Friday 17 May 2019 10:17, UK
Many clubs across Europe, especially those whose seasons have finished, will have already turned their attention to the summer and planning for the 2019/20 campaign.
Our friends at Football Whispers have rounded up all the latest news, views and gossip from across the continent…
Manchester City are ready to meet Antoine Griezmann’s £108m release clause as the race for the French forward heats up. The 28-year-old, who this week announced he will leave Atletico this summer, has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona but Atleti may prefer for him to move abroad to eliminate the aspect of strengthening their La Liga rivals. (Sport)
Other reports in Catalonia, however, appear to suggest that Griezmann’s move to the Camp Nou is a done deal. Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt will also soon be announced as a Barcelona player, joining midfielder Frenkie de Jong. (Catalunya Radio)
When Griezmann leaves Atletico, the club will target Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette as his replacement. The Frenchman has scored 19 goals for the Gunners this term and may be tempted by a move to the Spanish capital if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League final. (Mundo Deportivo)
Barcelona are also monitoring Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and Arsenal duo Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Mundo Deportivo)
Real Madrid have revived their interest in River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The playmaker, who helped the Argentine club to Copa Libertadores glory last year inside Real’s Bernabeu stadium, was on the verge of joining the Spanish giants in January, only for the deal to collapse. (Cadena Ser)
Alvaro Morata has confirmed his desire to stay at Atletico. The Spanish striker joined them on loan in January but has no intention of returning to Chelsea. “What I want is very clear, I want to be here,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to continue playing at this club and be a success here, I have no intention of going back anywhere else and I am very happy here.” (Marca)
Gareth Bale wants to start Real Madrid’s game against Real Betis on Sunday to bid farewell to the club’s fans. The Welshman is set for a summer exit after being informed he isn’t part of Zinedine Zidane’s plans. (Marca)
Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi wants a move to Juventus. The Argentine has endured a turbulent season at the San Siro, which has included being replaced as captain, and covets a switch to the Serie A champions. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis is set to meet Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri. The Rossoneri are expected to part company with head coach Gennaro Gattuso, with Sarri emerging as one of their top targets to replace him. Sarri’s future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain and he may be attracted to a return to Italy. (Sport Mediaset)
Roma are set to appoint Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini as their new head coach, with the 61-year-old expected to pen a three-year deal. (Football Italia)
With head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s future still in the balance, Juventus have decided to make Douglas Costa, Mario Mandzukic, Alex Sandro, Joao Cancelo and Paulo Dybala available for transfer. (Tuttosport)
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic is edging closer to Real Madrid but the club are yet to agree on a price. The Spanish giants appear to have won the race for the highly rated 21-year-old, who has scored 27 goals this season, but while Los Blancos are prepared to pay £43.7m, Eintracht want in excess of £60m. (Sport Bild)
Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Julian Brandt is expected to snub interest from the Premier League in favour of staying in Germany. Borussia Dortmund are among the 23-year-old’s potential suitors. (Sky Germany)
Laurent Blanc turned down an approach from Fulham in December. The Frenchman is still actively looking for work and has recently been linked with the Roma job. Blanc has not managed since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. (L’Equipe)
