/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
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Should Blues back out of Sancho deal with united after 'penalty' revealed?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F13%2Fjadon-sancho.jpg "Jadon Sancho of Chelsea during his side's Premier League match against Arsenal, on March 16, 2025")
Chelsea will reportedly have to pay a penalty price of £5m if they renege on their obligation to sign Jadon Sancho in the summer transfer window.
Sancho fell out with previous United boss Erik ten Hag in 2023-24 and was sent out on loan to Borussia Dortmund in the January window of 2024 before signing for the Blues on loan in the summer of last year.
Enzo Maresca's side have an obligation to buy the 24-year-old for a fee of £25m, but the Englishman has failed to impress in recent months.
His poor form has led to speculation that Chelsea could back out of their obligation to sign the winger, but The Athletic claims that doing so would entail the Blues paying a penalty sum of £5m.
United set for battle with Spurs for 'young talent' from Championship in summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F49%2Fruben-amorim_1.jpg "Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on December 7, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly braced for competition from Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Sunderland's Chris Rigg.
Both United and Spurs have endured difficult seasons in the Premier League, with the clubs languishing in 13th and 14th place respectively.
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim has been provided with some leeway for his side's performances given he only arrived in November, while Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has faced significant scrutiny.
The upcoming summer transfer window is certain to be one of sizeable change, with both managers keen on strengthening their flawed squads.
Van Dijk has 'decided' his future amidst rumours he could leave Anfield
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fvirgil-van-dijk.jpg "Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during his side's EFL Cup final clash against Newcastle United, on March 16, 2025")
Virgil Van Dijk has reportedly decided to end his time at Liverpool, with Paris Saint-Germain touted as a likely destination.
The Dutch defender led the Netherlands out against Spain in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening but his team were eliminated after a penalty shootout.
Van Dijk was also eliminated from the Champions League after the Reds lost on penalties against PSG in the round of 16 on March 11, and the centre-back was also part of the Liverpool side that were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on March 16.
Though the Reds captain will likely lead Liverpool to Premier League title, fans could be seeing the last of him on Merseyside give his contract expires in the summer window.
Everton 'learn asking price' of colossus defender identified as Branthwaite heir
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F40%2Fjarrad-branthwaite.jpg "Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite after the match on September 28, 2024")
Everton have reportedly identified Genoa centre-back Koni De Winter as a potential replacement for Manchester United-linked Jarrad Branthwaite.
Branthwaite was allegedly the subject of at least two bids from Man United last summer, with their second offer, thought to have been an initial £45m plus add-ons, rejected by the Toffees.
It is understood that the Red Devils are willing to submit an offer in excess of £50m for the 22-year-old, who is valued by Everton at around £70m.
The chances of Ruben Amorim's side signing Branthwaite will 'greatly increase' if they secure Champions League football for next season by winning the 2024-25 Europa League, but they may face competition from Real Madrid for his signature.
"I see it as logical": Newcastle dealt blow in pursuit of Spanish winger
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fantonio-cordero.jpg "Malaga's Antonio Cordero on September 20, 2024")
Newcastle United have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Malaga's teenage winger Antonio Cordero ahead of the summer transfer window.
Cordero has regularly been linked with a move to St James' Park, with one report from last month claiming that the highly-rated 18-year-old is expected to join the Magpies in the summer.
Newcastle were said to have beaten the likes of La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid to win the race for the Spain Under-19 international.
Fresh reports from Estadio Deportivo have since claimed that the Magpies face competition from Porto to sign Cordero, as the Portuguese club have matched their approach for the winger.
Prem return on the cards: Man United, Liverpool 'learn Torres asking price'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fferran-torres.jpg "Barcelona's Ferran Torres on March 16, 2025")
Barcelona have reportedly set their asking price for Ferran Torres, with the versatile attacker expected to be on the move during this summer's transfer window.
