<
        >

          Transfer Talk: Real Madrid lower Cristiano Ronaldo buyout clause

          • ESPN
          Jun 27, 2018, 11:48 PM

          The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.

          Cristiano Ronaldo buy-out clause lowered

          Cristiano Ronaldo could be nearer a Real Madrid exit than ever before, if reports in in Spain are to be believed. OK Diario claim the Portugal superstar's €1 billion buyout clause has been significantly lowered to "just" €120 million.

          Ronaldo is understood to be looking to end his nine-year stay at the Bernabeu following various claims he is "unhappy".

          Former club Manchester United are one of the potential destinations for the five-time Ballon d'Or-winner, but the lowered fee will not be available to Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain.

          LIVE BLOG

          22.07 BST: That's going to do it for Thursday's live edition of Transfer Talk. Thanks very much for joining us, and be sure to check back in a few short hours when we return with the latest gossip picked from Friday's back pages.

          21.20 BST" Manchester City are set to battle with Monaco and Borussia Dortmund for the signature of Zulte Waregem's 16-year-old left-back Koni De Winter, talkSPORT cites unnamed Dutch outlets as reporting, with the Ligue 1 said said to be leading the race for the Belgian.

          20.33 BST: Just a year after arriving on Tyneside, 22-year-old midfielder Mikel Merino is set to leave Newcastle in a €12 million deal, destined for Real Sociedad, where he's already agreed a five-year contract, according to Goal.

          19.46 BST: TalkSPORT cites Mediaset Premium as reporting that Chelsea are beginning to make plans for long-rumoured new manager Maurizio Sarri by targeting 26-year-old Inter Milan midfielder Matias Vecino, who joined the Nerazzurri just a year ago in a £20 million deal.

          18.59 BST: Southampton are willing to listen to offers for goalkeeper Fraser Forster, Sky Sports reports, after the 30-year-old Englishman was dropped at the end of 2017 and never regained his place, and manager Mark Hughes has identified Manchester City's 22-year-old Angus Gunn as the man to challenge Alex McCarthy for Saints' No. 1 shirt.

          18.12 BST: Having struggled to settle at Chelsea, Davide Zappacosta is one name Calciomercato reports is being linked in the Italian media with a move to Inter, who are looking for a replacement for Joao Cancelo, after the impressive loanee signed for Juventus on Wednesday.

          17:25 BST: Manchester United have sent their best wishes to Wayne Rooney as the club's record goal scorer's move to DC United was confirmed.

          17:16 BST: Atalanta president insists Lazio target Papu Gomez is not for sale. "I am sick of repeating it: Papu Gomez is unsellable," said Antonio Percassi.

          Lazio had targeted Gomez as a potential replacement for Felipe Anderson, who looks set to join West Ham.

          16:49 BST: Chelsea have emerged as the new frontrunners to sign Liverpool and Real Madrid target Alisson, according to Marca -- and they are ready to pay €70 million.

          16:30 BST: West Ham are ready to spend €25 million on Porto's Moussa Marega, according to Zero Zero.

          16:11 BST: Inter Milan confirm Radja Nainggolan will wear the No. 14 shirt after he completed his move from Roma.

          15:42 BST: Mohamed Elyounoussi is undergoing a medical at Southampton after fee agreed of £16 million move from FC Basel, sources have told ESPN FC.

          15:28 BST: Ipswich complete the signing of Jordan Roberts on a free transfer.

          15:14 BST: William Carvalho is on Manchester United's radar after terminating his Sporting contract, claim Record.

          14:57 BST: Manchester United shut down Tottenham's approach for Anthony Martial, according to the Manchester Evening News.

          14:42 BST: Various reports in Italy suggest Mario Balotelli has been offered to Napoli by agent Mino Raiola.

          14:20 BST: Manchester United are in talks with Lee Grant, with the Stoke goalkeeper required to provide cover for David De Gea and Sergio Romero.

          13:46 BST: Tottenham are preparing a €26 million bid for Nice striker Alassane Plea, according to reports in France.

          13:26 BST: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has welcomed potential interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Asked about his future plans, he told Mundo Deportivo: "I have not decided where I'm going to play in the future. The World Cup ends for me now and what I think is to take a few days off, then there will be time to talk with Lazio and make a decision on whether I stay in Rome or they are agree to transfer me."

          However, press on interest from the Spanish duo, he added: "There is nothing firm at the moment, nobody has told me directly anything and now I will catch up with the club and my agents. Who does not take pride in being linked to Barca or Real Madrid?"

          13:01 BST: Manchester United have turned their attentions to Toni Kroos, according to AS But would he get in the team now that Marouane Fellaini looks set to sign a contract extension?

          12:44 BST: Sources have told ESPN FC that Huddersfield's move for Borussia Dortmund defender Erik Durm has fallen through.

