As we get closer to the 2018 World Cup, clubs are working harder and faster to get deals done before players fly to Russia with their respective squads. Most clubs are looking to seal deals before their targets’ market value goes up if they have a great tournament.
We’ve collated all the major Premier League transfer news and rumors involving not only players but also managerial targets. Let’s dive in!
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte declines Real Madrid offer
After Zinedine Zidane’s shocking exit – the first manager to leave of his own accord under club president Florentino Perez – Real Madrid have been on the lookout for a new managerial candidate and their focus has now shifted to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
The former Juventus and Italy manager was one of the primary candidates for the job, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. However, they also report that the Italian boss declined the offer.
One of the main reasons the FA Cup winning coach reportedly turned down Los Blancos’ offer is the fact that he is not ready to inherit the current squad.
Real Madrid had previously tried to lure Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino back to La Liga to manage the club but the Argentine manager had just signed a new contract with the north London club and he would have cost Real £42.5m to secure his services.
West Ham set £60m price tag on Manchester United target Marko Arnautovic
According to Mirror, West Ham will allow Manchester United to sign Marko Arnautovic only if they pay £60m. Not to be left behind in the highly-inflated transfer market, the Hammers are ready to wait and see if United are willing to play hardball.
The London side are in no rush to sell their star attacker who scored 11 goals and grabbed 6 assists in the Premier League this season. No other player hit double digits for goals.
West Ham had paid Stoke City £24m last summer to bring him to the London Stadium and had officially claimed that he was not for sale. Jose Mourinho had worked with him in the past when a young Arnautovic was on loan at Inter for a season.
Tottenham demand more than £55m for Manchester United target Toby Alderweireld
As if being asked to pay £60m for Marko Arnautovic wasn’t enough, Manchester United were also asked to pay big for Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld.
According to Evening Standard, both clubs have been unable to come to an agreement on the final transfer fee for the Belgian defender.
The 29-year-old centre-back only has one more year remaining on his contract but Spurs do not want to let him go that easily and they also have the option of extending it by a year to 2020. However, he would be able to leave for only £25m in 2019 if they extend it.
Tottenham had offered Alderweireld a five-year contract worth £120,000 a week but United are ready to offer him much more than that.
Liverpool set to announce £53m signing of Nabil Fekir
The 24-year-old skipper of the Ligue 1 club has been on the Reds’ radar for quite some time and the Anfield club want to wrap things up before he flies out to Russia with the France squad for the 2018 World Cup.
The official announcement will be made when the stock market closes in France (4 PM BST).
Arsenal looking to sign RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann
According to German news outlet Bild, Arsenal are interested in signing RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann. The 22-year-old is capable of playing as a centre-back but also as a full-back.
His versatility to play across the back-line is reportedly what has caught the eye of the Gunners. He was also a part of the Germany squad that won the silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games and has been with Leipzig since 2014.
