Transfer Talk: Battle for Buendia as Blues eye Hakimi

Arsenal and Aston Villa have both made formal moves for Norwich's creator-in-chief Emiliano Buendia. 

The Sun believe the Argentine, 24, is set to be at the heart of a bidding war after the Gunners and Villans submitted offers thought to be in excess of £30million.

While an exit from Carrow Road looks inevitable for the Championship Player of the Season, the Canaries are set to hold their nerve in hope of fetching £40m for their talisman. 

Buendia was crucial in Norwich’s immediate return to the English top flight, netting 15 goals and registering a remarkable 17 assists for Daniel Farke’s champions. 

But that form made him a wanted man and Arsenal have now finally followed up their long-term interest in his services.

Villa, meanwhile, are in the market to strengthen their forward options this summer and boss Dean Smith has also been keeping tabs on Buendia for some time. 

Norwich paid a miserly £1.5m for his services back in 2018 and are set to rake in a huge profit should he depart — though former club Getafe do have a 20% sell-on clause. 

Blues enter Hakimi race

Chelsea have joined Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Inter Milan wing-back Achraf Hakimi. 

The Daily Mail report the Italian media are linking the European champions with a move for the Moroccan international, who was a key cog in the Nerazzurri’s first Serie A title in 11 years. 

Hakimi, 22, is one of several players being linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer as the club bid to raise funds.

The prospect of a flash sale is thought to have played a major role in the departure of boss Antonio Conte and has supposedly left a number of stars considering their future. 

Having joined from Real Madrid for £40m last summer, Hakimi missed only one league game in 2020-21 and has caught the eye of French champions PSG — who have been linked with a £50m bid. 

Yet with Arsenal and now Chelsea also monitoring his availability, there is no shortage of suitors for the ex-Borussia Dortmund star should his current employers opt to cash in. 

Blessed with explosive pace and capable of playing in several positions, he notched seven goals and 10 assists in Serie A in 2020-21.

In other news

Wilfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace he wants to leave the club before pre-season starts, according to The Times.

New Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti could raid former club Everton for Brazilian forward Richarlison, with Football Insider saying the Italian is a big admirer of the 24-year-old.

Marca believe Atletico Madrid are willing to listen to offers for Spanish midfielder Saul Niguez after the 26-year-old was linked with both Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Barcelona wonderkid Ilaix Mariba, 18, could be allowed to leave the Camp Nou this summer with the Catalans unwilling to meet his contract demands, according to The Daily Mail. 

The news has put Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea on red alert.