Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd vs Man City scrap, SHOCK Liverpool price, Celtic exit offer

Transfer news LIVE: Thursday April 25

  • Manchester United have identified the man they want to replace David de Gea if he leaves Old Trafford
  • Liverpool have slapped a mammoth price tag on a player who has played just 14 games for them so far
  • Real Madrid are prepared to hand Eden Hazard a huge contract should he join them from Chelsea this summer
  • Arsenal have created a masterplan to ensure Gabriel Martinelli will be a success once they snap him up

12.05 UPDATE: Man Utd scouting mission

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku was watched by Inter Milan chief Piero Ausilio in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Lukaku has endured a frustrating second season at Old Trafford, failing to nail down a starting spot under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He was, however, included in the team for this month’s showdown with Barcelona, which ended 1-0 to the visitors thanks to a deflected Luis Suarez header.

The Daily Star claim Inter took the opportunity to make a check on Lukaku, with replacing wantaway Mauro Icardi top of their agenda.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Romelu Lukaku has seen his starts limited at Manchester United this season (Image: GETTY)

11.30 UPDATE: Another Celtic exit

Celtic might not just wave goodbye to Cristian Gamboa when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Mikael Lustig is yet to receive an offer to extend his successful spell with the Scottish Premiership leaders.

And it is looking more and more probable that he will be heading for the exit door in the summer.

Lustig has spoken to Stockholm-based AIK over the possibility of returning to his homeland of Sweden.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Mikael Lustig is poised to head for the exit door at Celtic (Image: GETTY)

11.00 UPDATE: Liverpool transfer blow

Liverpool might miss out on a deal for Houssem Aouar if Nabil Fekir and Tanguy Ndombele leave Lyon, it has been claimed.

Jurgen Klopp is said to be a big fan of Aouar and is keen to add him to his title-chasing squad over the summer.

However, Le10 Sport indicate Lyon’s expectance that Fekir and Ndombele are poised to go complicates matters.

Lyon would only consider selling Aouar should Fekir and Ndombele move if Liverpool made an extraordinary offer for him.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Lyon ace Houssem Aouar is on Liverpool’s summer wish list (Image: GETTY)

10.30 UPDATE: Callum Hudson-Odoi plan

Callum Hudson-Odoi is in line to replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea as Real Madrid plot a summer raid for the Belgian.

Hudson-Odoi is out for the rest of the season having suffered a ruptured Achilles’ tendon against Burnley.

But he will be flung back into the first-team as soon as he returns from the injury so he can fill Hazard’s boots.

The Telegraph report Hudson-Odoi will be looked to to take Hazard’s place, with incoming signings not on the cards due to a transfer ban.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Callum Hudson-Odoi will replace Eden Hazard at Chelsea (Image: GETTY)

10.05 UPDATE: Kylian Mbappe told to quit PSG

Kylian Mbappe must leave Paris Saint-Germain behind to emulate the achievements of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, says Fernando Morientes.

“On one hand, it is hard to imagine or believe that a new Messi could happen,” Morientes said.

“On the other hand, we have Cristiano, with an incredible mentality. However, I see Kylian’s qualities similar to those of the Portuguese.

“Barca for the last decade has been built on the image and likeness of Leo. And the next dominant project in Europe should be based on Mbappe.

“It could last 10 or 12 years at an incredible level. He must go one step further and sign for a giant of La Liga or Premier League. I think 21 years is the limit to leave Paris and show the world that such talent cannot be shut away.”

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Kylian Mbappe has been advised to quit Paris Saint-Germain (Image: GETTY)

09.50 UPDATE: Man Utd vs Man City scrap

Manchester United and Manchester City both want to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Sporting Lison, it has been claimed in Portugal.

Fernandes is one of the hottest talents in the Primeira Liga with his showings catching the eye of plenty of scouts.

The 24-year-old has emerged as a target for United and City, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, according to A Bola.

City, United and PSG are prepared to pay more than £43m (€50m) for Fernandes, who has scored 24 goals this season.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Manchester United and Manchester City want Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon (Image: GETTY)

09.35 UPDATE: Man Utd mistakes explained

Graeme Souness has identified why Manchester United keep making mistakes in the transfer market.

“Whereas now United are buying under pressure. That’s where the mistakes happen. What’s their priority? What positions? Is it a midfielder? Is it a defender?” Souness said,

“[Manchester] City know where they’re going, City know that Fernandinho is 33 and that’s an obvious thing [they need to address]. They can just cherry pick, they’re not buying under pressure. That’s when you don’t make mistakes.

“Like with Jorginho: ‘So we didn’t get him, there’ll be someone else that comes along next year.’ I think United, it’s a really, really difficult place to find themselves in I think.”

