Barcelona are plotting a shock move for Marcus Rashford, while Chelsea have shortlisted Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Barcelona are preparing to make a move for Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, iNews reports. The 27-year-old is currently enjoying a welcome return to form on loan at Aston Villa, where he has four goal involvements in 10 Premier League games. Rashford reportedly has his heart set on a move to Catalonia, although the Spanish club are currently unwilling to pay the £40 million fee that may be required to prize him away from Old Trafford. Villa have an option to sign the England international for the same fee at the end of his loan spell in June.
– Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is a summer target for Chelsea, according to The Independent. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough Premier League campaign, emerging as a candidate to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Villa boss Unai Emery does not wish to part ways with Rogers, although PSR concerns could force the club’s hand if Chelsea lodge a sizable bid. The talented and versatile attacker is under contract at Villa Park until June 2030.
– Newcastle United are leading the race to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, according to The Sun. The England international is also wanted by his former club Chelsea, as well as Manchester City. However, it is the Magpies who hold the advantage, having previously bid around £70m to sign Guéhi last summer. While that offer was rejected, a transfer should be easier to secure this time around, as the 24-year-old has just over one year left on his Palace deal.
– Manchester City are targeting FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, Sky Sports reports. The Portugal No. 1 is being watched by a number of Europe’s top clubs and, with just two years left to run on his contract, there is the possibility of a transfer if he does not agree a new deal. Costa, 25, shares the same agent as current City No. 1 Ederson, whose future at the Etihad is uncertain and interest from the Saudi Pro League.
– Bayer Leverkusen could make a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga following his impressive loan spell at AFC Bournemouth, according to talkSPORT. Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea from Athletic Club in 2018 for €80m, then a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. However, after two seasons he lost his spot as No. 1 at Stamford Bridge to Édouard Mendy. The 30-year-old has since restored his career through loan spells at Real Madrid and Bournemouth, and now last season’s Bundesliga champions Leverkusen see him as the long-term successor to 35-year-old Lukas Hradecky.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Barcelona correspondent Sam Marsden looks at the prospect of Marcus Rashford joining Barcelona this summer:
Sources have told ESPN that Marcus Rashford is a player of interest to Barcelona, although it’s impossible to know whether a transfer is a realistic option at this stage. Barça were keen on Rashford in January, when he joined Aston Villa on loan, but their financial limitations made a deal impossible in the end. That may still be the case this summer.
Long-term, coach Hansi Flick does want more attacking depth. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski turns 37 this year and, other than Ferran Torres, there are no real alternatives to Lamine Yamal or Raphinha on the wings. Rashford, as someone who can play left or as the No.9, would tick a number of boxes. If the price was right, Barça would be tempted.
However, everything circles back to money and priorities. Barça still don’t know what sort of transfer budget — if any — they will be operating on this summer as they wait to move back to Camp Nou, which is currently being redeveloped. Once they do, they will then have to decide where they want to strengthen first. Attacking depth, another full-back, a midfielder and, depending on outgoings, maybe even another centre-back are all on their list of needs.
For now, sources at the club say everything has been parked to ensure the focus remains on the pitch this season with a treble still on the cards, even if sporting director Deco is undoubtedly working on future plans. Then, thoughts can turn to the transfer window. Rashford may well be a player they have in mind, but the England international may have to play a waiting game if he really wants to secure a move to Barça as the Catalan club work out what they can afford this summer.
OTHER RUMORS
– Manchester City will not consider loaning out Jack Grealish next season despite the 29-year-old falling down the pecking order this term. (talkSPORT)
– Aston Villa are keen on signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García and are willing to meet his £21m exit clause. (Cadena SER)
– Tottenham Hotspur will need to move players out of the squad before they can afford to make any significant signings this summer. (Daily Telegraph)
– Sandro Tonali wants to stay at Newcastle United amid reports of interest in the Italy midfielder from Manchester City and Juventus. (Daily Telegraph)
– Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace are keeping tabs on Holstein Kiel striker Phil Harres, who is valued at around €10m having scored scoring eight goals in 24 Bundesliga matches this season. (Football Insider)
– Fulham are looking at Kyle Walker-Peters — whose contract at Southampton expires this summer — and Ipswich Town’s Ben Johnson as options to strengthen at right-back. (Sky Sports)
– Juventus forward Arkadiusz Milik has extended his contract at the club until 2027.