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Real Madrid step up pursuit of Dean Huijsen, leaving Premier League clubs on alert

Joseph Agbobli
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Real Madrid step up pursuit of Dean Huijsen, leaving Premier League clubs on alert

Real Madrid have reportedly intensified their efforts to sign Dean Huijsen, leaving Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool in limbo.

According to Relevo, the La Liga giants have ramped up their interest in the highly rated centre-back and have already reached an “agreement in principle” with the player.

Negotiations are currently ongoing with Bournemouth as Los Blancos look to finalise the transfer.

Huijsen has a release clause of £50million ($64.8million), and his impressive performances this season have only increased his appeal as one of Europe’s most sought-after young defenders.

Liverpool have shown consistent interest in the Spain international since April, identifying him as a long-term addition to their defensive unit.

Chelsea have also made enquiries, while Arsenal remain firmly in the race.

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have likewise been monitoring Huijsen, who has quickly made his mark in the Premier League since arriving in England.

Despite the interest from England, Huijsen is reportedly leaning towards a move to the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid’s pursuit comes amid an injury crisis at the heart of their defence.

Carlo Ancelotti currently has only Raúl Asencio available, with Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, and Éder Militão all sidelined.

Both Rudiger and Alaba have recently undergone surgery and are in their early 30s, raising concerns about long-term durability.

Militao, though younger at 27, is recovering from a second anterior cruciate ligament injury, further complicating the club’s defensive outlook.

Huijsen offers a rare combination of youth, top-flight experience, and tactical versatility.

Despite his age, he has adapted quickly to the Premier League and demonstrated qualities that suggest he could become a long-term fixture in Madrid’s backline.

Born in the Netherlands, Huijsen represents Spain internationally and previously developed at Juventus before moving to England.

His openness to a move to Spain only strengthens Real Madrid’s position as frontrunners to secure his signature ahead of a host of Premier League rivals.

Read more: Liverpool enter race to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz

Real Madrid eye Ibrahima Konate amid Trent Alexander-Arnold exit shock

Chelsea resigned to losing Huijsen, eye trio of alternatives including Ajax’s Hato

Liverpool enter race to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz

Joseph Agbobli
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Liverpool enter race to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz

Manchester City and Bayern Munich have been dealt a setback in their hopes of securing the signature of Florian Wirtz this summer, according to new reports.

In recent days, the battle between the Premier League and Bundesliga giants has intensified, with both clubs eager to persuade one of Germany’s most talented young stars to choose them as his next destination.

Initially, German media reports suggested that Wirtz and his family had agreed to personal terms with Bayern Munich, paving the way for a potential move either this summer or in 2026.

However, fresh developments have since cast doubt on that narrative.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Wirtz travelled to Manchester alongside his parents for a tour of City’s training facilities and a meeting with key figures at the Etihad Stadium.

While it appeared that Bayern and City were set for a direct duel, the situation has taken a surprising turn with the emergence of a third contender.

According to German outlet Kicker, Liverpool have now entered the race to sign Wirtz, complicating matters further and potentially delaying any swift resolution regarding the player’s future.

In a twist, the report claims that Wirtz’s trip to England was not primarily for Manchester City, but rather to visit Liverpool on Merseyside – suggesting the Anfield club may be in a stronger position than initially believed.

Wirtz has enjoyed a stellar season with Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 16 goals and providing 13 assists in 44 appearances.

Although the 22-year-old is under contract until June 2027, the Bundesliga champions are reportedly open to selling this summer to maximize his market value.

Read more: Real Madrid eye Ibrahima Konate amid Trent Alexander-Arnold exit shock

Chelsea resigned to losing Huijsen, eye trio of alternatives including Ajax’s Hato

Rayan Cherki drops hint about preferred summer move amid Premier League interest

Real Madrid eye Ibrahima Konate amid Trent Alexander-Arnold exit shock

Joseph Agbobli
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Real Madrid eye Ibrahima Konate amid Trent Alexander-Arnold exit shock

Liverpool fans are still coming to terms with the impending departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, but a new report suggests Real Madrid could already be lining up a move for another Anfield star, Ibrahima Konate.

Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Madrid as a free agent in the coming weeks.

