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Manchester United ready to swap Marcus Rashford for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Bayern Munich keen on Chelsea midfielder - Paper Round
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Published 19/04/2025 at 22:51 GMT+1
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Manchester United are prepared to swap Marcus Rashford for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, while Arsenal and Real Madrid are both considering a move for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich and AC Milan are both interested in Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, on loan at Strasbourg, and Brentford are braced for interest in their striker Bryan Mbeumo, with Newcastle keen.
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United consider Watkins-Rashford swap
Manchester United are interested in a swap deal that would see Marcus Rashford join Aston Villa on a permanent basis.
In return for Rashford plus cash, United would want to sign Villa striker Ollie Watkins, reports the Daily Star.
The paper writes: "Manchester United are considering a shock swap deal involving Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins.
"Rashford has joined Aston Villa on-loan until the end of the season, following a bust-up with United boss Ruben Amorim. It remains to be seen if he wants to go back to United, where club bosses are keen to off-load him this summer.
"Should Villa decide to sign Rashford, Watkins might be keen to leave Villa Park to secure more football elsewhere.
"Watkins was a transfer target of Arsenal last summer, but Villa rejected their advances.
"But if Watkins makes it clear he wants to go, United would consider offering Rashford plus a significant cash payment in return for getting the 29-year-old England international."
Arsenal face battle for Garcia
Real Madrid may pose stiff opposition for Arsenal in the chase for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
If Thibaut Courtois leaves Real, reports in Spain suggest that Garcia is in line to replace him at the Bernabeu.
The Mirror writes: "Arsenal are bracing to take on Real Madrid in a transfer battle for Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia. The 23-year-old emerged as a top target for the Gunners last summer as Mikel Arteta searched for a back-up for first-choice David Raya.
"The late departure of Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton complicated Arsenal's pursuit of Garcia. Ultimately they settled on a loan move for Bournemouth's Neto, who has played just one game all season.
"While Neto has spent a year on the bench, Garcia has continued to impress for Espanyol. He has played every minute of their La Liga campaign, where they remain in the hunt for a European qualification place.
"According to Cope, Thibaut Courtois' age and injury issues have convinced Los Blancos chiefs it is time to search for a replacement. His current back-up Andriy Lunin is expected to seek an exit this summer in search of playing time.
"If Lunin does depart, then Garcia is a player Madrid chiefs are understood to be keen on. He is seen as a 'very interesting' option if a new goalkeeper is pursued, with Los Blacnos ready to battle Arsenal for his signature."
Bayern keen on Chelsea midfielder Santos
Andrey Santos has attracted attention from Bayern Munich due to his form for French side Strasbourg.
AC Milan are another team credited with interest in the 20-year-old, reports the Daily Mail.
The paper states: "Bayern Munich are maintaining a watching brief on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos as he continues to impress on loan at Strasbourg.
"The 20-year old has had a standout season in the French league under the guidance of Liam Rosenior and has scored ten goals this season.
"Santos joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023 for ÂŁ17.5million and they are keen to take a closer look at him this pre-season before making a decision on his next career step.
"AC Milan have also kept an eye on his situation but Bayern are understood to be more serious in their appreciation of the young Brazil international."
Brentford expect offers for Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo’s impressive Premier League form for Brentford this season has left his team braced for offers.
The Athletic claims that Newcastle United are one side who could make a move in the summer transfer window.
The website explains: "After six years of steady progress — a period during which he has often lived in the shadows of other forwards at the club who grabbed the headlines — Mbeumo is unquestionably now the main man at Brentford.
"A largely underrated player since their step-up to the Premier League in summer 2021, Mbeumo’s performances this season have been impossible to ignore and have put the now 25-year-old, whose current contract expires in summer 2026, firmly on the radar of Europe’s top clubs, with Newcastle United among his many admirers.
"Brentford received no formal transfer interest for Mbeumo last year but are preparing for that to change in the near future.
"As mentioned above, his current contract expires at the end of next season, but the club have an option for an extra 12 months, so the optimum time for them to sell would be this year’s summer window."
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