Manchester United and Tottenham are ready to take advantage of contract talks stalling for one of the top centre-backs in Serie A, while Friday’s Transfer Gossip claims that Newcastle have placed an Ajax midfielder firmly on their radar for the summer.
TOP INTER STAR FOCUS OF PREMIER LEAGUE DUO
Manchester United and Tottenham are reportedly ready to scrap over the signing of impressive Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni in the summer, due the player’s contract talks stalling.
Inter could end up with a much-changed back line next season as a number of clubs target their players.
Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij are both expected to move on at the end the season. However, Inter are hoping that Bastoni, who is considered the future of the club and the national team, will still be around for years to come.
The 23-year-old’s current contract expires in 2024 but he is continuing to hold off on penning a new contract, as reported by Tuttosport.
To that end, Inter are concerned that they could have another case similar to the one they’ve had with Skriniar this year, where Bastoni runs down his contract. And the San Siro giants want to try and resolve his contractual situation as soon as possible.
It is very probable that if an agreement cannot be found by the end of this season, the sale of the player much appreciated by Conte’s Tottenham and Manchester United will be considered.
While it remains possible that a deal can be reached, all the while Bastoni stalls will lead to both United and Spurs firming up their bids for the summer.
Tottenham favourites but counting on Conte stay
Tottenham are known to be in the market for at least one and possibly two new central defenders, although much depends on whether Antonio Conte remains in charge next season.
United, meanwhile, are seemingly looking at Bastoni as a permanent replacement for Harry Maguire. However, it’s unsure where he would fit in, given the form Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are starting to show as a pairing at Olkd Trafford.
Meanwhile, Bastoni has wage demands of around €5million-per-year (£4.4m) that have not been accepted yet.
And while Inter’s CEO Beppe Marotta is willing to negotiate, the club are now operating on a tighter salary budget and are also weighed down by the renewal of Marcelo Brozovic’s contract.
That clearly leaves the door open for the Premier League duo to battle for Bastoni, with the salary mooted no problem for either club.
NEWCASTLE IN HUNT FOR AJAX STAR
Newcastle United are reportedly ready to make a move for Ajax central midfielder Edson Alvarez this summer.
Eddie Howe is clearly looking to upgrade his engine room this summer, with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Sheffield United’s Sander Berge also known targets.
The Magpies also allowed club stalwart Jonjo Shelvey to join Nottingham Forest in January without replacing him.
And according to CBS Sports journalist and TT insider Ben Jacobs, Newcastle have Alvarez ‘loosely on their radar’, with the player previously linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Jacobs said: “Edson Alvarez is another name who could be on the move this summer.
“Chelsea came close to signing the Ajax midfielder last summer, but the club refused a move despite Alvarez pushing for it. Todd Boehly did tell Alvarez at the time he’d be back, but never returned.
“This is understandable given a new recruitment team came in and the club became obsessed with Enzo Fernandez. Plus, Denis Zakaria impressed before his injury and will return to full fitness soon.
“Arsenal considered Alvarez in January to a degree, but it became quickly clear Ajax didn’t want to do mid-season business. Liverpool have looked at Alvarez before and chose not to proceed and Newcastle are another club to have him at least loosely on their radar.”
At just 25, Alvarez is being viewed as the perfect long-term replacement for Shelvey. However, qualifying for the Champions League will be imperative for Howe to get his man ahead of the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.
LAFC FEAR AUBAMEYANG SNUB
LAFC are reportedly braced for defeat in their bid to tempt Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the MLS.
Aubameyang’s shock omission from the club’s Champions League squad last week has cast doubt over his future.
And LAFC, among the US sides to express interest, had held talks with Chelsea over a move for the 33-year-old, who has 18 months left on his Stamford Bridge contract.
However, the Daily Mail reports that LAFC fear they will be unable to convince Aubameyang to make what could only be a short-term loan move to the States, having only returned to England from Barcelona last summer.
A number of Europe’s top teams, including Aubameyang’s former clubs AC Milan and Barca plus Atletico Madrid, are monitoring the striker’s situation ahead of potential moves at the end of this season.
