Tuesday's transfer news and rumours: Paul Pogba to Juventus, Luka Jovic to Real Madrid and more
Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all set to be busy but it's Chelsea who are the talk of the transfer rumour mill today as Maurizio Sarri closes in on a move to Juventus, with Watford's Javi Gracia one of the new names in the frame to replace him at Stamford Bridge. Sarri's move is slowing down negotiations between Chelsea and Real Madrid over the transfer of Eden Hazard, but the winger is still expected to have his departure confirmed imminently.
At Manchester United, Paul Pogba is considering a return to Juventus, with his preferred choice of Real Madrid dithering as they focus on sealing the Hazard deal, while Leicester's James Maddison is at the centre of a tug of war with United leading the way.
Meanwhile both Manchester United and City are keen on Benfica's Joao Felix, one of the most highly rated young talents around. We'll also have updates on Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and more from the Premier League and around Europe.
Hello and welcome along to the day's transfer news and rumours. And we start with the news that Maurizio Sarri is closing in on his move to Juventus, according to Corriere della Sera in Italy.
A three-year contract with £7m per year is said to have been agreed, and all that is required now is the final seal of approval from the Chelsea owner Roman Abromovich.
A surprise candidate has emerged to replace Maurizio Sarri. Watford manager Javi Gracia is reported by ESPN to be in the frame, although Frank Lampard is still expected to top Roman Abramovich's wishlist should Sarri depart.
One of the more surprising news stories of the morning concerns Mo Salah. AS report that Salah said: "Now I cannot talk about my future," in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool's Champions League victory, amid speculation that Real Madrid are chasing the Egyptian.
However, Real are said to be concerned by competition by Bayern Munich and – yes – Manchester United.
Is Paul Pogba leaving Manchester United this summer? If so, where? Do Real Madrid really want him? Or could he make a record* third switch between Manchester and Turin? Here's Miguel Delaney with the latest:
*I haven't fact-checked this, but it seems a fair shout.
In managerial merry-go-round news, Swansea City are close to appointing a new manager following the departure of Graham Potter.
Potter left at the end of the season to take over at Brighton, who themselves had recently parted company with Chris Hughton.
Former Brighton and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet, Michael Appleton and Swansea's Under-23s coach Cameron Toshack have been reported to be in contention.
Meanwhile Derby are desperate for Frank Lampard to stay amid reports he could be heading to Stamford Bridge to replace Maurizio Sarri.
"I can't speak highly enough of the gaffer and working with him in his first season. He's going to have a fantastic career as a manager, for sure," said club captain Richard Keogh.
"Naturally with the speculation that's going on regarding Sarri, the gaffer is obviously going to get mentioned because of the legendary status he's got at that football club and doing such a good job with us.
"But as far as I know, he's looking forward to next season as much as I am. It would be a shame to see him leave, for sure, but I think in this industry when you're doing a good job and you are Frank Lampard, then you're going to be linked with jobs.
"Hopefully he stays. Like I say, I've really enjoyed working with him. He's really improved the football club and me as a player as well and I have got a good relationship with him, so hopefully that continues."
Leipzig has hired Markus Krosche as sporting director to replace the departing Ralf Rangnick, who helped develop the club from an ambitious upstart into one of Germany's most successful.
Leipzig says the 60-year-old Rangnick, who also coached the team to third place in the Bundesliga last season, will become the head of sports development for Red Bull with an advisory role for the energy-drink manufacturer's clubs in New York, Brazil, and Leipzig.
Rangnick joined Leipzig in 2012 as sporting director and led it to Bundesliga promotion in 2016 during his first stint as coach. He took over again last season to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl before Julian Nagelsmann arrives from Hoffenheim.
Rangnick had a contract to 2021 but asked for it to be rescinded.
The club says Krosche, who is arriving from promoted side Paderborn, was Rangnick's preferred candidate to take over. Krosche was getting a three-year deal.
Leipzig recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The club was formed in 2009 when Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz bought a local fifth-tier team, SSV Markranstaedt, rebranded it, and financed its steady promotion through the lower leagues. Leipzig finished runner-up in its debut Bundesliga season in 2017.
There have been rumours recently that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is wanted by several clubs in China. However, the Standard reports there is a significant bonus in his contract of £3.75m per year that he stays at the Emirates, and the club are hopeful that this will persuade him to stay and ignore any lucrative offers which might be coming his way.
Celtic have begun a probe into the leak of a confidential document outlining their summer transfer plans.
Photographs of the report, which details their plans for some contracted players as well as potential targets in each position, have appeared on social media.
The document came from a meeting between chief executive Peter Lawwell, manager Neil Lennon and other coaching and recruitment staff about two months ago.
The club said they were looking into the matter.
Lee Congerton has since left as head of recruitment but the club have yet to appoint a successor.
Lennon spoke about trying to keep transfer business in-house on Friday when he was confirmed as the club's manager after stepping in until the end of the season when Brendan Rodgers left in late February.
He previously admitted his unhappiness about team selections being leaked, adding in April that "someone is letting us down".
Reports in Spain suggest David Beckham is lining up a lucrative offer to bring Luis Suarez to his new MLS franchise, Inter Miami, but Suarez is said to be happy at Barca and not ready to put on his flip flops and head to the US, aged 32.
