TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Chelsea prepare £80 million bid for Caicedo
TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Chelsea are put off by striker’s salary and prepare £80m Moises Caicedo bid, Man United step up £65m Rasmus Hojlund talks – and Pep Guardiola is eyeing three players
- Bayern fear Uli Hoeness’ Harry Kane comments may come back to bite them
- Chelsea’s striker problems remains after being put off by one target’s wages
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Hello and welcome to another edition of our transfer newsletter, brought exclusively to you.
My name is Simon Jones and, as well as writing regularly for the Daily Mail and MailOnline, I’m aiming to give you insight, news and the latest chat from across the globe on all the deals taking shape in this summer’s transfer window.
To get Transfer Confidential sent directly as a newsletter to your inbox every Monday go to mailplus.co.uk/transferconfidential
It’s been another busy week with Man United approaching a deal for Andre Onana, while Rasmus Hojlund remains a key target for them.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have been putt one target by a hefty price tag but are preparing a bid for Brighton’s Mosies Caicedo.
Below, I bring you the latest news from across the globe.
West Ham eye Fulham’s Palhinha
West Ham are keen to bring in Fulham’s Palhinha but may be put off by his £60m price tag
He rattles into tackles to the strains of ‘Tequila’ so it’s easy to understand why David Moyes likes Fulham favourite Joao Palhinha.
The West Ham manager is a confirmed admirer of the Portuguese midfielder and, for the uninitiated amongst you, ‘Tequila’ is the tune made famous by The Champs in the 1950s that Fulham fans use to serenade their cult hero.
West Ham would love to give their fans a weekly shot of what Palhinha can bring but have found out that Fulham want around £60million.
That is a big mark-up for a 28-year-old that cost them £20m but Fulham know they have a big talent on their books. As a consequence, West Ham, who are losing head of recruitment analysis Jordan Miles to Aberdeen, are running through other names on their lengthy list.
A verbal offer has been made for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, while talks have taken place over Denis Zakaria of Juventus, Edson Alvarez at Ajax, Leeds United’s Tyler Adams and Scott McTominay is another still in the mix.
Fulham striving to keep squad together
Fulham are keen to keep their squad together under manager Marco Silva (right)
Fulham are striving to keep a number of their key players as well as manager Marco Silva.
Willian has been tempted back by an improved contract offer, despite travelling for a medical with Nottingham Forest last week, and is expected to re-sign today but Aleksandar Mitrovic wants to take up an offer to join Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia despite two bids being rejected.
Fulham are also trying again for Callum Hudson-Odoi after an opening offer was knocked back.
The Cottagers still intend to bring in Brazilian centre back Morato from Benfica after having an inital £18m offer rejected.
West Ham’s Odubeko moves to Portugal
West Ham striker Mipo Odubeko is in Portugal ahead of signing for Maritimo on a two year deal.
The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland U21 international joined the Hammers from Manchester United’s academy but has struggled to make an impact on the first team and has had loan spells at Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers.
Steinsson swaps Tottenham for Leeds
Gretar Steinsson, the former Tottenham Hotspur performance director, is expected to take up a role as technical director at Leeds United.
The 41-year-old Icelander, also a nifty badminton player in his day, was spotted at the club last week, resplendent in shiny suit, ahead of being appointed to the senior recruitment role.
Gretar Steinsson is expected to take up a role as technical director at Leeds United
Crystal palace are keen to bring in Everton’s Demerai Gray, with a number of Saudi clubs also interested
Steinsson is expected to be one of a number of new additions to staff this week, including new scouts, as Leeds rebuild for the Championship.
Sam Byram, who left Leeds for West Ham in 2016, is back training with the club after his contract ended with Norwich City. Daniel Farke knows him well from their time together at Carrow Road and a contract could yet be forthcoming.
Players will also continue to leave and midfielder Marc Roca arrived in Seville on Sunday ahead of signing for Real Betis on loan.
Hodgson’s Palace hoping to sign Gray
Crystal Palace are stepping up interest in Everton forward Demarai Gray.
