TRANSFER ROUNDUP: Arsenal Target To Leave Current Club, Foxes Sell Summer Signing, And More
Milan Boss States Niang’s Future At The Club Is Unsure
REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
AC Milan manager Vincenzo Montella has revealed that Niang is currently considering an offer to join another club.
The winger has recently been linked with a transfer to numerous clubs, with the biggest of them being Premier League giants Arsenal. And with Gerard Deulofeu joining Milan from Everton on loan, the French winger looks all the more set to leave the Serie A outfit.
And now, Montella has confirmed that the 22-year-old is indeed, considering an offer from an unnamed club. Speaking at the press conference ahead of Milan’s clash with Juventus, Montella revealed: “The truth is that the player – along with the club – is considering an offer to change teams. He won’t be called-up (for the Juve game), to allow him to calmly decide along with the club.
“He’s always been involved in normal situations, sometimes he’s been on the fringes but he’s never been out. So, for my part as long as he’s a Milan player he’ll have the consideration which that deserves, i.e. the maximum. If he’s lost? No, he is not… he has had his ups and downs. Regarding his stay, it depends on the will of the player as well as that of the club.
“Did I offer my opinion on his potential sale? Obviously, I was involved.”
Leicester City Confirm Sale Of Summer Signing
Defender Luis Hernandez has left Leicester City after spending just seven months at the club.
Hernandez joined the Foxes on a free transfer from Sporting Gijon last summer. He made just 4 Premier League appearances for the reigning English champions, but was involved in 4 of the 6 games they played in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
The 27-year-old has now returned to Spain, joining La Liga outfit Malaga for around £1.75 million. Leicester’s official statement read: “The club thanks Luis for his contribution during his time at Leicester City Football Club and wishes him all the very best for the future.”
Liverpool Begin Negotiations For William Carvalho
REUTERS/Rafael Marchante
Liverpool have begun negotiations for the transfer of Sporting midfielder William Carvalho, as per reports in Portugal.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Liverpool officials recently travelled to Lisbon to cancel Lazar Markovic’s loan, following which the winger left Sporting to spend the second half of the season at Premier League side Hull City. However, as per the same report, the Reds’ representatives had another purpose for this visit: Beginning negotiations for the transfer for Sporting midfielder William Carvalho.
Jurgen Klopp, who has been on the lookout for midfielders for a while, has identified this highly-rated 24-year-old as his target. Carvalho has been linked with moves to several Premier League clubs in the past, with Arsenal and Manchester United being the most recurrent names. However, Liverpool seem to be his most likely destination now, as reports claim the talks between the Anfield giants and Sporting director Bruno de Carvalho are well underway.
Sporting are reportedly demanding a fee of £26 million for the Portuguese international, and Liverpool will have their man if they meet the Primeira Liga club’s asking price.
David Moyes Reunites With Former Player
David Moyes’ Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Joleon Lescott on a free transfer.
Lescott left Aston Villa last summer after spending just one season at the English club, and moved on to Greece to sign for AEK Athens. However, he picked up an injury after making just 4 appearances for the Greek side, following which the defender had his contract cancelled in November.
And now, after having spent close to two months without a club, the free agent has returned to England and signed for Sunderland on a short-term deal. The 34-year-old will once again play under David Moyes, after having already been managed by the Scot at Everton between 2006 and 2009.
Griezmann’s Release Clause Revealed Amid Transfer Speculation
REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a big-money move away from Atletico Madrid come summer, and with manager Diego Simeone stating he will not be making the Frenchman stay against his wishes, the transfer now looks imminent.
Numerous clubs have expressed their interest in the Euro 2016 top goalscorer, including the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, to name a few. However, Manchester United are believed to be the frontrunners in the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, with some reports claiming an initial deal has already been agreed between the Old Trafford club and Griezmann’s representatives.
Amid all the speculation, Spanish publication okdiario.com has revealed the amount all the interested parties will have to pay if they are to secure the France international’s services. The report states that Griezmann’s contract with Atletico has a release clause worth £95m (€110m), and any club looking to sign him will have to match that mammoth figure. This amount is certain to turn away some of the suitors, but probably not the richest ones of the lot.
