Ranking the Week's 20 Hottest Transfer Rumours with Bazoer, Sergio Ramos and Ibe
European action saw a bit of a dip in the transfer rumour mill earlier on in the week, but as soon as certain teams crashed out of the continental tournaments, there were plenty of suggestions they were ready to restructure or spend big over summer to compete next year.
We've gathered up all the biggest rumours of the week for you in one place, ordering them according to player reputation, possible transfer fee and the size of the buying club.
We've got a potential clear-out at Arsenal, Premier League clubs chasing Championship starlets and plenty of moves across Europe.
20. Bassala Sambou
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Everton are chasing young striker Bassala Sambou, according to the Liverpool Echo's Phil Kirkbride.
Currently with Coventry City, the 18-year-old has caught the eye of Premier League sides due to his goalscoring exploits in the youth leagues. He is out of contract this summer, with the Sky Blues due compensation if he moves on.
Newcastle United are also in the hunt for his signature.
19. Ryan Sessegnon
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Another name from the lower leagues who is being eyed by Premier League teams is Ryan Sessegnon.
The 15-year-old is currently at Fulham, but the Mirror's John Cross reported Arsenal tried to sign him for £3 million in January. They are now being rivalled by Liverpool in a race to secure a move this summer.
Sessegnon has been "compared to a young Gareth Bale" according to the report, and both teams are expected to bid over the summer.
18. Luis Hernandez
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All eyes will be on Leicester City this summer if they win the Premier League to see how they strengthen and spend big money due to being in the UEFA Champions League next term.
According to Marca (h/t Leicester Mercury), their first stop is a free-transfer signing of Luis Hernandez from Sporting Gijon, who are in a relegation battle in La Liga.
The centre-back has had an up-and-down season but is out of contract this summer, and Leicester are looking to him as cover for Robert Huth and Wes Morgan.
17. Michael Carrick
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Manchester United's veteran midfielder Michael Carrick is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to sign a new deal.
The Express' Paul Joyce reported Premier League suitors are ready to make a move for the England international on a free transfer.
West Ham United and Arsenal have also been interested in Carrick.
16. Naldo
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Manchester United are looking at Wolfsburg centre-back Naldo as an option to boost their defence, and the Brazilian is open to the idea of a move.
The Manchester Evening News' Alice McKeegan cited reports in Germany and a quote from the defender in Kicker (h/t CalcioMercato) that said Naldo is "honoured" by United's interest.
Naldo was part of the Wolfsburg team that narrowly lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
15. Moussa Dembele
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Plenty of clubs have been noted as interested in Fulham's young attacker Moussa Dembele, but his current club are hopeful of keeping him around.
Manager Slavisa Jokanovic said Fulham will do all they can to keep him one more year and convince the player that he would be well served waiting before moving to a Premier League club, per Get West London's Paul Warburton.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton are credited with the recent interest.
14. Kieran Gibbs
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Arsenal are ready to break up their homegrown contingent and find replacements for some this summer, according to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel.
Top of the exit list is left-back Kieran Gibbs, who is behind Nacho Monreal in the pecking order for a first-team berth and "most likely to leave," according to the report.
Leicester City's Ben Chilwell is thought to be a target to replace him.
13. Jordon Ibe
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A potential, but surprising, Liverpool exit this summer may come in the form of Jordon Ibe.
The youngster caused rumours of him leaving to surface during the week when he "removed all references to [Liverpool] from his Twitter profile," as reported by the Independent's Mark Critchley.
Ibe has fallen out of favour due to poor performances and a lack of impact in recent months, though there are no suggestions as yet as to who might be interested in signing him.
12. Mario Gomez
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Manchester United are to miss out on a key striker target this summer, according to the Daily Star's Jonathan Green.
Besiktas are confident of completing a permanent deal for their on-loan forward Mario Gomez, and board member Metin Albayrak has suggested the German attacker will be a Besiktas player for good before UEFA Euro 2016 gets underway.
He has netted 23 goals in all competitions this season.
11. Joe Allen
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Joe Allen to Sevilla.
Apparently.
