Manchester United are on the verge of acquiring their first player in the ongoing transfer market, with Ajax’s Donny van de Beek days away from the sealing the move. Elsewhere, the fight between the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi and Barcelona continues, while there are other developments in the market as well.
That said, here is what’s happening in Europe:
Conte wants Kante
Antonio Conte wants Inter Milan to go for Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante as the Italian looks keen on reuniting with the Frenchman, who worked together at Chelsea. As per Tuttomercatoweb, Inter wants the former Leicester midfielder on loan, and want to add an option to buy for €50million (£44.5m). This represents a significant coup as Chelsea signed the midfielder for just £32 million back in 2016.
The Blues have splashed cash on the likes of Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva, while Kai Havertz is reportedly on his way as well. That said, the club is now seeking a way to recoup the funds, which could act as a potential boost for Inter in their pursuit.
Antonio Conte has recruited several players from the Premier League, with the list including Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen, Ashley Young, Victor Moses and Alexis Sanchez, and now wants Kante to join the fray after missing dropping his interest in Sandro Tonali, who is on his way to AC Milan.
Liverpool in for Ismaila Sarr
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are considering making a move for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr by matching Watford’s asking price of £40m. As per the reports. The Reds have made Sarr their priority above all given that he is also on the radar of Manchester United.
As far as Watford are concerned, they are willing to let their winger leave with the only condition being the suitor pays more than £40m for the 22-year-old. Sarr was one of Watford’s top performers in a rather gloomy 2019/20 Premier League campaign, scoring five goals, two of which came in Watford’s stunning 3-0 win over the Reds in February.
Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace are also monitoring his situation, but the Londoners are unlikely to match the asking price. Sarr, who had six assists last season, joined Watford in 2019 from the Ligue 1 side Rennes in a £35m deal.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles going nowhere
Days after Wolves began showing an interest in Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Arsenal are said to be reconsidering their plans of letting the youngster leave. The 23-year-old versatile midfielder, who still has three years left on his current deal, was exceptional against Liverpool in the Community Shield final on Saturday, but his future has been thrown in the air, with the likes of Wolves, Newcastle and Brighton looking to prey him away from London.
Wolves, in fact, saw their opening bid of £15m getting rejected from Arsenal.
Speaking about his future after Sunday’s game, the 23-year-old assured his commitment to the club, saying, “I am an Arsenal player until I am told otherwise,” he told BT Sport.
“My heart is in the club and whilst I am here I am going to give 100% all the time. So that is that.”
As thing stand, it looks like the midfielder has earned the trust and confidence of his manager, who is now reluctant on losing his young prodigy.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk
