Transfer news UPDATES: Chelsea respond to ban, Bale wants Madrid stay, Man Utd told to sign 6 players
Posted Saturday, February 23, 2019 by Express.co.uk
TRANSFER NEWS UPDATES - latest news and gossip as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal plan for big summer and Barcelona get in the mix for summer deals.
Eriksen future
Christian Eriksen is only thinking about his future at Tottenham despite talk of a move to Real Madrid, according to his agent.
“Christian only wants to focus himself on football,” his agent Martin Schoots told ESPN FC.
“Besides his technical, tactical and athletic skills, also this attitude has contributed over the years to his impressive transformation from world class talent to world class player.
“At this moment I would prefer not to join the speculations about contracts and transfers.”
Transfer news: Christian Eriksen is not thinking about leaving Tottenham (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea set to appeal
Chelsea have refuted FIFA’s charge against them and insist they will appeal the decision.
Chelsea have been banned for two windows for breaching regulations over the signing of youngsters.
"Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and will therefore be appealing the decision,” a statement read.
"The club wishes to emphasise that it respects the important work undertaken by FIFA in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with FIFA throughout its investigation.”
Transfer news: Chelsea are set to appeal FIFA's decision (Image: GETTY)
Pulisic deal latest
Chelsea’s deal to sign Christian Pulisic is in ‘no danger’ according to Sky Germany.
Pulisic signed for Chelsea in January but was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season.
But because he was registered in January his move will go ahead as planned despite the FIFA ban.
Chelsea are likely to appeal the decision anyway and could be allowed to sign players in the summer if it gets pushed back.
Transfer news: Christian Pulisic is joining Chelsea in the summer (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea banned for two transfer windows
Chelsea have been banned from registering new players for the next two transfer windows after breaching regulations for signing youngsters.
Chelsea have also been fined £460,300 by FIFA.
A statement read: “Chelsea was found to have breached art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players. The club also breached art. 18bis of the Regulations in connection with two agreements it concluded concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer-related matters.
“The Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two (2) complete and consecutive registration periods. This ban applies to the club as a whole - with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams - and does not prevent the release of players.”
Transfer news: Chelsea cannot sign players for two windows (Image: GETTY)
Sarri wants to sell a winger
Maurizio Sarri insists Chelsea must sell a winger to make Callum Hudson-Odoi a regular at the club.
Chelsea are signing Christian Pulisic in the summer but Eden Hazard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
But Sarri has come under fire for not using Hudson-Odoi on a regular basis.
"You need to understand in the same position we have Pedro, Willian, and Hazard," Sarri said.
"We are using him in the right way at the moment, of course the 20 matches this season will become 30 in the next, 40 in two years, and I think also the club has to decide because if I'm the club and I want Callum on the pitch with consistency, I have to sell another winger."
Transfer news: Callum Hudson-Odoi could be on the move (Image: GETTY)
Bale ready to sit on Madrid deal
Gareth Bale is ready to sit tight at Real Madrid despite talk over a potential move away.
Bale has been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham as part of deals to take Eden Hazard and Christian Eriksen to Marid.
But, according to AS, Bale is determined to stay put and save his career in Spain.
Bale has been hot and cold again this season with just six La Liga goals to his name.
Transfer news: Gareth Bale has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
Real Madrid's Hazard plan
Real Madrid are planning to use the tactic which saw them land Thibaut Courtois last summer to sign Eden Hazard this coming one.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid have hatched a plan to sign Hazard which involves the same strategy as used for Courtois.
The goalkeeper had just a year left on his contract and did not want to extend, meaning Chelsea had no option but to sell for £35million to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
The Champions League holders will now look to carry out the same operation for Hazard this month seeing as his contract expires in 2020.
Transfer news: Eden Hazard is on Real Madrid's radar for the summer (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea make Icardi contact
Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Inter Milan over the signing of Mauro Icardi.
The striker has been stripped of the captaincy and his future at the club is now in doubt.
And Italian publication Sports Mediaset have reported that Chelsea and Real Madrid have been in touch to ask about his future.
Chelsea were linked with the striker in January but signed Gonzalo Higuain on loan.
Transfer news: Chelsea have made contact over a deal for Mauro Icardi (Image: GETTY)
Barcelona eye Pepe
Barcelona are lining up a summer swoop for Lille ace Nicolas Pepe.
Pepe was on Arsenal’s radar in January but a lack of funds meant they focused attention elsewhere.
However, according to French publication France Football, Barca are now in the mix.
Barca are said to have been scouting Pepe this week during their Champions League second round first leg tie.
Gerrard laughs at Morelos bid
Rangers ‘laughed’ at bids for Alfredo Morelos in January, accord to Steven Gerrard.
The Colombia striker was linked with a move away from Ibrox after his goalscoring form alerted clubs around Europe.
But Gerrard insists no one came close to making them bite.
Gerrard said: "It would be very expensive and that is why we have laughed at a couple of unacceptable bids or rumours that have come his way.
"We are grateful for all the good players we have got and we are excited by what we are trying to do."
Manchester United need to sign SIX players
Manchester United need to sign SIX players to challenge for the Premier League next season, according to Charlie Nichoals.
United have fought their way back into the Champions League reckoning under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But Nicholas still thinks they need a big summer to get back in the hunt for the top prize.
“I think they need three key defenders,” he said on Sky Sports. “Maybe one midfielder and then probably a replacement for Sanchez, who they might think about moving on from.
“Liverpool probably need a couple of players to keep the power going whereas Manchester United need six.”
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