As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest gossip. See the latest deals here.
Pep to upgrade Man City defence
Pep Guardiola will step up interest in Aymeric Laporte by triggering the Athletic Bilbao defender's £39 million release clause after completing the signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund, the Telegraph reported. The new Manchester City boss also wants to add Everton defender John Stones to his defensive ranks but faces competition from Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea for the England international.
The Guardian added that 16-year-old Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz is another player Guardiola has his eye on. Ruiz, a former Arsenal target, impressed for Spain in the Under-17 European Championship and could be available after failing to sign the contract that was first put on the table by Barca in March.
PSG seek to rebuild attack with Coutinho, Ben Arfa
Paris Saint-Germain are lining up moves for Philippe Coutinho or Hatem Ben Arfa to complete a new-look attacking triumvirate alongside Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria.
According to the Star, PSG are interested in signing Coutinho from Liverpool in a £46 million deal, and though no offer has been tabled yet, the French champions have already sounded out the Brazilian's representatives about a move, as they look to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Meanwhile, a second option is reported Barcelona target Ben Arfa, who Le Parisien claimed has met PSG sporting director Olivier Letang to discuss a move. Ben Arfa, who scored 17 goals for Nice last season, is a free agent and reportedly interested in joining the French champions.
Depay's quick departure?
Memphis Depay's Manchester United future is in doubt as Jose Mourinho prepares to move three or four players out of the club to make way for new signings, the Mail reported.
Depay arrived at Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven last summer as an Eredivisie champion and the division's top scorer, but he ended the season being left off United's FA Cup final-winning squad, with questions about his attitude and application. It has been reported that Depay could find himself so out of favour that United might not find anyone interested in taking him off their hands, which would give him a second chance to prove himself with the 13-time Premier League champions.
Tap-ins
- Arsenal could send Calum Chambers back to Southampton on a season-long loan, but only if they are able to sign a new defender. According to the Mirror, Chambers, 21, remains in the Gunners' long-term plans, but both parties realise he needs regular playing time to develop his game.
- Jurgen Klopp is willing to allow Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to take Joe Gomez on a six-month loan from Liverpool, the Star (via the Scottish Sun) reported. Rodgers signed Gomez, 19, from Charlton, but after a promising start, the defender's season ended early when he ruptured his anterior knee ligament.
- L'Equipe claimed 18-year-old PSG starlet Jonathan Ikone could go the same way as Kingsley Coman -- by leaving the French capital for Juventus. The attacking midfielder, who has yet to sign his first professional contract and has been linked to Manchester City and Arsenal, impressed in PSG's run to the UEFA Youth League final, in which they lost 2-1 to Chelsea.
- Besiktas are planning to reignite their interest in Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina this summer, after the Colombia international failed to dislodge Petr Cech from the No. 1 spot at the Emirates. The Express reported that Besiktas sporting director Gokhan Keskin told Turkish radio station Radyospor, "Nothing has been agreed on yet, but we are targeting Ospina."