Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £125m exit, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Rangers, Celtic, Liverpool
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - Get all the latest football gossip from the Premier League and abroad.
Man Utd: Pogba is 'WRONG' to force club to sell him says Nicol
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE
- Real Madrid willing to spend £125m on Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba
- Liverpool have contacted the agent of Callum Hudson-Odoi over a deal with Chelsea
- Philippe Coutinho is considering his future at Barcelona after 14 miserable months in Spain
- Spurs are, however, interested in Celtic defender Kieran Tierney
- Rangers want to sign Tom Eaves from League One side Gillingham
- Leeds are still in the running to land Daniel James from Swansea in the summer
22:30 UPDATE: Solskjaer sends Pogba and Rashford message
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate for Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford to stay this summer.
Solskjaer said: “I would believe so [they can achieve what they want here].
“That’s our aim as a club - to be achieving what we have done in the past and that's the expectation here.
“And, of course, we're hoping to build a team strong enough and worthy of the history of the club.
“You've got loads of players who you can build a team around and those [Pogba and Rashford] are the two that you asked me about. They're vital for our future.”
21:15 UPDATE: Lionel Messi misses Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi says he misses playing in the same league as rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Yes [I miss him in La Liga]," he said.
"It was great, although it was tough for me to watch him win titles.
"I have to say, it would be nice to still have him here."
20:15 UPDATE: Varane offered to Man Utd
Man Utd were offered Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane - but baulked at their £70million valuation.
Italian media outlet Calico Napoli 24 claim Real are keen to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli and that they would be willing to speak to United again about Varane.
The report also says Varane 'really likes' United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Express Sport understands Solskjaer will be given significant funds in the summer and a new centre-back has been high on the agenda at Old Trafford for some time.
Lionel Messi applauded by Betis fans after scoring wonder goal
19:15 UPDATE: Gerrard confirms Rangers plan
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has confirmed he hopes to have Ryan Kent back at Ibrox next season.
“I’ve read the rumours and speculation. I’m not sure who has put that price on Ryan,” Gerrard said of the Liverpool loanee. “Whether it’s his agent or Liverpool, I haven’t heard anything on that.
“My focus is on Ryan Kent being available for the weekend and I’m pleased he’s available. In terms of the future and moving forward, that decision is out of my hands.
“Liverpool know we want him here, the player knows we want him here, his representation know we want him here. But in terms of the decision it’s not down to me. I wish it was but unfortunately it’s not.”
18:00 UPDATE: Solskjaer on Man Utd transfer plans
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is planning on spending his money wisely in the summer transfer market.
"United is a club that has money, and that has to be spent in a reasonable way," Solskjaer told Norwegian media.
"People who know me, know that I will use that in a good way.
"We have a plan with the club, they have scouted players for longer than I have been here, and we have players that we need to keep.
"We will not spend money just to spend money."
17:15 UPDATE: Coutinho to quit Barcelona
Philippe Coutinho has told his Brazil team-mates he’s considering leaving Barcelona this summer.
Express Sport understands Manchester United have enquired about the playmaker, while Chelsea are also tracking Coutinho.
And according to Spanish daily Sport, Coutinho is considering leaving the Nou Camp this summer.
They say the former Liverpool man told some of his Brazil team-mates during the international break of his situation.
“I am thinking about leaving Barcelona, I know that it is a difficult decision, but it can be the best thing for my career,” Sport say Coutinho told his Brazil pals.
16:15 UPDATE: Liverpool to help Man Utd?
Liverpool may be key to Man Utd signing centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly this summer.
That’s because Napoli are interested in Reds defender Dejan Lovren who would act as a replacement.
United are interested in Koulibaly, who would reportedly cost more than the £75m Liverpool paid for Virgil Van Dijk.
Liverpool could be ready to offload the Croatia star as they have the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all ahead of him in the pecking order at Anfield.
And the Mirror claim Napoli face competition from Roma to secure his signature.
15:30 UPDATE: Sadio Mane to Real Madrid backed
Sadio Mane is ready to leave Liverpool and join Real Madrid, his former Southampton team-mate Oriol Romeu claims.
