Arsenal are looking to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United, while scouts from clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain watched three young Racing Genk stars play on Thursday. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Belgian side Racing Genk drew 3-3 with Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday and 23 scouts from some of Europe’s top clubs were in the stadium to watch their top talent, says Belgian outlet Sporza. While 18-year-old star midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas was injured, Zakaria El Ouahdi (24), Yaimar Medina (21) and Matte Smets (22) were on the agenda for Chelsea, Ajax, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and PSG.
– Arsenal are ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, according to The Sun. The Gunners believe the 25-year-old would be happy to move to London, with a fee of around £75 million expected to be enough, despite the Magpies demanding £95 million to sign the England international. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a long-time admirer of Gordon, although signing him could see Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli leave the Emirates.
– Liverpool and Chelsea are showing serious interest in Nottingham Forest center back Murillo, as reported by TEAMtalk. A summer move is increasingly likely for the 23-year-old if an offer of over £60 million is made, and the Blues are leading the chase as they have conducted extensive groundwork in the last 12 months. Manchester United have shown interest more recently, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring the situation. In Europe, Bayern Munich have a major interest, and Real Madrid and Barcelona have previously been linked.
– Dusan Vlahovic is prioritizing a move to Barcelona, with the Juventus striker preparing to become a free agent when his contract expires in the summer, according to TEAMtalk. Negotiations regarding a contract renewal have repeatedly stalled, despite the 26-year-old maintaining a positive relationship with the Serie A club. That has resulted in widespread interest in the Serbia international as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Internazionale and Roma have all been linked.
– Victor Osimhen wants to move to Juventus, but negotiations are difficult because Galatasaray would have to pay Napoli a penalty of up to €70 million if they offload the Nigeria striker to a Serie A club, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport. The clause lasts two years and would drop to €50 million in the second of those, but it currently makes signing the 27-year-old an “impossible dream” for Juve.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Sam Tighe on a possible move to Arsenal for Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.
The left wing is an obvious area for Arsenal to target in the transfer market this year. Gabriel Martinelli has struggled to kick on and take that next step, Leandro Trossard is a good option but isn’t that top-level gamebreaker, while manager Mikel Arteta has seemingly designated Ebere Eze as a central attacking midfielder — not a wide man.
The easiest way to elevate this team is to target a top player in this position, and there’s a case that Gordon fits the bill. He’s scored 10 Champions League goals this year, is a regular fixture for England and, crucially, has blazing speed: He’s hit 36.1 km/h this term, per Gradient Sports, a mark that tops all other Premier League players.
The concern here, understandably, should be the fee. After very few of the nine players who transferred between English clubs for £50 million or more this term have proved anything close to good value (so far), £75 million or more takes things up another notch. Gordon would have to be spectacular to prove worth that sort of outlay.
OTHER RUMORS
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Would a move to MLS benefit Antoine Griezmann?
The “Futbol Americas” crew debate if a move to the MLS would benefit Antoine Griezmann’s career.
– Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is one step away from joining MLS club Orlando City. (L’Equipe)
– Manchester City’s Rodri is the midfielder Real Madrid want to sign this summer. The club will evaluate Rodri’s physical condition between now and the end of the season, with City likely to expect a fee of around €50 million. (Ramon Alverez de Mon).
– Newcastle are looking at Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Manchester City’s James Trafford as they aim to sign a long-term successor for Nick Pope. (iNews)
– Aston Villa and Fulham are among the Premier League clubs interested in Manchester United attacking midfielder Mason Mount. (Football Insider)
– Napoli will trigger the €16.5 million option in their loan deal for Alisson Santos to permanently sign the winger from Sporting CP. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Chelsea are willing to let Liam Delap leave with Everton among the Premier League clubs interested in the striker. (Football Insider)
– Borussia Dortmund and one Saudi Pro League club have asked for information on Benjamin Pavard, with the France defender no longer in the plans of Internazionale or loan club Marseille. (Nicolo Schira)
– Juventus are already looking at options to offload Jonathan David in the summer having been left unsatisfied by the striker’s performances. (Nicolo Schira)
– Backup goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is seriously considering requesting to leave Liverpool on loan in the summer. (TEAMtalk)
– Newcastle United are interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers left back Hugo Bueno after being approached by his agent. (Football Insider)
– AC Milan are willing to listen to offers for left back Pervis Estupinan amid interest from Bologna, LaLiga and the Premier League. (Calciomercato)
– Newcastle United are monitoring 21-year-old Royale Union Saint-Gilloise winger Anan Khalaili. (Daily Mail)
– Two Premier League clubs are interested in Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, but the 20-year-old dreams of Internazionale triggering their clause to re-sign him. (Nicolo Schira)
– Michail Antonio is set to sign a short-term deal with Qatar Stars League club Al Sailiya to play the final six games of their season. (BBC)
– There are clubs hoping to sign Mauro Icardi as a free agent in the summer, but the striker’s agent will hold a meeting with Galatasaray in April to decide his future. (Nicolo Schira)
– Lens and some English clubs are looking at Al Fayha forward Fashion Sakala, who will be a free agent in the summer. (Rudy Galetti)
– Former West Ham center back Kurt Zouma is in advanced talks to join UAE Pro League side Al Wasl on a free transfer. (Fabrizio Romano)
