Transfer News

Chelsea legend John Terry has recommended his former club sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho. 

Speaking to Frank Khalid (h/t Goal), Terry praised the Blues for having faith in youth under Frank Lampard, and recommended Sancho as a target for the Stamford Bridge club:

"We spoke at the start of the season about the likes of Tammy [Abraham] and Mason [Mount] coming into the squad and they've shown that they're capable of playing.

"I think Sancho is one of the best young players in the world at the moment, so he'd be a great addition to Chelsea's squad.

"It would make us better as well, but the ones that have come through, the Billy Gilmours, Tammy, Mason, Reece [James], it's endless isn't it? There have been so many positives this season."

Alex Young and James Olley of the Evening Standard reported Chelsea are ready to shatter their transfer record with a £120 million bid for Sancho, with the Blues motivated to beat Manchester United to his signature. The price would reportedly meet BVB's valuation for the 19-year-old, but the Red Devils also want the forward.

Terry also heaped praise on former team-mate Lampard for his opening season as Chelsea manager, working alongside assistant coach Jody Morris:

"It's been incredible because we said there was no one better, to give Lamps the job. With Jody Morris as well, he has someone who knows the younger players and works with them at the youth team and U-18 level as well.

"I think it's been a good mix. I think the expectation has been excellent because the group that they've had this year have done really, really well."

The Blues have spent much of the season in the top four of the Premier League, but a dip in consistency has allowed the chasing pack to catch up.

When the season was suspended on March 13 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, United sat only three points behind Chelsea in fifth, and any slip from Lampard's young team over the final matches would open the door for the Manchester giants.

Sancho's world-class potential would improve either club, and the England international has the statistics to back up his price tag.

The teenager has 16 goals and 17 assists in just 31 appearances in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League this season, making him one of the most productive forwards in the game.

Sassuolo winger Jeremie Boga has said he could return to former club Chelsea amid speculation the Blues may trigger his buyback clause. 

Boga told The Athletic (h/t Goal's Chris Burton) that he left due to the fierce competition for places but was open to a return to Stamford Bridge:

"When I was there, it was Willian, [Eden] Hazard, Pedro. When Jose Mourinho was there, it was [Mohamed] Salah.

"There were a lot of good wingers. For me, it has always been if I can't play, then I will try to go on loan or try to go somewhere to improve, then maybe come back one day."

Boga joined Chelsea in 2015 but was sent out on loan to Rennes, Granada and Birmingham City before signing permanently for Sassuolo in 2018.

The 23-year-old has impressed with the Serie A club and is renowned for his dribbling ability:

Jeremie Boga has completed 32 more dribbles than any other player in Serie A this season (97)

The former Chelsea graduate ranks fourth - just behind Lionel Messi - across Europe's top five leagues pic.twitter.com/P0itUmZz1f

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) February 12, 2020

He has scored eight goals in 24 league appearances for Roberto De Zerbi's side, with four of those coming in his last six outings in Italy's top flight.

The Blues are considering activating the £12.8 million buy-back option in his contract in the summer to bring him back to west London, according to Ben Nagle for MailOnline.

La Liga champions Barcelona and Serie A side Napoli are also interested in the youngster, according to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport and Le10 Sport (h/t Sport).

Yet Boga could be tempted to return to Chelsea given how boss Frank Lampard has shown his commitment to youth by handing regular game time to players such as Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori. 

The Chelsea boss is reportedly set to spend big in the summer transfer window and will splash out £150 million on several new players, according to Matt Law at the Telegraph.

Paul Merson has said Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could help make Manchester United "a major force" after being linked to the Red Devils.

In his column for Sky Sports, Merson wrote the striker is one of the missing pieces of the puzzle for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with United expected to continue their latest rebuild in the summer:

"Aubameyang is what Manchester United are missing. He is a goalscorer and goalscorers are priceless."

"If you look at United and the way they played against Manchester City a couple of weeks ago, I thought they were very, very good. You looked at them and thought they have got a chance, especially if they could also get hold of a couple more players, especially a creative midfielder."

"You couldn't help but be impressed with their performance, and if they were to sign Aubameyang, and they also got someone like a Jack Grealish, are they big players? They would be a major force, in my opinion."

Would Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turn #MUFC into a major force again? https://t.co/XM5Y4BZMDI

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 20, 2020

Dave Fraser of The Sun reported United could make a £50 million swoop for Aubameyang, with the Gunners expecting their skipper to refuse a new contract. The 30-year-old will have 12 months of his deal remaining this summer, forcing Arsenal to sell if they want to avoid the player becoming a free agent.

