Transfer news UPDATES: Liverpool find £21m bargain, Arsenal want Napoli star, Man Utd exit
Posted Thursday, February 28, 2019 by Express.co.uk
TRANSFER NEWS UPDATES - Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip coming out of the Premier League and more.
Said Benrahma
Arsenal and Chelsea are monitoring Brentford winger Said Benrahma, reports claim.
Benrahma, 23, has scored eight goals and provided 14 assists in 35 appearances this season.
And his exploits have caught the attention of two Premier League heavyweights.
Algeria-based website Le Buteur claim Arsenal and Chelsea are tracking the Championship ace but there’s no sign of an imminent approach.
Nicolas Pepe
Arsenal were handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Lille sensation Nicolas Pepe after the club’s sporting director admitted they might have to listen to offers.
Manchester United and Barcelona are also said to be interested but France-based football writer Matt Spiro has previously said that Arsenal are in pole position.
Ahead of the January transfer window, Spiro said: “Arsenal leading chase for Nicolas Pepe but lots of competition emerging….. Lille will negotiate in January if a club opens bidding at €50m. But owner has previously stated he won’t sell mid season.”
And the Gunners were given further encouragement after Lille sporting director Luis Campos revealed they would let him go if the price is right.
“We are not a rich club,” Campos said when asked about the players’ future. “It means that if a really good proposal comes for Pepe, we have to sell him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is destined to leave Juventus before the end of his contract, according to economic journalist Marco Bellinazzo.
"I've always said that the project of Cristiano Ronaldo is destined to last less than four years,” Bellinazzo told Radio Amore. “I believe Juve can sell him before the end of his contract because he costs €80million-a-year.
“However, despite that, having Ronaldo in the team is very good in sporting terms but can also help the finances of the club.
“After Ronaldo arrived, Juve signed a new agreement with Adidas. They used to take €23 million from the sponsorship with Adidas, now they will take €50 million.”
Denis Suarez to stay
Denis Suarez has hinted he is ready for a lengthy spell at Arsenal.
The Barcelona midfielder joined the Gunners on an initial loan deal on the final day of the January transfer window.
Arsenal have an option to keep Suarez on a permanent basis at the end of the season and are expected to activate the clause.
Suarez told the club’s official YouTube channel: “Arsenal is one of the most important clubs in the history of the game, one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, the top club in London.
“My aim is to be a success here, perform well and feel important. I’d like to become an important player at the club. I joined Arsenal to get a lot of playing time, to be an important player and feel important. I’m determined to perform well and be a success at this great club.”
Jadon Sancho investigation
The FA are investigating allegations that Manchester City paid £200,000 to Jadon Sancho's agent when the player was 14.
German magazine Der Spiegel claimed City made the banned payment to agent Emeka Obasi in relation to the deal that took the youngster to the club from Watford in 2015.
Under Premier League rules, clubs are not permitted to offer financial inducements to a player under 16 or any person connected with that player.
An FA spokesperson said in a statement: "We can confirm that the FA will be investigating the allegations."
Lionel Messi praise
Lionel Messi can continue to dominate on the world stage for as long as he wishes, according to former team-mate Andres Iniesta.
Messi, who has scored 33 goals in all competitions this season, is on his way to collecting a record sixth European Golden Shoe award.
And despite turning 32 in June, Iniesta believes the Argentine international is showing few signs of slowing down.
"I continue to enjoy his game," Iniesta told DAZN. "He is and remains an exceptional player who makes the difference.
"He scores more goals than anyone else and still gives a lot of assists. He can do whatever he wants, as long as he wants."
Paul Pogba to PSG
Paul Pogba should be asked about a move to PSG, according to the player’s brother Florentin.
Manchester United midfielder Pogba was linked with a move to PSG earlier this season amid his issues with Jose Mourinho.
And Florentin Pogba has mischievously claimed his brother should be asked about a move to PSG despite his resurgence.
“When my brother leaves Manchester United, there are only three clubs he can go to to improve: City, Real Madrid or Barca,” Florentin told AS.
“He's not going to go to City, so he'll come to Spain: to Barca or Madrid. “I do not know (for PSG). He should be asked if it would interest him,” he told Foot Mercato.”
Piotr Zielinski to Arsenal
Arsenal have registered their interest in Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
That’s according to Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno, who claim Arsenal could make an offer this summer.
Zielinski, 24, has been on Liverpool’s radar since his days spent on loan at Empoli in 2016.
And Express Sport understand that Jurgen Klopp wanted to sign the Poland international in January by triggering his £60million release clause.
However, it could be Unai Emery’s side the finally lure Zielinski to the Premier League.
Romelu Lukaku transfer plan
Romelu Lukaku has reportedly decided he wants to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus should he leave Old Trafford this summer.
Lukaku’s second season at Manchester United isn’t going smoothly with nine goals in 34 appearances.
The talisman toiled when Jose Mourinho was in charge and, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has fallen behind Marcus Rashford in the pecking order.
As a result, talk of a move away has been rife.
And The Sun say Lukaku has decided he wants to join Juventus should he leave the club this summer.
Julian Brandt to Liverpool
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Brandt for a bargain price, reports claim.
The Reds wanted Brandt ahead of Mohamed Salah in the summer of 2017 but the German talented decided to stay in the Bundesliga to fight for a place in Joachim Low’s World Cup squad.
Now, German publications Kicker and BILD claim the long-awaited move could finally materialise.
It’s said that Brandt’s contract contains a £21million release clause that can be triggered at the end of the current campaign.
The Mirror add that Klopp could be tempted to swoop because of Adam Lallana's ‘likely exit’.
Barcelona interest
Barcelona are interested in signing Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to the player’s agent.
Second-choice stopper Jasper Cillessen is expected to leave the Nou Camp this summer having made just 28 appearances in three seasons.
And the Catalan giants are scouring the market for a replacement.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, Onana’s agent Albert Botines confirmed Barcelona’s interest in his client. He said, “That’s right, it’s no secret that Barca is interested.”
Onana, 22, spent five years in Barcelona’s academy before leaving for Ajax and is being monitored by Premier League trio Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham, say Dutch publication Football-Oranje.
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