Transfer news: De Jong on Man Utd approach, Chelsea bid for Vlahovic, questions over Vinicius’ Real Madrid future & more

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AC Milan

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli: “Brahim has unique skills and I believe the desire would be to keep him. We need a strong striker to join us in the summer. De Ketelaere to leave or stay? I don’t know, we’ll see at the end of the season.”

Al Rayyan

Former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim has just signed his contract as new Al Rayyan manager. Jardim has signed until June 2025, with the deal set to be announced.

Barcelona

Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste confirms: “Deco will be the new director, he will join the club and he will work together with Mateu Alemany.”

Deco will take the role of Jordi Cruyff, who is leaving the club.

Frenkie de Jong: “Feeling after the club wanted to get rid of me for €80m last summer? Well… you don’t know how things go. Maybe this summer it will be different again, but I feel good here.”

Xavi considers Frenkie as crucial player for his project.

Bayern Munich

Konrad Laimer has already signed the contract as new FC Bayern player, medicals completed months ago. The deal is 100% confirmed.

Speaking after RB Leipzig’s game against Bayern, Laimer said: “I can’t confirm it yet, but my contract is expiring and I definitely like it here…”

There’s no change to the situation with Joshua Kimmich. He’s considered untouchable at Bayern and there are no plans to negotiate for him this summer. Despite links with Barcelona, he’s not on the market as he is considered a crucial part of Bayern’s project.

Brighton

Brighton are now set to complete James Milner deal on free transfer — the club feel it will be done and sealed soon, despite the interest of other clubs, including Leeds. De Zerbi wants Milner and talks already took place. Next one: Mahmoud Dahoud, on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea

Despite rumours, Chelsea haven’t sent a €80m bid for Dusan Vlahovic, as of now. He’s one of many strikers appreciated at the club but no bid/talks. They will go for a new number 9 and they know Vlahovic well, but there are no bids or verbal proposals yet, he’s just one of many names on their list. Bayern and Manchester United also remain in the race for Vlahovic — but they’re still waiting for Juventus’ decision.

Chelsea invested €15m fixed fee plus €5m add-ons for Cesare Casadei last summer in order to anticipate three more clubs — they’re happy with his development this year. After a positive loan spell at Reading, Casadei has two goals and one assist in his first game at the U20 World Cup tonight.

Juventus

Despite rumours, Chelsea haven’t sent a €80m bid for Dusan Vlahovic, as of now, with both Chelsea and Juventus’ side denying this. He’s one of many strikers appreciated at the club but no bid/talks. Bayern and Manchester United also remain in the race for Vlahovic — but they’re still waiting for Juventus’ decision.

Massimiliano Allegri on his future: “I’m staying here at Juventus, 100 per cent — I’m under contract here. After that, it’s not up to me to decide.”

Meanwhile, Juve are waiting for the green light from Napoli to complete the appointment of Cristiano Giuntoli as their new director.

Liverpool

Liverpool want to resolve final details of Alexis Mac Allister deal as soon as possible to avoid competition; full agreement on personal terms is really close. Mac Allister’s plan is to leave Brighton early in the window, and the move could be done and sealed in June.

Manchester City

Erling Haaland after getting his Premier League medal: “Unreal, honestly. I don’t know what to say. It’s just unreal and I’m so happy!”

Talks will continue in the next few days between Ilkay Gundogan’s camp and Manchester City — new proposal will be valid until June 2024 plus one year as option. Gundogan has not rejected or accepted any bid as of now. Barcelona proposal remains valid. The race is open.

Manchester United

Manchester United are now advancing in talks to extend Facundo Pellistri’s contract until June 2028. There are also plans to discuss a new deal for Amad Diallo in the next weeks and months. United want both players to have long-term contracts, and they look to be in good hands under Erik ten Hag.

Frenkie de Jong on last summer: “The club was in a difficult situation and they could have sold me for a big fee. But I didn’t want to go and stayed. Manchester United spoke with Barça, even though I wanted to stay. I want to be at Barca for as long as I can.”

Erik ten Hag remains a big fan of De Jong but he knows that the player wants to stay at Barcelona. Sergio Busquets has left and so the plan is for a key role for De Jong in midfield. Xavi also wants De Jong to stay at the club, they have a good relationship.

Manchester United are preparing a bid for Dusan Vlahovic, who wants Champions League football if he leaves Juventus (Football Transfers)

Napoli

Luciano Spalletti is seriously considering to leave Napoli at the end of the season. It’s concrete possibility, as Napoli are exploring options for replacement.

“The decision has been made, we’re just waiting to communicate that”, Spalletti said after yesterday’s game.

RB Leipzig

Dani Olmo on his future: “We are still in talks with RB Leipzig. In the next weeks we will know everything.”

Leipzig have sent an important new deal proposal days ago, waiting on player’s decision. Current contract runs out in June 2024.

“Next question…” – Dominik Szoboszlai said to SkyDE after being asked about his potential move this summer. His release clause is €70m. In any case, the feeling is that the Hungarian talent will leave RB Leipzig.

Dominik Szoboszlai in action for RB Leipzig

Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior is absolutely not considering to leave Real Madrid — despite recent reports. Feeling of those close to Vini is that he only wants to stay and beat racism in Spain. No other way. Also, a new long term deal has already been signed months ago.

Tottenham

In the last 24 hours, we’ve heard new rumours about Julian Nagelsmann being back in talks to get the Tottenham job, but from what I understand there are no advanced talks. Nagelsmann was open to the Spurs job, but he wanted a director of football of his choice, supporting his ideas, and this is why the talks were stopped – Tottenham decided to go with a different idea, to appoint a director and then appoint a manager. This is why talks were not hot in the last few days, and the situation has not changed. The only case for Nagelsmann to re-open talks with Spurs is if there will also be a director to support his ideas.

Arne Slot is a serious candidate for the Tottenham job. Contacts are ongoing internally, but for now the priority is to decide on a new director. Slot is the front-runner, but Luis Enrique and Ruben Amorim are also on their list, so we’ll see what happens.

Udinese

Udinese director Marino: “We have not received a huge bid for Beto now, but we have a release clause included into his contract.”

The release clause this summer is €35m. Everton wanted Beto in January, while Napoli are now also keen on signing him.