Although he could potentially generate a nominal transfer fee that would allow him to link up with his new teammates sooner and participate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, his decision to leave was years in the making.

Contract talks with Liverpool were delayed from the summer of 2023, after which the right-back began exploring his options.

Despite the club offering him a significant pay rise, Alexander-Arnold ultimately chose to pursue a new challenge.

The mood among fans soured on Sunday during Liverpool’s Premier League finale, with some supporters booing his name during the pre-game lineup announcement and again when he came on as a second-half substitute.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the concern is that Real Madrid’s approach is proving effective.

The Spanish giants waited for Kylian Mbappe to become a free agent this year and had hoped to sign Leny Yoro in similar fashion – until Manchester United outbid them last summer.

Now, Madrid are also targeting Juventus defender Dean Huijsen, who has a £50million (€59m) release clause that can be paid in three instalments.

However, according to AS, even a successful pursuit of the 20-year-old wouldn’t prevent the club from pursuing Konate.

The French centre-back is reportedly still on their radar, with his Liverpool contract set to expire in 2026.

Madrid have been patching up issues in central defence for too long. Antonio Rudiger, who recently underwent surgery after playing through “severe pain” all season, and David Alaba will both turn 33 on their next birthdays.

Meanwhile, Eder Militao is sidelined with his second ACL injury in as many years.

Konate, who turns 26 this year, is entering what should be the prime of his career.

And just like Alexander-Arnold, there’s no guarantee he will extend his stay at Anfield.

Read more: Chelsea resigned to losing Huijsen, eye trio of alternatives including Ajax’s Hato

Rayan Cherki drops hint about preferred summer move amid Premier League interest

Chelsea yet to rule out Victor Osimhen move amid transfer battle with Man United

Chelsea resigned to losing Huijsen, eye trio of alternatives including Ajax’s Hato

Joseph Agbobli
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Chelsea resigned to losing Huijsen, eye trio of alternatives including Ajax’s Hato

Chelsea appear increasingly resigned to missing out on Dean Huijsen, with the club identifying a trio of alternative targets, including Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, to strengthen their defence.

Huijsen has emerged as one of the most sought-after players on the market this summer, with his £50m release clause drawing interest from top clubs across Europe.

Real Madrid have been open about their interest in the 20-year-old Spain international and are reportedly confident of securing a deal.

However, a conflicting report this week suggests that Arsenal and Liverpool are now in pole position to land him.

Regardless, Chelsea appear to be out of the picture.

The Blues are believed to be exploring the option of parting ways with Wesley Fofana, whose recurring injury issues have once again hampered his progress this season.

According to The Guardian, Chelsea have identified three key alternatives to Huijsen.

One of them is former Blues talent Marc Guehi, who has excelled since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2021.

The Crystal Palace captain has earned a spot in the England squad and has impressed with his leadership at Selhurst Park.

Guehi was the subject of a bid from Newcastle United last summer, with Palace rejecting multiple offers, the highest reaching £65m.

However, the 23-year-old has just one year left on his contract, making him a potential target for a move.

Other options include Hato, the highly-rated teenager who has been a regular starter for Ajax since 2023, and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

Branthwaite, who was the subject of a rejected offer from Manchester United last summer, was also linked with a move to Real Madrid before Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.

Chelsea’s defensive situation remains fluid, with several players facing uncertain futures.

Axel Disasi, who has been on loan at Aston Villa since January, is considered surplus to requirements by Enzo Maresca.

Trevoh Chalobah experienced a similar situation last summer before being recalled in January to cover a defensive shortfall, while Benoit Badiashile continues to be linked with an exit.

Read more: Rayan Cherki drops hint about preferred summer move amid Premier League interest

Chelsea yet to rule out Victor Osimhen move amid transfer battle with Man United

Manchester City eye Dani Olmo as Florian Wirtz pursuit stalls

Rayan Cherki drops hint about preferred summer move amid Premier League interest

Joseph Agbobli
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0
Rayan Cherki drops hint about preferred summer move amid Premier League interest

Lyon winger Rayan Cherki, who is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, has dropped a significant hint about the team he would most like to join this summer.

The 21-year-old has impressed this season, registering 39 goal contributions across all competitions.

That tally includes goals in both legs of the Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United.

