Real Madrid are expected to step up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham now the German season is over, according to Sky in Germany.
Florian Plettenberg told Sky Germany’s Transfer Show earlier this evening that there could even be a positive update as early as this week.
Real are understood to want to sign Bellingham for around £87m (€100m) while Dortmund want £130m (€150m) and Plettenberg expects the deal to end up somewhere in the middle ground.
Rice: I’m not focused on noise and speculation
Declan Rice has admitted that he is not focused on any “noise and speculation” and that his mind is solely on next week’s Europa Conference League final.
West Ham take on Fiorentina in next week’s final in Prague, with the Hammers needing a win to secure a Europa League spot next season.
Arsenal are preparing to bid for the Hammers captain this summer, while Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also keen on the midfielder.
“I’ve not really focused on any of that, to be honest,” said Rice when asked about a summer move.
“My main focus this season, from the World Cup onwards, has been getting us out of a relegation battle and, of course, having one eye on winning this trophy.
“Everything else is just noise and speculation. Obviously, I can’t help that, it comes with playing. But my main focus is playing for West Ham and winning this final. My heart’s set on that, doing it for the club, for my family, for the fans and that’s my only focus. I want to make them all very happy and my focus is on doing that.”
Davies’ agent: Too chaotic to sign Bayern contract
The agent of Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies has announced the Canadian defender will be waiting to sign a new contract as it is too “chaotic” at the club.
After winning the Bundesliga title on the final day of the season on Saturday, Bayern sacked chief executive Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic in a major hierarchical shake-up.
Sky Sports News revealed earlier this month that Real Madrid want to sign Davies alongside Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe this summer.
“It’s a chaotic time at Bayern Munich,” Davies’ agent Nedal Huoseh told BILD. “I’m not sure what’s going on and who we’ll be talking to. There seems to be too much instability and uncertainty about the direction of the club.
“Maybe it’s better if we wait until 2024 and see how things develop with the club before we move on to a new contract.”
Howe wants depth so Newcastle can compete
Newcastle will look all over the world to find the players that will give them the depth they need to compete next season, according to manager Eddie Howe.
Howe felt his side lacked the quality in reserve to win the game in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea that brought the curtain down on a memorable first full season in charge for the manager.
“Yeah we’ve had discussions (on Saturday),” said the manager. “I don’t think (the budget) is ever outlined because there are so many variables to it, but certainly we know where we stand.
“When you’re sat in my shoes, it’s never as big as you want it to be.
“It’s a difficult one because we go into a lot of competitions next year, so we need the depth. I think this year we’ve been light, certainly in certain areas of the pitch. We’ve carried – in the second half of the season – four midfielders.
“You’re one injury away from a very difficult situation so I think we need a little bit more depth.
“We’re not there yet, you could see that (against Chelsea), but we are suffering from injuries. Certainly that’s a concern for us in that we do need to bolster our resources. We can’t be looking at one or two injuries and we’re in a difficult position.
“In the second half we were stretched and maybe lacking the bench that could have changed the game.”
Helander given chance to train with Malmo
Rangers defender Filip Helander has been given the chance to train with Malmo ahead of his departure from Ibrox.
The 30-year-old will leave the Scottish Premiership side when his contract expires this summer.
And Swedish club Malmo, who have already re-signed Brentford captain Pontus Jansson, say Helander is welcome to train wth his former club this summer.
“Filip is one of ours,” Malmo sporting director Daniel Andersson told Fotbollskanalen.
“He knows where we are and he can come here and train if he wants to.”
