The Daily Transfer Round Up – Friday, June 9

A new day, and with it come fresh transfer rumours, and some updates on some that you’ve probably heard before. As always, make sure you come back to this page a few times during the day, as it’s being frequently updated with newest developments.

Let’s dive into it.

James Maddison race intensifies

James Maddison has been linked with departure from Leicester City for a very long time. Following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder is indeed likely to leave the King Power Stadium this summer, and with his contract about to enter its final year, the Foxes are surely open to offers.

Recent reports suggested the race for Maddison would come down to a fight between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle, and according to multiple sources, the two clubs are stepping up their plans to sign him.

Newcastle already tried to do so last summer but they were forced to put their interest on hold as Leicester turned down their offer of between £40-45m. The Magpies are still determined not to go above that, while the Foxes want more than £50m, strongly stating that the relegation wouldn’t force them into a cut-price sale.

Meanwhile, Spurs are weighing up their options. Maddison was a long-term target for the club when Fabio Paratici was in charge of the transfer activities and the change that has happened since won’t have altered their intentions regarding this particular player.

Looking at it from a neutral point of view, Newcastle appear a far more attractive option at the moment, being set to play in the Champions League next season, whereas Spurs failed to qualify for Europe altogether.

Chelsea to target Lautaro Martinez and Moises Caicedo

According to The Times, newly appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea to sign Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez and Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Chelsea struggled greatly to score goals throughout 2022/23, ending up with a tally of just 38, or one per match. They have a host of attacking options already, but it’s painfully obvious that they lack a reliable striker, a classic No.9. With the future of Romelu Lukaku, currently on loan at Inter, uncertain at this point, Pochettino believes his teammate Lautaro is the right solution for the team’s attacking problems.

It should, however, be said that Chelsea expect Real Madrid to give them a race for the 25-year-old Argentina international, particularly if no agreement is found between them on a proposed transfer of Kai Havertz from Stamford Bridge to the Santiago Bernabeu. Real are in need of a striker too, with Karim Benzema no longer at the club.

Chelsea pursued the Colombian midfielder in January, but were told by Brighton he wasn’t for sale in the middle of the season. Many believed the Blues would give up after spending €120 million to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, but it seems Pochettino is keen to have the Colombian in his ranks, with Mateo Kovacic reportedly set to join Manchester City.

Werder Bremen agree Naby Keita transfer

Werder Bremen have reached an agreement with Naby Keita, who is now set to join their ranks as a free agent when his contract with Liverpool expires at the end of the month. The Guinean midfielder will thus return to Germany, having joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2018.

Es ist wirklich wahr: Der SV Werder verpflichtet Naby #Keïta. ✍️

Der 28-jährige Mittelfeldspieler wechselt ablösefrei vom @LFC an die Weser 👉 https://t.co/c1yZU1bIx9

Herzlich Willkommen, Naby! 💚#Werder pic.twitter.com/QDKQOKq4Kh

— SV Werder Bremen (@werderbremen) June 9, 2023

The 28-year-old leaves Anfield heavily decorated, though his contribution to Liverpool’s successes in the last five years was nowhere as significant as his €60 million price tag announced. A fine player indeed, but his time on Merseyside has mostly been riddled with injuries, knocks and set backs. He made just five starts in all competitions in 2022/23, and the club decided not to offer him a new deal.

West Ham boss David Moyes set for chairman Sullivan talks

Following West Ham’s Europa Conference League triumph, manager David Moyes is set to meet with chairman David Sullivan to discuss his own future at the club, according to Sky Sports. The Scotsman has become a real hero for the Hammers, and though there has been some hint about a possible sacking earlier in the season due to an underwhelming Premier League campaign, the success achieved in Europe has obviously made up for it.

Moyes’ current contract with West Ham is about to enter its final year, but Sullivan appears keen to extend his employment at the London Stadium. The meeting will also be an opportunity for the two to mull over the plans for the summer transfer window and devise a list of possible replacements for Declan Rice, who seems set to leave.

Sevilla trigger Bade clause

Sevilla have confirmed triggering the option to turn the loan of Rennes defender Loic Bade into a permanent transfer for €12 million. The 23-year-old has now signed a four-year contract with the Europa League winners, having played a great role in their seventh triumph in the competition.

This development comes as no surprise at this point. As he celebrated the final win over AS Roma, Bade himself was filmed asking sporting director Monchi to get it done, and was openly told the deal was done.