Transfer Talk Zidane demands Hazard contract £200 million war chest to take over at Chelsea

The transfer window for Europe’s biggest clubs is closed, but click here for all the deals and keep track of who has joined the big boys. And Transfer Talk will continue to scour the world’s media and set correspondents loose to see what’s on the agenda for the summer.

Zidane hands Chelsea list of demands

The stakes in Monday’s FA Cup showdown with Manchester United just got a little higher for Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.

The Sun reports that free agent Zinedine Zidane has indicated that he is willing to take over the reins at Stamford Bridge, but only if a list of demands are met.

Chief among them are that Eden Hazard is convinced to sign a new, long-term contract, and that the former Real Madrid boss gets a minimum of £200 million to improve the squad via the transfer market.

It’s quite the ultimatum, but when you’re one of the greatest players to ever grace a football pitch and have a managing career that boasts three straight Champions League wins, Zidane is in the position to demand whatever he likes, really.

Mum’s not the word … if you’re Neymar’s dad

The long-term destination of Neymar is a constant source of rumour — and now the Brazilian’s old man has flamed the fans of speculation during an interview with Telefoot.

Neymar’s father knows exactly what he’s doing too, given that he’s currently doubling up on parental responsibilities by acting as the player’s agent, after the Paris Saint-Germain star ditched his former Mr. 10 percent, Wagner Ribeiro.

“It is difficult to speak about the future in football, it can change at any moment,” Neymar senior responded when asked about his son’s footballing future. Cue hysteria in Paris.

The Brazilian left Barcelona for PSG in the summer of 2017 for a zeroes-busting £220m but has been heavily linked with a return to Spain ever since, with Madrid, rather than Barcelona, the club most likely to benefit from his spellbinding, yet expensive, services.

That said, he was making the most of Barcelona’s facilities last week, when he returned to the city for some treatment to expedite his return from injury, even using his former club’s old doctor as he battles back from a fractured metatarsal. An injury he picked up while playing for PSG last month.

His club will hope his dad stays off the airwaves for the foreseeable future.

Inter fans give red Icardi to Mauro

The speculation surrounding Mauro Icardi‘s future has been rife, even after the transfer window slammed shut in January. But as the Argentine sat in the stands to watch Inter against Sampdoria on Sunday afternoon, Inter fans sent him a clear message.

Marca reports that Inter fans unveiled a lengthy banner, which made it clear that the Manchester United and Chelsea target could have a wee bit of trouble winning back the natives if a transfer doesn’t materialise this summer.

The supporters listed countless Inter legends that the supporters described as “men.” They then mentioned the words “respect” and “love for the shirt.” Something that Icardi has been accused of lacking in recent weeks.

Still, if you’re readying bids at Manchester United or Chelsea, that reaction was probably music to their ears.

Tap-ins

– Andreas Christensen still sees himself as a crucial part of Chelsea’s future — despite the Dane being little more than a bit-part player during Maurizio Sarri’s troubled time in charge. Christensen was linked with a move to Barcelona during the January transfer window but told Danish outlet Bold.dk, that he very much sees himself as a key figure in Chelsea’s future plans. What Sarri thinks, mind you, is anyone’s guess.

– The Sun reports that Saudi interest in buying out the Glazer family at Manchester United is heating up and that Champions League qualification could lead to the Saudi crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, spending £3.8 billion on a takeover bid. That could see the Americans trousering a huge £2.2bn profit.

– Could France be the next stop on Jose Mourinho’s managerial journey? The Sun reports on comments made by Mourinho to BeIN Sports, which suggest that the Portuguese is brushing up on his French after being seen at Lille’s Ligue 1 game against Montpelier on Sunday afternoon. Portugal, England, Italy and Spain are the countries on Mourinho’s current CV. Those four could soon be joined by another — which could make the current PSG boss Thomas Tuchel more than a petit nerveux.

– Rangers keeper Wes Foderingham may have been exceptional during Rangers 0-0 draw against St Johnstone on Saturday but he believes his future could lie away from Ibrox after admitting that Allan McGregor won’t be going anywhere soon. The Daily Record says he will decide on where he plays next season at the end of Steven Gerrard’s first campaign in Glasgow.