Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of an England international, while Manchester United have just about “confirmed” their first signing of the summer.
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku has been offered a staggering $AUD37 million salary while Cristian Volpato could find himself at a new club.
Catch up on all of the transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
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O’Neill signs for Standard Liege | 01:57
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MAJOR PLAYER PULLS OUT IN $185M RICE RACE
One key player in the race for West Ham United captain Declan Rice has pulled out, leaving the door wide open for a Premier League heavyweight to have an uncontested run for the midfielder.
Sky Germany reports Bayern Munich, who held a big interest in the England international, have deemed the pursuit too expensive and will not lodge a bid for the midfielder.
Rice had held talks with Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel and was reportedly open to a switch to the German giants, but it’s now seemingly off the table.
It leaves Arsenal as the leading and basically only candidates gunning to sign Rice.
However, the Gunners will likely have to pay approximately $185 million (per The Guardian) bring Rice to the Emirates in what would be a massive statement of intent for their title aspirations next season.
MAGUIRE’S WORST FEARS REALISED AS RED DEVILS’ NEXT ARRIVAL ‘CONFIRMED’
Manchester United have wasted little time in their summer transfer business, with a Serie A winner set to bolster the Red Devils’ backline.
According to Il Mattino, a deal for Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae has been “confirmed” and the South Korean international will link up with the club on July 1.
The Napoli star will reportedly earn $16 million-per-year in a bumper contract upgrade.
Should the deal go through, it spells danger for Manchester United captain Harry Maguire’s future at the club as he is pushed even further down the pecking order.
The Red Devils skipper struggled for game time behind centre back pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, so Kim’s arrival will likely decrease that even more.
$14M VOLPATO BID COULD FUEL THE FIGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL ALLEGIANCE
Cristian Volpato’s time at Italian heavyweights Roma could be over, with a fellow Serie A rival on the brink of snapping up the teenager.
Volpato, who grew up in Australia but has represented Italy at youth level, has been handed minutes off the bench under Roma boss Jose Mourinho.
However, the 19-year-old could see more regular appearances as Goal Italia reports Roma have agreed a $14 million fee with Sassuolo for Volpato.
Should the move go through and Volpato secure increased game time, it will certainly put Italy on red alert amid the international tug of war for his services with the Socceroos.
GOALSCORING MACHINE OFFERED EYE-WATERING $37M SAUDI DEAL
Could a Belgian goalscoring machine become the latest big name to move to Saudi Arabia?
According to The Guardian, Saudi club Al-Hilal has offered Romelu Lukaku a deal worth up to $37 million in an effort to tempt him to the Middle East.
The report claims Lukaku has met with officials from Al-Hilal in Paris after the Champions League final, although the striker is more keen to stay with Inter Milan.
Lukaku is, of course, contracted to Chelsea and was on loan with Inter.
The Italian outfit also has financial troubles which could make a permanent move for Lukaku a difficult deal.
Al-Hilal had previously set their sights on signing global superstar Lionel Messi and had even offered the Argentinian a mind-blowing salary of $796 million, but he has since turned it down and will join MLS outfit Inter Miami instead.
