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Blues set eyes on 'exceptional' Bundesliga nine but face competition from Reds
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F15%2Fenzo-maresca.jpg "Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca on April 10, 2025")
Reports have claimed that RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has attracted interest from Chelsea, though the Blues may face competition from Liverpool.
While Enzo Maresca's side currently occupy the fourth of five Champions League spots, they will play Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest on May 25.
A defeat against Forest could see the Blues miss out on Europe's top club competition, and it could alter the team's transfer plans in the upcoming market.
The Chelsea hierarchy will be keen to avoid participating in such a tense battle for the Champions League next season, and they will almost certainly be active in the summer.
Reds set to battle Real for 'adored' Palace star ahead of title defence
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F10%2Farne-slot_1.jpg "Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on March 4, 2025")
Liverpool are reportedly prepared to battle Real Madrid for Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window ahead of their title defence.
The Reds will take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday in their penultimate game of the 2024-25 Premier League season, though manager Arne Slot has the comfort of being able to rotate given his side have already been declared champions.
With the Merseysiders' season effectively finished, attention will soon turn to the transfer market and who the club might sign in order to aid their title defence.
Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong is set to become the team's first addition in the immediate future, with Liverpool planning for life without Trent Alexander-Arnold.
United offer 'submitted' for Premier League forward amid Hojlund exit rumours
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F50%2Frasmus-hojlund.jpg "Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund on December 12, 2024")
Manchester United have reportedly made a bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, and the offer has raised questions about the future of Rasmus Hojlund.
The Red Devils will play Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Europa League on Wednesday, with the victor set to be rewarded with a place in the Champions League.
Qualification for Europe's premier club competition could help boss Ruben Amorim rebuild his side's struggling attack and replace striker Hojlund.
The Danish international has only managed to find the back of the net 10 times in 50 appearances this season for United, and it is not surprising that he has been linked with an exit.
'Probably the last time' - Arteta hints at double Arsenal departure
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F18%2Fmikel-arteta.jpg "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on April 29, 2025")
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that two of his players will be departing the club when their contracts expire at the end of the campaign.
The Gunners took to the Emirates Stadium turf for the final time in the 2024-25 season on Sunday, where a 1-0 triumph over Newcastle United punched their ticket to next season's Champions League.
Declan Rice's slick second-half finish proved to be the difference between the two clubs, prior to which David Raya single-handedly kept Eddie Howe's side at bay in the first half with several pivotal saves.
As the clock wound down in North London, Arteta introduced long-serving left-back Kieran Tierney and midfield veteran Jorginho, two players who are due to officially leave at the end of June.
£18.5m bargain: Man United 'in four-team battle' for Ligue 1 star this summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F16%2Fruben-amorim.jpg "Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on April 10, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly in a four-team battle for Lyon attacker Rayan Cherki, with the Frenchman widely expected to be on the move when this summer's transfer window closes for business.
Cherki has had a standout 2024-25 campaign for Lyon, scoring 12 goals and registering 20 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions, including eight goals and 11 assists in 30 outings in France's top flight.
The 21-year-old's contract with his French club is due to expire in June 2026, though, and there is currently a host of speculation surrounding his future, with clubs from the Premier League said to be keen on his services.
Man United watched Cherki closely during their recent Europa League quarter-final with Lyon, and it is understood that the 20-time English champions are keen to secure his signature during the summer market.
Call me: Eze admirers 'revealed' as £59m Palace star 'prepares to move clubs'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F19%2Feberechi-eze_1.jpg "Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Tottenham Hotspur, on May 11, 2025")
Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly battling for the signature of Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, who is seemingly destined to leave Selhurst Park during this summer's transfer window.
Eze has been in outstanding form for Palace during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 13 goals and registering 11 assists in 41 appearances in all competitions, including four goals and one assist in the FA Cup to help the Eagles land the trophy.
The attacker scored the only goal of the match as Palace beat Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final, and he is highly likely to depart the Eagles when this summer's market opens for business.
Manchester United continue to be credited with an interest in the 26-year-old, but according to Fichajes, Man City and Chelsea are currently well-placed when it comes to the battle for his signature.
Raphinha contract update provided after golden season for Barca star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fraphinha.jpeg "Barcelona's Raphinha in action on January 21, 2025")
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that renewing Raphinha's contract is a priority for the Catalan giants.
The Brazil international has been in exceptional form for Barcelona during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 34 goals and registering 25 assists in 55 appearances in all competitions.
The 28-year-old has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2027, but there has recently been speculation surrounding his future, with clubs from the Saudi Pro League believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation.
There is also thought to be Premier League interest in Raphinha, who previously starred for Leeds United, scoring 17 goals and registering 12 assists in 67 appearances for the English club.
Rashford's preference 'revealed' as Man United attacker 'chooses next club'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F51%2Fmarcus-rashford_1.jpg "Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during his side's Premier League match against Everton at Old Trafford, December 1, 2024")
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is reportedly determined to force a move to Barcelona this summer.
The forward joined Aston Villa on loan in January, and he has scored four times and registered six assists in 17 appearances for Unai Emery's side, but he has been absent of late due to a hamstring problem.