Arsenal paid £56 million to sign Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, per Fraser, and they might be tempted to sell if they can recoup the majority of the original fee.

Aubameyang wouldn't be the first player to swap the Emirates Stadium for Old Trafford. Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez were both convinced to leave north London for Manchester.

Van Persie was Arsenal captain when he opted to depart in 2012, and he won the Premier League in his first season with United.

Solskjaer placed his faith in Anthony Martial as his No. 9 this season, and the 24-year-old has repaid his manager with 14 goals in 27 appearances in the Premier League and Europe.

The France international's strike rate has improved, but he's not in the top echelon of strikers in world football.

Aubameyang has proved himself to be an elite finisher in both the Bundesliga and Premier League. The Gabon international has scored 20 goals in 32 games this term, and he would make United a more dangerous outfit in the chase for silverware.  

Manchester United are targeting Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Lemar and have reportedly met with his representatives. 

ESPN's Julien Laurens reported the 24-year-old is preparing to depart the capital, and the Red Devils see him as a potential addition in the summer, according to sources.

Laurens wrote of the player: "Man United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and his team will be in contact with a lot of agents and players in the weeks to come, and this is one to keep an eye on."

Lemar has remained on the fringes of Atletico's starting XI this term, often featuring off the bench for Diego Simeone.

The France international has started 11 games in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League but has come on as a substitute in 13 matches.

Lemar's ability to play in several different midfield roles should appeal to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the Norwegian intent on developing his squad.

Paul Pogba's future could dictate whether United move for Lemar. Pogba's defensive qualities are more advanced than his compatriot, but the former Monaco player would add width and creativity higher up the pitch. 

The emergence of Fred has provided United with a solid option in the centre this season, with the Brazilian developing into a valuable starter.

Solskjaer will need to decide in which position he prefers to play Bruno Fernandes, and Lemar could then be recruited to provide support for the attackers.

Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has warned the Blues against trying to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona when the transfer window reopens.

The World Cup winner told ESPN (h/t Kate McGreavy for MailOnline) he did not know what the Brazilian would add to Frank Lampard's side.

"Coutinho has been good with Liverpool, so far poor with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. I would have lots of question marks seeing him coming to Chelsea, to bring what?

"We have young players, very talented, who are very promising. We have good midfield players with [Mateo] Kovacic and Jorginho, to organise the game.

"I don't know where his place would be. If I was the chairman, if I was the coach, I would be very hesitant to pick him up."

Chelsea have contacted Barcelona to discuss the possibility of signing Coutinho on loan with an option to buy, according to Sport's Lluis Miguelsanz.

The Brazilian is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, but Barcelona may allow him to leave on another temporary deal "because no one is willing to pay the €90 million asking tag," per the report.

Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for a club-record fee of €160 million but has struggled to live up to expectations at the Camp Nou.

Opta highlighted just how impressive Coutinho was in the Premier League:

97 – Since his debut in February 2013, Philippe Coutinho has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Liverpool player (54 goals, 43 assists). Impact.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 6, 2018

The Brazilian enjoyed a bright start to life in Spain but only scored five La Liga goals in 2018-19 for Barcelona and was subsequently loaned to Bayern. The deal includes an option to buy for €120 million.

Coutinho has eight goals and nine assists for the Bundesliga champions this season and has lit up the German top flight at times:

🇧🇷 Samba Sensation 🇧🇷@Phil_Coutinho was unstoppable against Hoffenheim 🔥#TSGFCB #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/efBBf9QgLd

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) March 2, 2020

The midfielder is not a guaranteed starter at the Allianz Arena but said in December he would "really like to stay" at Bayern, per the Bundesliga.

Yet Bayern have offered no assurances they will look to sign him permanently, while comments from manager Hansi Flick and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have suggested the club aren't sold on the idea.

Flick told reporters in February that Coutinho is trying too hard at Bayern and making incorrect decisions, while CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said the Brazilian seems "inhibited," per Sport Bild (h/t Matt Porter for MailOnline).  

Arsenal have begun talks in a bid to sign 16-year-old Hammarby forward Emil Roback. 

The Swedish club's director of football Jesper Jansson confirmed the Gunners' interest, but he added there are a number of other clubs pursuing the youngster, including Bayern Munich, per Fotboll Direkt (h/t Metro):

"We were contacted and know about the interest [from Bayern]. He has also met Arsenal. There's a strong interest, and there are more clubs as well. He's also been to Arsenal. Yes, I understand the interest. He is a forward with a great physique and speed and already a skilled goalscorer."

