Madrid set to splurge on De Gea and Hazard

Real Madrid, writes the Mirror, are determined to spend big in the summer -- very big. And that, it reports, is bad news for both Manchester United and Chelsea.

Madrid are "planning a full-scale attempt to sign David De Gea and are ready to "break the bank" to land the United keeper. And links between the Bernabeu club and Chelsea's Eden Hazard show no sign of weakening, with the Belgium international "a primary target".

But there is an element of good news for Chelsea, because Madrid's interest in De Gea means they have moved their focus from the Premier League leaders' Thibaut Courtois. Real came close to signing De Gea two years ago "but still believe he would be ready to leave, particularly if United miss out on the Champions League."

And the Mirror writes that they are "ready to smash the £89 million world-record fee to get Hazard," who Chelsea still hope to persuade to sign a new contract. Los Blancos will "throw striker Alvaro Morata into any deal, which could see the overall value of a transfer top £100m for the first time."

Palace hope to fend off interest in Zaha

Wilfried Zaha was the star as Crystal Palace shocked Chelsea on Saturday, and although Palace hope to tie him to a lucrative new contract he may still end up leaving, according to the Guardian.

It reports that the Ivory Coast forward, who scored one and set up another at Stamford Bridge, is interesting Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.

The Guardian writes that Zaha "is believed to be keen on testing himself at a higher level, and it remains to be seen whether any new Palace deal would contain a clause allowing him to join a club playing in the Champions League."

Meanwhile, the Independent reports that Palace will "make a concerted effort" to turn Mamadou Sakho's loan move from Liverpool into a permanent deal. Sakho has excelled at Selhurst Park, but that has attracted plenty of attention and "could push the asking price towards £25m."

Everton think over Trippier transfer

The terrible injury to Everton right-back Seamus Coleman while with Republic of Ireland has led manager Ronald Koeman to investigate potential cover. Coleman suffered a double leg fracture in a challenge by Neil Taylor of Wales and faces months on the sidelines.

And the Sun reports that Everton will make a £12m move for Tottenham's Kieran Trippier to fill the gap.

Trippier has found his chances of first-team action limited and the report says he "may be looking to start more regularly." It adds that although Spurs "will want to keep him for the Champions League next season, it would be tempting to be a genuine first choice at Everton."

Tap-ins

Defender Dejan Lovren is set to sign a new contract at Anfield soon, the Liverpool Echo reports. The publication reports that centre-back Lovren, whose current deal expires in 2019, has confirmed that talks are ongoing. The Croatia international, who joined from Southampton, has become a key part of the team under Jurgen Klopp.

Australia international midfielder Mile Jedinak has been key for Aston Villa, but that might not stop him leaving, according to the Birmingham Mail. According to the report, manager Steve Bruce could sanction the departure of the 32-year-old in order to free up funds for summer signings.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by CHRIS BORG

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