Daily transfer news and rumours roundup - 18th April 2017
Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda’s daily transfer news and rumours roundup for 18th April 2017. Today’s biggest stories from Europe’s back pages cover lucrative deals from the top leagues across the continent and as always, we give you a summary of the biggest rumours in our daily roundup.
Manchester United feature heavily and are looking to add considerably in the attacking department, while Barcelona’s star wing back could also be on the move to England.
Here are the top stories for today:
Manchester United in for an attacker with either Dortmund or Everton aces in mind
According to several sources, including The Sun, Manchester United are in for a winger with Borussia Dortmund’s talented youngster Ousmane Dembele in mind. The 19-year-old is currently contracted to Dortmund up until 2021, however, he has attracted interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, in England.
It now looks as though United have entered the race to sign Dembele and are plotting a £50 million bid for the young attacker. Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror reports that Mourinho is keen on bringing Ross Barkley to Old Trafford as the Englishman has refused to sign a new deal with Everton.
Barkley has one year left on his current deal and negotiations for a new deal have broken down with him and the Toffees.
Manchester United discouraged by exorbitant Monaco defender fee; could offload Juan Mata
According to reports from the Daily Record, Manchester United have been discouraged from approaching Monaco to sign a new left back. AS Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy has been on Jose Mourinho’s radar and the club are in the market for a new left-back, however, the French club have slapped an atrocious £65 million price tag on Mendy which has considerably discouraged Manchester United.
The club are reportedly unwilling to pay more than double of what they paid Southampton for Luke Shaw who joined for £35 million.
While Juan Mata could also be on the move to Besiktas with Fanatik reporting that Manchester United are eyeing a swap deal with the Turkish club for Anderson Talisca who plays in Turkey currently.
Barcelona ready replacement left back if Jordi Alba leaves for England
Barcelona are already eyeing a replacement for Jordi Alba according to The Express. Alba has attracted interest in England with both Chelsea and Manchester United vying to sign the player. It is believed that Alba's representatives have contacted the two clubs regarding a summer move.
The Catalans are in turn weighing up the option of signing Sevilla’s Theo Hernandez as their first choice replacement for the 28-year-old Jordi Alba. It is believed that Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam is their contingency option to Hernandez. Barcelona are already in the market for a right-back and could be in for a left-back as well.
AC Milan still want Chelsea midfielder
AC Milan have not given up their chase for Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas according to the Daily Mirror. The Spaniard has featured mainly as a substitute and has attracted interest from Atletico Madrid as well, however, whether he prefers a move away from England or not remains unknown. Fabregas confirmed he is committed to Chelsea after reports in January suggested otherwise, but with his peripheral role at Stamford Bridge, he could seek a move elsewhere.
Inter Milan target Diego Simeone
According to La Gazzeta dello Sport, Inter Milan are ramping up efforts to sign Atletico’s Diego Simeone as their manager next season. The Italian outlet reports that Inter are prepared to offer Simeone a five-year contract worth €50 million.
Simeone played for Inter Milan in his time as a player and the club want him to lead them to major success again after a period in the doldrums. However, Simeone has not spoken about his future, suggesting that he is committed to Atletico at the moment.