Top 5 Transfer Rumours of the Day: June 18

Here’s a look at top 5 football transfer speculations from today’s newspapers.

#1 Xavi agrees move to Qatari side Al Arabi

Al Arabi manager Dan Petrescu has claimed that Barcelona star midfielder Xavi has agreed join the Qatari club. The 34-year-old will reportedly earn just over £6million a season and is said to have already signed a pre-contract.

Speaking to Digisport, Dan Petrescu said: “Xavi signed a pre-contract with Al Arabi. There were probably other offers from other teams.”

Xavi has spent his entire career at Barcelona and was expected to decide his future after the World Cup in Brazil. The veteran Spaniard was linked with a host of Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

#2 Chelsea slap 32m price tag on Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea are willing to sell their highly rated young striker Romelu Lukaku this summer – but for not less than £32 million. The Belgium international has enjoyed impressive loan spells at Everton and West Brom but is thought to have not been included in Jose Mourinho’s plans at Stamford Bridge.

Juventus, Altetico Madrid, Tottenham and Arsenal are all said to be interested to sign Lukaku this summer. But a whopping £32 million price tag could become an obstacle for Lukaku after claiming that he wants to leave Chelsea.

The Blues already have plans in place as Diego Costa closes in on a move to Jose Mourinho’s side. The former Real Madrid coach will not hand Lukaku another loan spell as a permanent move looks to be the most likely outcome.

#3 Liverpool open talks with Manchester United target Daley Blind

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Ajax to discuss the transfer of Daley Blind. The 24-year-old starred for Netherlands in their historic 5-1 win over Spain at their World Cup opener.

Blind is hugely expected to leave the Eredivisie champions after the tournament with Liverpool now considered favorites to land the versatile defender after making contact with Ajax. But the Reds may face competition from rivals Manchester United who are also believed to be interested.

The Red Devils are in pole position to sign Southamton’s highly rated full back Luke Shaw, but Louis van Gaal reportedly wants Ajax’s Blind to take up the left back position at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Liverpool were also close to signing Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno – but transfer talks have been stalled for now.

#4 Mario Balotelli\'s agent hints at Arsenal switch

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is open to a switch to Arsenal after his agent revealed thatanything is possible this summer. The Italian is said to be a top transfer target for Arsene Wenger this summer as he seeks to bring attacking reinforcements at the Emirates.

The Gunners are already in contact with Balotellis agentMino Raiola to arrange a deal after the World Cup. While, AC Milan arealso reportedly ready to sell the 23-year-old for the right price.

Arsenal are a fantastic club,Raiola told Sky Sports. Will a transfer happen? Anything is possible.

Balotelli will cost Arsenal around25 million which does not looksto be an issue for the transfer asArsene Wenger is handed a100 million kitty to fight for the title next season.

#5 Mats Hummels could play for Manchester United \'one day\'

Newly appointed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal’s primary defensive target Mats Hummels has ruled out a summer switch but admits the prospect of playing for the Red Devils ‘one day’. The Borussia Dortmund defender has been on Manchester United’s radar for quite some time now.

“I never think about Man United or talk about it because it is something that isn’t important for me right now,” Hummels said. “Maybe it will be some day, but I don’t expect it to be like that this summer.”

Louis van Gaal is keen to sign at least one world class centre back after the departure of star defensive pair Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Man United have also been linked with Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala and Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen.