Ousmane Dembélé (centre) looks set to join Liverpool. (Photo by S. Plaine / CC-BY-SA-4.0)
Liverpool are increasingly confident that they can beat off competition to sign 18 year-old Rennes forward Ousmane Dembélé this summer according to inaddedtime.com.
Dembélé is an excellent dribbler who can glide past defenders with ease and strikes the ball well.
His finishing is also a very strong part of his game and a big string to his bow. So far this season, he has played 20 Ligue 1 games for the Breton club, and contributed 12 goals and 5 assists.
Dembélé has attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs in recent months with reports that Bayern Munich and Barcelona were close to agreeing deals for the exciting young French forward.
But as things stand, Liverpool appears to be his most likely destination this summer and Jurgen Klopp has apparently singled him out as their top target to join the Merseyside club’s forward line.
Snaring Dembélé from under the noses of such big clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal would be seen as a massive coup and a statement of intent. It may also be an indication of the clout that Klopp has with attracting top young talent.
West Ham United have rejected the chance to sign Alexandre Pato at the end of the season according to Matt Law.
It is believed that ‘super agent’ Kia Joorabchian was instrumental in bringing Pato to Stamford Bridge in January to put him in a shop window.
There have even been suggestions that the deal was done as a favour by Chelsea for the Iranian born agent.
The Brazilian striker made his long awaited debut for Chelsea at Villa park last week, scoring from the penalty spot in the process.
Pato’s representatives had hoped that his performance in the victory would thrust him back in to the spotlight and generate some interest other European clubs.
However, The Hammers have a list of targets for the striker position in the summer with Michy Batshuayi of Marseille and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette high on their wishlist.
Wilfried Bony and Christian Benteke are also under consideration by the West Ham hierarchy.
Unfortunately for Pato, options for remaining in the Premier League are diminishing with Spurs also showing no interest to date in the former AC Milan man.
At this stage, a move to the Chinese Super league appears the most likely option and Kia is running out of clubs that owe him a favour.
Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has admitted the club would like to bring Chelsea striker Diego Costa back to the Estadio Vicente Calderón, but believes any deal for a return of the controversial player may prove difficult.
There have been stories stating that Costa has failed to settle in London since arriving in 2014, and while this may help Atlético’s cause, Enrique Cerezo explains: “He has a contract with Chelsea, and it needs to be respected. Negotiating with Chelsea will be very hard, nearly impossible. Diego Costa is a star at Chelsea.”
It remains to be seen if incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte would like to keep Costa at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian national team boss was confirmed by Chelsea on Monday as their next manager, taking over the club after this summer’s European Championships in France.
Manchester City remain interested Atheltic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte despite the youngster suffering a leg break while playing for France Under 21’s recently.
Bayern Munich may provide competition for the signature of the young defender, but Pep Guardiola is a known admirer and has encouraged his future employers to splash the cash and meet the release clause in his contract – which is believed to be close to €40 million.
This is despite Manchester City spending around €90 million on Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolás Otamendi to compliment Vincent Kompany.
Staying with Bayern Munich, Arturo Vidal is being linked with a move to join his former manager at Juventus, Antonio Conte, at Chelsea, but the midfielder himself has stated that he is very happy at the Bavarian club.
Speaking to Chilean radio station BioBio, he said: “I am very happy here. I have to think about my family and I still have time on my contract.”
This has done little to dampen the speculation in Italy, however, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting Conte is keen to reunite with the Chile international.
Much coveted Schalke 04 forward Leroy Sane is likely to stay at the Bundesliga club next season according to the player himself in Bild.
The German international has been linked to some of the biggest clubs in Europe including Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus and Liverpool.
Sané told Bold: “I think I will be playing at Schalke next season. I grew up here, feel absolutely comfortable and have a contract until 2019. When I speak with my father, Samy, about it, he always says: Schalke is good for you.”
Mauricio Pochettino is likely to sign a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur this summer despite interest from Manchester United in the Argentinian manager.
Chelsea made Pochettino their number target to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho but soon found out their pursuit would be unsuccessful.
Several rags claimed Manchester United had met with the ‘reps’ of Pochettino but seeing as he doesn’t have an agent this claim is hard to believe.
Spurs are confident they can conclude a new long term deal in the summer despite the former Southampton manager being already under contract until June 2019.
Daniel Levy is thought to be keen to reward his manager with a pay rise and extension.
COMMENTS