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Paper Talk
Rafa Benitez wants to make Liverpool's Raheem Sterling one of his first transfer targets for Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich want Angel di Maria - but Manchester United will demand most of his record £59.7million fee.
Iker Casillas has revealed he recommended United goalkeeper David de Gea to Real Madrid.
Arsenal and Manchester United will miss out on Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, after he agreed to join Champions League finalists Juventus.
Slavisa Jokanovic was offered just a £1,000-a-week pay rise for guiding Watford to a £130m promotion.
Kevin de Bruyne has boosted Manchester City's hopes of signing him by ruling out a return to Chelsea.
Sunderland could launch a bold bid to land former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes although Real Madrid's number two Paul Clement remains an option.
Danny Ings will decide whether to pick Liverpool or Tottenham while on his summer holiday.
West Ham will take their time making an appointment, with the new manager set to be given £25million to spend on new players.
Manchester City are leading the £85m race for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
Former UEFA president Lennart Johansson has urged FIFA to hand the 2018 World Cup to England after Wednesday's police raids in Switzerland.
Iker Casillas has given the biggest hint yet that Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is heading for Real Madrid.
Steven Gerrard has reiterated his desire to return to Liverpool when his playing days are over.
Carlo Ancelotti would jump at the chance to manage Liverpool, according to sources close to the former Real Madrid boss.
Burnley striker Danny Ings is ready to keep suitors Tottenham and Liverpool waiting.
Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle is a £6m target for Bournemouth.
Marseille want Chelsea legend Didier Drogba to rejoin them as a player and adviser.
Christan Benteke will seek assurances that he will be first-choice striker at his next club if he leaves Aston Villa.
Arsenal will make Carl Jenkinson available on loan next season following talks with Arsene Wenger.
Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is set to make a personal call to Manchester City's Yaya Toure to assess what the midfielder's plans are after a move to Italy stalled this week.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has reiterated Yaya Toure will remain at the Etihad Stadium.
Burnley striker Danny Ings has made it clear to Tottenham that his preference is to join Liverpool this summer.
Sunderland could compete with Newcastle for the services of Steve McClaren after Dick Advocaat turned down the chance to a permanent role at the Stadium of Light.
West Ham could face another blow in their bid for a new manager as Marseille try to tie Marcelo Bielsa to a new two-year contract.
BBC
Rafael Benitez, who is favourite to take over as Real Madrid manager, wants to take advantage of Raheem Sterling's contract stand-off with Liverpool and intends to make the 20-year-old England forward one of his first transfer targets. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester City are leading the race to sign ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, 22, from Juventus for £45m. (the Sun - subscription required)
Tottenham are ready to bid £12m for Burnley striker Danny Ings before the 22-year-old's contract at Turf Moor expires. (Sky Sports)
But England Under-21 international Ings has apparently already told Spurs he wants to join Liverpool this summer. (London Evening Standard)
Liverpool remain determined to cut their losses on Mario Balotelli, 24, in the summer despite claims from the Italy striker's agent he will definitely stay at Anfield. (Guardian)
Former AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti would jump at the chance to manager Liverpool. (the Sun - subscription required)
Manchester United will demand Bayern Munich or Paris St-Germain pay most of the £59.7m they spent on Argentina winger Angel Di Maria if they are to take the 27-year-old from Old Trafford . (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, has been urged to sign for Real Madrid by the Spanish club's 34-year-old first-choice keeper Iker Casillas. (Daily Star)
Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is set to make a personal call to Manchester City's Yaya Toure to assess what the 32-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder's plans are after a move to Italy stalled this week. (Daily Mail)
But during the club's post-season tour of North America, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has reiterated Toure is going nowhere. (Daily Express)
Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, 21, has been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United but is expected to undergo a medical at Juventus ahead of completing a move to the Italian champions. (Daily Mail)
Sunderland may make a move for Real Sociedad boss David Moyes to take over as their new manager, although Real Madrid assistant coach Paul Clement is also an option. (Daily Star)
Derby County want to sign Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, 31, and Hull's Thomas Ince, 23, on permanent deals following their loan spells with the Rams. (Derby Evening Telegraph)
Excelsior Rotterdam boss Marinus Dijkhuizen, 43, is set to be appointed as Brentford's new head coach. (Sky Sports)
West Ham United face another blow in their bid to find a big-name replacement for Sam Allardyce with Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa in talks with the Ligue 1 club over a new two‑year contract. (Daily Telegraph)
The Hammers will take their time making an appointment with the new manager set to be given £25m to spend on new players. (Daily Star)
Watford are in prime position to sign 28-year-old Cagliari midfielder Daniele Dessena ahead of Serie A clubs Palermo and Atalanta. (Talksport)
Former Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic was offered a pay rise of just £1,000-a-week after guiding the Hornets into the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)
Burnley are expected to name former Liverpool chief scout Frank McParland as their new director of football. (Burnley Express)
Everton will allow promising young defenders Tyias Browning, 21, and Brendan Galloway, 19, to join Championship clubs on loan next season, with Cardiff and Bolton among their potential suitors. (Liverpool Echo)
QPR may bid £2.5m for 33-year-old Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert should top scorer Charlie Austin, 25, express a desire to leave Loftus Road. (London Evening Standard)
Best of social media
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero dropped in on the set of Will Smith's latest film Suicide Squad during the club's post-season visit to Toronto. Aguero even wore a top with the American actor's face on it and posted a picture on Twitter with the message: "With Will Smith. Thanks for being so cool, pal. Nice talking to you!'
AFC Wimbledon forward Adebayo Akinfenwa could not hide his delight at bumping into former Brazil striker Ronaldo while on holiday in Las Vegas. Akinfenwa, who goes by the nickname 'The Beast' posted on Instagram: "I was a bit gassed meeting him. The Real Ronaldo and to me one of the best strikers to have graced the game."
Everton defender Phil Jagielka has flown out to Spain for a game of golf with Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale. Jagielka posted a picture on Instagram of the pair in Marbella, adding: "Great day on the course, managed to seal the win on the last."
Joey Barton reflected on his time at QPR after the club announced he would be released when his contract expires next month. "I was devastated we went down but can hold my head high knowing I gave 100% every time I pulled on the blue and white hoops," he tweeted.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane's appears to have enjoyed the first leg of the club's post-season tour of Malaysia and is looking forward to the second part in Australia. The England international posted a picture on Instgram of himself, Ryan Mason and DeAndre Yedlin on a flight with the message: "Had a great time in Malaysia with all the fans! Sydney here we come!"
And finally
The ghostwriter of Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic's autobiography has revealed none of the quotes in the book actually came from the Paris St-Germain striker himself. (Daily Telegraph)
Tottenham's coaching staff showed on their post-season tour of Malaysia they are just as skilful as the club's players. Manager Mauricio Pochettino made the crossbar challenge look easy while goalkeeping coach Tony Jimenez pulled off one Rene Higuita's famous 'scorpion' kicks. (Tribal Football)
A 'psychic' penguin from the National Sea Life centre in Birmingham has predicted that Aston Villa will beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley. (Independent)
Guardian Rumour Mill
Paul Doyle
Inspired by Fifa’s Walter de Gregorio, the Mill would like to begin this morning by making it abundantly that all those allegations about the Mill being a whiskey-soaked idler that passes hearsay and brazen invention off as solid journalism are very good for the Mill. Indeed, the Mill initiated the investigation into its own ethical standards when it told the barman at Ye Olde Gag to leave no bottle un-upturned in the quest for the truth. The Mill is committed to restoring its credibility, and if you believe that, our job will be a sinch.
Now then, who wants to know what Raheem Sterling is up to today? Tearing down war memorials or pushing prams on to busy roads, some would probably tell you, as they continue to vilify a young man for daring to seek a move to an employer that offers better prospects of fulfilment and a bigger salary. But your trusty Mill won’t be going down that route, no siree.
We’re just going to tell you that the sainted Kop Idol Rafa Benitez, of all people, is plotting to help spring Sterling from Anfield. The soon-to-be Real Madrid boss reckons the 20-year-old is soon to be a Madrid player. Manchester City are trying to rumble that scheme but they’ll have to turn the clock back to Weimar Germany by offering several wheelbarrows full of cash rather than a trolley full of unwanted players, because Liverpool don’t want the likes of Stevan Jovetic or Jesus Navas either.
But what Liverpool want could change soon. With Benitez set to take up residence at the Bernebeu, Liverpool could instead hire the manager on the other end of the Miracle in Istanbul, amid reports that Carlo Ancelotti would welcome an approach from the club in the event of Brendan Rodgers being jilted. Danny Ings would welcome an approach from Liverpool too, so much so that the striker is set to give Tottenham Hotspur the cold shoulder.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are offering Ángel Di María a warm embrace but in order to be allowed consummate their relationship they’ll have to cross Manchester United’s palms with so much silver that a plague of magpies will soon descend on Old Trafford.
Internazionale continue to eye up Yaya Touré and are trying to coax Manchester City into selling him by horning in on the City target Geoffrey Kondogbia of Monaco. City want to rekindle the relationship that spurred France to U-20 World Cup glory a few years back by pairing Kondogbia with Paul Pogba. Barcelona, meanwhile, are preparing to plunder France for no fewer than four of the players who won the U-17 European Championships, namely Jeff Reine (Lens), Timothé Cognat (Lyon) and Naitamo Ikone and Odsonne Edouard (PSG).