The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals and registered three assists in 32 appearances for Barcelona this season, including seven goals and two assists in 20 La Liga outings, but he is behind Robert Lewandowski when it comes to the starting spot at centre-forward.
Torres has been used in a wide area by Barcelona, but Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have both been in extraordinary form this season, so his route into the team as a winger is also blocked at this moment in time.
There has recently been a host of speculation surrounding the forward's future, with a number of clubs believed to be interested in serving his signature during this summer's transfer market.
Real Madrid 'surprisingly offered' Man City defender as transfer stance 'revealed'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F50%2Fmanuel-akanji.jpg "Manchester City's Manuel Akanji on December 4, 2024")
Real Madrid have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji this summer.
The 29-year-old has spent almost three seasons at the Etihad Stadium since completing a £15m transfer from Borussia Dortmund and he has made a total of 126 first-team appearances in all competitions.
Akanji has played an important part in the Citizens' recent success under Pep Guardiola, helping the club win seven trophies including two Premier League titles and one Champions League.
However, Akanji is one of several Man City players who has been hampered with injuries this season; the Swiss defender is currently sidelined with an abductor problem which required surgery last month.
Modric issues update on Real Madrid future amid contract uncertainty
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fluka-modric.jpg "Real Madrid's Luka Modric pictured on October 5, 2024")
Luka Modric has revealed that he is yet to speak with Real Madrid over his future beyond the end of the campaign.
The 39-year-old penned another one-year contract extension with Los Blancos last summer, and he has again been an important player for Carlo Ancelotti's side this season, scoring four times and registering seven assists in 44 appearances.
Modric will be 40 at the start of next season, but he has shown no signs of slowing down this term, with the Croatia international still having the full trust of head coach Ancelotti and his teammates.
There has recently been speculation surrounding a potential new deal, with Real Madrid said to be keen to keep him for a further year.
The un-fab five: Spurs quintet could be sold for over £80m this summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fricharlison.jpg "Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison pictured on August 19, 2024")
Flash back to the first few months of Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur reign, where the Australian took a marvellous 26 Premier League points from 30 on offer, the most by any head coach in their first 10 matches in the competition.
Following the pragmatism and eventual pessimism that Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte brought to the club, Postecoglou's forward-thinking approach had seemingly ushered in a new era for Spurs as they agonisingly missed out on a top-four place in his first term.
However, an all-too familiar sense of doom and gloom is now engulfing the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as the Lilywhites reside in an embarrassing 14th place in the Premier League table with just nine matches left to play.
Postecoglou was understandably cut some slack owing to the unrelenting injury crisis he had to deal with over the winter, but there can be few excuses for their pitiful displays versus the likes of Fulham, Everton and Leicester City in 2025.
Kane eyes Shearer record: Could England captain return to the Premier League?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fharry-kane.jpg "Bayern Munich's Harry Kane celebrates on March 5, 2025")
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is reportedly giving serious consideration to returning to the Premier League during this summer's transfer window, with Liverpool said to be his preferred destination.
The England captain represented Tottenham Hotspur between 2010 and 2023, scoring 280 times and registering 61 assists in 435 appearances, before making the move to Bayern in the summer of 2023.
Kane has been in terrific form for the Munich giants, managing 76 goals and 23 assists in 82 appearances, including 32 goals and 11 assists in 37 outings in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign.
The 31-year-old has a contract with Bayern until June 2027, but there has recently been speculation surrounding his future.
Chelsea ready to sell five unwanted loan players, one star in line for reprieve?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F39%2Fraheem-sterling.jpg "Arsenal's Raheem Sterling pictured on September 15, 2024")
Chelsea have reportedly already decided to try to cash in on as many as five loanees during the summer transfer window.
There are currently as many as 21 Blues players who are out on loan at a Premier League, EFL or worldwide-based club.
Andrey Santos, who is at Strasbourg, is one player who is highly likely to be integrated into Enzo Maresca's squad for the 2025-26 campaign.