That's a rumour from Spanish outlet Don Balon (h/t the Mirror's Liam Corless), who suggested the Andalucian side want to snare the Welshman, who has a year left on his current contract and is not a regular starter for Liverpool. Allen is seen as a replacement for the probably outgoing Ever Banega.
10. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
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Another homegrown midfielder who Arsenal may be selling this summer is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Mirror's John Cross reported he is the No. 1 target for Southampton, and the Saints will make him the highest-paid player at the club, along with being vice-captain, in an effort to bring him to St Mary's—where Oxlade-Chamberlain used to play before joining Arsenal.
Manchester City, West Ham United and Chelsea are also interested.
9. Riechedly Bazoer
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Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to show a big interest in Ajax midfielder Riechedly Bazoer—but they will face competition from local rivals Arsenal.
The Mirror's John Cross reported the Gunners have sent their chief scout to watch the Dutchman in action and want to make a move for him in the summer as they revamp their midfield.
Chelsea also maintain a watching brief, as do plenty of big clubs across Europe.
8. Aaron Ramsey
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One surprising name from the list of homegrown stars Arsenal may sell is midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
The Welshman became a big part of the team as he impacted with goals from centre midfield a couple of seasons ago, but injuries and inconsistency have hampered his progression since then.
The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel suggested his future is uncertain and after being forced to play from the right side with frequency this term, and he could be marginalised further next year.
7. Marcelo Brozovic
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Inter Milan's on-loan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has been a big part of their team this season, but he could be off to Arsenal in the summer.
Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t Metro's Tom Olver) reported the Croatian will not be retained by Inter if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, leaving the path clear for the Gunners to mount a £15 million move.
Chelsea are also on standby.
6. Christian Benteke
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Liverpool striker Christian Benteke is likely to fall even further down the pecking order this summer after not shining earlier in the season and now struggling through injury as his side impress in Europe.
The Belgian is linked with a move away, and Juventus are the latest team to show an interest, as CalcioMercato (h/t talkSPORT) suggested the Turin club will pay the £20 million Liverpool want to recoup.
Benteke hasn't settled or found form since his move from Aston Villa last summer and is behind both Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi.
5. Mahmoud Dahoud
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Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool went into battle on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa League, with the Reds triumphing on aggregate, and the duo will be head-to-head this summer again—looking to win the race for Mahmoud Dahoud's signature.
The Guardian's Andy Hunter reported BVB and the Reds want to sign the Borussia Monchengladbach central midfielder for around €30 million.
Dahoud, 20, is a Germany under-21 international.
4. Aymeric Laporte
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Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte goes through the same transfer rumours every summer, and this year he is expected to join the Premier League.
Manchester City are the team hoping to land his signature ahead of rivals Manchester United and long-term interested party Barcelona, according to the Mirror's Ed Malyon.
Pep Guardiola has made the Frenchman a top priority, with a £35 million move possible.
3. Granit Xhaka
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The rumours surrounding an Arsenal move for Granit Xhaka this summer continue to roll on.
The Mirror's Adrian Kajumba reported this week the Gunners will start talks after making an opening bid of £24 million for the Borussia Monchengladbach central midfielder.
The German club are said to want closer to £32 million, but with the Swiss international being a priority for Arsene Wenger, Arsenal want to get the deal done quickly.
2. Dimitri Payet
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Barcelona want to rebuild in the summer with a massive £50 million move for West Ham United's Dimitri Payet.
That's according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t talkSPORT), who reported the Catalan outfit will spend a huge sum on the 29-year-old after their failure to retain the Champions League this season.
As a gentle reminder, Neymar and Lionel Messi occupy the wide-forward roles for Barcelona.
1. Sergio Ramos
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Real Madrid centre-back and captain Sergio Ramos is to be the target for Chelsea this summer, according to reports in Spain.
Not only that, but Don Balon (h/t Metro's Mark Brus) reported a deal is on the table, with the London club having already made a £63.5 million bid for the Spain international.
That move would make Ramos, who was linked with Manchester United last year before signing a new deal with Real Madrid, the most expensive British transfer ever.
