Tranfer rumours: Lukaku to fight for Chelsea spot, City leading Haaland race

Romelu Lukaku has no plans to leave Chelsea and will fight to win back a place

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, football clubs across Europe are busy scaling their scouts for better players ahead of the new season.

Several clubs are already trying to make contacts with agents ahead of the opening of the transfer window to make work easier during the window, while other players are being handed new contracts before the opening of the window to avoid an exit.

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku remains determined to fight for his spot at Chelsea despite being linked with a move to former club Inter, reports from London by The Guardian has stated.

Romelu Lukaku is determined to stay at Chelsea. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

On the other side of England, Manchester City are leading clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the race to sign the much-coveted Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. The Norway international has a release clause of €75m ($84m) and the Premier League champions are ready to trigger the clause once the transfer window is opened.

Manchester City is leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and are ready to trigger his release clause once the 2022 summer transfer window is opened. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

Back in London, Arsenal will face competition from Newcastle in their bid to bring in Jonathan David from Lille. The north London club has also made a new approach for Real Sociedad youngster Alexander Isak in a bid to boost their attacking squad ahead of the 2022/23 season, a season they are aiming to be playing in the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has claimed Alexandre Lacazette is “playing like he wants to stay” following the striker’s match-winning performance for Arsenal against Wolves on Thursday.

Still, in North London, Tottenham remains confident Antonio Conte will stay at the club as manager, though his public outburst after their defeat to Burnley has prompted concern from a number of his players. The manager is also expected to meet up with Spurs CEO Dani Levy to discuss his future in the club.

Aston Villa man Matt Targett says he is “focusing on the here and now” amid talk of a permanent move to Newcastle from Villa.

Chelsea have ruled out the prospect of signing Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry and are instead focused on Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele, whom they failed to sign in January despite almost signing the winner towards the closure of the January transfer window.

The agent of Inter striker Lautaro Martinez says he is “happy” at the club despite rumours of a move to Manchester United or Barcelona.

Newcastle remains interested in a move for Duvan Zapata, despite failing to sign him in January. The Magpies are also targeting defender Jason Denayer and forward Arnaut Danjuma as they strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign with new owners.

Kylian Mbappe has turned down another contract proposition from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of his expected summer move to Real Madrid, Mbappe is expected to move to Spain as a free agent as his contract at Paris runs up until the end of the current campaign.

Meanwhile, Mbappe’s teammate Neymar has revealed he could have signed for Real Madrid as a child, but he got homesick.

Manchester United have ramped up their interest in Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, whose contract expires at the end of the season and is yet to agree on a new contract with the recently crowned World Champions. Rudiger however wants to stay at Chelsea and it is expected his wage demands may be met by the club.

Barcelona has been impressed with Xavi’s start to life as their manager and plans to back him with new signings in the summer, with Chelsea ace Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen in their sights.