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Transfer Talk: Man United to replace Lukaku with £40m Dembele?

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TOP STORY: Man United target Dembele as Lukaku replacement?

Manchester United are eyeing Lyon striker Moussa Dembele as a potential replacement for Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to The Sun.

The 22-year-old has scored 14 goals in Ligue 1 this season, warranting himself a price tag of around £40 million, according to the report. In a summer in which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to heavily overhaul his ageing squad, Dembele could come in for Lukaku, who has been linked with moves away from the club to Inter Milan and PSG after a less-than-stellar year at Old Trafford.

United are expected to adopt a different approach in the transfer market ahead of the 2019-20 season, by buying young players to develop rather than marquee signings, and Dembele would fit that category.

Crystal Palace full-back duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Patrick van Aanholt are also reportedly on the radar for £50m, while Tottenham's Kieran Trippier has been linked -- though at 28 can hardly be considered young in footballing terms anymore.

LIVE BLOG

22.48 BST: We close Thursday's live edition of Transfer Talk with an update from Manchester United courtesy of Metro, who cites French outlet RMC as reporting that the Red Devils have made a "big offer" to Monaco for 16-year-old prodigy Hannibal Mejbri.

22.01 BST: With their pursuit of Callum Hudson-Odoi becoming increasingly complicated by Chelsea's unwillingness to sell the 18-year-old, Bayern Munich have made contact with the representatives of Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech, Sport Bild writes.

21.14 BST: Dani Alves is stalling on Paris Saint-Germain's one-year contract offer in hopes of an approach from a Premier League club, according to the Mail.

20.27 BST: Despite reports in Germany stating that Real Madrid have agreed a €60m fee with Eintracht Frankfurt for Luka Jovic, a source tells ESPN FC that negotiations are ongoing and a deal is not yet done.

19.40 BST: Wilfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace that he wants to leave this summer, with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal both expressing interest, but the South London club are holding out for £100m, a figure too rich for either club, the Telegraph writes. One club who could afford such an expenditure? Manchester United, who are monitoring the situation, and who Zaha would be prepared to return to after leaving the Red Devils in 2015 following just two appearances with the club.

18.53 BST: Juventus have submitted a contract offer to soon-to-be-free-agent Adrien Rabiot, the Mirror cites Tuttosport as reporting, but it does not meet his wage demands, and Manchester United are now contemplating submitting a proposal of their own to the 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.

18.06 BST: It may seem like a foregone conclusion that Antoine Griezmann will join Barcelona this summer, but Mundo Deportivo is reporting that the Catalan club is preparing backup plans should they be unable to land the Frenchman. Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is chief among those plans, while Arsenal duo Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are also under consideration.

17.19 BST:After the DFB-Pokal final against RB Leipzig later this month, Robert Lewandowski will hold discussions with Bayern Munich over his future, according to Kicker. The German outlet reports that Bayern are keen to extend the 30-year-old's contract by a year to 2022, while the Poland international has different ideas amid inquiries from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

16.32 BST: Bundesliga side Augsburg are set to complete a £3m move for West Ham's Reece Oxford, say the Daily Mail.

Oxford has been on loan there since January and although the 20-year-old was one of the most highly-rated teenagers in the country a few years ago, it doesn't seem like he has a future in London.

16.00 BST: MUST READ! Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the dominant forces in soccer, but who will one day take their places? We pick the 30 best players under 21 (as of May 1), with a top 10 ranking and the rest in alphabetical order.

With profiles, player comparisons and reporting on where they might go next, this is everything you need to know about soccer's next generation of superstars.

15.26 BST: Christian Eriksen has yet to sign a new contract at Tottenham and could depart this summer -- with Real Madrid evidently keen on a deal -- but the London club have a plan to replace him: Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt.

Brandt, 23, reportedly has a £21.5m release clause in his contract, which is a bit of a bargain, and the Germany international is top of the list according to the Daily Mail.

14.54 BST: Lyon left-back Ferland Mendy -- who both Marca and Mundo Deportivo are linking again with a €50m move to Real Madrid today, and who has been linked to both Juventus and Man United -- is in demand, but still focused on the remaining games.

His agent Samuel Chevret told ESPN: "Ferland Mendy is focused on his end of season with Lyon and does not intend to make any comment on the different current rumours. The priority is for him to obtain the qualification in the Champions League with Olympique Lyon."

14.35 BST: Cruz Azul have confirmed they tried to sign striker Carlos Gonzalez but Pumas blocked his exit.

14.02 BST: See above for why Manchester United are not thinking too big on the transfer front. Here's RMC's chief football correspondent with an update on one of their targets.

13.40 BST: Of course, according to AS, Antoine Griezmann moving to PSG will either free up Neymar to join Real Madrid, or Griezmann's transfer to Barcelona could push Philippe Coutinho to PSG.

Either way PSG seem to do pretty well out of it.

