Euro 2020 Transfer Talk: De Gea set for United exit?

The European Championships quarter-finals have not disappointed thus far. 

Ten-men Switzerland took Spain all the way to penalties after holding them to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. 

However, they could not continue their shootout heroics of the round of 16, with La Roja progressing to the semi-finals. 

Italy, meanwhile, saw off many people’s favourites for the tournament in Belgium with a 2-1 victory in Munich, setting up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with Spain.

Denmark edged past Czech Republic 2-1 with goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg. 

Patrick Schick replied for the Czechs to tie Cristiano Ronaldo in the tournament's scoring charts, but his strike wasn't enough to prevent defeat.

Finally, England breezed past Ukraine 4-0 to reach a first semi-final in 25 years — where Denmark will provide their opponents on Wednesday.

Harry Kane's brace, either side of Harry Maguire's header, set England on their way before Jordan Henderson marked his 62nd cap with his first Three Lions goal in the second half.

And with the tournament now entering its final week, the rumour mill is spinning faster than ever. We have taken a look at some of the stories regarding players gearing up for the semi-finals.

De Gea departure

It has been an uneventful Euros so far for Spain goalkeeper David de Gea who has been forced to play second fiddle to Unai Simon. 

And De Gea may be facing a similar fate upon his return to his club side Manchester United.

United currently have four goalkeepers on the books after the re-signing of Tom Heaton and the contract extension given to Lee Grant.

Reports emerging from Manchester suggest that Heaton's signing is in preparation for De Gea’s departure, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided that Dean Henderson would be his No1 next season.

Bye bye, Berardi

Italy winger Domenico Berardi has had a stellar European Championships — and a host of English clubs have expressed an interest in the Sassuolo winger off the back of his performances. 

Liverpool and Tottenham are supposedly preparing to do battle in a bid to earn the Azzurri star’s signature. 

With Sassuolo chief executive Giovanni Carnevali stating that keeping hold of Berardi will ‘not be easy’, it seems likely the 26-year-old will be departing Northern Italy this summer.

Wing-back wish

Manchester United’s pursuit of England full-back Kieran Trippier is still firmly on the cards, according to reports. 

In fact, the Three Lions’ victory over Germany has reportedly encouraged United to sign the Atletico Madrid defender.

England adopted a back-three system for the Germany clash, with Trippier and United left-back Luke Shaw acting as wing-backs. 

The pair's impressive performances have supposedly persuaded Solskjaer that it is a formation that could work for his side in the coming campaign.

Looking at Locatelli

Arsenal’s chances of signing Italy's Manuel Locatelli have suffered blow with news the midfielder wants to play Champions League football next season.

It was reported the Gunners had made a concrete offer for Locatelli, but Juventus have now moved to the front of the queue for the Sassuolo midfielder.

Massimiliano Allegri has made it clear to the Juventus hierarchy that he wishes to sign Locatelli as part of his bid to restore the Old Lady to the summit of Italian football.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to continue their search for a new midfielder in order to replace the outgoing Granit Xhaka, who is Roma bound.

Ruiz is just Fab

Spain's Fabian Ruiz has found his game time at the Euros limited — but that has not stopped the Napoli midfielder being linked with a whole host of Europe’s elite.

After it had been reported that Manchester City and Liverpool were in a tug of war for Ruiz, Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are believed to have entered the tussle. 

And with reports in Italy claiming that the midfielder has rejected two contract extension offers, Napoli are open to selling Ruiz for a fee close to £60million.