The work for next season has already begun, as clubs at the top plan for success and those at the bottom begin work on their escape plan. The astronomical fees that have defined the transfer window for the last few seasons don’t look like slowing down, and that gargantuan spending is never more evident than in the Premier League.
Without further ado, here are the latest rumours from April 1 - and no, we haven’t included any April Fools!
Coutinho’s struggles
Barcelona think Philippe Coutinho is depressed after failing to settle in Spain.
But despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, the Catalan giants are not interest in selling.
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Countinho has scored just four goals in La Liga this season and has struggled to make an impact following his blockbuster £142m move from Liverpool 15 months ago.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said on Youtube :
“Barcelona have said we’re not getting rid of him, we’re not selling him.
“Liverpool are not interested in bringing him back either for the money he would cost.
“They said they’re not selling.
“He’s told people in the national side that he’s willing to go and wants to test himself.
“(But Barcelona) want him to stay, they want him to prove his value.
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“They think they may see it in the next few weeks or months.
“But they are worried about him and think he is depressed and down. I say depressed because that’s the word they use at the club.
“I’m telling you, right now, they are NOT getting rid of Coutinho.”
What next for Herrera?
Ander Herrera has ‘agreed a pre-contract deal’ with Champions League rivals Paris Saint Germain, according to the Daily Record .
The French giants have been keen to take the Spaniard away from Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Herrera wants around £200k-a-week and the reports suggest that PSG are willing to match his demands following United’s reluctance.
United are prepared to hand him around £170,000-a-week – including bonuses - which is a hike of at least £50k-a-week.
But the PSG interest has turned his head, according to the reports.
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What’s wrong with England?
Ajax ace Matthijs De Ligt is on the move this summer, according to reports in the Netherlands.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus are all keen on the stopper who has starred for the Amsterdam side this term, but Barcelona are said to be leading the chase.
De Ligt is rated at around £75million and the head of sports at Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Valentijn Driessen, says there is no doubt where the cultured centre-back is heading, claiming: “It’s clear that De Ligt will leave Ajax for Barca,” in quotes reported by Sport.
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Driessen said at the start of last week the two clubs came close to an agreement over the player, who has impressed in the Champions League this season.
Hudson-Odoi is a marked man
Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are all monitoring the Callum Hudson-Odoi situation at Chelsea.
The 18-year-old starred for England last week but was once again forced to watch on from the bench for the Blues.
Maurizio Sarri has continued to overlook youngster despite growing calls to give him his first Premier League start.
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Interest in the forward has grown in recent weeks as he has continued to be frustrated by a lack of opportunities at Stamford Bridge.
According to German outlet Kicker , Liverpool have already made contact over the 18-year-old .
He has also been linked with Manchester United and Barcelona, while Bayern Munich attempted to sign him in January but had a £35m bid knocked back.
Solskjaer backs Pogba
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Paul Pogba is happy and will stay at Manchester United – despite interest from Real Madrid, report The Mirror.
Newly-returned Real boss Zinedine Zidane talked up the prospect of signing United’s club record £89million signing Pogba this summer.
Pogba himself said he would be open to a move to Real at some stage in his career, stating it would be a “dream” for any player to work with Zidane.
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But Solskjaer moved to quash any suggestion Pogba could leave Old Trafford this summer and insisted the 26-year-old midfielder remains central to his plans going forward.
“Paul is a very nice and polite man who then answered a general question on Zidane who is an icon in France, a fantastic manager,” Solskjaer said.
“He used to be a fantastic player and he’s just politely answered that question, but Paul’s happy here, he’s going to be a big, big part of who you like to build your team around and that hasn’t changed at all.”
Milan staying in Milan
Milan Skriniar is set to stay at Inter Milan after a huge contract boost, The Mirror .
The 24-year-old defender is a target for Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City - but has been offered a new £60k-a-week deal before added bonuses.
The Slovakian’s agent Mithat Halis suggested that other clubs were interested and is quoted as saying: “Real Madrid want to sign him, Barcelona too. The team that can convince Inter will sign him this summer.
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“Skriniar has a professional attitude. If Real Madrid want to sign him, they can, there are many agents like cannibals, who aim to take players to teams that want them.”
The reports claim a new deal is close to being agreed, though.
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