13.28 BST: La Liga president Javier Tebas' latest comments to Cadena Ser will cause a stir.

"No, Neymar will not return to Spain. He cost PSG so much (€222m), and with financial fair play, very little of his fee was amortised. If he comes to Spain, Real Madrid would have to spend a lot of money," he said. "Kylian Mbappe is easier to sell as he is worth more than he was when he was bought from Monaco. If PSG want to sell either one, it would be easier to sell Mbappe than Neymar."

If PSG decided to put either on the market, we're not sure there would be too much of an issue for interested clubs. Where there's a will there's a way.

13.11 BST: Manchester City have made a signing and it's a big one. England women's striker Ellen White will join on July 1 from Birmingham City.

"I'm really excited," she told CityTV. "Man City are a fantastic Club and I really can't wait to start. I know quite a few people here and they've given me so many great reviews of the coaching, the facilities and playing style, and I really wanted to join that culture. It's something completely different for me.

"Steph Houghton is one of my best friends and I know Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley from England. I'm excited to work with them again on a club basis."

13.06 BST: Man United, Man City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, you name it and defender Milan Skriniar has been linked. But he's decided to stay put and sign a new contract with Inter Milan. Isn't that nice?

13.02 BST: French newspaper Le10 Sport reckon that Atletico Madrid are already planning for Antoine Griezmann's departure and have targeted Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Lacazette almost joined Atletico before he moved to the Gunners in 2017, while he has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks. The 27-year-old scored 13 times in the Premier League this season and the club will hope his friendship and on-field partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be enough to persuade him to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

12.37 BST: Il Mattino report that PSG are interested in young Boca Juniors defensive midfielder Agustin Almendra.

The 19-year-old has a €30m release clause and was of interest to both Inter Milan and Napoli in January, while Barcelona were also sniffing around. Boca president Daniel Angelici has already confirmed that Almendra is likely to leave and it could be for around €20m, depending on whether a bidding war erupts.

12.11 BST: Ed Woodward says Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will get support in the transfer market this summer after a turbulent season.

Solskjaer is embarking on a major rebuild at Old Trafford after United finished sixth in the Premier League table and executive vice-chairman Woodward has suggested the club is well-positioned to provide the necessary financial backing.

"After a turbulent season, everyone at Manchester United is focused on building towards the success that this great club expects and our fans deserve," said Woodward, as United announced their third quarter financial results on Thursday. "Preparations for the new season are underway and the underlying strength of our business will allow us to support the manager and his team as we look to the future."

12.07 BST: PSG's Thomas Meunier is set to replace Juventus' Joao Cancelo -- if the right-back is sold this summer, according to Tuttosport.

11.28 BST: Ready for a whole host of news about PSG's goalkeeping search? Well, Gianluigi Buffon already has an offer on the table (see 08.00 BST below) but La Repubblica claim that PSG are ready to pay €50-55m for Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma as the Italian club need the money. That would ensure the No. 1 spot is assured for a decade at least.

However, over in Germany, Bild report that PSG are interested in Schalke 04 goalkeeper Alexander Nubel. At 22, he's also one for the future.

And Bild also claims that Eintracht Frankfurt need to part with €20m to keep goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who is on loan from PSG and, given all the links above, seemingly has no future there. No word yet on the future of Alphonse Areola, who must be a bit ticked off with all these rumours.

10.47 BST: Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says he is "disappointed" that Antoine Griezmann is leaving the club now and "doesn't care" where the France international moves to.

Griezmann told Atletico on Tuesday evening that another club would trigger his €120m release clause on July 1, having just 12 months ago made a big show of turning down Barcelona and accepting a €20m a year salary to remain at the Wanda Metropolitano.

"I've not spoken with Griezmann and I didn't expect this," Cerezo said on El Larguero. "Just like last year I thought he would stay. I don't know why he's decided to leave now. I don't know where he's going, and I don't care at all, once he is leaving, whether it's to Barca or outside Spain. If you make a big effort to keep a player, and suddenly he says he is leaving, of course it's a disappointment."

Atletico are set for a big squad shake-up this summer with the exits of defenders Lucas Hernandez and Diego Godin also already confirmed, full-backs Filipe Luis and Juanfran Torres out of contract and midfielder Rodrigo potentially joining Manchester City.

"I would be more worried, of course, if [coach Diego] Simeone was leaving," Cerezo added. "He is the chief of the team, and we have a good relationship with him. Now it is about bringing in the signings we need, and to move on."

10.21 BST: Record report that FC Porto's Brazilian centre-back Felipe has passed a medical with a view to completing his transfer to Atletico Madrid.

According to the Portuguese outlet, the 30-year-old underwent a medical in a hotel in Porto and will sign a three-year contract with the La Liga side with the two clubs having reportedly reached an agreement of €25m, which is half of the player's release clause.

Felipe has two years left on his contract and has attracted the attention of several European clubs this summer. Porto head into the last league game of the season at home to Sporting on Saturday, two points adrift of leaders Benfica. If confirmed, Felipe's last game with Porto will be against Sporting in the Portuguese Cup final on May 25.

