this summer.

Guardiola says Messi is ‘strongest of all’ amid Manchester City transfer talk

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has restated his admiration for Lionel Messi, as speculation concerning a potential reunion for the pair at Etihad Stadium continues to mount.

The Barcelona star has long been tipped as a potential signing for Guardiola, who knows the Argentine well from their time together at Camp Nou.

Messi is still yet to confirm his future at Barca, although the club retains hope he will not leave this summer.

What was said?

“He’s very strong, the strongest. Beyond his quality, it’s his mentality, his head,” Guardiola said of Messi in a Twitch interview alongside former Italy stars Christian Vieri, Antonio Cassano and Daniele Adani.

“In four years at Barcelona, we played a lot of games in training and he didn’t lose even one. If he had lost, he would’ve left. He has that competitive mentality that only four or five players in history have, they have something different.

“We all knew that Messi was the best, but then there were six or seven others who were strong and others who didn’t play because the others were so strong.”

The bigger picture

While Messi‘s desire to leave Camp Nou last summer in the wake of his side’s 8-2 Champions League thrashing to Bayern Munich was denied, he has made few sounds about what he will do from June onwards.

In a recent interview with Argentine newspaper Ole he praised the young Barca squad and dubbed the Copa del Rey victory this season a “turning point”, while stating his intention to win more titles – although he did not specify where.

Should he decide to leave City appears a natural alternative for the 33-year-old, due to his relationship with Guardiola and the club’s capacity to meet his astronomic wages.

Coach Ronald Koeman hopes he will remain at Camp Nou.

“Hopefully he will continue here for many years,” Koeman told reporters when asked if Messi will still be there next season. “He is a unique player. He is a 10 as a professional. If he does not stay, Barca will have to train other players and seek effectiveness in other footballers.

“Leo has scored 30 goals this season, with him the team has come much further.”

€50m Nunez asking price could kill Milan interest

AC Milan are eager to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica, but he could prove too expensive.

Calciomercato claims the Serie A side would like to bring in the forward to bolster their attack after seeing Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out with injury.

But Benfica want €50 million (£43m/$61m) for Nunez, which is far beyond what Milan can afford.

Gattuso favourite to succeed Pirlo

Gennaro Gattuso has become Juventus’ top target to take over as coach this summer.

Andrea Pirlo looks set to leave the Turin side and Tuttosport says they have been impressed by Gattuso’s work at Napoli.

Gennaro Gattuso Napoli Roma 03212021
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Southampton want Gauld

Southampton have expressed interest in Scottish midfielder Ryan Gauld, Daily Record reports.

The 25-year-old is leaving Farense on a free transfer after they were relegated and has many sides after his signature.

He is open to joining the Premier League side and the Saints have been in touch with his agent.

Juventus still have an eye on Depay

Juventus are looking at alternative attacking options as they consider Alvaro Morata’s future.

The Bianconeri have not decided if they will renew the striker’s loan from Atletico Madrid or buy him outright.

Calciomercato.it reports that they still see Memphis Depay as a possibility as it remains uncertain if he will join Barcelona when he leaves Lyon this summer.

Emerson to snub interest for Barcelona

Emerson has played his final game for Real Betis and is on his way to Barcelona.

The Camp Nou side signed him from Atletico Mineiro and sent him to Betis, but his exploits there have attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Villarreal.

But Mundo Deportivo says he is only interested in breaking into the Barca first-team and will not listen to other offers.

Allegri is first choice to replace Zidane at Real Madrid

Massimiliano Allegri is the favourite to take Zinedine Zidane’s place as Real Madrid coach, according to Bench Warmers.

Madrid will not sack the French coach, but he could decide to leave after failing to win La Liga and exiting the Champions League at the semi-final stage.

In that case, Allegri will be called in to replace him and has already been contacted by the Spanish side, while Raul is being considered should a deal with the Italian fail to materialise.

Man Utd have huge offer to lure Kane (The Times)

Red Devils hope big salary puts them ahead of Man City and Chelsea in race to sign striker

Manchester United are prepared to make Harry Kane a huge offer to lure him to Old Trafford.

The Times reports the Red Devils are lining up a significant package to put them ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City in the race to land him.

United would be willing to compensate him should he be punished if he submits a transfer request to Spurs.

Harry Kane, Tottenham 2020-21

West Ham want Abraham

West Ham have identified Tammy Abraham as one of their top transfer targets for the summer window.

David Moyes has been convinced by the Chelsea striker’s ability and hopes to add him to his squad ahead of next season, reports Claret & Hugh.

Marseille close to Gerson signing

Marseille are on the verge of signing Gerson from Flamengo.

Foot Mercato reports the French and Brazilian clubs are close to a €30 million agreement, while Flamengo will receive 20% of any sell-on fee.

Gerson will sign a five-year contract with Marseille.

Gasperini to replace Pirlo?

1 hour ago 

 

Gian Piero Gasperini is on Juventus’ list of candidates to replace Andrea Pirlo as coach.

Calciomercato.it reports the Atalanta boss is a serious contender as the Bianconeri prepare to sack their former midfielder.

Lautaro open to Inter departure

Lautaro Martinez is open to leaving Inter if the club’s financial situation worsens, says Calciomercato.