With speculation growing around a potential £20million transfer, the rumours have intensified, especially after Lyon owner John Textor confirmed in January that Cherki had expressed a strong desire to join Paris Saint-Germain.

“It’s been three or four seasons that Cherki has wanted to leave,” the American said. “He wanted to go to PSG last year.

“He sent me a message saying: ‘I really want to go to PSG.’”

Although Textor has vowed not to sell any players to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Cherki’s desire to move to the French capital appears unchanged.

Over the weekend, Cherki was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season at the league’s annual awards ceremony – the only outfield player selected who does not represent PSG.

When asked on stage whether he would like to play alongside the other stars on the team in real life, he replied: “Yes, absolutely. I know them all. Ousmane [Dembélé] and Bradley [Barcola] are good friends of mine.

“When you have good chemistry on the pitch, it shows off the pitch too.”

When asked directly if he was hinting at a move to PSG, Cherki smiled and responded coyly: “I don’t know.”

His comments could be seen as a setback for English clubs monitoring his situation.

However, Le Parisien reports that PSG are not currently planning to revive their interest in the Frenchman.

The same report mentions enquiries from Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City.

Manchester United also remain in the frame.

The Red Devils have tracked Cherki for years, having first hosted him at Old Trafford and Carrington for a tour when he was just 15.

Read more: Chelsea yet to rule out Victor Osimhen move amid transfer battle with Man United

Manchester City eye Dani Olmo as Florian Wirtz pursuit stalls

Barcelona reportedly prepare to offload nine players, including De Jong and Gavi

Chelsea yet to rule out Victor Osimhen move amid transfer battle with Man United

Joseph Agbobli
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0
Chelsea yet to rule out Victor Osimhen move amid transfer battle with Man United

Chelsea have yet to rule out a potential move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who remains under consideration as the Blues prepare for a transfer showdown with Manchester United.

Both Premier League clubs are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements this summer.

While they have been linked with high-profile names such as Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, and Benjamin Sesko, attention has shifted toward Ipswich Town’s £30m-rated Liam Delap.

The Blues have been eager to secure Delap’s signature swiftly, but competition from United, who have identified the England Under-21 international as their primary attacking target, has intensified.

This growing competition has prompted Chelsea to remain open-minded in their pursuit of a new striker.

According to BBC Sport, the Premier League club are keeping their plans close to the chest amid the uncertainty surrounding a potential transfer.

While Sesko and Gyokeres remain options, it is notable that Chelsea has not entirely dismissed Osimhen, despite his previous move to Stamford Bridge collapsing last summer.

The 26-year-old’s wage demands were a key factor in the breakdown of negotiations, and they have not changed this time around.

Osimhen is reportedly asking for over £300,000 per week – an amount that led United to withdraw from the race and shift their focus to Delap instead.

Chelsea, known for their incentivised wage structure that typically avoids such high salaries, have not been deterred by Osimhen’s demands and continues to see him as a viable option.

Although Chelsea found Osimhen’s wage requests “prohibitive” during last summer’s negotiations, former Blue John Obi Mikel has suggested that a deal could still be revived quickly if the club decides to pursue the striker again.

Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, has enjoyed a prolific season, scoring 33 goals in 38 appearances.

The Turkish side are eager to sign him permanently but are unlikely to match the financial power of the Premier League clubs in the race for his signature.

Read more: Manchester City eye Dani Olmo as Florian Wirtz pursuit stalls

Barcelona reportedly prepare to offload nine players, including De Jong and Gavi

Bayern Munich close in on Jonathan Tah signing ahead of European rivals

Manchester City eye Dani Olmo as Florian Wirtz pursuit stalls

Joseph Agbobli
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Manchester City eye Dani Olmo as Florian Wirtz pursuit stalls

Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo as they prepare to miss out on Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, according to recent reports.

City are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements with Kevin De Bruyne set to depart at the end of the season.

Wirtz, who has long been regarded as a dream signing, has increasingly been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, prompting City to explore other options.

Among the alternatives under consideration are Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson.

However, Spanish outlet Relevo states that Olmo is now at the top of City’s wish list.

Guardiola’s side were one of many clubs speculatively linked with Olmo during the January transfer window, when it seemed possible that the Spanish international could leave Barcelona on a free transfer due to the club’s ongoing registration issues.

