Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool £85m talks, Arsenal scout Barcelona target, Man Utd pay cut
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip coming out of the Premier League and more.
Posted Tuesday, March 19, 2019 by Express.co.uk
17.25 UPDATE: Nemanja Vidic tells Man Utd to sign midfielder
Manchester United need to prioritise signing a midfielder this summer, according to Nemanja Vidic.
He told Stadium Astro: "Of course, I would like to see him there.
"But I think the club has to have a priority.
"What I see is, if you want to be in the Champions League next season and challenge for the Premier League, you have to strengthen the midfield.
"You need that depth in the midfield area.
"In defence they already have five players, so they can rotate, and it seems like they're doing well."
Transfer news LIVE: Nemanja Vidic has given his opinion on Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
15.45 UPDATE: Samir Nasri playing for his future
Samir Nasri has admitted he is playing for his own future.
He said: "I don't know about my future. The most important thing for me was to come back, which I did in January.
"Then I got an injury because I wasn't used to playing week in, week out when I have been out of the game for so long.
"Now the manager takes his time with me. I have seven games left and I just want to play free of injury and then we will sit down and see what is next."
Transfer news LIVE: Samir Nasri has opened up on his West Ham future (Image: GETTY)
14:45 UPDATE: Eden Hazard price-tag
Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia will reportedly demand between £85m and £102m from Real Madrid to let Eden Hazard go this summer.
The 27-year-old is dreaming of a move to Real Madrid and would jump at the chance to play under childhood hero Zinedine Zidane.
And AS claim Chelsea chief Granovskaia is primed to demand big money from the La Liga giants to let their star asset go.
It is claimed that Hazard will cost somewhere between £85m and £102m - making him one of the most-expensive players of all time.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
14:30 UPDATE: Monchi snubbed Arsenal
Transfer guru Monchi has revealed that he rejected an offer from Arsenal to return to Sevilla.
Monchi vacated his role as Roma's director of football by mutual consent earlier this month and was tipped to replace departed Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
However, Monchi opted to rejoin Sevilla and thanks Arsenal for their interest.
"I thank Arsenal for their interest," Monchi said. "It has been the club that has shown the most interest in me but, in the end, I evaluated all of the offers I had on the table and I chose the one that convinced me most.
"I had other options, and very important ones that were flashier, but I've chosen Sevilla because its sporting project convinced me."
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
14:00 UPDATE: Real Madrid want Mauro Icardi
Real Madrid are hopeful of capitalising on Mauro Icardi's feud with Inter Milan by by securing a cut-price deal for the Argentina international.
That's according to Spanish newspaper AS, who claim Real Madrid executives view Icardi as a cheaper alternative to Harry Kane.
Icardi, 26, was stripped of the Inter captaincy in February and has been frozen out of the side since his wife and agent, Wanda Nara, publicly criticised the club's handling of contract negotiations.
AS claim Inter would be willing to do business for £68million and Icardi would fulfil Zinedine Zidane's request for a new talisman.
13:30 UPDATE: Swoop for Solly
Arsenal are tracking Brighton winger Solly March.
That's according to TEAMtalk, who claim the Gunners have been scouting March throughout the Premier League campaign.
March, who joined Brighton's academy from non-league Lewes in 2011, has made 28 appearances for Chris Hughton's side this campaign - registering one goal and five assists.
The report claims Arsenal are targeting the 24-year-old and could make a formal approach in the summer transfer window.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
13:00 UPDATE: Piotr Zielinski to Arsenal
Arsenal have registered their interest in Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
That's according to Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno, who claim Arsenal could make an offer this summer.
Zielinski, 24, has been on Liverpool's radar since his days spent on loan at Empoli in 2016.
And Express Sport understand that Jurgen Klopp wanted to sign the Poland international in January by triggering his £60million release clause.
However, it could be Unai Emery's side the finally lure Zielinski to the Premier League.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
12:30 UPDATE: N'Golo Kante reporting for duty
I think we've located the best story of the international break on Day 1.
Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante reported for international duty with France… SIX HOURS EARLY!
Didier Deschamps' players were scheduled to meet at France's Clairefontaine training base at 12.30pm on Monday.
But Kante, fresh from Chelsea's miserable 2-0 defeat to Everton, arrived at 6.30am!
Chelsea colleagues Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek recently gave the energetic midfielder grief for always being late for team appointments.
Asked which player is fined for small discrepancies most often, Loftus-Cheek didn't have to think before dropping Kante in it.
"Yeah, N'Golo! You wouldn't expect it. He's always late! Always!" Hudson-Odoi added
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
12:00 UPDATE: Juventus winning transfer battle
Juventus are leading the chase for Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.
Ndombele, 22, is being monitored by a host of Europe's elite having delivered on both domestic and European levels this season.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Barcelona have all been credited with interest in the 22-year-old midfielder.
However, Calciomercato claim Juventus are currently leading the race for his signature which would cost upwards of £68million.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
11:30 UPDATE: Eden Hazard's mind is made up
Chelsea winger Eden Hazard wants to join Real Madrid this summer, reports claim.
Hazard, whose contract expires in the summer of 2020, has been heavily linked with a move to European champions Real Madrid following the reappointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach.
And according to Spanish newspaper AS, Hazard is 'determined' to make it happen in the next few months.
The 28-year-old has previously described the Spanish club as his "dream" move and labelled former France midfielder Zidane his "idol".
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
11:00 UPDATE: Ivan Perisic available
Arsenal are set to reignite their interest in Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic after Serie A club decided to make him available in the summer window.
The Gunners attempted to bring the 30-year-old to the Emirates in the January window - but ultimately failed to reach any agreement.