"He is ready [for the move]," Romeu told Marca when asked about Mane.
"Madrid are a little weak in attack and he's the type of player that does a lot of damage in open spaces.
"He could help them reverse their current situation.”
14:35 UPDATE: £125m Pogba swoop
Real Madrid are ready to spend a staggering £125m to get Manchester United’s Paul Pogba.
The Sun reckon Pogba’s revelation that it is his ‘dream’ to play for Real Madrid has opened the gateway to a summer move.
Pogba, 26, has impressed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford and the manager’s confirmation of a three-year contract yesterday may sway the Frenchman to remain.
Real are set for a mega summer of spending, with Eden Hazard possibly available for around £100m.
Kylian Mbappe is also on their radar, with reports in France this week claiming PSG would sell him for £240m.
13:03 UPDATE: Liverpool approach
More on Liverpool’s reported approach for Chelsea midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The Reds have reproduced the transfer rumour on their own website, crediting a Mirror report into the supposed talks with Hudson-Odoi’s agent.
Liverpool have in the past rewritten rumours from newspapers - even if they are transfer gossip.
But to publish a report on an England international who plays for a rival such as Chelsea is notable indeed!
12:44: Liverpool talk with Hudson-Odoi agent
Liverpool have reportedly held talks with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s agent over a deal for the Chelsea youngster.
Chelsea are ready to offer Hudson-Odoi a £100,000-a-week contract to keep him at the club, but the player may look to move in the summer.
Bayern Munich have already failed to sign Hudson-Odoi but German newspaper Kicker report that Liverpool are in conversation with his agent.
Whether or not the Reds can convince Chelsea to let go of the England international - especially to a league rival - it remains to be seen.
12:01 UPDATE: Leeds still want Daniel James
Leeds United still want to sign Daniel James despite failing to land the winger in January.
Manchester City are supposedly monitoring James and could make a summer move.
But the Sun reckon Leeds are still in the running and promotion would certainly aid their chances of signing the midfielder.
Leeds thought they had a deal for James wrapped up before January’s transfer deadline but Swansea then pulled the plug on the deal.
11:44 UPDATE: No Barcelona deal for Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi will not be joining Barcelona in the summer.
That is the view of former Arsenal striker Paul Mariner.
“Hudson-Odoi, every single Chelsea fan wants him to stay at Chelsea,” Mariner said. “Sarri’s been reluctant to play him, I don’t know why, I really don’t.
“Sometimes he plays Pedro, okay [Eden] Hazard’s got to play, and [Gonzalo] Higuain is playing through the middle, or [Olivier] Giroud.
“But on that right-hand side, get him in. He either scores or he assists.
“Dynamic player, but he isn’t going to Barcelona.
“He can’t be because of the block on the transfers at Chelsea at the moment. He’s got to stay, they’ve got no players.”
11:08 UPDATE: Man Utd transfer system revealed
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is happy to hand over responsibility over transfers to a new Manchester United director.
“We have been discussing how to move the club forward,” he said.
“That does not mean 'x' amount of money or 'x' amount of players. We have sat down and discussed but now it is easier to be clear about what we need to do because we will do some business in this window.
"There have been so many players that have been written about that we have been interested and there have been so many players' agents that have been in touch with our administration that they want to come here.
"When we decide what we have to do, hopefully we will get them by pre-season."
10:50 UPDATE: Coutinho considers Barcelona exit
Philippe Coutinho is considering a move away from Barcelona in the summer, with Manchester United tipped to be interested.
Coutinho was a £142m arrival from Liverpool in January 2018 but has laboured at the Nou Camp.
And Spanish newspaper SPORT claim the Brazilian will consider his options at the end of the season.
Barca would want a hefty chunk of the fee they paid Liverpool back for the sale of Coutinho.
And they are said to be willing to listen to any offers made for the playmaker.
10:20 UPDATE: Roma want Dzeko replacement
Roma are planning for life without veteran striker Edin Dzeko.