          12:20 BST: Raul Albiol looks set to sign a new Napoli contract until 2021, despite Villarreal looking to meet his €6 million release clause which expires on Saturday.

          12:02 BST: William Bianda, 18, has completed a medical at Roma and will sign a five-year deal after the Giallorossi agreed a deal with Lens.

          11:43 BST: Naby Keita revealed he spoke to former teammate Sadio Mane before agreeing to join Liverpool.

          11:15 BST: AC Milan fans at least have some good news on the back of the revelation they will be banned from competing in next season's Europa League campaign.

          Gazzetta dello Sport claim highly-rated Croatian midfielder Alen Halilovic, 22, is undergoing a medical ahead of a move from Hamburg. Halilovic signed for Barcelona in 2014, but only made one Copa del Rey appearance.

          11.00 BST: Napoli are looking at Paris Saint-Germain's Alphonse Areola and Udinese's Alex Meret to replace Pepe Reina as goalkeeper, Calciomercato write.

          Gianluigi Buffon could complete a move to PSG in the coming weeks too.

          10.55 BST: Off to D.C. United, Wayne?

          10.50 BST: L'Equipe are reporting that Crystal Palace have held talks with Toulouse's 19-year-old goalkeeper Alban Lafont, though PSV and Fiorentina are also interested.

          10.40 BST: It has been a busy morning for Cardiff.

          While Junior Hoilett has signed a new contract, Alex Smithies has joined from QPR and Bobby Reid is expected to join later, BBC Sport are reporting that they have held talks with Liverpool regarding the possible re-signing of Marko Grujic on loan.

          10.25 BST: Croatia World Cup star Ante Rebic is reportedly interesting Everton, according to the Mirror.

          Rebic has helped his national side top group C ahead of Argentina, scoring a sublime volley against them in a 3-0 win.

          10.15 BST: There's a done deal at Cardiff...

          09.50 BST: Everton's Wayne Rooney has reportedly agreed a deal to join D.C. United.

          The former England international could even start training with the side by the end of the week.

          09.40 BST: Manchester United are reportedly in the race to sign Sochaux youngster Lucien Agoume, but face stiff competition...

          09.35 BST: Marca believe that Chelsea have overtaken Real Madrid and Liverpool in the race to sign Roma and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson.

          09.30 BST: Frenkie de Jong's agent Ali Dursun met with Barcelona representatives on Wednesday to discuss his client future move from Ajax to the Nou Camp, according to Mundo Deportivo.

          Barca do not plan to bring the 21-year-old midfielder until the summer of 2019 but they are trying to get a deal now in order to avoid more competition.

          09.00 BST: Roma have wasted no time overhauling their squad with William Bianda set to join them as their ninth summer signing.

          Bianda, a central defender has arrived in Rome for his medical and is set to cost €4 million from Lens.

          Asensio wants Real Madrid stay

          The past few days have seen the rumour that Liverpool are preparing a €180 million offer to lure Marco Asensio away from Real Madrid. It started with a report in Mundo Deportivo at the weekend that was repeated in Marca on Wednesday, and Sport claims Real could be willing to sacrifice him as they look to raise funds to sign Neymar.

          But another Spanish outlet is skeptical about it all: "AS has been told that Asensio's remarks were in no way made with the intention of leaving the door open to a move to the Premier League club."

          Asked about the recent reports at Spain's World Cup news conference on Tuesday, the 22-year-old said his focus remains on La Roja. "It is something which has come out," Asensio said. "When this World Cup is over, we will talk about these type of things."

          Everton keen on Croatia's Rebic

          Ante Rebic has impressed at the World Cup for Croatia on the heels of a good season on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, and that has now drawn Everton's attention, according to the Mirror.

          The 24-year-old scored nine goals in 28 appearances last season, including two in Frankfurt's victory over Bayern Munich in the German Cup final. In Russia this summer, he scored the first goal in Croatia's 3-0 win over Argentina.

          Frankfurt have activated their option to buy Rebic from his Italian parent club Fiorentina and initially valued him at £26 million, but they are bracing for offers -- including also from Tottenham -- and believe his World Cup performances have increased his value.

          Tap-ins

          -- Chelsea are preparing to send Jeremie Boga on loan to Sassuolo, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio says. The 21-year-old spent last term on loan at Birmingham, scoring twice and assisting three times.

          -- Bournemouth are edging closer to signing David Brooks after agreeing a £12 million fee with Sheffield United, the Mail says. The 20-year-old will have a medical with the Cherries on Thursday following a fine season in the Championship.

          -- Monaco have struck an agreement to sign 16-year-old midfielder Robert Navarro from Barcelona. L'Equipe reports that the French club agreed a three-year deal with an option for two more years.

          -- Inter Milan continue to set the pace in the European market this summer after holding talks with Atletico Madrid to sign Sime Vrsaljko. Gianluca Di Marzio claims that the World Cup star is wanted on a loan with a right to buy, but the Spanish club have rejected this proposal.