Villa have the chance to sign Rashford for £40m during this summer's transfer window, but it is understood that the club are yet to make up their mind over a permanent move for the England international.
Emery's side also allegedly do not have first refusal on Rashford, meaning that Man United could sell him elsewhere this summer.
Why have Man United put together 'two transfer shortlists' for summer window?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F17%2Fmatheus-cunha.jpg "Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha on April 26, 2025")
Manchester United have reportedly put together two transfer shortlists for the summer window, with the club's activity in the upcoming market depending on their result in next week's Europa League final.
The Red Devils have had a disastrous 2024-25 Premier League campaign, sitting down in 16th spot in the table, but their season would be saved by triumphing in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur next week.
According to The Mirror, Man United have put together two lists of transfer targets, and the players that will be targeted depends on whether the club secure Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign.
The Red Devils will have a much healthier transfer budget if they beat Spurs in the Europa League final, and it would undoubtedly boost morale at Old Trafford ahead of the team's final match of the Premier League season against Aston Villa.
Amorim's new number one? Man United 'battling Barca' for experienced goalkeeper
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F19%2Fruben-amorim.jpg "Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on April 30, 2025")
Manchester United and Barcelona are both reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez this summer.
Martinez, 32, made the switch to Villa Park from Arsenal in 2020, and he has developed into one of the best stoppers in world football during his time in the West Midlands.
The Argentina international has again been an ever-present between the sticks for Villa during the 2024-25 campaign, making 52 appearances in all competitions, keeping 15 clean sheets in the process.
Martinez has a contract at Villa Park until June 2029, but it appears that he will be leaving Unai Emery's side during this summer's transfer window.
Brentford defender announces summer departure
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F20%2Fben-mee_1.jpg "Brentford's Ben Mee with Sepp van den Berg and Yunus Konak on September 28, 2024")
Brentford defender Ben Mee has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old has spent three years at the Gtech Community Stadium after joining the club on a free transfer in 2022.
Mee has made 67 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with five goals in his 60 Premier League matches for West London club.
However, Mee has struggled for playing time in the current campaign, having been restricted to just seven Premier League appearances this term.
Enemies to friends: How Elliott could help Man United strike £62.5m deal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F10%2Fharvey-elliott.jpg "Harvey Elliott celebrates scoring against Paris Saint-Germain, on March 5, 2025")
One of Liverpool's fellow Premier League outfits will reportedly soon 'up the ante' in their pursuit of out-of-favour attacker Harvey Elliott.
The 22-year-old has seldom been used from the first whistle by Arne Slot this season, starting just one Premier League game in the 3-1 loss to Chelsea a couple of gameweeks ago.
The first half of Elliott's season was hampered by a serious foot injury, since when he has struggled to displace undisputed starters Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai in the final third.
With Salah committing himself to a new deal until 2027 - the same year that Elliott's current terms expire - the England Under-21 international has inevitably been linked with an exit in search of regular game time.
One boost after another: £7.6m Arsenal exit could precede second transfer windfall
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Fmikel-arteta.jpg "Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on November 23, 2024")
Arsenal will reportedly soon bank their first transfer fee of the summer transfer window, as Nuno Tavares's €9m (£7.6m) move to Lazio on a permanent deal is imminent.
The former Benfica youngster initially made a positive impression under Mikel Arteta as Kieran Tierney's deputy in the 2021-22 season, but things quickly turned sour.
The 25-year-old was effectively frozen out of the squad, but he has found safe haven in Italy, managing nine assists in 28 appearances for a Lazio side who sit fifth in the Serie A table.
The Biancocelesti are only below Juventus on goal difference and are firmly in contention for a Champions League place heading into the final round of fixtures, thanks in no small part to Tavares.
"All that remains" - Yamal's Barcelona future confirmed in double contract update
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Flamine-yamal_1.jpg "Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal on March 11, 2025")
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Lamine Yamal has agreed a contract extension with La Blaugrana, while Frenkie de Jong is also in talks over a renewal.
Hansi Flick's men are currently in party mode after securing the La Liga title, triumphing 2-0 over Espanyol on Friday to officially eliminate Real Madrid from first-placed contention.
La Blaugrana are now simply completing the formalities of their top-flight campaign, as they host Villarreal on Sunday before travelling to Athletic Bilbao next weekend in the final gameweek of the campaign.
With the crown already wrapped up, attentions are turning to a busy summer of spending, selling and signing, and the powers-that-be at Camp Nou are working to tie down their prized assets to new contracts.
Wolves 'show interest' in second Velez starlet, ready to rival European giants
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fvitor-pereira.jpg "Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira on February 22, 2025")
Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified another Velez Sarsfield starlet as a summer transfer target.
With their Premier League status having been secured for another season, Wolves officials can afford to start to turn their attention to the market.
Already having a reputation for targeting South American talent, most notably from Brazil, the West Midlands outfit have recently been linked with a youngster from Velez Sarsfield.
Defender Thiago Silvero has allegedly emerged as someone who could eventually make the switch to Molineux if the two teams can agree on a transfer fee.
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