The summer transfer window is approaching, and there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Tchouameni headed to Real Madrid?
Real Madrid are leading the race for the signature of Aurelien Tchouameni, reports The Daily Telegraph.
The AS Monaco midfielder has been on the radar of a number of European clubs throughout the season, with Premier League sides Manchester City and Manchester United both hopeful of securing his services.
But with the Ligue 1 club looking for a transfer fee in the region of £67 million, Pep Guardiola's City might have difficulty in acquiring him while remaining in the chase for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
That has allowed Los Blancos to take a commanding position in the race for Tchouameni, with Carlo Ancelotti looking to evolve his midfield options at the Bernabeu. Luka Modric will turn 37 in September, while Toni Kroos is now 32 and is approaching the final year of his contract.
Tchouameni has made 40 appearances for Monaco this season, with form that has seen him begin to earn regular minutes for the France national team, scoring in the 2-1 over Ivory Coast on March 25.
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22.15 BST: Lazio are showing an interest in signing Genk striker Paul Onuachu, writes La Gazzetta dello Sport, which adds that the Nigeria international could return a transfer fee of around €15m. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could be offloaded in the summer as Lazio look to replace various players whose contracts are coming to an end, while also addressing financial issues. The move for Onuachu, who has 21 goals for Genk across all competitions this season, comes as the Serie A side look for an alternative to veteran frontman Ciro Immobile.
21.32 BST: - Celta Vigo are considering making an offer for midfielder Riqui Puig, who Barcelona do not see as a member of their squad going forward, reports Ekrem Konur. The 22-year-old La Masia graduate has managed just 380 minutes across 14 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
20.48 BST: The New England Revolution have completed the signing of 22-year-old goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Serbian SuperLiga side FK Cukaricki, the club announced on Wednesday. The Serbia international has signed for an undisclosed fee and joins on a three-year contract with the option of another year. This move comes with USMNT and Revs stopper Matt Turner set to join Arsenal in the summer.
"Djordje is a welcomed addition to our roster. He is a young goalkeeper with excellent physical qualities and potential," Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. "His play in the Serbian SuperLiga has been impressive, and we feel he has a great future with our club."
19.59 BST: Arsenal are tracking Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa as they aim to bring in another senior centre-back, according to Football Insider, which adds that Steven Gerrard is willing to listen to offers for the 24-year-old. Villa boss Gerrard is said to be unconvinced by Konsa's reliability and consistency despite featuring regularly in defence, after the Premier League outfit tried to sign Joe Gomez from Liverpool in January. The Gunners are also showing an interest in Konsa's Villa teammates Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins.
19.01 BST: Juventus could face competition from Atletico de Madrid for Udinese right-back Nauel Molina, reports Calciomercato.
The Argentine reportedly feels ready to take a step having already recorded six Serie A goals and three assists this term, though Udinese are demanding €30m for the 24-year-old. Juventus director Federico Cherubini will decide whether or not to begin negotiations, per the report.
18.09 BST: Juventus are showing an interest in Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, whose current contract runs out in 2023 and includes a €15m release clause, according to Nicolo Schira.
The journalist adds that I Bianconeri have already opened initial talks with the Serbia international's agent, Fali Ramadani, with the defender having received attention from various other clubs in the past.
17.17 BST: Napoli reportedly consider Getafe left-back Mathias Olivera a priority signing for next season, with the two clubs almost having agreed a deal since January, reports Fabrizio Romano.
The Serie A outfit is also planning on keeping Andre-Franck Zambo Anguissa past the current campaign by triggering the approximately €15m option to make his loan from Fulham a permanent transfer.
16.32 BST: LaLiga president Javier Tebas says it's "impossible" that Erling Haaland will sign for Barcelona.
The Borussia Dortmund forward's contract includes a €75m release clause, which becomes active in June.
Barca are among the top European clubs keen to sign the Norway international. Asked if Barca will sign Haaland, Tebas said: "It's impossible that Haaland will sign for Barca."
The Catalan club has a negative €144m spending limit according to LaLiga, and continues to work on cutting down spending and obtaining more resources to have the salary margin they need.
Tebas, meanwhile, believes that despite recent reports stating that Ousmane Dembele has opened the doors to remain at Barca, the French winger will leave this summer.
Dembele came close to leaving the Camp Nou in the winter transfer window after rejecting contract extension offers from Barca.
A reported target of Paris Saint-Germain, Dembele has scored two goals and set up 10 more in 22 appearances across all competitions.
"My feeling is that the Dembele will not continue in LaLiga."