Staying in France...is precisely what Marcelo Bielsa intends to do, as he and Marseille patch up their differences, for a while, meaning West Ham need to look elsewhere for a manager. Brentford, for their part, are looking in Rotterdam and like what they see: so Excelsior’s Marinus Dijkhuizen could be enthroned at Griffin Park soon.
Queens Park Rangers have learned their lesson and you won’t catch them splurging fortunes on has-beens any more. They are poised to bid for Liverpool’s Rickie Lambert if Charlie Austin jumps ship. Watford are closing in on Cagliari midfielder Daniele Dessena.
C&H
Board split on Bielsa
West Ham may have just 72 hours to make a decision on whether Marcelo Bielsa will become their next boss.
David Sullivan is a supporter of the Marseilles manager who led the club into fourth place in the French Ligue 1 this season and is widely admired around the world.
The French outfit are keen to keep him and are expected to offer him a new deal over the next three days although, ideally, Bielsa wants to manage in the Premier League at West Ham.
However, the co chairman needs to persuade David Gold and Karren Brady he is the right man as currently they don’t share his level of enthusiasm for the 59 year Argentinian.
It is well known that his lack of English is a problem but he has given assurances he will learn the language in four months.
However, he is also seen as a maverick by many who has a tendency to insist things are done his way and that may be influencing opinion.
We were told: “David Sullivan likes him because the man has not failed wherever he’s been and at a personal level he also gets along with extroverts.”
However, the board will want to be unanimous in their decision and much may now depend on how long Bielsa is ready to wait for them.
London24
Decision time for Marcelo Bielsa as Marseille attempt to block West Ham move
Brad Pinard
Marseille have offered manager Marcelo Bielsa a bumper new two-year deal to prevent the experienced boss jumping ship this summer.
The former Athletic Bilbao and Chile boss is one of the favourites for the West Ham job to replace Sam Allardyce and his situation is being hawked by the Hammers owners.
Bielsa hinted last week that he could leave the French side after finishing fourth in Ligue 1 behind big spending trio PSG, Lyon and Monaco. The Europa League beckons for Bielsa and Marseille now, but West Ham can also offer European football to go with their big budget and move to the Olympic Stadium.
A decision over his future will have to be made soon as West Ham will not hang about in their hunt for a new boss, with just over 30 days until their first competitive game of next season in the Europa League first qualifying round.
Having already missed out on ambitious targets Rafa Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti, David’s Gold and Sullivan will be desperate not to let Bielsa go the same way.
Latest West Ham manager odds on SkyBet:
Slaven Bilic 1/2
Marcelo Bielsa 3/1
Roberto Di Matteo 11/2
David Moyes 6/1
Unai Emery 10/1
Read more at: http://www.london24.com/sport/football/clubs/west-ham/decision_time_for_marcelo_bielsa_as_marseille_attempt_to_block_west_ham_move_1_4090321
Copyright © LONDON24
French Football
Timothée Kolodziejczak was so close to a West Ham move last summer
In a press conference yesterday, OGC Nice manager Jean Pierre Rivère confirmed that last summer he reached an agreement with an English side to sell Timothée Kolodziejczak worth €8m.
That English side is firmly believed to have been West Ham, but according to the President: “the player and his agent then tried everything to scupper the deal”. In the end Timothée Kolodziejczak joined Sevilla where he has just won the Europa League. Nice only received about €4m for him from the Spanish side, Timothée Kolodziejczak initially wanted to join a Ligue 1 side for €2m.
HITC
Report: Arsenal make decision over West Ham bid to sign Carl Jenkinson
Arsenal plan to loan Carl Jenkinson out to West Ham again next season.
Dan Coombs
Arsenal have made a decision regarding the future of right-back Carl Jenkinson, report The Telegraph.
Jenkinson has been on loan at West Ham United for the past season, who the paper report are keen to sign him on a permanent deal.
Arsenal are said to have decided not to sell the England under-21 international, but instead are willing to sanction a second successive year on loan.
The Hammers are still mulling the option over, and it is possible they do not act either way until they appoint a new boss. With their Europa League campaign set to start in just over a month however, they could be prompted to act quickly.
For Arsenal the decision makes sense. Jenkinson is clearly talented, already earning a senior England cap and is a boyhood Gunners fan. With conceivably over a decade ahead of him at the top level, letting him go could prove to be a big mistake.
They are well set at right-back with Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin, and Mathieu Debuchy.
Debuchy was bought as a short-term option, and if injuries ruin his second season at the club or fails to dislodge Bellerin, Jenkinson could return and Arsenal move the Frenchman on.
Arsenal must also bear in mind Bellerin's capacity to one day return to Barcelona; and if they fail to avoid that situation and have let Jenkinson go, questions would be asked.
West Ham must now make a decision whether to look for a more long-term option, or simply take Jenkinson for another year and hope down the line Arsenal can be persuaded differently in a year's time.
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