Gossip: Sanchez, Walker, Soler, Perisic, Kessie

Ian Watson

BAYERN WATCH SANCHEZ AND WALKER
Daniel Storey wasn’t the only one enjoying a pleasant weekend in the Wembley sunshine. According to various reports, Bayern Munich technical director Michael Reschke was in attendance at both semi-finals to watch a couple of north London’s finest.

The Sun and The Mirror both rehash a Kicker report claiming Bayern were at the FA Cup semi-finals to watch Kyle Walker and Alexis Sanchez.

News of Bayern’s interest in Walker comes just after the Spurs right-back reportedly sought a meeting with Mauricio Pochettino to discuss the future. Walker signed a new £70,000-a-week contract only last September but, according to the Evening Standard, he ‘is keenly aware of his value and knows that a move would bring a substantial pay rise’. Man Utd and City have both been credited with an interest, while Bayern are now also said to have identified the 26-year-old as a potential target.

The Bundesliga giants are also reported to have made Alexis Sanchez a priority for the summer. The only thing certain at Arsenal this summer is that big hitters from all over Europe will be sniffing around the Chilean, who has only a year left on his contract. Joining Bayern in the queue are said to be PSG and Juventus, with Chelsea also interested, but the Blues accept Arsenal won’t sell to them and are banking on the 28-year-old running down his contract and leaving for free in 2018.

 

SOLER ON UNITED’S RADAR
Man Utd are supposedly lining up a £25million deal for Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler, according to the Daily Star.

The Spain youth international only made his senior debut in December, since when he has scored three goals in 18 appearances for Valencia.

The paper says Jose Mourinho was first alerted to Soler by agent Jorge Mendes, though with interest mounting in the 20-year-old, Valencia are reportedly trying to negotiate a new deal and raise his current buy-out clause.

Watch this space for news of Soler signing a bumper new deal at the Mestella.

 

CHELSEA EYE SERIE A DUO
Another midfielder United were said to be interested in is Ivan Perisic, but reports in Italy claim Chelsea are keen to outbid the Red Devils for the Inter Milan star.

Perisic, who seems to get more expensive with each update, looks set to be available this summer, with the Blues willing to pay £55million, according to Corriere della Sera.

Inter are said to be willing to sell the 28-year-old if they receive such an offer. At that price, they would be daft not to…

The same outlet also suggests Chelsea will make a last-ditch attempt to sign Frank Kessie, despite the Atalanta midfielder supposedly having agreed to join Roma.

AND THE REST
Zlatan Ibrahimovic accepts his Manchester United career is over and is targeting a return to action in Major League Soccer…Manchester United and their top target Antoine Griezmann have already come to an agreement, claims an agent…Bournemouth are willing to pay Chelsea a combined £25m this summer for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and defender Nathan Ake…Norwich City are ready to pounce for Garry Monk if Leeds United fail to gain promotion to the Premier League…Newcastle United are showing interest in Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez…Jack Wilshere could be open to a mega-money move to China this summer.

 

Tony Pulis is ramping up his summer transfer plans at West Brom after making a scouting mission to check on Sporting Lisbon’s £25m-rated William Carvalho…The Premier League is scrutinising Manchester City’s signing of an academy footballer as young as 11-years-old…Daniel Sturridge may have played his last game for Liverpool because of injury…Manchester United’s hopes of luring Kylian Mbappe away from Monaco took a setback after the club’s vice-president insisted the player has no desire to leave the Principality…Inter Milan want either Antonio Conte or Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone and will offer a five-year deal worth £46m. They have given both candidates 20 days to decide…Serge Aurier will be a Manchester City transfer target in the summer…Brighton are interested in Arsenal winger Joel Campbell, who is currently on loan at Sporting Lisbon.