Additionally, Hammarby scout Mikael Hjelmberg described Roback as having "extreme speed and is a natural goalscorer."

Roback's reputation as one of Hammarby's most promising players means he would be an exciting signing for the Gunners.

However, the prospect of going head to head with Bayern is a daunting one.

Arsenal have enjoyed an upturn in form since Mikel Arteta was appointed as Unai Emery's permanent successor in December.

Before the Premier League was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Gunners were on a run of eight games unbeaten, which had moved them up to ninth in the table:

How the table looks ahead of the weekend... pic.twitter.com/Npke6wZ3c4

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 11, 2020

Their prospects of playing any European football next season, let alone in the UEFA Champions League, remain slim, though.

Bayern, meanwhile, are top of the Bundesliga and are one of the favourites to win the Champions League this term after they thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in their last-16 first leg last month:

Bayern Munich are just the third team in history to win their first seven Champions League games of a season 💪 pic.twitter.com/7QbguvPl4o

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 26, 2020

For Roback, a Sweden under-17 international, joining the German giants may be a more attractive prospect than a move to a club in the Premier League's mid-table.

As such, Arsenal will need to make an attractive offer to the teenager, and they potentially have an edge over Bayern in that they can likely promise Roback a faster route to the senior side. 

Birmingham City head coach Pep Clotet has said Jude Bellingham is focused on his club amid continued speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.

The 16-year-old has starred in the Championship this term and has been linked with a high-profile move at the end of the campaign. However, Clotet has said he doesn't think the teenager's mind is on a transfer.

"I always thought he is very mature and very focused—but he has to be," he said, per Sacha Pisani of Goal. "Because he cannot be thinking about other things than Birmingham City—and I am sure he is only thinking about Birmingham City. That's the feeling I get from him when I speak to him and work with him."

United have been linked with a move for the youngster throughout the 2019-20 season.

According to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, the player's parents recently met with Red Devils executives after the midfielder was given permission to start talks over a possible transfer. Interest from "numerous clubs" is mentioned, including Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham's contract with Birmingham is poised to expire at the end of next season, meaning it's likely the Championship team will cash in on him this summer.

The youngster made his debut for Birmingham in August, becoming the club's youngest-ever player. Overall, he's made 35 appearances in all competitions, grabbing four goals in the process.

One of those came earlier in the campaign away at Charlton Athletic:

1️⃣6️⃣

Bellingham closing in... #EFL | @BCFC pic.twitter.com/ndJFZKF7Bs

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) September 15, 2019

In his fledgling career, the midfielder's elegance on the ball, physicality and awareness have been his standout qualities. However, there's also a tenacious side to his game that will impress any club keeping tabs on him.

Per WhoScored.com, while Bellingham may only be 16, he is not one to shirk a tackle:

Only two players to have played at least 2000 minutes of Championship football this season have averaged more tackles per 90 minutes than Jude Bellingham (3.2)

The 16-year-old midfielder is reportedly following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho with a move to Borussia Dortmund pic.twitter.com/3Q1O2dQ1QL

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) March 4, 2020

With that in mind, it's not a shock to see so many high-profile clubs in the race for the 16-year-old. 

Bleacher Report's Rob Blanchette believes the midfielder is talented enough to be worth a significant investment from the Old Trafford outfit:

When you think what Sancho has done at BVB, & how his value has gone through the roof, paying a sizeable fee for Bellingham now makes complete sense. This isn't a risk for #MUFC. Pay now & loan him back to Birmingham. Everyone is happy. But dont blink, all the top sides want him.

— Rob Blanchette (@_Rob_B) March 9, 2020

After the big-money signing of Bruno Fernandes in January, competition in midfield is fierce at United, especially with Paul Pogba set to come back into the side after recovering from injury. As such, if Bellingham wants to continue playing football regularly, a switch to Dortmund may make more sense.

However, it appears United are leading the race for the Birmingham tyro. All the indications are that he would be a smart addition to what is an exciting young squad at Old Trafford.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has said it will be a challenge for the club to keep hold of their young winger Dwight McNeil amid speculation regarding interest from Manchester United.

The 20-year-old has been able to establish himself in the Clarets side in the previous two campaigns and has caught the eye with his bustling displays on the left flank.

Talk about a potential switch has followed, and Dyche discussed the difficulty Burnley have when it comes to keeping star players at Turf Moor, per David Anderson of the Daily Mirror:

"There's a reality when players come in, particularly when we've developed them as lower-league players for less money or the likes of Dwight McNeil. At some point those players, not all of them, but some of them get to a point where the club will sell them. 

