Manchester City are ready to make a move for top Manchester United midfield summer target Frenkie de Jong, while Friday’s Paper Talk names Tottenham and Newcastle as the main suitors for Jordan Pickford as Everton consider cashing in on one of their top stars.
MAN CITY TO SWOOP FOR TOP UNITED TARGET DE JONG
Manchester City have added major Manchester United target midfielder Frenkie de Jong to their transfer wishlist as they look to refresh parts of Pep Guardiola’s squad this summer.
The Daily Mail claims that City, fresh from their devastating loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, are planning to start next season with at least three new faces.
The Premier League champions are expected to land striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund to fill a void up front. Guardiola, meanwhile, will also run the rule over Argentina forward Julian Alvarez during pre-season.
But the City boss is also looking to capture a midfielder who can play a box-to-box role. And that is where De Jong fits in.
Guardiola wanted to sign the player from Ajax three years ago. However, City were beaten to his signature by Barcelona.
They could reignite that interest if Barca are forced to sell the 24-year-old because of their financial constraints.
Ten Hag wants De Jong on board at Old Trafford
City will have a battle on their hands to get their man, however, with incoming United boss Erik ten Hag also making his fellow countryman a priority Old Trafford signing.
Ten Hag is expected to bring in a number of signings this summer in an overhaul of the United squad.
But it now appears that he could face a major test in his efforts to get De Jong on board, if the report in the Mail is accurate.
TOTTENHAM, NEWCASTLE LINING-UP PICKFORD MOVE
Everton are reportedly ready to listen to offers for England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford – even if they stay up.
The 28-year-pold will push for a move if the Toffees are relegated from the Premier League. That’s in order to preserve his status as Gareth Southgate’s No.1 at the World Cup in Qatar.
Either way, manager Frank Lampard is contemplating cashing in on Pickford to fund a summer rebuild.
Pickford, who joined Everton from hometown club Sunderland in 2017 for £25million, is one of the Merseysiders’ most saleable assets.
Tottenham are known to be monitoring Pickford’s situation along with Newcastle, as reported by talkSPORT. However, his Sunderland links would make a switch to St James’ Park potentially troublesome and highly unlikely.
Spurs have been admirers of Pickford for a number of years. But Hugo Lloris’ consistency has stopped them from previously making a move.
The Frenchman signed a new contract with the club until 2024 in January, but that is not stopping Tottenham looking to the future.
CONFLICTING REPORTS OVER NEW MBAPPE PSG DEAL
Kylian Mbappe is on the brink of signing a two-year contract extension with Paris St-Germain worth £42.5m a year, plus an £85m signing-on fee for the 23-year-old.
That’s according to a report Le Parisien, although the striker’s mother has denied the reports.
That, in turn, gives Real Madrid hope that a deal can still be reached for the France star.
She said: “There is no agreement in principle with Paris Saint-Germain or any other club. Discussions around Kylian’s future continue in great serenity to allow him to make the best choice, in the respect of all the parties.”
Mbappe’s contract is still due to expire at the end of the season., leaving his future wide open.
