De Bruyne, Zidane, Sterling, Pedro & Davies: The Essential Transfer Round Up – Friday, March 1st

De Bruyne prefers MLS over Saudi

Although Kevin De Bruyne might have his sights firmly set on making more history with Manchester City this season, it has been suggested that the 32-year-old is already planning for his future away from the Etihad.

Continuing to shine since returning from a long-term hamstring injury at the start of the year, the one-time Chelsea starlet sees his current deal with the defending Premier League champions expire in the summer of 2025.

Watching the likes of Ilkay Gundogan leave at the end of last season, it has been heavily speculated that the Sky Blues are cautious about giving long-term deals to players above the age of 30.

Although it might have been reported over the past few months that several Saudi Arabian clubs are monitoring De Bruyne’s situation at the Etihad, it appears that the Belgium icon isn’t interested in a bank-breaking move to the Middle East.

After watching the likes of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi complete his famous move to Inter Miami last year, it has been suggested that the 99-cap international is much more open to a move to the United States.

Kevin de Bruyne would favour a move to the MLS over the Saudi Pro League when his Man City contract expires, report @TheAthleticFC 🇺🇸✈️ pic.twitter.com/EzJ4jmltGd

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) February 28, 2024

United want Zidane to replace ETH

While Manchester United might have turned a real corner since opening up the New Year, it is no secret that Erik ten Hag still has a huge amount of scrutiny over his long-term future at Old Trafford.

Crashing out of the Champions League back in December and breaking a string of unwanted European records, the former Ajax boss also has some vocal critics around the red half of Manchester.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe already confirming that he intends to complete a “majority takeover” of the Premier League giants, it has also been reported that the British billionaire is looking for a new boss to take charge at the end of the season.

Although the Red Devils might know that it would not be an easy deal to complete, it has been suggested that United’s new hierarchy have placed Zinedine Zidane at the top of their wishlist to replace ten Hag over the summer.

The French icon has not taken up a new managerial adventure after leaving Real Madrid for a second time back in May 2021. During his two stints in the Spanish capital, Zidane guided Los Blancos to 11 major trophies.

🚨EXCL: 🔴🇫🇷 #PL |

✔️ Zinedine Zidane is the manager dreamed by INEOS and Jim Ratcliffe

✅️ Not an easy deal for Manchester United who consider some alternatives if the plan falls through.

W @sebnondahttps://t.co/MNtkVFNhwd pic.twitter.com/QP6gqUQ1Cb

— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) February 27, 2024

Sterling denies Al-Hilal links

With continued speculation over Chelsea’s potential breaches of FPL regulations, it has been heavily speculated that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are looking to get a number of their first-team stars out of west London this summer.

However, although there are reports that the Premier League giants need to make £100million, one of Chelsea’s attacking stars has played down speculation over a potential blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia.

While Raheem Sterling might have arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £50million, the England international has struggled to find any kind of stability in the capital.

Notching just a single Premier League strike since the end of November and coming under increasing scrutiny, it had been suggested that Middle Eastern giants Al-Hilal were eyeing a potential big-money swoop.

Nevertheless, with his spot in Gareth Southgate’s EURO 24 squad potentially hanging in the balance, Sterling has reportedly denied any communication and is solely focused on his long-term future with Chelsea.

Intermediaries close to Raheem Sterling deny any engagement with Al-Hilal. Sterling is fully committed to #CFC and not looking for a summer move. He has held no talks with Saudi dealmakers to date.🔵🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/QZ1AWTowb3

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) February 28, 2024

Barca monitoring Pedro

Although Barcelona might still be dealing with some public issues behind the scenes in Catalonia, it has been suggested that the Spanish icons are looking to add some attacking reinforcements this summer.

With it confirmed last month that Xavi will be leaving the Nou Camp at the end of the season, there has been suggestions that Barca are planning a real overhaul ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

While Joao Pedro might have missed each of Brighton’s last four appearances after dealing with a recent muscle injury, the 22-year-old has continued to receive a string of plaudits since arriving at the Amex.

Already living up to the club record fee of £30million that Brighton paid back in May, the former Watford starlet has bagged eight Premier League goals and is attracting some heavyweight European interest.

Earning a first senior call-up to Brazil’s international squad last year, it has been reported this week that Barcelona have identified Pedro as one of their key attacking options ahead of the summer transfer window.

🚨 Barcelona has enquired about the potential signing of João Pedro from Brighton! 🇧🇷

(Source: @gerardromero) pic.twitter.com/sWvRHpnECO

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 28, 2024

Madrid agree Davies deal

While Kylian Mbappe’s potential blockbuster move to Real Madrid might have continued to steal most of the headlines, it appears that Los Blancos are set to snap up another European superstar.

Although German giants Bayern Munich might have made it clear that they want to get defensive talisman Alphonso Davies signed down to a new long-term deal at the Allianz, it has been reported that the 23-year-old has already agreed to a move to the Bernabeu.

Despite dealing with a recent knee injury, it has been suggested that the Canadian international has informed Bayern of his decision and would be keen on pushing through a summer switch to Madrid.

Soon to enter the final 12 months of his current deal with the defending Bundesliga champions, it has been reported that Munich would be looking for some sort of fee in order to avoid letting Davies leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2025.

Since arriving at the Allianz five years ago, the 44-cap international has claimed 12 major pieces of silverware including Bayern’s Champions League success back in 2020.

Real Madrid and Alphonso Davies have reached a verbal agreement for the Bayern Munich left-back to join in 2024 or 2025, reports The Athletic 🤝 pic.twitter.com/fKi8VEqzjv

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 26, 2024