The Hard Tackle takes a look at the latest transfer news surrounding Premier League giants Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
The summer of 2021 is proving to be a busy one on all fronts. The FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers are underway while teams in Europe and South America are already engrossed in the UEFA Euro 2020 as well as the Copa America, with the CONCACAF Gold Cup set to get underway next month.
At club level, the biggest names in Europe are already laying down the groundwork to get their preparations for the 2021/22 season in shape on time. While Manchester City will be aiming to consolidate their place atop the Premier League, teams like Chelsea and Manchester United are scrambling to bridge the gap to the summit.
Therefore, the summer transfer window is extremely important for these teams to make the required modifications and get closer to their objectives next season. So, without any further ado, let’s delve into the latest transfer happenings surrounding the Premier League bigwigs.
Thomas Tuchel pushing Chelsea to rival Manchester United for Saul Niguez
Manchester United are in a bit of a pickle in the midfield department, as the future of Paul Pogba is yet to be sorted completely. Amid all that, the Red Devils are keeping their options open, with Saul Niguez among the players being considered. And as per Mundo Deportivo, Thomas Tuchel wants Chelsea to sign the Atletico Madrid midfielder as well.
Manchester United’s interest in Saul is pretty straightforward, with the Spaniard being a direct replacement for Pogba. Furthermore, if Nemanja Matic is offloaded this summer, Saul can fill the void left by the Serb as well, in theory, thereby making him a viable target for the Red Devils.
As for Chelsea, if Billy Gilmour ends up being loaned out this summer, Chelsea would need to sign someone like Saul not just to beef up their midfield unit but also take the quality levels up, which will, in turn, take some of the pressure off of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante. What will be interesting to see is if Chelsea do heed Tuchel’s words and make a move for Saul.
Raphael Varane rejects Manchester United offer
Continuing with Manchester United, and one of their priorities in the summer transfer window appears to be midfield. To that end, the Red Devils have been heavily linked with Raphael Varane, but a twist has now emerged in their pursuit. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Varane has rejected the chance to join Manchester United.
Manchester United’s interest in Varane made a great deal of sense, considering Harry Maguire needs to be paired up with a reliable partner next season onwards, someone who can be an upgrade over Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly. In order to address that, the Premier League heavyweights have even given Varane a lucrative contract to consider, but that has not done the trick.
Indeed, as per the report, Varane has rejected Manchester United’s offer as he is keen on joining PSG in the summer transfer window. Les Parisiens are also interested in the Real Madrid defender, who is ready to call it quits at his current club. With PSG being his preferred destination, we could well see a move being completed soon enough. Manchester United, though, have to set their sights elsewhere now.
Manchester United lodge €25 million bid for Kieran Trippier
Sticking with Manchester United and their pursuit of strengthening their defence, and we move on to Kieran Trippier. The English international has been identified as a possible solution for the right-back slot and the Red Devils seem to have lodged their second offer for him, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
After having their initial bid worth €12 million being termed as ridiculous by Atletico Madrid, Manchester United have to step up their efforts to land Trippier. Their next offer has more than double their previous bid, with €25 million being put on the table for Los Rojiblancos.
Manchester United are hoping to repeat the formula that has been successful at left-back following the arrival of Alex Telles. To that end, Trippier is seen as a player who can not just compete with Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the foreseeable future but also enable him to step up and add layers to his game.
The €25 million bid, though, might fall short of the valuation of Atletico Madrid, who want up to €40 million to part ways with the Englishman. What now remains to be seen is if Manchester United do indeed make a move for Trippier by paying the transfer fee wanted by the Colchoneros.
Manchester City eyeing Joao Felix as Harry Kane alternative
Atletico Madrid are involved in our final story of the transfer roundup as well and from one half of Manchester, we move to the other. Manchester City have dipped their toes in the market for an attacking reinforcement, and to that end, the latest target for them is none other than Joao Felix, as per Eurosport.
Following the departure of Sergio Aguero on a free transfer, Manchester City need to find an ideal replacement for the Argentine. To that end, Harry Kane has been linked as a priority target for the Premier League champions. However, Tottenham Hotspur’s asking price for the England captain is threatening to throw a spanner in their works.
As a result, City are having to scour the market for alternatives, with Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez among those considered. And, the latest player on their radar is Joao Felix, who is facing an uncertain future at Atletico Madrid, as things stand.
According to the report, Felix is a player Manchester City have had their sights set on for quite some time now, and with the Portuguese international facing an uncertain future at the Wanda Metropolitano, the time could be perfect to sign him. In fact, the newly-crowned Premier League champions are also ready to offer Bernardo Silva, recently linked with Barcelona, and it will be interesting to see if this offer pays off.