However, given the incomings that could materialise over the coming months, it is realistic to expect that many of the players currently elsewhere do not have futures at Stamford Bridge.
Battle for Victor: Man United 'facing major competition' for prolific goalscorer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F36%2Fvictor-osimhen_2.jpg "Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli in May 2024")
Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly battling Manchester United for the signature of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian set to be on the move during this summer's transfer window.
Osimhen is currently on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 26 times and registering five assists in 30 appearances for the Turkish giants, but he is set to return to his parent club at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Galatasaray chief Abdullah Kavukcu recently suggested that his team could sign the Nigeria international on a permanent basis this summer, but it will be difficult for the Istanbul giants to complete a deal.
Man United are currently being heavily linked with Osimhen, who will allegedly have a £62m release clause in his contract for foreign clubs during this summer's transfer window.
Deco's 'great obsession': Barca 'making moves' for Brazil international
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fdeco.jpg "Barcelona sporting director Deco on May 19, 2024")
Barcelona sporting director Deco is reportedly determined to bring Monaco defender Vanderson to the club this summer.
The Catalan giants are expected to sign a new right-back during the upcoming market, with the club wanting competition for Jules Kounde, who was initially brought to Camp Nou to be a central defender.
Vanderson's future has been a point of discussion over the last couple of years, with a number of major European clubs believed to be keen on the 23-year-old, who has been capped on five occasions by Brazil.
According to Fichajes, Barcelona chief Deco is 'obsessed' by Vanderson, viewing him as the ideal player to boost the Catalan outfit's defensive unit for the 2025-26 campaign.
Bargain transfer: Man United, Arsenal 'learn asking price' for striker target
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fbrian-brobbey.jpg "Ajax's Brian Brobbey pictured on January 11, 2025")
Ajax are reportedly willing to sell Brian Brobbey for as little as €25m (£21m) during this summer's transfer window, which could alert both Manchester United and Arsenal.
Brobbey has again been an important player for Ajax during the 2024-25 campaign, featuring on 38 occasions in all competitions, scoring seven times and registering five assists in the process.
The 23-year-old's future has been a point of discussion over the last year or so, with clubs from the Premier League, including Man United and Arsenal, believed to be interested in his signature.
According to SoccerNews, Ajax's financial situation means that the Dutch club need to make some first-team sales this summer, and Brobbey is viewed as a player capable of raising a healthy transfer fee.
Transformative signing: Man United 'given major boost' in pursuit of 19-goal forward
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fhugo-ekitike.jpg "Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike on February 8, 2025")
Hugo Ekitike is reportedly set to leave Eintracht Frankfurt during this summer's transfer window, with Manchester United among the clubs believed to be interested in his services.
The 22-year-old has been in excellent form for Frankfurt during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 19 times and registering eight assists in 38 appearances, including 13 goals and four assists in 25 Bundesliga matches.
Ekitike caught the eye for France Under-21s against England Under-21s on Friday night, meanwhile, scoring a brilliant hat trick in a 5-3 success for his side against Lee Carsley's team.
There is currently a host of speculation surrounding the striker's future, with Man United believed to have placed him on their transfer shortlist, while Arsenal and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest.
Could Man City or Liverpool sign 'the next Dembele' this summer?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F10%2Fpep-guardiola.jpg "Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on March 8, 2025")
Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly involved in a six-team battle to sign 15-year-old Johan Martinez, who has been likened to Ousmane Dembele.
The Reds and the Sky Blues have been involved in many memorable Premier League title battles down the years, albeit not this season as the Reds sit 22 points better off in the top-flight table.
Arne Slot's side are also 12 points clear of closest challengers Arsenal with nine games to go, and only a catastrophic collapse would see Liverpool lose their grip on the title now.
Meanwhile, Man City are still fighting for their right to qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League and are considered the favourites to win the FA Cup ahead of this month's quarter-final with Bournemouth.
