LIVE Transfer Talk: Man Utd, Chelsea, Man City eye Villarreal’s Torres

The summer transfer window is approaching, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Man City, Chelsea, Man United in chase for Villarreal’s Torres

Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all interested in signing Villarreal defender Pau Torres in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

While Torres remains focused on Villarreal’s Champions League semifinal clash with Liverpool on Wednesday, the 26-year-old could be open to an exit from El Madrigal in the summer.

A release clause in his contract worth around €60 million could see the three Premier League sides begin to advance negotiations, but it is unlikely to be without challenges from Spain, with Barcelona also in the mix.

Torres has featured 39 times for Unai Emery’s side across all competitions this season, with standout displays against Juventus and Bayern Munich during the Champions League knockout stages.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly scouted Torres, who could serve as a replacement for Antonio Rudiger. Sources told ESPN that Rudiger has reached a preliminary agreement to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

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LIVE BLOG

14.38 BST: TEAMtalk says that William Saliba will return to Arsenal this summer and plans to fight for a place in the first-team

Saliba, 21, moved to Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for €30m in the summer of 2019 but has yet to make a senior appearance for the side.

The centre-back has been on loan in Ligue 1 for the past three years with Saint-Etienne, Nice and lastly Marseille, where he has impressed this season and even earned himself a call-up to the France national team as a result.

Atletico Madrid and Marseille are both interested in signing him permanently, but the Gunners could give him a chance to usurp Ben White and Gabriel’s partnership.

14.04 BST: What does the future hold for USMNT and Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest.

13.16 BST: Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has said incoming manager Erik ten Hag being given “full control” will be key in allowing the Dutchman to turn around the club’s fortunes.

The Ajax boss signed a three-year deal to take over at Old Trafford in the summer, with the option of another year. In doing so, the 52-year-old became the fifth permanent manager appointed by the club since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

With interim coach Ralf Rangnick at the helm, United’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four were dealt a hammer blow by a 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, leaving them six points behind the fourth-placed Gunners having played a game more.

“I think [Ten Hag has] got a very difficult job,” Yorke told ESPN. “Simply because it has been a bit of a disaster for us as a football club in terms of personnel and where the team is at. There’s no hiding place in that. We’re not where we’re supposed to be. But there’s a new beginning, a new start for a manager who a lot of people don’t particularly know. Obviously, he has done well in Holland. [But] the Premier League is a whole new ball game. Manchester United’s manager is on a whole different level.”

Sources have told ESPN that the Dutchman has been informed by the club’s brass that he will be overseeing an evolution rather than revolution when he takes over. This follows Rangnick floating the possibility that as many as 10 players could arrive in the summer.

“I keep saying that he has to embrace going in there and have full control,” Yorke said. “If he has full control he can implement his style, his way, and the players that he wants on board to make sure he can get the best out of them. I think that is the key.”

12.51 BST: Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez is a target for Inter Milan, says Tuttosport.

Mahrez, 31, has a contract that expires in 2023 and has yet to agree new terms despite scoring 23 goals and assisting nine times in 43 games this season.

The Algeria international has been tracked by Paris Saint-Germain, but Inter are looking to make him their top target for a fee of around €40m.

12.08 BST: Liverpool are looking to sign Braga defender David Carmo if he leaves the club this summer, says O Jogo.

Carmo, 22, was linked with a move to Anfield back in 2021 — with a €4m loan deal, and option to sign permanently for €20m rejected — and Jurgen Klopp is reportedly a big fan of the 6-foot-5 centre-back.

Braga would require the player’s €40m release clause to be paid, but it seems like Liverpool are still keen.

11.35 BST: Sergio Ramos has said he wants to prove to Paris Saint-Germain, after an injury-hit first season with the French champions, that he can live up to the expectations the club had of him when they signed him last summer.

Ramos, 36, has only made 10 appearances across all competitions since joining PSG on a two-year contract.

“I’ve spent few hours on the pitch this season in the PSG jersey,” Ramos said in a video posted by PSG. “I’m at the prime of my career and eager to show my new team, Paris Saint-Germain, how much football I have inside me. It [the goal celebration in the 3-0 win at Angers on April 20] was a reflection of the sacrifice I’ve had to make.”

Ramos made his PSG debut on Nov. 28 after recovering from a calf injury that had kept him out of action for five months.

12.00 BST: Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic may need to starting thinking about his future.

10.48 BST: Arminia Bielefeld defender Amos Pieper is being tracked by Chelsea, according to the Daily Mirror.

Pieper, 24, has seen interest from Southampton, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund given his contract runs out at the end of the season.

The Germany U21 international is likely to leave for free, and Chelsea need to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

10.08 BST: Manchester United are ready to make a formal move to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds this summer, says The Athletic.

Phillips, 26, has impressed this season in midfield and is now a fully fledged England international, valued at around £50m.

United will likely lose Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba on free transfers this summer, so need to replace them. However, Phillips is massive Leeds fans and the rivalry with United is deep, so he may not consider a move to Old Trafford for that reason.

09.27 BST: The Daily Telegraph reports that Donny van de Beek is set to get a fresh start under Erik ten Hag at Man United.

Van de Beek, 25, has been on loan at Everton this season after struggling since a €40m move from Ajax in 2020.

Ajax boss Ten Hag is eager to work with his former midfielder again when he moves to Old Trafford in the summer and will give him a chance to prove himself.

08.30 BST: Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has agreed a new contract until 2026 with his release clause rising to €1bn, the club announced on Tuesday.

Araujo’s previous deal was due to expire in 2023 and ESPN revealed last month that both Manchester United and Liverpool were keen on signing the Uruguay international.

The money on the table from the Premier League sides was higher than Barca’s offer, but sources have told ESPN that the player’s priority was always to remain at Camp Nou.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)

– Jules Kounde wants to leave Sevilla at the end of the season, according to Ekrem Konur. The LaLiga club will be looking for a fee in the region of €70m if they are to part ways with the 23-year-old defender, with a move to Chelsea having been repeatedly linked.

– Arsenal have begun talks with the representatives of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, reports Goal. The Premier League side are one of a number of clubs across Europe who are keen to sign the 25-year-old striker, and it looks as though Mikel Arteta’s side are moving quickly to try to beat other potential suitors to his signature.

– Geoffrey Kondogbia will remain at Atletico Madrid in the summer unless the club receives a significant bid for his services, writes Rudy Galetti. Aston Villa have recently been linked with the 29-year-old midfielder, with manager Steven Gerrard scouting him during his Champions League quarterfinal clash with Manchester City earlier this month.

– Tammy Abraham has reiterated his desire to remain at AS Roma beyond this season, according to Calciomercato. The 24-year-old striker joined the club from Chelsea last summer, and he has since become an important part of Jose Mourinho’s side, having contributed to 19 goals in 33 games in Serie A. It is reported that Arsenal have made him a priority target, but persuading Abraham to make the switch from Italy could be difficult.

– Newcastle United are plotting a £30m move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre Hojbjerg, writes the Mirror. Spurs manager Antonio Conte could look to rebuild his squad in the summer, and the St. James’ Park hierarchy want to make the 26-year-old Denmark international a priority signing in midfield.