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Graeme Souness has hit out at Manchester United’s transfer approach (Image: GETTY)

09.10 UPDATE: Bale to Man Utd?

Manchester United have made a big-money offer for Gareth Bale but it does not meet Real Madrid’s lofty demands, claims Spanish transfer guru Eduardo Inda.

“With Gareth Bale there is a small mess because the leadership wants him to stay because the price is ridiculous and the coach wants him to go to all costs,” Inda said.

“United only offers 70-80 million when after the [2018 Champions League] final of Kiev they offered 150 million.

“There is another candidate if their transfer penalty is lifted, which is Chelsea.”

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Real Madrid will only sell Gareth Bale if they receive an enormous offer (Image: GETTY)

08.50 UPDATE: Hazard to Real Madrid advantage

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has made it easier for himself to join Real Madrid than Paul Pogba has, claims Sid Lowe.

“But everybody at Chelsea knows that Hazard has wanted this to happen for a long time,” Lowe said.

“He, unlike some players, hasn’t pushed or agitated for a deal, and there is a sense that he sort of did things the right way.

“The scenario is different, so this is a far more easy one to pull off [than Pogba to Real would be].”

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Celtic updates (Image: GETTY)

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Eden Hazard will be easier for Real Madrid to sign than Paul Pogba (Image: GETTY)

08.30 UPDATE: Messi, Ronaldo and Man Utd claim

Manchester United would not be any better if they signed Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo because they do not create chances.

That is the damning verdict of Robbie Savage, who criticised his old side during Wednesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

“You could have Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing up front for Man United, their lack of creativity is there for all to see,” Savage said.

“Man United defended well in the first half but they haven’t looked like scoring.”

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Robbie Savage says Manchester United need creators rather than a goal scorer (Image: GETTY)

08.10 UPDATE: Celtic exit on cards

Celtic flop Cristian Gamboa has been handed the chance to return to Costa Rica after Deportiva Alajuelense offered him a contract.

Gamboa has failed to make his mark in Glasgow, making just 16 Scottish Premiership starts during his three years at Celtic Park.

The right-back last featured in December’s 1-1 draw at Motherwell and is out of contract at the end of the season.

Gamboa is now being offered the opportunity to head back to his homeland with the team who rejected him nine years ago following a trial.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Celtic are set to wave goodbye to Cristian Gamboa this summer (Image: GETTY)

07.55 UPDATE: Arsenal masterplan

Arsenal have a strategy in mind to make sure Gabriel Martinelli will be able to realise his potential, reports in Brazil claim.

Martinelli has been a smash hit at Ituano, alerting the scouts of a host of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the Gunners.

Arsenal are eager to put a deal in place for the forward as soon as possible so they can put their masterplan in action.

Yahoo Brasil reckon the north Londoners have devised a clear path to the first team, including when Martinelli will make his debut.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Unai Emery might soon have Gabriel Martinelli among his Arsenal ranks (Image: GETTY)

07.25 UPDATE: Hazard to Real Madrid

Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to hand Eden Hazard an incredible pay rise if they manage to prise him away from Chelsea.

Hazard has made no secret of his desire to head for the Bernabeu and a deal worth around £100m increasingly looks to be on the cards.

The Sun claim Hazard is in line for a £400,000-a-week contract should he quit Stamford Bridge and seal a dream move to Real.

That would represent a significant increase on the wages Hazard currently earns at Chelsea, where he has refused to sign a new deal.

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Real Madrid are getting set to give Eden Hazard a mega-money deal (Image: GETTY)

06.55 UPDATE: SHOCK Liverpool price

Liverpool are not willing to sell Marko Grujic on the cheap despite the fact he has barely played for them.

Grujic made just 14 appearances in the senior set up before joining Cardiff and Hertha Berlin on loan respectively.

His performances in the Bundesliga this season have alerted Atletico Madrid, who are keen for him to replace Rodri.

ESPN claim, though, that Liverpool will not consider selling Grujic for anything less than £35m (€40m).

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Marko Grujic is wanted by Atletico Madrid but Liverpool are demanding a huge fee (Image: GETTY)

Transfer news LIVE

Transfer news LIVE: Manchester United want Jan Oblak if David de Gea leaves Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)

06.25 UPDATE: Man Utd new top target

Manchester United have made Jan Oblak their No 1 candidate to fill David de Gea’s gloves should the Spaniard leave, it has been reported.

De Gea is back on the wanted list at Real Madrid, while Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing him up next summer.

United are not wasting any time wondering who will replace the former Atletico Madrid ace if he is to jump ship.

The Metro claim Oblak has emerged as the top target to fill in for De Gea between the sticks should United be forced to let De Gea go.

source: express.co.uk