In the final Playing for 90 transfer gossip column of the week co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you all the latest Premier League transfer news and gossip, plus some news from abroad.
Southampton Reject Clyne Bid:
BBC Sport report that Liverpool have had a £10m bid for England right-back Nathaniel Clyne rejected by Southampton. Clyne, 24, has become a target for the Reds with full-back Glen Johnson, 30, at the end of his Anfield contract.
They are expected to return with an improved offer for the former Crystal Palace player, who has one year left on his contract at St Mary’s.
Liverpool are also pursuing Burnley striker Danny Ings and Manchester City midfielder James Milner.
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Arsenal Set Sights on Martinez:
The Daily Express report that Arsenal are se to bid for Porto’s Jackson Martinez. The prolific Colombian is hot property this transfer window and would cost £24.7m. Arsenal have already been in talks with Porto over Martinez, but Liverpool are also interested in a player who scored 21 goals this season.
Porto president Nuno Pinto da Costa said: “He’s a player we want to keep, but we cannot stop someone paying the clause.
“Jackson went on vacation and so when he returns we will try to renew his deal just like last year.”
Man City Offer Milner Bumper Deal:
Amidst speculation James Milner is set to sign for Liverpool when his contract runs out later this month the Manchester Evening News report that the Blues are set to offer the versatile midfielder a £160,000 per-week contract.
The club’s hierarchy believe the England international can still be persuaded to sign a new contract, despite interest from Liverpool and Arsenal. Milner’s current deal expires at end of June, with the 29-year-old so far resisting City’s efforts to get him to commit his future to the Etihad. Yet City do not accept that his departure this summer is a forgone conclusion.
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Manuel Pellegrini has maintained his determination to include Milner in his plans to reclaim the Premier League title next season. And while City accept the uncertainty cannot be allowed to rumble on into what is a pivotal summer, Pellegrini is willing to wait for Milner to assess all of his options. “James is in charge to say when he will make his decision,” said the Chilean. “That is when he finishes his contract with our club, which is the end of June.”
Hodgson Admits He May Quit after 2016:
England manager Roy Hodgson has vowed not to overstay his welcome as England coach if public opinion turns against him at Euro 2016.
Hodgson’s contract expires after the tournament and he admitted yesterday his position with the national team may not be his last job in football. But he highlighted how predecessors Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello were both treated with indifference in the last throes of their reigns and said he did not want the same to happen to him.
“If you could promise me my life would be as great as it is at the moment for the next three years, of course I would be delighted to carry on. But I am a football realist,” said Hodgson.
“I know what football does and can do. And I also know what overstaying your welcome can do and I would really not want to do that.