The 27-year-old Jamaica international grew frustrated with his first team starting opportunities towards the end of last season and is ready for a fresh start. Gray also has interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
City look to strengthen at the back
Manchester City remain determined to swoop for main defensive target Josko Gvardiol from Red Bull Leipzig but are also casting an eagle eye over Lyon’s highly rated centre-back Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
The 21-year-old has been impressing on loan with Bastia drawing attention from a number of clubs mindful of Lyon’s financial issues. City are planning for the future and feel Ndiaye has great promise.
Manchester City have targeted Josko Gvardiol and Benjamin Pavard as they look to add depth at the back
Riyah Mahrez is set to hold talks in the next 24 hours over a potential move to Saudi Arabia
Pep Guardiola has other first team issues to resolve first however, with Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez holding talks over the next 24 hours regarding their respective moves to Bayern Munich and Al Ahli.
City hold an interest in Bayern’s Benjamin Pavard which could come into play depending on Walker’s conversation. Al Ahli are understood to be offering around £18m for Mahrez.
Meanwhile, City’s England U21 goalkeeper James Trafford will complete his £19m move to Burnley on Wednesday. City
also have strong interest from Brighton, Burnley and Leicester for Trafford’s England U21 international teammate Cole Palmer.
Monaco join Spurs in race for Fulham’s Adarabioyo
Monaco are stepping up their pursuit of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo. The 25-year-old is on Tottenham’s radar too but Monaco are due to hold talks imminently as they prepare to sell Axel Disasi.
The French Principality side have tried for Southampton pair Armel Bella-Kotchap and Mohammed Salisu but they were considered more expensive.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have added Crystal palace defender Joachim Andersen to their list of possibles as prices escalate for Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven and Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, Andersen is also on Newcastle’s list along with …Axel Disasi of Monaco.
Blues put off Vlahovic but remain keen on Caicedo
Chelsea may have been put off signing Dusan Vlahovic due to his wage demands
Mauricio Pochettino’s side remain without a clear striker option as the new season approaches
The Blues are still keen on Moises Caicedo and are planning a £80 million offer
Chelsea have discussed the merits of signing Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus but his salary is deemed prohibitive as they restructure their wage tiers.
Mail Sport understands some Chelsea players have sought assurances that the club still intends to strengthen after losing some experienced heads with more to go this week. Chelsea have been profiling youngsters and to continue that theme, talks are ongoing with Brighton for 21-year-old Moises Caicedo with an £80m bid expected.
Lyon’s talented Rayan Cherki, Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia – should Caicedo escape them – are all players they have enquired about. A goalkeeper is on their wishlist too.
Mauricio Pochettino would like a centre forward with Romelu Lukaku heading out but Vlahovic, a target for Paris St Germain, looks a signing too far.
Hoeness’ Kane comments come back to bite Bayern
Bayern Munich insiders fear the comments made by honorary president Uli Hoeness regarding Harry Kane over the weekend could prove more damaging to their pursuit of the Tottenham captain.
Hoeness turned up at Bayern’s training camp in the Bavarian town of Tegernsee on Saturday and, never shy of an opinion, bullishly told Sport1: ‘Harry Kane has clearly signalled in all conversations that his decision stands – and if he keeps to his word, then we’ll get him, because then Tottenham will have to buckle.’
However, the last thing Bayern want to do is rile Daniel Levy and make negotiations even more difficult than they already are.
Bayern Munich fear Uli Hoeness’ Harry Kane comments may come back to bite them
Chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen and technical director Marco Neppe met Levy in London for breakfast last Thursday to establish a good contact and build a rapport. Dreesen was not happy when that meeting became public and others believe Hoeness’s bold comments will only make Levy more stubborn. Bayern have yet to establish an asking price for Kane. They know £70m plus bonuses is not enough but will try again before considering whether to wait for next year.
Key will be Kane’s commitment to join them.
Both Manchester United and Chelsea will be waiting if Kane runs down his contract while Paris St Germain are in the background now. Levy is understood to have a good relationship with PSG’s owners and they have shown an inclination to bid if Kane is willing to join them. They are also running meetings with Juventus over Dusan Vlahovic and have spoken to Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Irish wonderkid invited for Bayern trial
Shamrock Rovers’ 15-year-old midfield prospect Charles Akinrintayo has been invited for a trial at Bayern Munich.
