The jostling to get big deals lined up has intensified as the season's end draws nearer ahead of what will likely be another busy - and expensive - summer transfer window.
Will Kylian Mbappe stay in Paris or move to Madrid? The papers say one thing, but his mother says another. Will Leeds’ star man Raphinha be tempted by a big-money move to Spain? How will David Moyes and West Ham keep their forward momentum after European heartbreak? And who will Newcastle be spending their millions on this summer?
All those questions are addressed in our European transfer transfer news round-up today...
Mbappe to bank massive “fee” for staying at PSG?
The saga over Kylian Mbappe’s next move has heated up. The PSG superstar is out of contract in the summer and assumed to be heading for Real Madrid. Le Parisien claimed that Mbappe was close to agreeing a new two-year deal with PSG - a deal which would save his transfer value.
Mbappe is reportedly in line for a €100m (£85.5m) signing-on bonus, effectively his own transfer fee - plus a £42.7m-a-year salary. Tempting. But Marca has an interview with his mother Fayza Lamari - a departure from the usual hints from agents and friends - and claims she told them: “The No1 option is Real Madrid." She said: “Talks around Kylian’s future are proceeding in an atmosphere of great serenity to enable him to make the right choice, respecting all parties.”
Deal or no deal? Call in Noel Edmonds.
Kylian Mbappe could snub Real Madrid to stay with PSG ( Image: John Berry/Getty Images)
Have Your Say! Who will Mbappe be playing for next season? Join the debate here.
Leed’s Raphinha wanted by Barca
Marca are calling it “Operation Raphinha”. Barcelona have made the Leeds star man one of their summer targets, saying Xavi Hernandez and the club’s management have given the go-ahead. They even claim contact has been made with the Raphinha camp.
In a move that may panic Leeds fans, the terms of a potential contract and wages have already reportedly been agreed. However Marca says there are two blocks to the deal so far: no transfer fee has been agreed - a fairly big block. A £42m fee is mooted... dropping to £21m if Leeds drop to the Championship. The second block is that Leeds are in the middle of a relegation fight and won’t even talk - plus Barca are unsure Ousmane Dembele has not yet ruled out staying at the Nou Camp.