One top star will come to LaLiga this summer is Kylian Mbappe, according to Tebas. The PSG star becomes a free agent this summer and has been Real Madrid's top target in recent transfer windows.
"If Mbappe has not extended his contract with PSG is because he will go to the Premier League or LaLiga," Tebas said. "I think he will end up at Real Madrid. That is my feeling."
15.49 BST: The agent of Timo Werner has been in Italy meeting with AC Milan, Juventus and Atalanta, according to Corriere Dello Sport.
Despite winning the Champions League in his first season at Chelsea, Werner has struggled to find his best form during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Werner, 26, has scored just seven Premier League goals since making his £45m move from RB Leipzig in 2020.
Corrire Dello Sport reports that Werner's agent, Volker Struth, has held meetings with some of Serie A's top clubs over a transfer for the Germany international.
15.02 BST: Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren could return to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag's No. 2 if the Dutchman is appointed by the club, The Guardian reports.
Ten Hag is also among a handful of names linked to the top job at Manchester United as interim manager Ralf Rangnick's tenure is set to conclude at the end of the campaign. Sources have told ESPN that Ajax boss Ten Hag has held talks over the role at Old Trafford.
McClaren worked as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant from 1999-2001 before branching out on his own managerial career, first at Middlesbrough and then the England national team. After he left the England job in 2007, McClaren took over at Dutch club FC Twente, with Ten Hag working as his No. 2 in his first season in charge, before winning the Eredivisie title the following year.
14.13 BST: Barcelona have met with Robert Lewandowski's agent "at least twice," according to Diario Sport, and believe they have a good chance of signing the Bayern Munich striker this summer.
Lewandowski, 33, has just one year to run on his deal in Germany and his next contract could be the last big deal he signs in his career. His agent, Pini Zahavi, is in "permanent contact" with Barca, according to the report, but is also in talks with Bayern over new terms. However, Sport claim that Lewandowski is open to a new experience in Spain before it's too late after 12 years in Germany -- four with Borussia Dortmund and eight with Bayern.
Barca have been working on a deal to sign Dortmund's Erling Haaland, but given the competition for the Norway striker, they have turned their attention to Lewandowski, who was first offered to them in January.
The Poland international would want a long-term contract, though, to secure his future, while Bayern would also command a big fee this summer, given he still has 12 months to run on his current deal.
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13.19 BST: Mohamed Salah hopes to sign a new contract at Liverpool, according to Egypt's sports minister.
"I have advised him to continue his journey at a club other than Liverpool, but his direction now is to renew his contract," Ashraf Sobhi said.
Salah's existing contract runs out in June 2023 and the 29-year-old previously said he wants to extend his stay at Anfield but claimed his future "is not in my hands."
On Monday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp played down reports that Salah is set to commit his long-term future to the club, but said contract talks are ongoing.
12.33 BST: Crystal Palace will be willing to let Wilfried Zaha leave the club this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing next year, the Daily Mail reports.
Zaha, 29, is out of contract at the end of next season, meaning he can leave as a free agent in 2023 if he does not sign a new deal.
The Ivory Coast international has unsuccessfully pushed for a transfer several times in the past, but Palace have resisted approaches from Arsenal and Everton as they were not willing to lose their star player.
The Mail reports that now, however, Palace are more willing to let Zaha leave as they have young attacking stars such as Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze coming to the fore for Patrick Vieira's side.
11.46 BST: Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is close to agreeing a new long-term contract with the club, his agent confirmed on Tuesday.
Araujo's deal is due to expire in 2023 and ESPN reported last month that both Manchester United and Liverpool were keen on signing the Uruguay international.
Barca's previous offer to Araujo was worth around €5m annually, with sources saying the money on offer from the Premier League sides was worth almost double. However, Barca have now upped their proposal, with the player's agent, Flavio Perchman, revealing an agreement is close after a meeting with sporting director Mateu Alemany on Tuesday.
"It's close," Perchman told reporters. "There is a desire on both sides [to finalise the renewal] and Ronald wants to stay at the club."
Araujo, 23, has been on the same deal at Barca since 2018, when he first joined the "B team" from Boston River in his homeland in a deal worth an initial €2m. That made him one of the lowest-paid players in the first team going into the current campaign, with his agents keen for his salary to rise along with his status at the club.
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10.58 BST: Christian Pulisic insists he is not worried about his contract situation at Chelsea and praised his teammates for maintaining their form amid ongoing takeover talk.
The USMNT international was speaking at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday ahead of a Champions League quarterfinal, first leg clash against Real Madrid as the Blues seek to defend the trophy they won last season.
