Jamie Vardy’s future was the talk of the transfer market since quite a few weeks now, but all speculations have been put to rest as Leicester City have officially announced that the 29-year-old striker will sign a new four-year contract with the club after Euro 2016. Vardy was heavily linked to Arsenal after the Gunners reportedly triggered the £20million release clause in his contract and the announcement has forced Arsene Wenger to look elsewhere for a striker.
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Also, the hot topic throughout social media is the announcement of Paul Scholes as a marquee signing for the Premier Futsal League which is set to take place in India from July 15.
Here are the transfer news and rumours from 23 June.
Serie A
- AC Milan are set to offer Zlatan Ibrahimovic €11 million a year, with bonuses included, reports Sportsmediaset. The supposedly incoming new Chinese owners are keen to see the deal through. The former Milan forward will reportedly be offered €8 million + €3 million in bonuses, but the move is possible only if the Chinese owners take over. Zlatan is believed to be keen on a return to the Italian giants himself, but the offer must be comparable to Manchester United’s, who have been heavily linked with the Swedish striker.
- Juventus are reportedly planning to offer Paul Pogba an improved contract to fend off interest from Real Madrid, according to The Guardian. The Bianconeri will raise Pogba’s wages from €5 million per season to €7 million in an effort to convince him to stay in Italy. Juve have also reportedly demanded €120 million from Real Madrid for the Frenchman which Los Blancos are unlikely to meet.
- Napoli have rejected a €25 million bid from Stoke CIty for Manolo Gabbiadini, says Tuttomercatoweb. The Partenopei are looking for €30 million for the player, who was largely in the shadow of Gonzalo Higuain throughout last season. Stoke’s rejected bid has prompted West Ham United to join the race.
English Premier League
- Jose Mourinho is targeting Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey as a replacement for Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Sun reports that the former Chelsea boss is interested in the Wales international and would need to pay £50 million to persuade the Gunners to sell.
- Reports from Turkey are suggesting that Everton have met Wesley Sneijder’s €7.5 million release clause. SonDakika, a Turkish newspaper has reported that the 32-year-old Galatasaray midfielder is set to become Ronald Koeman’s first signing as the Toffees’ boss. With a £100 million warchest at his disposal, plenty of big name signings are expected at the Merseyside club.
- Arsenal are the latest club to join the race for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku. According to Football Whispers, After the announcement of Jamie Vardy’s contract extension, Arsene Wenger is reportedly eyeing the Belgian international as he looks to increase his striking options. Lukaku has been vocal of his desire to move elsewhere in search of Champions League football and has a contract with Everton till 2019.
- Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Sadio Mane, according to The Sun. Jurgen Klopp his determined to bolster his attacking force and is keen to bring the Southampton forward to Anfield. The Reds will reportedly have to pay £25 million for the 24-year-old and fend off competition from arch rivals Manchester United.
La Liga
- Antoine Griezmann has signed a new deal with Atletico Madrid that is set to keep him at the club until 2021. The forward has been long linked with clubs across Europe for his stellar performances, guiding Atletico to a second Champions League final in three seasons.
"I'm very satisfied, very happy to keep belonging to this family and this project," Griezmann said. "I want to improve every year, and the club, the coaches and my teammates can help me to reach this goal".
- More news from Atletico as they are set to unveil the signing of Croatia full-back Sime Vrsaljko, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Rojiblancos have identified Vrsaljko as the man to provide Juanfran competition for the position.They will reportedly pay Sassuolo an initial fee of €16million, as well as a further €2 million in add-ons.
- Barcelona are looking to sign Chelsea’s right-back Cesar Azpilicueta in an attempt find a suitable replacement for Dani Alves. The Blues are willing to sell the 26-year-old for £13.8 million. According to AS, Azpilicueta is Barca manager’s Luis Enrique’s second choice after Hector Bellerin, who is unlikely to come to Camp Nou as Arsenal are unwilling to let their emerging star go. PSG, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are said to be interested in the Chelsea defender.
Rest of Europe
- Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic is edging closer to leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer, the defender’s agent has said. "Currently it does not look like he will get more game time in the upcoming season," Frieder Gramm, his new agent, told Der Westen. "But he absolutely wants to play, and does not want to earn his money on the bench."
He also added: "We are currently scouting the market."
- Schalke have reportedly beaten Manchester United to sign Basel’s Breel Embolo, according to German newspaper Bild. The German club have reportedly agreed a deal with Basel for the 19-year-old worth €20 million. Embolo is rated as one of the game’s biggest emerging talents after scoring 12 goals last season.
- Fenerbahce’s Nani could be the subject of a bid by Everton, suggests the Daily Mail. Nani’s performances at Euro 2016 has impressed the Toffees’ scouts, and the club could trigger a £6.5 million release clause in his contract. Inter Milan and Valencia are also said to be in the race to sign the former Manchester United winger.
