Transfer Rumors of the Week
– Declan Rice is rumored to be Bayern and Arsenal
The Gunners are in a heated battle to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this Summer, but Manchester and Bayern are also in the race. The race to sign West Ham captain is on the rise as the England international nears the final game with the Hammers. The captain is set to lead his team out in the Europa Conference League final in the coming week as they challenge Fiorentina to the trophy. According to media outlets, Bayern held a meeting with Rice about the possibility of a switch, and the outcome for them is said to be positive. While that may sound true, the overall position following it is still a boost to Arsenal at the moment. It remains to be seen how this all plays out but the north London outfit will have to sit tight for now, awaiting the European finals to play out first.
Benzema is Going To Saudi
The Saudi government has decided to inject $20 BILLION to develop the top Saudi clubs and thus give credibility to their league. They want to sign lots of “big names”. With Ronaldo is earning £173million-a-year with Al Nassr while players such as Lionel Messi and other football icons have been approached. Benzema reportedly became the latest footballer to be offered huge sums of money to make the move to the Saudi Pro League. Although the Frenchman has just one year left on his contract with Real Madrid, questions have been raised about his future at the Bernabeu. Reports stated that Benzema had his head turned by an eye-watering offer from Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad. He had reportedly informed Carlo Ancelotti that he wanted to leave Real to join up with the Saudi side, although a fee between the two clubs hadn’t been agreed.
Harry Kane remains Real Madrid’s target to replace Karim Benzema and the Tottenham striker is willing to make the move. Although Man United is also bidding for the Spurs striker, Daniel Levy, Spurs chairman will be willing to sell only to a club outside the Premier League which gives Real Madrid an upper hand in negotiations to bid below the asking price for the sale of the England national which was set at £100m. Kane, 29, has a year left on his deal at Spurs, this could be their chance to cash in on the striker.
Where goes Messi?
Lionel Messi is expected to decide on his future over the coming hours – at most, days. Currently, he has two lucrative offers on the table: One from Saudi Arabia, and one from Miami. Over the past couple of days, the idea of going to Miami has become a reality for the player as this guarantees his family’s safety and comfort. However, the middle east, is a much more lucrative one, offering him more money: Messi is expected to take on a role within something of a State project that has been set up by the government with him and Cristiano Ronaldo has the poster boys.
Ugarte is going to Chelsea
Chelsea is set to sign Manuel Ugarte from Sporting CP with the mid-fielder having agreed to join the Premier League side on a transfer that could cost up to €65 million.
A Portuguese media outlet states that Ugarte has picked the Blues over interests from PSG who has offered the Uruguay international a better wage package than the London side. He is a player noted for his enormous defensive qualities, which is something that Chelsea has missed in their midfield throughout what has been a very difficult season.
There has been previous interest from England’s top flight, Liverpool but it is said the Old Lady pulled out of the deal fearful that the player’s €60m release clause was excessive.
The former Famalicao player’s desire to play in the Premier League is underlined by the fact that he turned down substantially higher wages at PSG to join Chelsea. Reports from Portugal stated that the French club offered him €5m per season to join whereas he will only be paid around €3.5m with Pochettino’s side.
Ugarte will play alongside fellow South American Enzo Fernandez at the heart of the Chelsea Midfield next season.
Mac Allister to Liverpool
Reports were on the rise last week that Mac Allister is close to reaching a personal agreement with the Reds over a summer move, as Premier League champions Manchester City refrained from making an offer despite reports of their interest.
The Brighton midfielder is set to be joining the Reds this summer and no other destinations have emerged, what’s yet to be known is “at what cost?” with Romano also stating earlier in the week that it will be ‘much less’ than €75m.
Whatever the cost is, Mac Allister could yet be the first signing of the summer for the Old Lady, but much more work has to be done after that to get Jürgen Klopp’s squad into shape.