The Croatian even requested a transfer to try and force through a deal but to no avail at the time, however, it looks like the payer will get his wish come the summer.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, deals for Mauro Icardi and Perisic could cost a combined £120m.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
10:30 UPDATE: Unai Emery scouting mission
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has rekindled interest in Getafe defender Djene Dakonam.
That's reported by Spanish newspaper AS, who claim the Gunners boss was in attendance to watch Valencia's 0-0 draw with Getafe on Sunday.
Arsenal and Barcelona were linked with the talented defender, 27, over the summer - but neither lodged a formal offer.
Dakonam's contract is thought to contain a £31m release clause which could represent a bargain considering his string of impressive displays.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
10:15 UPDATE: Ernesto Valverde on UCL tie
Ernesto Valverde has rubbished claims that his side are favourites for their Champions League tie with Manchester United.
"The tie against United is really difficult," he said. "They're a side with a lot history, they're in good form and it will be an even and open tie.
"We're not favourites. We have to be careful because they never give up. They came back against PSG. It will be an attractive tie for the public.
"I don't think the factor of playing home or away is as decisive as it was before. In the last eight there are four teams that finished second in their group, so played the second legs in the last round away."
10:00 UPDATE: Spurs spending spree
Tottenham are aiming to sign FIVE players when the summer transfer window opens, in a bid to help Mauricio Pochettino win his first trophy with the club, according to a report.
The Mail are reporting that scouts at Spurs are beginning to ready up a shopping list that could include the likes of Hull's Jarrod Bowen and Aston Villa's Jack Grealish.
Carlos Soler, who plays for Valencia, is also being looked at by Spurs, while Wilfried Zaha is once again being watched by the club.
Another target is Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic, who, if Spurs managed to obtain his signature, would play second fiddle to star man Harry Kane.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
09:45 UPDATE: Why always him…
Manchester United supporters love what Mario Balotelli had planned for Marseille's trip to PSG on Sunday.
According to French football journalist Jonathan Johnson, the Italy international was wearing a t-shirt with a photograph of Rashford underneath his jersey, that he would've revealed had he have scored.
Johnson tweeted: "Mario Balotelli reportedly had a t-shirt with the face of Manchester United's Marcus Rashford underneath his Marseille shirt in case he scored & celebrated vs. PSG this evening."
Unfortunately for United fans, Balotelli was unable to score in a 3-1 defeat to the league leaders, in a celebration that would've undoubtedly caused controversy.
09:30 UPDATE: Kostas Manolas to Man Utd
Manchester United could secure the services of long-time target Kostas Manolas.
The Italian outfit, who recently appointed Claudio Ranieri as manager, risk losing their top players if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.
And according to Calciomercato, the Greece international is the most likely to leave in the event of finishing outside the top four.
It's reported that Manolas, 27, has a release clause that can be activated for £31million.
09:15 UPDATE: Gareth Bale helicopter booked
United were on the verge of signing Gareth Bale before he joined Real Madrid.
That's according to David Moyes, who claims a helicopter was lined up to bring Bale to Old Trafford.
"By the time we got to the end of the transfer window, we always thought we had a chance of getting Gareth Bale," Moyes told beIN SPORTS.
"We hoped we could talk him out of going to Real Madrid because it was already half done. We had offered more money, we tried to entice him. We did [have a helicopter ready] and we tried."
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
09:00 UPDATE: Lionel Messi hat-trick
Lionel Messi is used to receiving adulation at the Nou Camp but on Sunday he got a rapturous reception from rival supporters for a majestic hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-1 win at Real Betis.
Messi opened the scoring with an unstoppable free kick then combined with devastating effect with Luis Suarez to carve Betis open and score a second goal right before half time.
The Argentine saved his best goal for last, completing a victory which took Barca 10 points clear at the top of La Liga with a spectacular first-timed chip from the edge of the area after playing a one-two with Ivan Rakitic.
Beaten Betis goalkeeper Pau Lopez looked on in awe while the home supporters, renowned for devotion to their side, rose to their feet, bowed down to Messi and chanted his name.
08:45 UPDATE: Antoine Griezmann transfer
Barcelona director Guillermo Amor has refused to rule out a move for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
It has recently been claimed that he regrets choosing to stay at Atletico after having an offer from Barcelona on the table.
And now, Barcelona director Amor has refused to rule out the Catalan giants pursuing Griezmann again.
"It's news that comes out, we can not talk about players from other teams," he said. "We must respect the situation of Atlético that has just been eliminated [from the Champions League]. I do not know if there is any contact or if there will be."
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
08:30 UPDATE: Alexis Sanchez to Juventus
Juventus are interested in signing Manchester United outcast Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez, 30, has registered one goal and three assists in 17 Premier League appearances this season and looks a shadow of the player who thrilled at Arsenal.
However, Calciomercato claim Juventus are prepared to take a risk by signing the Chilean international.
It's reported that Juve will pursue Sanchez this summer but only if he's prepared to take a hefty cut to his £350,000-per-week contract.
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)
08:00 UPDATE: Liverpool enquiry
Liverpool have had an enquiry about £85million-rated Benfica defender Francisco Reis Ferreira rejected by the the Portuguese club, according to a report.
Ferreira, more commonly known as 'Ferro', is going to be the latest young prospect to come out of Benfica, with many big European clubs monitoring his situation.
But Record, a news outlet in Portugal, are reporting that Liverpool have made first contract over his signature.
Record report that the Reds have been in for Ferro for a while and have even approached Benfica about a potential deal before.
Those advances were rejected, though, as Liverpool tried to take the defender on loan with an option to buy for £10m.
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