Fishing Lures

Transfer Talk: Madrid look at Wirtz to be Kroos replacement

Real Madrid will look to Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz to replace Toni Kroos next year if he decides to leave. Transfer Talk has the latest.

'Not Like Us': Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff side with Kendrick Lamar in feud with Drake

Now that the battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake seems to be over, Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff gave their winners.

Carlos Ulberg's 'step up' arrives with big rewards on offer

Riding a five-fight winning streak, Ulberg can almost taste a light heavyweight ranking.

Brewers lefty Gasser to make MLB debut Friday

Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser, acquired in the 2022 trade that sent Josh Hader to San Diego, is expected to make his big league debut Friday against the Cardinals.

Tennessee St. hires 7-time WNBA All-Star Dupree

Tennessee State has hired Candice Dupree, who was a player development coach for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, as the Tigers' new women's basketball coach.

The summer transfer window won't reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip is swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

Real Madrid could sign Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz to replace Toni Kroos in the summer of 2025, reports by Sport Bild.

The 21-year-old has played a key role in Leverkusen's historic campaign -- which now includes a UEFA Europa League final -- which has resulted in interest from the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Los Blancos.

Even so, Wirtz wants to stay where he is for another year, play in the European Championship with Germany, and then have his first experiences in the UEFA Champions League before taking that next step.

It will take at least €150 million to sign him, but Wirtz also wants to be at a club that is one of the favourites for the biggest title every season.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

A stay in Madrid is seen as the best way to achieve that and the plan is for the Germany international to replace Kroos in the team in 2025.

Wirtz plays farther forward than Kroos, so his introduction could see Jude Bellingham drop deeper than the 20-year-old's current role.

Bayern are not yet giving up on the idea of signing Wirtz while Los Blancos' plan also depends on Kroos, who has a contract that ends this summer and is expected to decide in May regarding whether he will renew.

- AC Milan have decided that they will prioritise Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee in their search for a striker this summer reports Tuttosport, although they are aware that there will be plenty of competition with Arsenal and Juventus among those interested in the 22-year-old. With that in mind, RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Feyenoord's Santiago Giménez, Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres, Lille's Jonathan David and Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy are seen as alternatives. Calciomercato also report that they are looking at Cercle Brugge's Kevin Denkey.

- Arsenal are considering a surprise move to re-sign Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny as they prepare for Aaron Ramsdale's departure, reports The Standard. Brighton & Hove Albion's Jason Steele is also being considered while Ajax's Diant Ramaj has been scouted but is reluctant to give up his status as a guaranteed starter.

- Manchester United and Aston Villa are both looking at a summer move for Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava, reports The Sun, which adds that the 30-year-old could be available for around £8m. Juventus have also been monitoring the Mozambique international for months and could try to sign him.

- Liverpool have registered their interest in Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners but Juventus remain the favourites to sign him, reports Football Insider. Those at Anfield were impressed by the 26-year-old's performances when La Dea knocked the Reds out of the Europa League in the quarterfinals.

- Chelsea are hoping to sign Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak to bring questions surrounding their goalkeeper situation to an end, reports Football Insider. Los Colchoneros could be willing to let the 31-year-old leave this summer despite his contract not expiring until 2028, as they aim to bring in extra funds for the transfer window.