Football transfer rumours: Real Madrid to pip Chelsea for Sterling?

Manchester United boss Richard Arnold [subs please check] is, as has been previously reported in the Rumour Mill, on the verge of making Ajax defender Lisandro Martínez his first signing. But he also wants the Brazilian winger Antony, and Ajax will only sanction the sale of one or the other, so it’s time to choose. Expect both, or neither, or one of them to turn up at Old Trafford soon, according to your own particular levels of pessimism.

Newcastle are going to start throwing their weight around in the market sooner or later. Reims striker Hugo Ekitike is primed to be their first summer signing, though Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich may have something to say about that.

Newcastlehave also been offered the chance to purchase Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, and presumably Anthony Martial too, on account of reports which suggest the Old Trafford club are extremely desirous to sell, but can’t whip up any interest in, the French striker.

The Toon are more taken with the idea of Napoli midfielder Fabián Ruiz. Arsenal have designs on the Spain international as well, but are currently busy lowballing Leeds for Raphinha, and dragging out negotiations for Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus that may leave the door open for Spurs to gazump them.

Real Madrid are preparing to nix Chelsea’s bid to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. Chelsea may be forced to reconsider Barcelona’s soon-to-be-free Ousmane Dembélé, though the aforementioned duo of PSG and Bayern could diddle that one as well.

Chelsea are also interested in Lens defender Jonathan Clauss, and it’s going to be an interesting summer as the post-Roman years take shape. Their big signings in the summer of 2002 were Filipe Oliveira and Quique de