Red vs. blue: Two Premier League giants 'preparing £63.2m offers' for Lookman
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F10%2Fademola-lookman.jpg "Atalanta's Ademola Lookman on March 1, 2025")
Chelsea and Liverpool are allegedly prepared to offer as much as €75m (£63.2m) to sign Atalanta BC's Ademola Lookman in the summer transfer window.
The former Fulham winger has experienced a turbulent year with La Dea, memorably scoring a historic hat-trick in his side's Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen last season.
Lookman has continued his rich vein of form this season with 18 goals and seven assists from 32 games in all tournaments, but he was recently involved in a public spat with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
After missing a penalty against Club Brugge in his side's Champions League defeat, Lookman was told by Gasperini that he was the "worst penalty taker" that the Atalanta manager had ever seen his career.
"I've had conversations" - MLS club chief confirms De Bruyne transfer talks
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F09%2Fkevin-de-bruyne.jpg "Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne on February 11, 2025")
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has held talks with MLS outfit San Diego FC ahead of the expiry of his Citizens contract at the end of the season, the American club's sporting director has confirmed.
The 33-year-old will be departing the Premier League champions for nothing in June as things stand, and a lucrative switch to either MLS or Saudi Arabia has been mooted for the veteran playmaker.
It has been reported that De Bruyne could choose to stay at City, though, as the former Chelsea and Wolfsburg man is eyeing a place in Belgium's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
However, there appears to have been no progress in contract discussions with De Bruyne, who has already played a bit-part role this season with just 12 starts in the English top flight.
Another Robertson replacement: Liverpool 'send scouts' to watch £16.8m defender
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fsergi-cardona.jpg "Villarreal's Sergi Cardona pictured on November 9, 2024")
Liverpool are reportedly locked in a two-way battle with Aston Villa to sign Villarreal left-back Sergi Cardona in the summer transfer window.
The Reds have achieved astounding success with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson bombing down the flanks in the past several years, but Arne Slot is facing the prospect of having neither man at his disposal next season.
Real Madrid-linked Alexander-Arnold is yet to sign an extension to his current contract, which expires in June, while Robertson can leave for free in 2026 and is reportedly set to hold crunch talks over his future at Anfield this summer.
Slot is said to be keen to keep the Scotland international at the club for one more season, but Robertson is now in his 30s and has come under fire for a perceived decline in performance during the 2024-25 season.
Liverpool could aid Man Utd's £101m mission as Diaz's 'childhood dream' revealed
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F12%2Fluis-diaz.jpg "Liverpool's Luis Diaz pictured on March 11, 2025")
Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz will supposedly 'not hesitate' to leave Anfield if one particular club makes a firm move for him in the summer transfer window.
While the situations of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are dominating the Anfield contract headlines, Diaz's situation is also shrouded in uncertainty ahead of the summer.
The Colombian attacker is about to enter the final two years of his contract, and it has been claimed that he is demanding a massive pay rise in order to pen fresh terms with the Premier League leaders.
Talks with Diaz's camp have not been bearing fruit yet, though, potentially leaving the Reds with a huge decision to make in the upcoming window if the two parties cannot shake hands on a renewal.
Adieu Andre? Man Utd shot-stopper 'set for lucrative transfer' to new club
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F52%2Fandre-onana.jpeg "Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on December 26, 2024")
Manchester United are hoping to offload under-performing goalkeeper Andre Onana to one of the financial powerhouses of Saudi Arabia this summer, according to a report.
The Cameroon international's time at Old Trafford has been blighted by a series of comedic errors, and Ruben Amorim's side are being tipped to make a move for a new number one this summer.
Onana was recently name-checked by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as one player bought before INEOS' arrival that he had to 'sort out', although the goalkeeper has been backed publicly by Amorim.
However, Onana does not appear to have a long-term future at the Theatre of Dreams, and if the Red Devils are successful in bringing in a replacement this summer, he will likely be given the green light to depart.
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