Yahoo Finance Football transfer rumours: Chelsea to move early for Erling Braut Haaland?
If in doubt, spend spend spend. If you can. Roman Abramovich has more moolah than most and it seems Chelsea want to reinforce their attacking resources even further with an eye-catching summer swoop for Erling Braut Haaland. According to the Athletic, the Borussia Dortmund star has a release clause in his contract that would allow him to leave if anyone offers €70m (£66.6m) for him but it will not become active until 2022. Yet the Blues believe rivals are currently too financially bruised by the pandemic to move for Haaland so want to get ahead of the curve this summer.
Paris Saint-Germain have stretched back in their revolving chairs and casually decided to set the hare running on the whole Lionel Messi-to-PSG thing again, with their sporting director, Leonardo, bragging to the Spanish website Sport: “We’re at the big table of those who are following this issue closely. In fact we’re not sat at this table but our chair is reserved there.”
Related: David Alaba agrees to join Real Madrid on four-year contract this summer
Arsenal are keen on the Barcelona goalkeeper Neto, who Mikel Arteta fancies as backup for Bernd Leno. Neto’s agent – none other than Kia Joorabchian would you believe – has asked Barça to leave and what with his close links to Arsenal’s technical director, Edu, a move to north London could happen, though Barcelona are likely to hold out for a decent wedge. Arsenal also want to tempt Emi Buendia away from yo-yoing between divisions with Norwich but the Canaries are digging their heels in and demanding £50m minimum.
Heading out the Emirates exit door could be Alexandre Lacazette, in whom both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid are interested. The French forward is under contract until 2022 but AS reckons the Spanish clubs could reassert their interest amid reports of Lacazette’s “strained relationship” with Arteta.
Leicester have thrown their hat into the ring for Porto’s Brazilian midfielder Otavio. The 25-year-old wants to leave after six years at Porto and Insidefutbol claims Brendan Rodgers has already made the player an offer. Leicester will face stiff competition from Roma, Juventus, Napoli and Milan, however.
Leeds are ready to reignite their interest in the Fiorentina midfielder Erick Pulgar, on a six-month loan. Marcelo Bielsa sees the 27-year-old Chile international as ideal midfield cover for Kalvin Phillips.
Everton have been linked with the Real Sociedad centre-back Modibo Sagnan. The 21-year-old has played only 46 senior games in his career, but 13 of them have been this season for the Primera Liga high-flyers. Elsewhere West Brom are keen on the Galatasaray and Senegal forward Mbaye Diagne and Roy Hodgson is mulling over a bid to bring Mainz’s French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has hit seven goals in 15 games this term, to Crystal Palace.