Now, it is reported that Pep Guardiola is determined to bring Olmo to the Etihad this summer, making him his primary midfield target.

In fact, it is suggested that Olmo has moved ahead of Wirtz on Guardiola’s shortlist.

Barcelona paid €47m to sign Olmo from RB Leipzig last summer, and while the 27-year-old is still under contract with the Catalan club, his deep affection for the club has kept him in Spain despite the ongoing registration uncertainty.

Nevertheless, Manchester City have the financial resources to present an offer that Barcelona may be compelled to consider.

It’s likely, however, that the La Liga leaders would demand a substantial fee for a player who has been a regular starter under manager Hansi Flick.

Olmo’s current contract with Barcelona runs until 2030, giving the club little pressure to sell from a contractual standpoint.

Much of the outcome may depend on the final ruling regarding Olmo’s registration status, with the matter still pending a decision by the National Court after La Liga’s arguments that Barcelona lack the necessary finances to register the midfielder.

Read more: Barcelona reportedly prepare to offload nine players, including De Jong and Gavi

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Barcelona reportedly prepare to offload nine players, including De Jong and Gavi

Joseph Agbobli
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0
Barcelona reportedly prepare to offload nine players, including De Jong and Gavi

Barcelona have reportedly compiled a list of nine players they are prepared to offload this summer – and it includes key midfielder Frenkie de Jong and fan favourite Gavi.

The Catalan giants edged closer to this season’s La Liga title with a thrilling 4–3 victory over Real Madrid at the weekend.

Under Hansi Flick, Barca also came close to reaching the Champions League final and have already secured two domestic trophies this season.

However, their persistent financial troubles continue to loom large.

It reportedly took government intervention and, surprisingly, assistance from Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to register Dani Olmo for the remainder of the campaign.

To comply with La Liga’s strict financial regulations next season, Barcelona will almost certainly need to reduce their wage bill.

According to SPORT, that could mean a significant squad overhaul this summer.

Some players are considered untouchable, most notably Lamine Yamal, who the club hopes to keep for his entire career.

Similarly, Pedri and Raphinha are not expected to leave.

However, Frenkie de Jong could be sold if he does not agree to a new contract.

The Dutch midfielder earned high praise from Inter manager Simone Inzaghi after his performances in the Champions League semi-finals.

“Frenkie de Jong impressed me just as much as Yamal,” said the Italian boss.

Flick is also a big admirer of the 27-year-old, who appears to have overcome his persistent injury issues.

Nonetheless, financial pressure could force Barca to cash in.

De Jong may not be the only high-profile departure. Gavi, a Flick favourite who is still recovering from an ACL injury, has publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the club.

Yet, a tempting offer could compel the Blaugrana to part ways with 20-year-old Gavi.

The report also names academy graduates Fermín López, Pablo Torre, Héctor Fort, and Iñaki Peña as potential exits.

Ronald Araújo’s future is uncertain too.

The Uruguayan centre-back is reportedly struggling with a “mental block” and is expected to hold talks over a possible summer move, with Manchester United reportedly monitoring the situation.

Elsewhere, Pau Víctor could be offloaded just a year after arriving at the club, while Ansu Fati, once considered the future of Barca, is also on the chopping block.

It is claimed that Barcelona’s potential move for Marcus Rashford depends on finding a buyer for Fati, which could speed up the young forward’s exit.

Read more: Bayern Munich close in on Jonathan Tah signing ahead of European rivals

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Bayern Munich close in on Jonathan Tah signing ahead of European rivals

Joseph Agbobli
-
0
Bayern Munich close in on Jonathan Tah signing ahead of European rivals

Bayern Munich are in advanced talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, ahead of Barcelona, Manchester United, and Real Madrid,

The Bundesliga giants pursued Tah’s signature last summer but were unable to agree on a suitable fee with Leverkusen.

As a result, the defender has expressed his intention to depart on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

Tah is now considered a valuable bargain due to his status as a free agent, attracting interest from many of Europe’s top clubs.

Barcelona were seen as the frontrunners for much of the season, but have failed to make a formal offer. Both Manchester United and Real Madrid also hold an interest in the player.