Inter’s owners are in a difficult situation which could affect their plans for the future and while Martinez would prefer to stay, he will leave if it looks like they cannot strengthen any further.

Tottenham narrow manager shortlist

Tottenham have whittled down their shortlist for a new manager to just three names, says Football Insider.

Spurs are on the lookout for a new boss after parting ways with Jose Mourinho earlier this year.

The club run the risk of missing out on European football this term, only two years on from competing in a Champions League final.

Klopp unsure about Liverpool’s summer transfer budget

The Liverpool boss is keen to add to his ranks but is ready to work with the players at his disposal

Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool’s squad requires improvement, but does not know if he will have the funds to add to his ranks.

The Reds mounted a disappointing defence of their Premier League title, but a late-season rally has put them within touching distance of Champions League qualification.

Beating Crystal Palace on Sunday and stamping their ticket into Europe may result in Klopp being handed some funds to swell his ranks in the summer, but the German will work with whatever hand he is dealt.

What has been said?

“Whatever we do or not do in the next transfer window, for sure we will not use it as any kind of excuse,” Klopp told the club’s official website. “We did what we did in the past with the way we did it; when there was money we spent it, when there was no money we didn’t spend it, and here we are. That’s how it is.

“Yes, I’m very happy with my squad – very, very happy. Could this squad improve? Yes, like each squad could. Is that affordable? I don’t know. Is it necessary? I don’t know.

“Whatever happens, we will see, I don’t know in this moment, to be honest. We have to make decisions in and out, all these kind of things, it’s normal in a summer.”

The return of injured stars

It is a cliche, but the return of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez will be the equivalent of new signings.

Van Dijk and Gomez have been sidelined since October and November respectively on account of injury, and their absence in the heart of defence has been keenly felt.

Liverpool never recovered from having their defence decimated by injuries, and Klopp will welcome the pair – and Joel Matip  – back with open arms.

Klopp seeking improvement

While the former Borussia Dortmund man would love to add to his ranks, he feels he can eke out improvement from the players at his disposal.

“We might not be the best team in the world at the start of the season, but we want to be again the team who nobody wants to play against because we are that good,” Klopp said. “And I think that’s possible.

“I really think my responsibility is to improve the team without signings as well, honestly.”

Newcastle keen on Carter-Vickers

Newcastle United may be set to rival Bournemouth for USMNT international Cameron Carter-Vickers, per SBI.

The 23-year-old has spent the season with the Cherries, on loan from Tottenham, and all but looks set to leave Spurs.

The question now lingers whether he will choose to remain in the Championship on the south coast or make a move north to Tyneside and the Premier League.

Man City had Kane approach rebuffed in January (Daily Star)

Blues previously reached out for England captain

Manchester City made an overture for Harry Kane in January – and are likely to remain as a frontrunner over Manchester United or Chelsea for the Tottenham man, claims the Daily Star.

Spurs supremo Daniel Levy knocked back the Blues’ approach in the new year, but may be forced to consider further offers as the England captain pushes for an exit.

City would therefore be in prime position to pounce if the striker can indeed depart north London.

Harry Kane Tottenham 2020-21
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Nelsson on Palace radar

Crystal Palace have their eye on Victor Nelsson but will face competition for the Denmark international, per the Daily Mail.

The 22-year-old is on the wishlist for the Eagles, and currently plays with Copenhagen.

Aston Villa mulled over a move for him last summer.

Belenenses make sweet contract offer to Buffon

The Italian great is looking for a new challenge after confirming his exit from Juventus

Former Portuguese champions Belenenses have made a contract offer to Gianluigi Buffon that includes sweets, a museum pass and free lodging.

Buffon said earlier this week that he is evaluating his options after confirming his departure from Juventus.

“If there is someone even crazier than me who contacts me and imagines something even more marvellous, I will follow that person, because that’s what life is all about,” the Italian great said.

What has been said?

Belenenses have taken up the challenge by writing a letter to Buffon setting out why he should take up their offer of a move to Portugal.

The letter said: “We heard that you are looking for a new challenge and receptive to listening to a “crazy and stimulating” proposal.

“Therefore, we decided to present you with something irresistible: how about moving to Lisbon and helping us to quickly return to our place in Portuguese football, the I Liga?

“We have a home for our athletes. It is a humble space, but everyone there is available to give you their own bed.

“Of course, you can always choose a house overlooking the Tagus River, but that is up to you.

“In the contract we will not fail to include one annual pass for the MAAT (do you already know this work of art in architecture?). And one family ticket, per week, for visits to the Coach Museum, to the Monument to the Discoveries, to the Tower of Belem, and to the Jeronimos Monastery these last two UNESCO world heritage sites.

“The contract will also include a pack of six Pasteis de Belem a week, one of the most popular specialties of Portuguese sweets, which you will certainly enjoy without tweaking your diet.”

Belenenses looking to bounce back

The club have won the Portuguese league on four occasions, but were declared bankrupt in 2018 and forced down to the seventh tier.

They have risen two divisions and are now in the fifth tier of Portuguese football, with the aim being to climb back up the ladder.

The offer matches Buffon’s desire for something crazy, and the ball is now in the 43-year-old’s court.

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