Akinrintayo, who attends Lucan College in Dublin, scored twice on his debut for Republic of Ireland U15s against Latvia in March, and is due in Germany this week.
Foxes join race for United winger Diallo
Leicester City are among the clubs interested in Manchester United winger Amad Diallo as they plan for Harvey Barnes’s departure.
Newcastle United, West Ham and Aston Villa are jostling for Barnes – though Eddie Howe’s side are considered firm favourites after opening talks.
Leicester have joined the race for Man United’s Amad Diallo but he is more likely to stay in the Premier League
Leicester would like Diallo but appreciate they now face competition from Premier League clubs such as Burnley and Sheffield United.
The 21-year-old is more likely to stay in the top flight than drop down to the relegated Foxes.
United manager Erik ten Hag won’t make a decision on Diallo and a number of the club’s youngsters until he has looked at them on tour in the USA but it’s important wherever the 21-year-old goes that he gets regular game time. Facundo Pellistri has interest from FC Twente.
Anthony Elanga has decided on his next club though it is unlikely to be Everton.
Hojlund remains a key target for United
Manchester United will pick up talks with Atalanta over striker Rasmus Hojlund this week.
Paperwork is still being exchanged today on the club to club agreements for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana but with the fee expected to be closer to £41m all in, United have a little more in their budget to throw at the deal for Hojlund.
The Italians have rebuffed offers of players in return so far as they value the Dane at £86m in the current market where young centre forwards are at a premium.
The reality is an offer around £65million may bear fruit but it’s still high for a 20-year-old striker who scored just ten goals for Atalanta last season. Hojlund has a short term representation deal with SEG, the same agents as Erik ten Hag, and has made it clear he wants to join United.
With 25-year-old Marcus Rashford agreeing a new five year contract, Hojlund’s arrival would allow United to consider offers for Anthony Martial and send Mason Greenwood out on loan.
United will now pick up the pace in their pursuit of Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund
A deal for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana is expected to be announced iminently
They expect offers for Galatasaray target Fred, Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay which will open the door for Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat. Liverpool have not stepped up for the Dutch-born Moroccan metronome as yet and United could get a deal done for around £25m.
Newly-promoted Blades want Larouci
Former Liverpool left-back Yasser Larouci is closing in on a move to Sheffield United.
The 22-year-old won the FA Youth Cup with Liverpool in 2019 and made his debut in an FA Cup win over Everton. However, with Andy Robertson in his way, he was released and went back to France to join Troyes.
He has since gone on to impress for France U21s and following Troyes’ relegation is available on loan. The Blades are having to be creative on a limited budget. They have signed midfielder Anis Slimane from Brondby and have lined up striker Benie Traore from FC Hacken.
Bournemouth approaching deal for Kerkez
Bournemouth are closing on exciting young left-back Milos Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar.
Mail Sport revealed their interest in the Hungary international on July 3 and talks are advancing today over a deal around £18million.
Kerkez modelled himself on Bayern’s Alphonso Davies and was called to join AC Milan by the greatest left-back of all time Paolo Maldini. Frustrated by a lack of opportunities he asked to leave Milan for Alkmaar where he has come to the attention of Benfica and Lazio but has opted for Bournemouth.
Bournemouth are closing on exciting young left-back Milos Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar
The Cherries are also weighing up another bid for Bristol City’s midfielder Alex Scott after seeing a £15m offer rebuffed. Wolves have since stepped in with £19m plus add-ons – that was also rejected – and are pushing to sign the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ ahead of their rivals this week.
Brentford have had big discussions over the past week regarding the merits of making an improved record bid for Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson who is valued around £50m. Aston Villa are also among those interested.
Blackburn Rovers are in discussions to sign former Burnley target Besiktas striker Jackson Muleka. The 23-year-old Congo international is valued around £4m.
Burnley are monitoring developments with another Besiktas player Nathan Redmond. The former Southampton winger, now 29, has also attracted interest from Wolves.
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