Chelsea face Olise battle, Branthwaite set for Man Utd: Friday's top transfer rumours

 

Chelsea face plenty of competition in the race to land Michael Olise while Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Jarrad Branthwaite. Here we run through Friday's top transfer rumours. 

 

Chelsea face competition in Olise race 

 

Chelsea will face competition in the race to sign Michael Olise after it was revealed that both Manchester United and Bayern Munich contacted Crystal Palace about the Frenchman, reports the Athletic. 

 

Olise is expected to leave the Eagles in the off season with a number of teams pushing to secure his services. 

 

Chelsea were the favourites to land the 22-year-old but won't have a straight shot at the winger with both United and Bayern monitoring Olise. 

 

Newcastle eye up Chelsea winger 

 

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle this summer, reports i Sport. 

 

With the Blues keen on Michael Olise, Madueke is one who is available for transfer as the west London side look to free up funds. 

 

Madueke, who joined 18 months ago from PSV, has struggled to nail down a regular spot at Stamford Bridge in part due to injuries. 

 

Saudi side plot audacious move for Liverpool captain 

 

Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr are weighing up an audacious move for Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk and are prepared to make the Dutchman the highest paid defender in the world, reports Marca.  

 

Van Dijk was key for Liverpool last season as they claimed the Carabao Cup and secured a top-three finish. 

 

The 32-year-old was the best rated centre-back in Europe's top five leagues last season and will be key for the Oranje at Euro 2024. 

 

Man Utd agree personal terms for Everton defender 

 

Manchester United have agreed personal terms with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they look to bring in a new centre-back this month, reports the Times. 

 

Branthwaite is high on United's wishlist this summer as they seek a squad overhaul and they quickly made their move to land the English defender. 

 

 

United now need to agree a fee with Everton for the young centre-back, with the Toffees demanding £70m for the 21-year-old. 

 

Bayern defender on Man Utd's radar 

 

Jarrad Branthwaite isn't the only centre-back that could arrive at Old Trafford this summer with Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt on the club's radar, reports Sky Sports Germany. 

 

United boss Erik ten Hag worked with De Ligt during their time together at Ajax with the Dutchman rumoured to be available this summer. 

 

Bayern are eyeing up centre-backs in the off-season, with Joe Gomez and Levi Colwill both linked with a move to the German side. 

 

Tottenham, Villa and West Ham to battle for Roma forward 

 

Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham are interested in signing Tammy Abraham from Roma this summer, according to the Telegraph. 

 

Injury issues meant the 26-year-old started just two league matches for Roma last season and the Italian side are prepared to listen to offers for the out-of-favour forward. 

 

The Premier League trio are in the market for a striker this summer and could make a move for Abraham to boost their respective homegrown quotas. 

 

Man Utd eye up new striker 

 

Manchester United have been linked with moves for Ivan Toney and Jonathan David of Brentford and Lille, respectively, this summer as they look to sign a new striker, reports the Independent. 

 

Brentford are resigned to losing Toney with the 28-year-old keen to ply his trade for a European side. 

 

David, meanwhile, ended the campaign strongly for French giants Lille and the Canada international is once again on United's shortlist. 

 

Chelsea need to spend big to sign Villa forward 

 

Aston Villa are demanding £40m for striker Jhon Duran with Chelsea looking to sign the Colombia international this summer, reports the Times. 

 

Duran was linked with a move to the Blues in January, but a hamstring issue ended any chances of a switch at the turn of the year. 

 

 

Chelsea, though, remain keen on Duran but they'll need to fork out £40m to sign the 20-year-old, who scored as many goals as he was booked (5) in the Premier League last season. 

 

Mourinho wants reunion with Danish midfielder 

 

New Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho is keen on reuniting with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, reports Turkish publication Takvim. 

 

Hojbjerg is expected to leave Tottenham after Euro 2024 with the Dane failing to nail down a starting spot under Ange Postecoglou. 

 

Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a move for Hojbjerg, who was close to a move to Spain last summer only for a £15m deal to fall through. 

 

Arsenal suffer setback in striker pursuit 

 

Arsenal have suffered a setback in their push to sign striker Viktor Gyokeres from Portuguese champions Sporting CP, reports the Sun. 

 

The Gunners are expected to sign a striker this summer, though missed out on Benjamin Sesko after he penned a new deal with RB Leipzig. 

 

Swedish striker Gyokeres, who enjoyed a superb debut campaign in Portugal, is another target for Arsenal, but Sporting's valuation of the forward is more than the north London side would be willing to pay. 

 

De Zerbi set to return to management 

 

Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is set for a return to football management with the Italian set to take over at Marseille, according to Fabrizio Romano. 

 

De Zerbi left his post at the AMEX last month and has been linked with a quick return to management. 

 

AC Milan and Juventus were rumoured destinations for De Zerbi but he's now set to take over at French side Marseille. 

 

Real Madrid to follow up Mbappe signing with Bayern star 

 

Real Madrid are expected to make a move for Alphonso Davies this summer having wrapped up the signing of Kylian Mbappe, reports ESPN. 

 

Davies has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu with Real Madrid in the market for a new left-back. 

 

The Canada international has a year left to run on his current Bayern deal and Real Madrid are weighing up the possibility of splashing the cash to bring Davies to Spain this summer. 

 

Liverpool and Man Utd battling for teenage centre-back 

 

Premier League pair Liverpool and Manchester United are both pursuing teenage centre-back Leny Yoro, with the 18-year-old also on Real Madrid's radar, reports the Athletic. 

 

Yoro is considered one of the most promising centre-backs on the continent and Lille are resigned to losing the Frenchman this summer.

 

Liverpool and United are monitoring Yoro but are aware of interest from Real Madrid, who are seeking to land a new centre-back in the off season.

Chelsea face Olise battle, Branthwaite set for Man Utd: Friday's top transfer rumours