Transfer Talk: Madrid on alert as Mbappé talks with Man City،
The summer transfer window is still a long way from reopening in Europe, but many movements are underway and gossip is swirling. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumors, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Man City mobilizes over Mbappé deal
The Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé is widely tipped to join Real Madrid this summer, but Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reports that the French World Cup winner has also met with Manchester City officials.
Last week, Mbappé informed PSG of his intention to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, by which time the 24-year-old is believed to have already spoken to City representatives.
Madrid have been described as the hot favorites to sign Mbappé at the end of the season, but City are hoping to snatch the star from underneath. The Whites nose. Several members of Pep Guardiola's squad reportedly saw Mbappé's representatives at the club's training complex last Monday.
Mbappé will leave PSG after seven years in the French capital. He joined PSG from AS Monaco and won every major domestic honor available, with only the Champions League eluding him at club level. He believes he needs to move on to new horizons to give himself a better chance of winning in Europe, and that Madrid and City would provide that platform.
Man City, like PSG, are one of the few clubs that can afford Mbappé's salary, which has put off other potential suitors, including Liverpool and Arsenal.
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Paper gossip
– Adrien Rabiot is a wanted man this summer, with Barcelona, Internazionale, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Bayern Munich all interested in signing the Juventus midfielder, according to Ekrem Konur. Serie A giants Juve are yet to agree a new contract with the 28-year-old Frenchman, meaning he poses an attractive proposition for any club wishing to sign him on a free transfer in July. Rabiot refuses to be influenced by its future and remains focused on the The Bianconeri He scored in a chaotic 2-2 draw against Hellas Verona at the weekend, which leaves Juventus nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan.
– Chelsea prepare bold offer for Bayern striker Harry Kane in the summer, according to Football Insider. The Blues, managed by former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, have heard that Kane is not entirely happy in Germany and could be tempted by a return to the Premier League. The 30-year-old has broken a number of records since his time in the Bundesliga, scoring 28 goals in 29 games in all competitions, but after Sunday's surprise 3-2 defeat to Bochum, Bayern are eight points behind in the title race. It is believed Chelsea would be able to match the fee paid for Kane last summer, which was around £82million.
– RB Leipzig hopes to keep its attacking midfielder Xavi Simons beyond his initial loan deal with Paris Saint-Germain, but Mbappe's proposed move to Real Madrid could see Simons return to play a leading role for the French side, according to Footmercato. Simons has been a revelation since leaving the French capital, scoring five goals and adding seven assists in 20 Bundesliga matches.
– The Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, but the Nigerian international would prefer to play in the Premier League. It depends Rudy Galetti, who report that the Londoners are looking to accelerate their negotiations for the 25-year-old in order to fend off interest from the Parisians. PSG considering other options, including AC Milan flyer Rafael Léão.
– Ekrem Konur think PSG are interested in Inter striker Lautaro Martinez as a possible replacement for Mbappé. The 26-year-old Argentinian has been in electric form this season; his 20 goals put him at the top of the Serie A goal rankings ahead of Juve Dusan Vlahovic (13). Martinez, under contract with the Nerazzurri until 2026, says he is happy at San Siro and reluctant to move to France.
– Juventus gave up on winning Serie A this season and focused on strengthening for 2024-25, according to Repubblica. The Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee has shone in Serie A this season with 15 goals, and the former Bayern Munich academy graduate is attracting interest across Europe, with Arsenal and Manchester United both interested. The outlet, however, says Juve hope the Dutchman can revive their title hopes next season and plan to make a move soon.
