Arsenal are plotting a spectacular move for Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, with the Mirror claiming that the Gunners will have to pay £50 million for the Colombian. The former Monaco and Porto attacking midfielder wants to play first-team football in the build-up to Russia 2018, after he failed to make the bench for the Champions League final vs. Juventus. Liverpool and Manchester United are also mentioned as potential options for the 25-year-old, who will weigh his options after Colombia’s friendly against Cameroon on Tuesday.
While Arsene Wenger could add James, the Express believes he could lose Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as Liverpool are prepared to pay £40 million for the England international. The 23-year-old has just one year left on his contract and scored for England in the 2-2 draw against Scotland on Saturday. The Gunners hope to keep him at the Emirates for the long term, though, with an offer of a £100,000-per-week deal.
Everton are close to making their first signing of the summer, with the Mirror revealing that Ronald Koeman will capture Ajax captain Davy Klaassen for £20 million. The 24-year-old’s arrival could put further doubt on Ross Barkley’s future after stalling on a new contract. Koeman has recently heaped praise on Klaassen, hinting that he believes that he would be able to make the step up to the Premier League. “It is difficult for a lot of technical and skillful players because the demands in England are so big,” Koeman said. “But Davy Klaassen has made very big steps.”
Arsenal are close to signing CSKA star Aleksandr Golovin, with the Russian outlet sport.ru (via the Mirror) quoting a price of £10 million. Chelsea were also thought to be interested, and the Gunners could send the 21-year-old back to the Russian capital for a season-long loan as part of the deal, which would provide him Champions League football, unlike a season at the Emirates. The centre-midfielder scored three goals and assisted four more as CSKA finished runners-up in the league to Spartak Moscow.
Americans woke up to a report from Marca that Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a move to the LA Galaxy ready to go in 2018, but ESPN FC’s Jeff Carlisle reported that it is far from set in stone. Sources told ESPN FC in March that the Galaxy had made an offer for the striker, who is now a free agent, but it seems their plans have changed. But if Ibra has his heart set on Southern California, there’s about to be another MLS team in the area, with Los Angeles FC set to start play next season. Time will tell if LAFC are more open to Zlatan’s services after his recovery from knee surgery.
