After failing to sign Dani Alves, Manchester City are set to make Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker the world’s most expensive defender after agreeing to a deal with the club.

The deal is set to exceed £50 million with add-ons that will be included. Walker had been scheduled to join Tottenham for preseason training on Thursday, but will instead finalize his switch to City and undergo a medical on Friday. Sheffield United are also expected to earn £5 million as well, due to a sell-on clause.

Walker will then join his new teammates in the United States as they begin their summer tour. The 27-year-old was one of Pep Guardiola’s big targets in defense, especially after Dani Alves’ finalization to join PSG.

The English defender fell out of favor with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, after learning of interest from Manchester City. After looking to have finally landed Walker, Guardiola will now turn his interest back to Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy, who is also on the City wish list.

WEST HAM ON BRINK OF SIGNING JOE HART TO LOAN

West Ham United are close to acquiring Manchester City keeper Joe Hart on a season-long loan, with an option to buy.

The England international spent most of last season on loan Italian outfit Torino. West Ham are prepared to pay half of Hart’s £100,000-a-week wage, as the keeper looks to play regularly in the Premier League.

Newcastle were also in the running for Hart’s services, but could not meet Manchester City’s financial demands regarding the keeper’s salary. The move would see Hart step in as West Ham’s first choice keeper, with Adrian being wanted by Crystal Palace.

LEONARDO BONUCCI CLOSE TO JOINING A.C. MILAN 

According to La Stampa, Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci could be joining fellow Serie A side A.C. Milan tonight as the two sides finalize a deal.

It is believed the Italian international has agreed to a €6 million per year contract, while Juventus are not far from meeting the €40 million asking price. Milan defender Mattia De Sciglio has also been mentioned in the deal to join the Old Lady.

Bonucci was at training with Juventus today, but it looks like that could be his final session with the club.

 

IBRAHIMOVIC’S TEASES FUTURE WITH ANNOUNCEMENT

35-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic teased a huge announcement on Wednesday night, after having a four-hour meeting with agent Mino Raiola.

The Swedish striker, who is currently a free agent, is coming off a 28-goal campaign with Manchester United in 2016-17. As the forward rehabs his knee, the pair were spotted at the Tattu Restaurant in central Manchester.

The Sun stated on Tuesday that Ibrahimovic would be offered a short-term contract with United, whom recently signed Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. “There will be a great revelation soon. It will be huge,” said Ibrahimovic according to the Daily Mail.

CHELSEA’S MATIC WILL NOT BE SOLD TO MANCHESTER UNITED 

Chelsea will not sell midfielder Nemanja Matic to Manchester United, as the Blues currently are in talks with Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old Serbian is expected to be worth £34.5 million, as the Serie A side looks to finalize the deal. Matic is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with Chelsea bringing in Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko for £40 million earlier today.

Matic, who has been training on his own since the preseason began on Monday, left Chelsea’s training facility before the second session on Wednesday.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would like to be reunited with his former midfielder, but it looks clear Chelsea will not sell the Serbian to their Premier League rivals.