Man Utd want them both
Paper Round’s view: A penny for Donny van de Beek’s thoughts, but in truth the De Jong transfer could be a non-starter. “You’re always flattered when teams show interest in you, but I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment & I feel fine there… so no news,” he said on Tuesday night.
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Man City look to raise funds
Paper Round’s view: There will have to be a revolving door at City this summer, and that is no bad thing with a refresh always needed even where you are out in front. Haaland alone boosts their Champions League prospects, but a few more shrewd deals would certainly not go amiss.
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Kounde prefers Barca
Despite interest from Newcastle and Chelsea in England, Mundo Deportivo reports Jules Kounde would prefer a move to Barcelona. The Sevilla defender has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea targeting the centre-back last summer, but it appears the Frenchman would rather remain in Spain and join Xavi at Barca.
Paper Round’s view: Kounde was sounded out as a possible replacement for Gerard Pique, who is reportedly no longer wanted by Xavi, and it would be quite the coup if Barca can sign the defender – mainly because the money they could offer is unlikely to match both Chelsea and Newcastle, in terms of fee and contract. So let’s see how this one plays out.
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Raphinha to Barca?
Paper Round’s view: It’s very difficult to follow. Barcelona are after Robert Lewandowski, would love Raphinha too, and – as we’ve seen above – Kounde, and yet a year ago they were more than £1bn in debt and were hamstrung into watching Lionel Messi leave. Make this make sense, someone?
Source: Euro Sports