Initially, Bayern appeared willing to let Tah move elsewhere.

However, they were caught off guard by Eric Dier’s decision to leave this summer.

As newly crowned champions, Bayern now find themselves in need of a new centre-back and have focused their attention on Tah.

According to The Athletic, negotiations between Bayern and Tah are nearing a positive conclusion.

A three-year contract, with the option for an additional 12 months, is reportedly on the table.

As noted by Florian Plettenberg, this offer is “very attractive” to Tah, and it is believed that he has already agreed to Bayern’s terms.

All that remains is for him to give final approval for a move to Munich.

It is important to note that Barcelona, managed by fellow German Hansi Flick, have not given up hope of securing Tah’s signature.

A verbal agreement was reportedly reached earlier in the season, but financial concerns have prevented Barcelona from formalising their interest.

Despite the potential for a late move from Barcelona, Bayern remain confident of finalising the deal for Tah, whose time at Leverkusen will come to an end on Saturday following their final Bundesliga match against Mainz.

Read more: Cody Gakpo honour as Robertson seek improvement

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Cody Gakpo honour as Robertson seek improvement

Patrick McAshietey
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Cody Gakpo honour as Robertson seek improvement

Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson offered their reactions to the 2-2 draw against second-place Arsenal on Sunday at Anfield.

The duo combined on the left to put Liverpool ahead in the 20th minute of the first half before Luis Diaz doubled the tally within a minute and a half to put the hosts in a commanding lead.

However, a resurgent Arsenal performance saw them fight back to snatch a point, with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino (who was later sent off with 10 minutes to end the match).

Cody Gakpo told Liverpoolfc.com, “We played very well in moments, got 2-0 up – you should win the game.

“Obviously you know Arsenal is a strong side with a lot of qualities as well. But we, as a team, when we are 2-0 up, we shouldn’t give that away.

“I don’t really want to say [it was] a different Arsenal, I think it was a different us. I think we were not that sharp anymore, maybe not that focused anymore as we were in the first half, a little bit sloppy on the ball as well.

Gakpo
Cody Gakpo heads home the opener against the Gunners at Anfield. (Credit: Liverpool FC Images)

“They are a strong side, so when you drop maybe one or two percent, then they have the quality to take advantage of that, and that’s what they did. But I think it was because of us dropping in energy level or something.

“I think after they scored twice, we got back up again, and we created some good opportunities. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a winner.”

Cody Gakpo’s opener – a close-range header from Andy Robertson’s delivery – marked his 10th consecutive scoring start at Anfield for Liverpool.
This remarkable streak places him alongside Mohamed Salah, who is the only other player in the club’s history to achieve the same feat, doing so between December 2017 and April 2018.

He added, “Only two? So it’s me and Mo? That’s amazing to get a record like that. So maybe if I score in the last game of the season. I have to start, so hopefully I start!

“That’s an honour obviously to get that record, especially besides Mo, who has so many records. Amazing.”

Gakpo continued: “Hopefully we give them [the fans] two more wins from our side, and I think they deserve to have a great party.

“I think the last league title was in COVID. Now it’s not COVID anymore, so I expect a lot! I think they deserve that.

“We fought really hard this season to make that happen. We will have a great party. And then we have to focus again for next season and hopefully get more parties in.”

In a separate reaction, Andy Roberston told Sky Sports, “I thought [in] the first five to 10 minutes both teams were sloppy. I think we picked up, scored two really good goals, and probably had a couple more chances.”

“[In the] first half, we dominated. At half-time we went in and said to keep the same intensity and all the usual stuff and we come out in the second half in the first five to 10 minutes and we were miles off it.

Robertson
The Scotland international has faced a challenging season under new manager Arne Slot / Getty Images

“I think they tweaked a couple of things that started causing us a bit of problems. But we probably lost our aggression in the press and making our last step. Then they slowly but surely come back in the game.

“I think we finished strong. Obviously there’s a man sent off and a couple of chances. I thought I nicked it at the end but it wasn’t meant to be. I was told I was just offside anyway so the foul is probably irrelevant.

“Look, 2-2, two good teams. We’re delighted with the season we’ve had, but our second half has not been like us this season. There are still areas to work on.”

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