Corriere dello Sport report that if Dzeko leaves in the summer, Roma want to sign one of Dario Benedetto, Andrea Belotti or Duvan Zapata as his replacement.
Belotti remains Torino’s star striker and was heavily linked with a move to Torino two years ago.
Benedetto could leave Boca Juniors for just £9m.
And Zapata has impressed at Atalanta this season with 20 goals for the campaign.
09:00 UPDATE: Real Madrid eye Koulibaly
After Manchester United spent much of last summer trying to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, it appears as though Real Madrid are his new suitor!
Spanish newspaper AS report that Koulibaly will be brought into the Bernabeu as a replacement for Raphael Varane.
Varane could be heading to Arsenal or PSG, while Napoli are desperate to keep Koulibaly.
But the report claims a £63m deal could see the centre-back rock up in Spain.
08:34 UPDATE: Pogba one of THREE targets
Paul Pogba is part of a transfer plan set out by Juventus that could see the Turin side land three players this summer.
Tuttosport report that Juve want to sign Manchester United midfielder Pogba, as well as Ajax star Matthijs De Ligt and Benfica’s Ruben Dias.
But Barcelona also want De Ligt, while Real Madrid are chasing Pogba.
Dias, meanwhile, is wanted at United.
This transfer saga could run and run.
08:05 UPDATE: Celtic waiting on Newcastle
Celtic are reportedly among the clubs waiting for Newcastle to work out what to do with Freddie Woodman.
Celtic, Arsenal, Fulham and Everton all want to sign Woodman, whose contract expires in 2020.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper was to allowed to leave St James’ Park on loan this season.
And his unhappiness at not getting that deal could lead to a move in the summer, the Shields Gazette claim.
07:46 UPDATE: No Rangers deal
Rangers’ hopes of signing veteran winger Stewart Downing are effectively over.
The Northern Echo report that Downing - capped 35 times for England - will leave Middlesbrough in the summer.
If he starts another Championship game he will trigger a contract extension at Boro - something the club don’t want.
Downing wants to stay close to his family and so a move to Glasgow is off the table.
Instead, he may drop down to League One side Sunderland.
07:28 UPDATE: Arsenal two targets
Arsenal have two targets in mind for the summer - and they will come from the continent.
The Standard report that Unai Emery is keen to land centre-back Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona.
PSG are also linked with the defender but Arsenal will supposedly make a move.
The Gunners are also chasing Bayern Munich’s David Alaba, who could well be shifted out of the German giants in the summer.
07:02 UPDATE: Tottenham eye Tierney
Tottenham are all set to make a bid for Celtic defender Kieran Tierney in the summer.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is gunning for new signings at the end of the season after no arrivals in two transfer windows.
Tierney could well leave Celtic for the Premier League and has other suitors following his performances.
Pochettino, meanwhile, is expected to remain at Spurs now the Manchester United and Real Madrid posts have been filled.
06:51 UPDATE: Chelsea contract offer
Chelsea are readying a £100,000 contract offer for Callum Hudson-Odoi - to stop him leaving Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi almost joined Bayern Munich in January and is yet to get a string of games under Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.
Manchester United and Liverpool have emerged as suitors for the England international in recent weeks.
But Chelsea are ready to appease Hudson-Odoi’s worries over his future at the Blues and offer him to contract to stay away from their rivals.
06:26 UPDATE: Juventus eye Alderweireld
Juventus want to sign Tottenham defender Tony Alderweireld.
Manchester United failed to sign the centre-back last summer and he is available for just £25m at the end of this season.
The Belgian is under contract at Spurs unit 2020 and the north London club are expected to sell him before the start of next term.
Express Sport understands Juventus want two new defenders in the summer.
06:00 UPDATE: Rangers eye Eaves
Rangers want to sign Tom Eaves from Gillingham in a deal that could impact on their other strikers.
Eaves was wanted in January but Gers instead moved to land Jermain Defoe from Bournemouth.
Still, reports claim their interest in Eaves remains and a summer swoop could be on the cards.
Eaves, 27, has scored 20 goals this season.