Premier League Transfer News: Manchester United Swoop For Rival’s Stars, Chelsea Race For Another Striker
Both Manchester United and Chelsea are in a cluster of teams that will look to invest in the summer to gain ground on runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The clubs are already putting the foundations in place, identifying which players will help strengthen their squad and compete with Pep Guardiola’s champions elect.
Here, Newsweek guides you through all the news and rumors swirling around the Premier League’s transfer market on Friday:
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Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United is lurking as both defenders Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose consider leaving Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, according to The Sun. United also reportedly want Harry Kane but the England striker is likely to remain for at least one more season.
However United, along with Arsenal, do appear to have missed out on Napoli center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, according to the Daily Star. The 26-year-old Senegalese defender favors a move to Stamford Bridge to join Chelsea.
There may be a new man in charge at Stamford Bridge next season though as L’Equipe believes Paris Saint-Germain is hiring Antonio Conte, the Italian coach who won the Premier League title in his first season in English football. According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are considering making an approach for Slavisa Jokanovic as his replacement.
The West London club is also leading the race to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, according to Bleacher Report. The Polish striker is open to a move away from Germany in the summer with Chelsea and Real Madrid as his main pursuers.
Real Madrid are also keen on strengthening their defense and taking another of Bayern’s first-team players by signing left-full back David Alaba in the summer, according to Calciomercato. Spanish rivals Barcelona are also in the race for the 25-year-old Austrian.
As ever, Bayern Munich will look to bolster as well, and it may come as a consequence to Arsenal and Tottenham as the German giant is considering making a move for Malcom, the Brazilian winger, according to the London Evening Standard. Both North London clubs have been linked with the 21-year-old Bordeaux star since the summer.