"Just by the natural economics they're going to go ‘well, OK, what did we bring that player in for and what's the offer?' The difference is that offer is now stretched because we don't actually need the money.

"In the past, we always had to do certain things. Now we don't have to do them because we're in a very strong financial position."

Dyche added that "it's part of the reality of the club" because "we can't pay the wages that other clubs pay and some of the numbers that these players get are astronomical."

As Matt Maltby of the Mirror relayed, United have been linked with McNeil previously, who is said to be valued at £35 million. 

Scouted Football recently summed up how much of an influence the youngster is having on the team this season:

Dwight McNeil (20) among his Burnley team-mates in the Premier League this season:

• Most assists
• Most shot assists
• Most crosses completed
• Most dribbles completed
• Highest xG Assisted total
• Second-most tackles made
• Third-most fouls won
• Third-most minutes pic.twitter.com/5ALKcD6cfo

— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) March 7, 2020

McNeil is typically deployed on the left flank for Burnley and takes on the role of a traditional winger.

The England youth international has brilliant acceleration that allows him to march away from opposition players around the outside, while his pinpoint left-footed deliveries cause plenty of problems for defenders. 

The Premier League Twitter account put his assist total into context recently given his tender years:

👶👶👶

Dwight McNeil (20 years + 92 days) is the youngest player to reach 10 #PL assists since Raheem Sterling (19 years + 335 days) in Nov 2014#BURBOU pic.twitter.com/6ZSqZrPxjg

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2020

It would be intriguing to see him at a club like United, although Marcus Rashford has excelled on the left wing this season, meaning it would be difficult for McNeil to force his way into the team.

For now, there will be no major rush for McNeil to move away from Burnley, as he's getting regular minutes in the team and impressing on a consistent basis. There are still improvements he needs to make, too; given his talent, he should have netted more than two Premier League goals this term.

Over the coming months, we will discover whether loyalty to the badge is enough to keep Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs are out of the Champions League and the FA Cup. They are struggling in eighth in the Premier League and wondering if they will secure enough points to qualify for European football for next season. For most elite strikers, this would seem like a good time to find a new club.

Kane has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since New Year's Day, but he is stepping up his recovery and hoping to save their season. But when this campaign ends, he has a big decision to make over what happens next.

Can he switch his mindset from challenging for the Premier League title and Champions League crown to competing for fifth-place in the Premier League?

And is that really enough for a player considered to be one of the best strikers on the planet?

Harry Kane returned to Tottenham training today for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in January pic.twitter.com/UUxApYXlCk

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 9, 2020

He has always been true to Tottenham, sticking with them when he could have looked to move. There has been interest in him, particularly from the two Manchester clubs, but Kane always kept his focus on taking Tottenham to the top instead.

That could now change, with several sources suggesting to Bleacher Report that the England international is getting itchy feet for the first time. 

A failure to qualify for next season's Champions League is going to be a major factor that could agitate Kane into talks with the club over his future.

"Kane loves the club, but he doesn't want to be a club hero that looks back on his career one day and has no trophies to show for it," explained one insider.

His issue is this: Kane signed a big-money, six-year contract in 2018, and Daniel Levy would not listen to any offer for the player unless they were happy to negotiate in advance of £150 million.

Which teams could open up as a realistic landing spot for Kane at that price?

In England, there are two options: Manchester United and Manchester City.

United have long admired the player, but there are a couple of obstacles in the way before anything can get going. First, they are focusing on Jadon Sancho as their top transfer target—a deal that could set them back in advance of £100 million. Also, they would not pursue the player until it became clear Spurs were open to selling him. At the moment, they have had no sign that would be the case.

As for City, the possibility is there. Sources close to the situation say the club were interested in speaking to Kane two years ago before he signed a new contract. He still has plenty of admirers at the club, including Pep Guardiola.

However, the fact Sergio Aguero remains would be an issue with any pursuit of Kane this summer. While City are on the lookout for options to lead the line once the Argentinian is ready to move on, there is a determination not to make him feel pushed out. 

Of course, with both these clubs, there is also a question mark over whether they will be able to offer Champions League football anyway.

Chelsea would love to sign him too—and they are on the hunt for a striker—but that transfer from a London rival club is simply a non-starter.

So how about a move to La Liga?

Real Madrid are often linked but will only turn to Kane if they see no sign of Kylian Mbappe joining from Paris Saint-Germain, sources in Spain say.

