What the papers say
Aston Villa are favourites to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds this summer for a £60million fee, the Times reports. The 26-year-old England midfielder, whose contract at Elland Road ends in 2024, is also said to be courted by Newcastle and West Ham. Phillips has been returning to fitness following a hamstring injury suffered in early December.
Manchester United are reportedly in the market for a goalkeeper. The Mirror says the Red Devils sent goalkeeping scout Tony Coton to Scotland to watch 30-year-old Benjamin Siegrist’s Dundee United take on Celtic. But the paper adds West Brom’s Sam Johnstone is United’s preferred option to back-up first-choice David De Gea, who has 18 months left on his contract. The Mail, meanwhile, says United’s top pick for De Gea’s eventual replacement is Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou.
Staying at Old Trafford and Marcus Rashford may reportedly seek an exit at the end of the season. The Manchester Evening News reports Barcelona have expressed an interest in the England forward, 24, who has struggled with form in recent months.
Conor Gallagher has been turning heads this Premier League campaign while on loan from Chelsea to Crystal Palace. And the Sun says Juventus and Inter Milan sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old England midfielder impress for the Eagles against Manchester City last week. Gallagher is due back at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Social media round-up
Lionel Messi does NOT want to quit PSG this summer and plans to see out deal despite Barcelona transfer return talk https://t.co/awVE4X6sEK— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) March 20, 2022
Roma 'eye move for Chelsea outcast Charly Musonda' this summer https://t.co/sntspvDIa7— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) March 20, 2022
Players to watch
Erling Haaland: Real Madrid are planning to ask the 21-year-old Norway striker to stay at Borussia Dortmund for one more season prior to signing him, according to Spain’s Mundo Deportivo.Aurelien Tchouameni: Foot Mercato reports Chelsea and Liverpool are among the clubs interested in the France midfielder but his club Monaco will not accept less than £42m for the 22-year-old.
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
‘He’ll still be playing at 40 at a good level because he’s in such good shape and looks after himself so well. He does everything to be a top professional’: Ex-Liverpool coach insists Mohamed Salah has plenty more miles in the tank
