The football world is awash with gossip! Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.
Zidane, Pepe luring Ronaldo to opposite paths
Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane and Sergio Ramos have made phone calls to Cristiano Ronaldo to try to convince him to stay at the Bernabeu -- while at the same time Pepe is trying to convince him to leave, according to Marca.
The Spanish newspaper reports that Zidane took it upon himself to tell Ronaldo not only how much more he could win with Madrid, but also how influential he is in the dressing room. It is also said that Zidane intends to remain in communication with his star player even though he does not intend to keep anyone at the club against his will.
However, Marca on Monday also cited an Onda Cero radio report that says Pepe, who is leaving Madrid after a decade, invited Ronaldo to join him at Paris Saint-Germain next season following Portugal's Confederations Cup draw with Mexico.
"The club has not defended you," Pepe reportedly told Ronaldo, who is apparently angry with his treatment by Spanish tax authorities. "Let's go together to PSG."
However, Sky Sports reckons Ronaldo's head has been turned and he is interested in a return to Manchester United. They claim the general feeling at Old Trafford is that Ronaldo will not move and are being cautious about getting involved in a transfer that could fail to materialise.
That leaves the ball firmly in Ronaldo's court, and although he is currently occupied at the Confederations Cup, the Portugal captain may have to make his intentions known in order for a solution to be reached.
The situation is further complicated by Madrid's pursuit of David De Gea and United's interest in Alvaro Morata. The Mirror says United are ready to let De Gea depart if it means landing Ronaldo in what could be a world-record £175 million deal.
Verratti still yearns for Barca move
Ronaldo could do worse than take a leaf out of Marco Verratti's book. Gazzetta dello Sport claims he has told Paris Saint-Germain he won't be back next season and demanded a move to Barcelona.
Verratti has long been linked with a move to the Camp Nou, and the midfielder is apparently now set on a €100 million move that would see him fulfill his dream of playing alongside Lionel Messi.
You'd be mistaken if you think Barca have landed the Italy international just yet though. That's because Gazzetta also reports that PSG are maintaining their stance that Verratti is not for sale unless the money on offer is significantly more than the sum listed above.
Chelsea chase young stars
Chelsea are planning to spend almost £100m in order to land Alex Sandro and Tiemoue Bakayoko this week, according to the Guardian.
The Juventus left-back could arrive in a club-record £55m deal as an upgrade for Marcos Alonso at left wing-back, while Monaco midfielder Bakayoko, a long-term transfer target, could move for around £40m.
It is also reported that Willy Caballero will sign as Asmir Begovic's replacement, but there is no movement on Romelu Lukaku returning to the club he left in 2014 due to Everton demanding a world-record sum for the striker.
Tap-ins
- Liverpool are confident of finalising the £35m transfer of Mohamed Salah after holding talks with Roma, the Mirror reports. Salah is one of Jurgen Klopp's top targets, but Sky Sports adds that the Premier League side, having already agreed terms with the 25-year-old, are unwilling to pay any more.
- Manchester United are yet to sign a player from a Premier League club since Jose Mourinho's arrival in 2016, but that is not through lack of trying. The Manchester Evening News claims Mourinho has Premier League-based options for every position on his shopping list this summer, which involves recruiting a midfielder, a winger and a striker.
- According to the Mirror, Kevin Wimmer is on Southampton's shopping list but the manager-less club are unwilling to pay Tottenham's £20m asking price for the defender. Austria international Wimmer is wanted to play alongside Virgil Van Dijk, whom Southampton remain confident of keeping despite interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.