The latest transfer news and speculation from around European football, including Real Madrid’s continued interest in David de Gea.
Real Madrid
Despite a lengthy transfer ban hanging overhead, Real Madrid remain determined to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, that is according to The Independent.
Fifa imposed a ban that lasts for two transfer windows on Madrid after finding the club guilty of breaching rules in the transfers of junior players.
Following the ban, the Madrid board reportedly met to discuss the impact on signing players, and having concluded that the club was confident in getting the ban overturned, the decision was made to remain on course with their current transfer plans.
Key to those plans is De Gea, who Madrid only failed to sign after an administrative error on deadline day of the summer window.
Following the collapsed move, Spain international De Gea, 25, signed a new five-year contract with United, although that is unlikely to deter Madrid.
The Primera Liga giants view De Gea as the only option as the club’s long-term No 1 and will make him a priority signing at the end of the season. That is, if the transfer ban is lifted.
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Chelsea
Premier League champions Chelsea have beaten Manchester United to the signing of Ajax teenager Juan Familia Castillo, according to the Daily Mail.
Castillo, 16, had reportedly been in talks with United for two months and was expected to sign for the club in January, although a late move by Chelsea has trumped their rivals for the midfielder.
The Daily Mail claims greater incentives offered by Chelsea, combined with "uncertainty over United's academy" played major parts in Castillo's move to the London club.
Neither Chelsea nor Ajax have confirmed the deal, although media reports expect an announcement imminently.
Manchester United
A big rumour regarding the managerial position at Manchester United has appeared in The Sun, as Jose Mourinho "expects" to take over from Louis van Gaal at the end of the season.
Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea last month after a staggering decline in form and results since winning the league title last season.
According to The Sun, Mourinho has already spoken to his staff to gauge who would be willing to join him at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese coach would be the preferred choice of plenty of United fans, while he is a close friend of legendary United manager Alex Ferguson.
However, the United board are eager to see van Gaal succeed and are willing to back the Dutchman despite a disappointing season that has seen the club eliminated from the Uefa Champions League group stages and slip out of the Premier League top four.
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Barcelona
Two Premier League players have become targets of Barcelona, according to reports in the Spanish media.
Scouts from the reigning Primera Liga and European champions have reportedly been sent to watch Everton defender John Stones and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
Barcelona are thought to be in the market for a new central defender and Stones, 21, has emerged as a leading target. A scout from the club was in the stands to watch Stones during Everton’s 3-3 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.
Meanwhile, reports claim Barcelona are confident of striking a deal with Arsenal for Ramsey, 25, and have made the Welsh midfielder a priority target in the summer.
Liverpool
In an attempt to bolster their attacking ranks, Liverpool are prepared to offer Leicester City £25 million (Dh130.9m) for striker Jamie Vardy, according to British media reports.
Vardy has enjoyed a remarkable season, setting a new Premier League record by scoring in 11 successive matches to top the goalscoring charts alongside Everton’s Romelu Lukaku with 15 goals.
The England international’s fine form has inevitably led to speculation regarding his future, with Manchester United and Tottenham previously linked with a move.
The latest club to be credited with an interest in Vardy is Liverpool. The report in the Daily Star credits a source that claims Vardy, due to his pace and work rate, would be the "right fit" for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp's high-intensity pressing game.
Should Liverpool indeed make their interest concrete with an offer, do not expect it to happen until the summer, with Leicester unwilling to entertain offers for their star striker midway through the season.
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