Middlesbrough defender Aden Flint is close to sealing a move to Sky Bet Championship rivals Cardiff, the Press Association understands.
The 30-year-old, who joined Boro in a £7m switch from Bristol City last summer, was understood to be heading for south Wales on Thursday for a medical and to finalise a transfer which could be worth as much as £6m to the Teessiders.
Flint made 42 appearances for Boro last season as they finished a point outside the play-off positions. However, new head coach Jonathan Woodgate is in the process of re-shaping his squad ahead of the start of the new season and it appears that he is willing to allow the central defender to leave.
Woodgate has, to date, made only one signing since replacing Tony Pulis at the helm last month – the return of keeper Tomas Mejias from Omonia Nicosia – and Flint’s departure would boost his transfer kitty as he attempts to land his own targets.
ZANIOLO OPEN TO SPURS MOVE
Roma midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo is open to a move to Tottenham this summer in a deal which would see Toby Alderweireld join the Serie A side, according to Sport Italia.
The 20-year-old is now Spurs’ top midfield target after they opted against Dani Ceballos and Giovani Lo Celso.
‘CALLUM KNOWS HOW I FEEL’
What that means for Callum Hudson-Odoi’s future at Chelsea is now down to the player and the club, according to Frank Lampard.
The new Chelsea boss twice took time out to speak to Hudson-Odoi before departing for the team’s pre-season tour in Japan on Tuesday. Hudson-Odoi, whose deal expires at the end of the coming season and remains the subject of interest from Bayern Munich, has remained behind as he recovers from the ruptured Achilles he suffered in April.
“There’s two things, there’s the football side which I’m completely involved in – and then making sure the contract is signed, which I’m not,” says Lampard. “So to say I’m confident would mean I know every side, I don’t, I leave that to the club. What I do know is that the club want Callum to sign.
“Callum knows how I feel, I’ve spoken to him. I think he can be absolutely central to this team. We all care for the players at this club, particularly the young players – it’s important I show that. Then the decision will be his and the club’s together.”
Maguire wants to follow in Rio steps
Harry Maguire would be honoured to play for Manchester United and follow in the footsteps of his heroes Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Sky sources understand.
It is understood Maguire is becoming increasingly frustrated with Leicester’s stance towards selling him this summer after the Foxes rejected two bids from Manchester United, who have the 26-year-old on a shortlist of centre-back targets.
PEP EXPECTS SANE STAY
Pep Guardiola claimed Manchester City’s desire to keep Leroy Sane was “always there” and expects the midfielder to stay at the club.
Germany winger Sane has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer, though the German side accept a deal is now unlikely.
Asked if he expected Sane to stay at the Etihad Stadium, the City boss said: “Yes.” He added: “The club made him an offer last year. As I said many times, we want people happy to be here. We are going to help him to be the best.
“We know his potential and what his level is. He has a special quality difficult to find around the world. He knows, they all know, it’s difficult (to play regularly) because of the quality we have.
“But, at the same time, I spoke to the club 10 times (to say) I want people here to be happy. If they don’t want, they go. The desire to have him to be with us is always there.”
Neymar ‘offers himself to Man Utd’ as Barcelona fail to raise £198m transfer funds
NEYMAR has reportedly opened the door to Manchester United as he desperately bids to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the Red Devils’ failure to qualify for the Champions League could prove fatal to their hopes of signing the £198million star.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Neymar, 27, does not feel at home in Paris and is unhappy at not being the club’s star name – that being Kylian Mbappe.
His preferred destination is Barcelona but their recent move for Antoine Griezmann, coming in at £108m, effectively rules that out.
Reuters