09.58 BST: Calciomercato claim that Gremio defender Walter Kannemann is a target for Arsenal.

The 28-year-old Argentine has impressed in South America and the paper reports that the Gunners are looking to pip Sampdoria to the signing by offering Gremio €12m.

09.37 BST: John Obi Mikel is closing in on a return to the Premier League with a source telling ESPN FC that the former Chelsea star is considering multiple offers from around the league and could make a decision before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

Mikel, 32, left Chelsea on a free transfer for Tianjin TEDA in the Chinese Super League in 2017 after spending 10 years with the Blues, but returned to England two seasons later on a short term deal with Middlesbrough.

With Boro's season ending with no promotion, a source close to the Nigeria international said he has received multiple offers to return to the Premier League, including from newly-promoted Norwich and Sheffield United.

09.14 BST: Daniele De Rossi insists he will not change his mind about leaving Roma after fans called on the club to offer him a new contract.

De Rossi, 35, will leave the Giallorossi in the summer after the Serie A club decided not to offer him a new deal. He has played for his hometown club for 18 years and several hundred fans descended on the club's Trigoria training centre on Wednesday to protest the club's decision.

They held up a banner saying "AS Business, sort this out today," but De Rossi, who came out with coach Claudio Ranieri to talk to them, said he would not change his mind. "Even if they do offer me a contract now, I'm not signing it," he told the fans, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I've accepted the club's decision."

According to reports in Italy, the midfielder's future could lie in MLS, although he is also being linked with Boca Juniors and Inter Milan, should Antonio Conte take charge of the Nerazzurri next season.

08.46 BST: Paulo Dybala's brother, Gustavo, has revealed that it's very likely the striker will leave Juventus this summer.

The Argentina international has been linked with Atletico Madrid as a possible replacement for Antoine Griezmann. He is tied to Juventus until June 2022 but has been overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival last summer and is reportedly keen to leave in order to have a starring role at another club.

Speaking to Argentinian radio show Futbolemiko, Gustavo Dybala said as reported in AS: "There are many possibilities that Paulo will leave Juventus, he needs a change. There are several players that are uncomfortable in the club. He has never had an issue with Cristiano."

08.25 BST: Cadena Cope report that Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has called Atletico Madrid in the hope of convincing Rodrigo to join the Premier League champions this summer.

City are reportedly very interested in signing the 22-year-old defensive midfielder and are prepared to pay his €70m buyout clause. Guardiola is a fan of Rodrigo, who has similar qualities to Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Asked about Rodrigo's future, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told Cadena Cope radio: "Right now, Rodrigo is an Atletico player but if tomorrow an offer arrives and he wants to leave.."

08.00 BST: Gianluigi Buffon, 41, has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain have offered him a new contract that will take him into his 25th year as a professional.

The goalkeeper told Sky Italia: "The club have offered me a renewal and this really delights and gratifies me. We'll meet in the coming days to have a look within this project and understand if we both feel it is right to carry on."

The 2006 World Cup winner has made 23 appearances for PSG this season as the club retained the Ligue 1 title but once again fell short in Europe, losing to Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

PAPER TALK (by Stephen Wright)

Saints and Magpies targeting Bolasie

Yannick Bolasie is on the shortlist for Southampton and Newcastle United, as the two Premier League clubs prepare to take the winger away from Everton, while Crystal Palace would consider a season-long loan deal. The Sun reports.

Bolasie signed for Everton from Crystal Palace for £25m in 2016, but the Frenchman's time at Goodison Park has left a lot to be desired, with Marco Silva sending him out on loan spells to Aston Villa as well as RSC Anderlecht in 2018-19.

Should Everton sell him, they will not get a great return on their investment, as he is currently worth around £7m. Elsewhere in Europe, Turkish sides Besiktas and Galatasaray are also keeping tabs on Bolasie.

Madrid to offload 14 players

Real Madrid have been frequently linked with signing a number of players in recent weeks, including Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba, but the size of their squad is not infinite, and Zinedine Zidane intends to make way for new signings by offloading as many as 14 of his current outfit, Marca understands.

Those who are expected to make way include fringe players such as Keylor Navas, Sergio Reguilon, Jesus Vallejo, Theo Fernandez, Dani Ceballos, Martin Odegaard, Marcos Llorente, Oscar Rodriguez, Borja Mayoral, and Raul de Tomas, as well as heavy hitters Mateo Kovacic and Gareth Bale.

Such an overhaul indicates a busy summer ahead at Santiago Bernabeu, with plenty of Europe's biggest names in football continuing to be linked with big-money moves to Madrid.

Tap-ins

- Crystal Palace full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Patrick van Aanholt may both be on their way to Manchester United this summer, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to strengthen his defence for next season, The Sun understands. Put together, the pair would cost United around £50m.

- Alexis Sanchez's departure from Manchester United is looking more and more likely, as The Independent reports that meetings have been held with Juventus. Inter Milan are also interested, but neither are keen on his current wage demands, which have been causing some complications.