Transfer Talk: Man City to battle Man Utd for Olise signature،
The winter transfer window has now closed in Europe's top leagues, but there are plenty of moves afoot and gossip swirling as summer approaches. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumors, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: City and United fight for Olise
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will clash with rival Erik ten Hag for top Manchester United target and Crystal Palace star. Michel Oliseaccording to The Sun.
City view the Frenchman as one of their top priorities of the summer to improve their right side, while United hope the 22-year-old will be the first marquee arrival of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era.
Olise, who had to leave the field due to injury during Palace's 4-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday, impressed with his combination of pace, trickery and ability to create chances. He turned down the opportunity to move to Chelsea last summer to stay with the Eagles, but might believe the end of the season is the right time to move on, especially if he thinks he could get playing time in his new club, what he would do. This has not been guaranteed at Chelsea given the huge staff turnover.
Expected for a fee in the region of £60million, Olise has scored six goals and added three assists this season. He is under contract with Palace until 2027.
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Paper gossip
– Al Hilal considering another bid for Manchester United's Portuguese international Bruno Fernandes, according to The Sun. The Saudi Pro League side hope to pair the 29-year-old with Neymar next season in what would be a formidable attack. Al Hilal unsuccessfully tried to sign Fernandes in January, with Fernandes refusing to allow the Saudi club to stay in Manchester, but The Sun believes Al-Za'eem The next offer will test the resolve of the player and that of United's hierarchy.
– West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are already interested in the Le Havre star Arouna Sangante, but both clubs are likely to be overshadowed by one of Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan or one of England's top six, according to Football Insider. Both Forest and the Irons made inquiries to Deadline Day about a possible loan move for the 21-year-old, which were rejected by the League One club who would instead prefer he leave on a long-term deal . The Senegalese defender and Le Havre captain can play both centrally and on the right, and his exceptional form this season has also attracted interest from Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs. He is under contract until 2026.
– With sources telling ESPN that Kylian Mbappé will join Real Madrid this summer, The Telegraph says Paris Saint-Germain have turned their attention to the Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. PSG sporting director Luis Campos would like to replace the outgoing World Cup winner with someone he trusts, and Osimhen worked with Ocampos at Lille before leaving for Naples. PSG will likely face competition for Osimhen, with Manchester United and Chelsea also linked with the 25-year-old. Campos would also consider AC Milan flyer Rafael Léãowho was also in Lille at the same time.
– Manchester United hope to fend off interest in star midfielder Kobbie Mainoo by boosting his contract, according to Ekrem Konur. He believes a number of Premier League and La Liga clubs are monitoring Mainoo's situation, and that although United were planning to reward the 18-year-old with a new contract at the end of the season, they may have to work faster than expected. Mainoo has been one of the stars of the season, his importance to the team summed up by his injury-time winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek.
– The Argentine striker Mauro Icardi is pushing for a return to Serie A from Galatasaray, according to Calciomercato. The 30-year-old has been in sensational form since arriving in Turkey, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in his 31 appearances so far. Icardi attracted interest from Real Madrid in January, with The Whites wanting to strengthen their injury-ravaged forward line. Galatasaray were, however, unwilling to negotiate and Icardi is more interested in a return to Italy. A fan of Internazionale, he said he was ready to lower his salary to return to San Siro.
– Central defender of Leicester City Harry Soutar has told ESPN that he intends to stay and fight for his place in the Foxes' starting lineup after missing out on a move in the January transfer window. Everton, Sheffield United and Leeds United were all linked with the towering Socceroos star, but none managed to reach an agreement with the runaway Championship leaders.
