The summer transfer window isn’t open yet in Europe, but teams are getting ready for it, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Leipzig eye transfer fee record from Man City for Gvardiol
Manchester City are considering a deal to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol for a record fee this summer, reports Fabrizio Romano and talkSPORT.
Gvardiol, 21, joined Leipzig in 2020 and the German club are demanding a new record transfer fee for a centre-back to let him go. The previous record was set when Manchester United paid around £80m to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019.
The Croatia international is reportedly a top transfer target of Man City manager Pep Guardiola and the treble winners have already held talks with him. Gvardiol has made 41 appearances for Leipzig this season, scoring three goals, including a pivotal equaliser in a 1-1 draw in the Champions League match earlier this year.
Sources have told ESPN that Guardiola is also reportedly interested in signing Croatia and Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Kovacic, 29, has been a key player since joining permanently from Real Madrid in 2019, amassing 221 appearances in all competitions, but with his contract due to expire in 2024 and new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino looking at a squad rebuild, the Blues are keen to move him on for around £35m.
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08.24 BST: Sources have told ESPN that Manchester United are monitoring Napoli’s Kim Min-Jae and Monaco’ s Axel Disasi but their priority in the transfer market remains landing a top-class striker and a midfielder.
United, according to sources, have asked to be kept informed of developments regarding the two defenders, although there has been no direct contact with their clubs.
United are expected to make their opening offer for Chelsea’s Mason Mount this week despite a gap in valuation. Mount will enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and is open to a move to United.
08.00 BST: Paris Saint-Germain are open to listening to offers for Kylian Mbappe this summer, sources have told ESPN.
The Ligue 1 champions’ willingness to part ways with their superstar forward comes after sources confirmed multiple reports that Mbappe sent a letter to PSG informing them he would not exercise the option to extend his current deal beyond 2024.
With PSG not wanting Mbappe to leave as a free agent after next season, sources said club chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi is now begrudgingly open to letting the 24-year-old leave Paris.
ESPN sources added that PSG would be looking for a fee in the region of €150m.