Chelsea's ownership continues to be the subject of intense speculation with at least four bidders in the running to replace Roman Abramovich, who is selling the club having been sanctioned by the U.K. government for alleged ties to Russia president Vladimir Putin.
Pulisic has played a prominent role as the Blues have largely kept their season on track, winning six of their seven matches since Abramovich's tenure first became uncertain before losing 4-1 to Brentford last weekend.
Pulisic, whose current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2024, has been linked with a summer move away from the club but he said: "Of course I still have years left on my contract. I'm feeling good, I'm happy here. We've been successful, we've done some great things as a team while I've been here.
"Currently, I am enjoying my football and I'm just going to finish the season out strong. That's not something exactly I'm worried about right now but I'm feeling good right now."
10.11 BST: Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has signed a one-year contract extension with Real Betis. Bravo, 38, joined the LaLiga club in the summer of 2020 from Manchester City.
"I'm very proud and happy to remain here for another year," Bravo said. "I want to thank the fans and the club for continuing to trust me and my work."
Bravo has made 18 appearances in all competitions for Betis this season.
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Como el buen vino chileno.@C1audioBravo pic.twitter.com/wL8ltFAhS6
09.23 BST: Adelaide United star Chelsie Dawber has signed with NWSL club Chicago Red Stars as she attempts to break into the Matildas squad ahead of the Women's World Cup.
Dawber was a revelation alongside ALW Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts in Adelaide's attack, scoring 10 goals and notching three assists, as United finished third and made the finals for the first time in their history.
The 22-year-old, who is yet to be capped, has joined Chicago on a two-year deal, with an option for a third.
Chicago was previously the home of Matildas captain Sam Kerr, who shot to global prominence with standout goal-scoring performances for the Red Stars in 2018 and 2019 before joining Chelsea.
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08.30 BST: Ronald Koeman is to return as Netherlands coach when Louis van Gaal leaves the role after the World Cup in Qatar.
Koeman had a successful two-and-a-half-year spell as national team coach before leaving to join Barcelona in 2020, while Van Gaal has given him his backing.
"They consulted me, I have a say in that," Van Gaal told De Telegraaf. "It's not that difficult. A year ago, I was the only coach available who had experience, that now applies to Koeman. He would be a good successor."
Koeman added, in a statement from the KNVB: "I am looking forward to the new collaboration. A little over a year and a half ago I certainly did not leave the Dutch national team out of dissatisfaction.
"My stay felt good, the results were good and the click with the internationals was good. We will soon continue on that path. That is certain for me."
PAPER GOSSIP (Adam Brown)
- Paris Saint-Germain have made a contract offer to Paul Pogba as they look to acquire him on a free transfer, reveals the Manchester Evening News. It is reported that the deal is worth less than what he has been offered to stay at Man United, and while the 29-year-old midfielder is willing to make the switch to the Parc des Princes, the report adds that a return to Juventus remains his preferred option.
- Watford defender William Troost-Ekong could be on his way to MLS side LA Galaxy on a loan deal, reveals CBS Sports. The 28-year-old centre-back has made 16 appearances in the Premier League this season but has not featured since January after some injury struggles he sustained while representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
- Napoli are looking for a transfer fee of €120m for striker Victor Osimhen in the summer, reveals Corriere dello Sport. It is reported that the 23-year-old is on the radar of Newcastle United, Manchester United and Arsenal ahead of a potential summer move, though the Serie A side's demands could cool interest in their frontman, who has scored 15 goals in 25 appearances this season.
- Bayern Munich are in talks with agent Mino Raiola to complete a double swoop of Ajax stars Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui, writes Fabrizio Romano. Barcelona are still waiting for 24-year-old Mazraoui to make his decision after tabling an offer, while Netherlands international Gravenberch looks destined for a switch to the Allianz Arena. The 19-year-old has made 38 appearances this season for Ajax.
- AC Milan have identified Fabian Schar as a potential solution at centre-back, according to Rudy Galetti. As time runs down on Alessio Romagnoli's contract, the Rossoneri have been looking at alternatives to replace him, and it looks as though 30-year-old Switzerland international Schar is the No. 1 target. He has made 20 starts in the Premier League this season for Newcastle.
- Mohamed Salah has no interest in a move to LaLiga, according to Fabrizio Romano's Here We Go podcast. The 29-year-old winger has been linked with Barcelona in recent weeks as he approaches the final year of his Liverpool contract, but following reports that he is close to agreeing new terms at Anfield, the latest indicates he isn't thinking about the possibility of making the switch to the Camp Nou.