Manchester United and Chelsea FC may have to cough up well over £50 million for the services of Romelu Lukaku, while Everton are all set to use all their resources to keep the Belgian striker.
In fact, a bid of £50 million may not even be enough to get Everton interested in the offer, as the Merseyside club want to take advantage of new investments from stakeholder Farhad Moshiri, according to the Daily Mirror.
Lukaku has come out and said in recent interviews that he would like to play in the Champions League next season. Everton, who currently lie in 12th position in the Premier League table, will find it difficult to retain the services of Lukaku given his European ambitions. The 22-year-old Belgian has scored 25 goals so far this season, and has been attracting attention from all the top clubs in the country.
Liverpool, Manchester City ready to double Ter Stegen’s wages
According to reports coming out of Spain, German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen isn’t too happy playing second fiddle to Claudio Bravo (in La Liga) at FC Barcelona, and is seeking a way out of the Catalan club, in search for more game time.
He has even received a couple of offers from the Premier League, with Spanish outlet Sport reporting that Liverpool FC and Manchester City are prepared to double his wages, in order to acquire his services.
However, Barcelona are not prepared to let the German go, as they feel that he can be their long term No.1 after the departure of Claudio Bravo. Reports from Spain suggest that bidders will have to match his release clause of €80 million (£63 million), in order to sign him.
Chelsea, Juventus chasing Kante’s signature
N’Golo Kante has been one of the finds of the season, with the Leicester City midfielder helping his side to a five point lead at the top of the table with seven matches to go, after the club barely avoided relegation last season.
His immense work rate in the middle of the park has impressed one and all, with the Frenchman making an astounding 126 interceptions in 30 Premier League appearances. Kante’s exceptional displays for Leicester City this season have even earned him comparisons with Real Madrid and Chelsea legend Claude Makelele.
These performances are attracting some of the biggest clubs across Europe, with Get Football News France reporting that Chelsea FC and Juventus have made “discrete inquiries” about the 25-year-old Frenchman.
No deal yet between Gundogan and Manchester City
Manchester City’s future boss Pep Guardiola has been quite impressed with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan’s performances in the Bundesliga, and reportedly wants the Citizens to sign the German international.
In fact, the Sunday Mirror had reported a couple of days back that there is a verbal deal in place between Manchester City and Dortmund to sign Gundogan for £25 million.
Gundogan’s current contract with Dortmund runs out after the end of the 2017 campaign, and the 25-year-old has reportedly refused to sign a contract extension with the club.
However, Gundogan’s representatives have denied any links with Manchester City, saying that no deal has yet been put forward to sign the midfielder.
“It is not true [that it is a done deal]. There is no decision and everything is still open. Ilkay is focusing further on his recovery,” Gundogan’s management group was quoted saying to German newspaper Bild.
Liverpool to acquire Gotze on cut-price deal?
Having made just one start for Bayern Munich since October, Mario Gotze is reportedly desperate to leave the Bavarian giants for greener pastures overseas. Gotze, who came to the fore at Borussia Dortmund under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp, reportedly wants a reunion with his old boss at Liverpool.
With his current team failing to churn out good performances on a regular basis, Klopp wants an overhaul of his Liverpool squad according to various reports emanating from the England. Gotze, who had excelled under Klopp’s Gegenpressing system, is said to be high on the German manager’s wishlist.
The 23 year old, who’s contract runs out in 2017, has reportedly refused to extend his deal with Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants are reportedly ready to sell Gotze for as less as £15 million to £20 million, according to the Daily Express. However, Liverpool will probably have to give Gotze a considerable pay rise if they wish to acquire his services.
