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Welcome to Sportskeeda's daily transfer roundup.
With the summer transfer window set to swing open in Europe's top five leagues within a month from now, teams all around already seem to be preparing for next season. As usual, there has been plenty of transfer talk and speculation today.
Today's top transfer stories feature giant clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, among others. They also feature some high-profile stars who are being linked with moves away from their current clubs.
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On that note, here is a look at the top transfer news, rumours, and updates for the day:
Manchester United to scout Nicolo Barella and Kalidou Koulibaly
After what has turned out to be a disappointing season, Manchester United already seem to be toiling tirelessly in preparation for next season, the club has reportedly identified a number of potential transfer targets they would like to bring in. According to several reports, among the targets, are Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly - who has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, as well as Cagliari's Nicolo Barella.
Now, as per reports from The Sun, United will send scouts to Italy this weekend, with Napoli set to host Cagliari in Serie A. The report claims that United's representative will closely observe both players ahead of potential moves.
While 27-year-old centre-back, Koulibaly, has been on United's radar for a while now, Barella has quickly become a widely sought-after player, with clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea believed to be interested in the Italian midfielder.
Notably, Napoli have slapped a £100m price tag on Koulibaly, while Barella is reportedly valued at £43m. United are understood to be keen on making wholesale changes this summer, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believed to be in charge of the changes.
David Luiz in talks with Chelsea over new contract
With David Luiz's second spell at Chelsea set to end this summer, the Brazilian's future still remains uncertain, with no new contract signed yet. However, Chelsea are reportedly keen on retaining him at the club instead of allowing him to leave for free once the season ends.
According to reports from Goal.com, the 32-year-old defender is reportedly currently in talks with Chelsea over a potential new contract. Further, the club's manager, Maurizio Sarri, corroborated the story after Chelsea's first leg semi-final clash against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa League. Speaking to reporters, Sarri said:
"I don't know on David Luiz [staying]. I know that he had a meeting four or five days ago, but then my mind was on this match. I didn't ask him the result of it. If you want, I will ask him [on Friday]."
Manchester United and Chelsea join race for James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez, who is approaching the end of his loan spell at Bayern Munich, is scheduled to return to Real Madrid at the end of the ongoing season. However, several reports have claimed that the Colombian is unwanted at Madrid, casting a giant shadow over his future.
Now, according to the latest reports from Marca (via The Sun), the 27-year-old will reportedly be available for £36 million. Although Bayern have the first option on him, they are expected to pass on the opportunity to retain him.
Due to the uncertainty over Rodriguez's future, he has repeatedly been linked with potential moves to the Premier League. While no move materialized in the past, Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly interested in him and could offer him a way out of his current predicament, come summer.
Both clubs are expected to overhaul their respective sides, making James a likely target for both.
Barcelona president claims Messi will be a one-club man
Lionel Messi, like wine, seems to be getting better with age. Despite being 31-years-old, the Barcelona superstar has been simply unstoppable this season, scoring 48 goals and assisting 19 in 47 matches across all competitions.
Now, as per reports from Goal.com (via The Guardian) Barcelona's president, Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted that Messi will never leave Barcelona and that he is a one-club man. Speaking about Messi and his future, he said:
"He might even play until he's 45, who knows? We know he'll play three, four, five years more, we don't know how many – as many as he wants.
"We're preparing. Players like [Ousmane] Dembele, [Clement] Lenglet, Arthur are there to build a team for when Messi stops playing, but I still see it as a long way off. I don't think that day is near."
"We are talking to the family but it's very early to say. He's a footballer. So we talk football, but he will stay here with us. He's a club man. Leo belongs to world football, but he has always lived at Barca. He will be a one-club man. Leo will never leave. He'll stop playing, but he'll always be with us."
Real Madrid plan staggering €540m transfer splurge
After an extremely disappointing season, Real Madrid are almost certain to make several changes to their squad this summer. The Spanish giants have been linked to a plethora of top players all season, and are touted to break the bank once the transfer window opens.
Having already agreed on a deal worth €50 million for Porto's Eder Militao, Madrid will look to further flex their financial muscles in the transfer market.
According to the latest reports from AS, Madrid are reportedly planning a massive splurge on five players, that could totally set them back by as much as €540 million. The five-player wishlist allegedly consists of Manchester United's Paul Pogba, Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen, Lyon's Tanguy Ndombélé, and Eintracht Frankfurt's Luka Jovic.
The report claims that the purchase of Pogba could prove to be Madrid's greatest challenge, with Manchester United expected to demand at least €150 million for the World Cup-winning superstar. Further, Hazard is expected to cost around €115, while Spurs are reportedly demanding €100 million for Eriksen, although Madrid hope to seal the deal for €85 million.
Additionally, Ndombélé and Jovic could cost €80 million and €60 million, respectively.
