Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world
Man Utd register interest in Coman (SPORT1)
Red Devils keen on Bayern star
Manchester United have registered their interest in Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman – according to SPORT1.
The Red Devils will look to bring in the 24-year-old if they fail to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
Coman would like to extend his stay at Allianz Arena, but his representatives are ready to listen to offers in the summer window.
Sancho admits to being boyhood Chelsea fan while addressing Man Utd speculation
Jadon Sancho has admitted to being a boyhood Chelsea fan while addressing speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils tried and failed to lure Sancho away from Borussia Dortmund last year as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sought to bolster his options on the right-wing.
United have once again identified the 21-year-old as their top target ahead of the summer transfer window, and have already seen a £67 million ($95m) bid rejected, but he has now thrown a potential spanner in the works by confessing his affinity for Chelsea.
What’s been said?
Asked to name his main footballing role model during his youth, Sancho told talkSPORT: “I’d probably say Frank Lampard. I was a Chelsea fan growing up, I can’t lie!
“Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were my favourite players at the time.
“I just love Frank Lampard and how he played his game; he was so direct and so composed on the ball.
“I like things like that.”
Sancho on United rumours
Sancho was also pressed on how he is coping mentally ahead of England’s Euro 2020 campaign amid United’s well document pursuit of his services.
“I’m cool about it,” he said. “There’s always going to be speculation, especially when you do well.
“It’s just how you handle that on the pitch. You’ve got to keep doing what you’re doing; if you keep on doing that then I’m sure that won’t be a problem.
“The main thing is my football and that’s what I’m focusing on at the moment.”
Sancho’s Dortmund & England records
Sancho has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Europe since leaving Manchester City to take up a new challenge at Dortmund in 2017.
The England international has recorded 50 goals and 64 assists in his first 137 games across all competitions for BVB, while also picking up DFL-Supercup and DFB Pokal winners’ medals.
Sancho was handed his international debut in a UEFA Nations’ League draw against Croatia in October 2018 and has since amassed 19 caps for his country, scoring three goals.
Wijnaldum explains decision to join PSG following months of Barca links
Georginio Wijnaldum has explained his decision to join Paris Saint-Germain following months of strong links with La Liga giants Barcelona.
PSG officially announced the signing of Wijnaldum on Thursday, with the midfielder’s move to Parc des Princes set to be finalised when his contract at Liverpool expires at the end of the month.
Barcelona were originally touted as the favourites to land Wijnaldum on a free transfer, but he has ultimately decided to embark on the next stage of his career in Ligue 1, citing Mauricio Pochettino as a major influence.
What’s been said?
The Dutchman, who won the Premier League and Champions League during his five-year stint at Anfield, says that the former Tottenham manager, who replaced Thomas Tuchel at PSG in December, contacted him personally to convince him to join the French outfit.
“I’m happy to join a club like Paris Saint-Germain,” Wijnaldum said in his first official interview at Parc des Princes. “Obviously it’s a club with really good players, a good manager who spoke to before I joined the club. We know each other from years ago.
“As a football player, you always want to play with the best players around you and when I look at the team and also when I spoke with the manager, I saw a team full of talented players and big players.
“And on top of that, I also saw a manager who can make the players even better and also capable of bringing all those players together to make a strong, strong team. I come here trying to write history with this unbelievable team.”
The bigger picture
It has been reported that PSG’s three-year contract offer was far more lucrative than the one Barca were prepared to hand Wijnaldum, but he may also have a better chance of conquering Europe again with Pochettino’s side.
Barca haven’t made it beyond the Champions League quarter-finals in two years, but PSG reached their first-ever final in 2019-20 before making it to the semi-finals again last season.
“Hopefully my help can help the team win the Champions League, that would be great,” Wijnaldum added. “But not only the Champions League, it’s also about the league and the Cup. You just want to win as much as possible for the club and the supporters.”
Liverpool eyeing Milinkovic-Savic as Wijnaldum replacement (Il Messaggero)
Reds turn attention to Lazio star
Liverpool are eyeing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as a potential replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum following his move to Paris Saint-Germain – according to Il Messaggero.
The 26-year-old could be avaiable for around €60 million (£52m/$73m) when the summer transfer window opens, despite still having three years left on his contract at Stadio Olimpico.
Milinkovic-Savic comtributed eight goals and nine assists to Lazio’s Serie A cause in 32 appearances last season.
Milan loan Brescianini to Monza
Leeds target Brugge winger Noa Lang as Bielsa nears new contract
Liverpool’s Tsimikas wanted by Fenerbahce
The Turkish club are eager to bring in the 25-year-old on loan for the duration of the 2021-22 campaign.
Tsimikas still has fives years to run on his contract at Liverpool, but only played five Premier League minutes in his debut season at Anfield.
‘I don’t care if Kane costs £120m!’ – Keane urges Man Utd to sign Spurs striker despite leadership doubts
Roy Keane has urged Manchester United to fork out £120 million ($170m/€140m) to sign Harry Kane, despite also admitting to having doubts about the Tottenham striker’s leadership skills.
Kane is being tipped to leave Spurs after their latest trophyless season, having openly admitted that he is driven to win the biggest team prizes the game has to offer.
The Red Devils are among those being tipped to make a move for the 27-year-old, and Keane would love to see a deal come to fruition, but has also pinpointed the one area of the striker’s game he believes needs to be improved.
What’s been said?
Kane is currently serving as captain for both Tottenham and England, but a Red Devils legend thinks he needs to take on more responsibility in terms of motivating his teammates in order to justify wearing the armband.
“The only thing I’d hold against Kane, there’s a big negative I have towards Kane,” Keane told SkyBet.
“I think Kane is an amazing player, every club should be trying to sign him, Manchester United have got to sign him, I don’t care if it’s £120 million… sign him.
“But I don’t think he’s a good leader. I never see him digging anyone out at Spurs. I know people might go, ‘well that’s not his personality’ or, ‘he might do it in the dressing room’. I don’t think he does and that’s a big problem.
“Okay, you can lead with your brilliant play. But I think sometimes I want to see another side to Kane, I’d love to see him get hold of somebody.”
Who else has been linked with Kane?
Newly crowned Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to land Kane ahead of their local rivals, while Chelsea and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in his services.
The prolific forward is also attracting interest from aboard, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain thought to be ready to offer him a different career path, but he has expressed a desire to continue playing in the English top-flight.
The bigger picture
Whoever manages to secure Kane’s signature will likely have to pay a nine-figure sum, which rules out a whole host of top clubs that have been struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cruzeiro unveil new head coach
Cruzeiro have unveiled new manager Mozart Santos on their official Twitter account.
Mozart, 41, most recently headed Chapecoense.
Barca turn attention to Roma’s Pellegrini
Barcelona have turned their attention to Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini – according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish giants are weighing up a bid for the 24-year-old after missing out on Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum, who has agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
Pellegrini has just entered the final year of his contract at Roma and has a €30 million (£26m/$37m) buy-out clause.