That could open the door to Barcelona, who also have an eye on Kane and are looking to recruit a replacement for Luis Suarez this summer. 

The problem in both cases, according to insiders, is that Kane is torn over whether a move abroad would work for him—personally or professionally. He would, of course, have to seriously consider offers from any European giant—Juventus are being linked at the moment—but it is thought he would prefer to remain in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho and Tottenham are in free fall, and it could get worse.

A damning look at Spurs' current state from @TimHowardGK, @MauriceEdu and @stuholden https://t.co/y4voImP1Q1

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 11, 2020

There is another angle to all of this, of course.

His old Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to return to management this year, and when he does, Kane will undoubtedly be linked with joining him again. It's definitely a situation worth watching closely.

Spurs sources insist the club are comfortable with their current situation.

The player earns a basic wage of £200,000-a-week, and add-ons can take that towards the region of £300,000-a-week. It's a good deal.

On the B/R Football Ranks podcast this week, I suggested they might have to make his terms even more special if he is to stick with them, but other sources have since told me that would not change much.

The player is not motivated by cash. As one source told me: "What difference is that going to make to him at this stage?" It's a fair point.

Kane's last action in a Spurs shirt was to score a disallowed goal against Southampton—his next action will be to return to the side and wrestle Wolves, Sheffield United and Manchester United for fifth-place in the Premier League.

He is not a man likely to cause a scene publicly over what he wants to do next, but Kane is having to consider his future for the first time.

His problem is that even if he wants to leave, it just might not be possible.

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Jadon Sancho would have to sit on the bench if he moved to the Reds in the summer.

Sancho is hot property at the moment, and as the transfer window edges closer into view, the Borussia Dortmund starlet is being subject to intensifying speculation regarding his future.

Liverpool are one of a number of high-profile teams to be linked with the England international. However, Barnes doesn't think the winger would be able to dislodge Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino from the starting XI at Anfield, per BonusCodeBets (h/t James Westwood of Goal):

"If Jadon Sancho is willing to come to Liverpool and not play every week and sit on the bench, then absolutely he should come to Liverpool. But I always tell young players to be careful and play at a high level for four-five years before moving to a bigger club.

" ... I would advise Jadon Sancho to develop more and show that level of consistency before he is going to be put under a lot of pressure by being a £100 million player playing at one of the biggest clubs in the world."

Barnes also spoke about RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who has recently been linked with a move to Liverpool, saying the forward "would be good competition for Mane or Salah."

According to Adrian Kajumba and Dominic King of the Daily Mail, Liverpool have already been in discussions with Dortmund regarding Sancho, with the Bundesliga side said to value the England sensation at around £100 million.

Given the numbers the teenager is consistently posting, it's not a shock that Dortmund want so much. Per OptaFranz, the winger is enjoying an incredible season from a creative perspective:

15 - Jadon Sancho has now assisted 15 goals in the Bundesliga this season, a new personal record. The only other @BlackYellow player to assist as many goals in a single #Bundesliga season was Henrikh Mkhitaryan 2015/16 (15). Artist. #BMGBVB pic.twitter.com/CiAWQ3bvAB

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 7, 2020

BT Sport Football looked at some of the 19-year-old's best moments of the 2019-20 campaign so far:

The first player EVER to reach 25 Bundesliga goals at the age of 19 🤩

It's time for Sancho to shine in the Champions League! ✨ pic.twitter.com/M7cpznjnMo

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2020

Liverpool's attacking trio operate with fluidity, speed and intensity, all traits that would suit Sancho. Breaking into that exceptional triumvirate would undoubtedly be a challenge for any potential new signing, though.

After all, the position Sancho operates in, on the right flank, is occupied by Mohamed Salah at Liverpool typically. The Egyptian has established himself as one of the best players on the planet during his time on Merseyside and has hit top form in recent weeks.

B/R Football put his goalscoring into context:

Mo Salah has now scored more Premier League goals for Liverpool than Luis Suarez, in fewer games 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/cOUwcsnPsh

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 7, 2020

Sancho would surely get plenty of minutes, though, especially with Liverpool involved in so many competitions. At times, manager Jurgen Klopp has fielded either Xherdan Shaqiri or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with the illustrious trio, meaning the England international could even make up part of a quartet.

For Sancho, the next step in his career will be a crucial one, as he'll be under more scrutiny and increased pressure after a big-money move. Jurgen Klopp's reputation for improving players and the brand of football the Reds play will make them an attractive option.