All the top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s national newspapers…
Man Utd Offer Milinkovic £42m
The report states that Milinkovic is still a possibility to leave Lazio this summer and despite Juventus’ interest in him, it is Manchester United who are most likely to sign him.
Milinkovic’s agent has received a £42m offer from United and will travel to Lazio’s headquarters in August to present this offer to them. However, Lazio president Lotito is unlikely to accept the offer.
The report also states that if Milinkovic does leave, then Lazio will try to sign Zielinski. Lazio have been looking at Zielinski for some time now, with manager Maurizio Sarri favouring him.
Laporta Wants Messi to Retire at Barca
Barça president Laporta attended an official Barça FC event and was interviewed in the press area.
“I have a moral debt to Messi and I want him to end his career wearing a Barca shirt and receiving the applause he deserves at the Camp Nou.”
“It is a wish of mine and I think I am responsible for such an ending, I believe it will be a short parting and we will make this wish a reality, at least, that is what we think now.”
Official: Barca sign Sevilla centre-back Kounde
Kounde and Barcelona have signed until 2027 and the fixed transfer fee for this deal is €50 million, with Kounde earning around €6 million a year after tax at Barca. He will be Barca’s fifth acquisition of the season.
Kounde, 23, is a French international who joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019 and has played 133 games for Sevilla so far, scoring nine goals and delivering three assists, following the team to the 19-20 UEFA Europa League title.
In 2021 he was named in the French national team squad for the Europa League. In June of the same year, he made his national debut against Wales.
Ronaldo left Manchester United for Champions League scoring record, Mendes has contacted Portuguese sports
Ronaldo’s reason for seeking to leave Manchester United is to continue his quest for a record in his career.
This comes after Ronaldo reiterated his thoughts of leaving United at talks at the Carrington training base, but club executives continue to insist that he is not for sale.
Sources from Laurie Whitwell, United’s follow up reporter at The Athletic, say that it is thought that Ronaldo’s primary reason for wanting to leave is to stay in the Champions League for the 2022/23 season so that he can consolidate his goalscoring record in the competition. He currently leads the way with 140 goals, 15 more than Lionel Messi who is in second place.
Ronaldo is also currently three goals behind Messi in the overall Champions League group stage goalscoring table, and surpassing his old rival in this metric is considered an additional goal for Ronaldo. Of course, winning trophies and family reasons are also major motivations.
Mendes is trying to find a way to get Ronaldo to leave and reports suggest that he has held talks with Sporting Portugal, the club where Ronaldo started and who finished runners-up in the Portuguese Super League last season, and who could play in the Champions League this season. However, Ronaldo’s huge salary is obviously a complication for Sporting Portugal and manager Amorim is also said to have reservations about signing Ronaldo, but it does bring obvious commercial benefits as he opens up endless marketing opportunities around the world.
In addition, Atletico Madrid, who are United’s opponents in their warm-up game in Oslo on Saturday, are currently linked with Ronaldo despite club president Cerezo claiming that signing him is “factually impossible”, and their die-hard fans have protested against the rumours. Ronaldo is not expected to play in this game, with sources suggesting it would be more realistic for him to start the next day against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.
Official: Atletico Madrid sign Argentina international defender Molina on 5-year deal
Atletico Madrid have officially signed Udinese Argentine international defender, Molina, until 2027.
Molina, 24 years old, is 1.75m tall, plays as a right back and is a current Argentine international.
Previously the player played for Udinese, Boca Juniors, Rosario Central and Defence & Justice. Last season he made 37 appearances for Udinese, scoring 8 goals, assisting 2 times and receiving 1 red card and 6 yellow cards.
He will sign a 5 year deal with Atletico Madrid, who as previously reported will pay between 10 and 12 million euros plus a floating bonus of 6 million euros for the deal, with Neun Perez also being part of the deal, making the overall transfer between 26 and 27 million euros.
DAILY MIRROR
Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential Manchester United exit has taken another twist with reports his agent is in talks with Sporting CP.
Kieran Trippier has confirmed Manchester United were in for him when he first explored the possibility of returning home from Madrid.
Marseille are reportedly growing increasingly optimistic that they can complete a move for William Saliba, despite Mikel Arteta making it clear the defender is part of his plans at Arsenal.
THE GUARDIAN
Arsenal have agreed to send Nuno Tavares on loan to Marseille for the season.
THE SUN
Chelsea are refusing to sell Armando Broja after rejecting West Ham’s £30m bid, according to reports.
Juventus are reportedly looking for a replacement for the injured Paul Pogba just two months after he signed – and have Saul Niguez lined up.
Newcastle have reportedly joined the battle for wonderkid Giovani – but would have to shell out £50m to land him.
Cesar Azpilicueta is still in talks with Barcelona as his transfer saga continues.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United ‘will test Lazio’s resolve with an offer of £42m for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’ as Erik ten Hag looks for alternatives to Frenkie de Jong.
Pep Guardiola has lifted the lid on the summer departures of Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Gabriel Jesus, admitting his side will miss the title-winning trio next season.
Tottenham are looking to push forward in their pursuit of Roma’s attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, according to reports.
Chile’s Football Federation (ANFP) is appealing against FIFA’s decision to dismiss its complaint that Ecuador fielded an ineligible player during the World Cup qualifying campaign.
THE ATHLETIC
Manchester United defenders Eric Bailly and Ethan Laird have attracted the interest of several clubs after the arrival of Lisandro Martinez.
Norwich City are looking to sign Marcelino Nunez from Chilean top-flight club, Universidad Catolica.
THE TIMES
Luke Donald is expected to be named Europe’s new Ryder Cup captain after Henrik Stenson was stripped of the honour in response to his acrimonious defection to the Saudi-backed breakaway series LIV Golf.
The England women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman will earn a six-figure bonus if England beat Germany in the European Championship final on Sunday.
Glasgow Warriors are believed to be closing in on the appointment of Franco Smith as their new head coach.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Liverpool has no intention of allowing Roberto Firmino to become the latest member of their famed front three to leave Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp reiterating the Brazilian remains integral to his plans this season.
DAILY EXPRESS
Leicester’s Wesley Fofana, Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard and Inter Milan star Milan Skriniar are the three names on Thomas Tuchel’s radar with Jules Kounde set to sign for Barcelona.
Liverpool and Newcastle have reportedly been scouting Sheffield United starlet Will Osula but Premier League rivals Chelsea might be the biggest beneficiaries of the 18-year-old’s next move.
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