The end of the Premier League season is just weeks away, and teams are already building their plans for the off-season and the transfer window.
There’s been some big moves confirmed already, with Liverpool confirming four stars would depart at the looming expiration of their contracts.
But that’s not the only piece of news in today’s Rumour Mill!
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BIG CLUBS OUT TO NAB EX-REDS STAR
Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has endured a difficult first season with German giants Bayern Munich, highlighted by an incident in which he punched teammate Leroy Sane.
The 31-year-old Senegal forward has bagged 12 goals and six assists this season in limited game-time, compared to his brilliant final year at Liverpool with 23 goals and five assists.
His struggles have seen him widely linked to a departure from the club, as well as another former Premier League star in Joao Cancelo.
Cancelo made a shock loan move to Munich in January after falling down the pecking order at City, but the German club will reportedly not turn his move into a permanent transfer. He is nevertheless unlikely to return to City, with a transfer highly likely.
And given Mane has been limited to a bench role despite his hefty wages, it’s no surprise Munich is also considering offloading the winger after just one season.
The Daily Mail has reported that Manchester United and Newcastle are the two most likely destinations, ahead of Chelsea which has also been linked to the star.
But transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that Mane wants to remain at Bayern, and has a strong relationship with coach Thomas Tuchel.
Mane’s contract runs until 2025.
CITY STAR LINKED TO PSG
Bernardo Silva was the standout for Manchester City in their 4-0 drubbing of Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
The Portuguese attacker bagged a brace, taking his goal tally this season to seven for the season in all competitions to go with seven assists.
Having also scored and assisted in the 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in the quarter-final first leg, and picking up an assist in the FA Cup semi-final win over Sheffield United, Silva has well and truly cemented himself as one of the club’s most valuable figures – particularly in big games.
But the 80-cap Portugal international could be headed for the exit after six years in Manchester.
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The 28-year-old came close to a move to Paris Saint-Germain last year before being convinced to stay, but the French giants are ready to try their luck again and have reportedly identified him as their top target to replace the departing Lionel Messi.
Silva responded to the PSG rumours, saying (per RMC Sport): “My plan is to complete well the season, win the Premier League and then the two finals … then, this summer we will see what happens”.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have also been continually linked to the star.
City young gun breaks transfer record | 00:43
FOUR REDS EXITS CONFIRMED
James Milner will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, the Premier League giants announced Wednesday as they confirmed several departures from Anfield.
Milner will bow out alongside Roberto Firmino, whose exit has long been forecast, as well as Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
All the quartet will be out of contract after the end of the current campaign. “We can confirm Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer,” said a Liverpool statement.
“Special acknowledgments will be paid to the quartet at Anfield, with further tributes to follow at the end of the season.” Veteran former England midfielder Milner, 37, has been linked with a move to either high-flyers Brighton or hometown club Leeds following an eight-year stint at Anfield.
He made his Premier League debut for Leeds aged 16 in 2002 and had spells at Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City before joining Liverpool in 2015.
His total of 617 appearances leaves Milner behind only Gareth Barry (652) and Ryan Giggs (632) in the Premier League list, although the trio are still shy of England goalkeeping great Peter Shilton’s tally of 848 games, a record set in the old First Division.
