Transfer Rumor Roundup: Sandro, Klaassen to Everton; Ox to Liverpool

According to the Daily Express, Liverpool are said to be willing to pay $50 million for Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

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The England international, 23, shone in the latter months of the season for the Gunners, playing in a variety of roles all season but excelling as a right wing-back.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is locked in contract negotiations with Arsenal but it is widely reported that Liverpool are interested in signing the former Southampton man and Jurgen Klopp‘s side can now offer something Arsenal cannot: UEFA Champions League action.

Where would the Ox fit in at Anfield? He could play out wide on the right or left or even in the center of midfield alongside Georginio Wijnaldium, another versatile player who used to play in a more attacking role out wide. The Ox may well be suited long-term to a central role where he can drive forward with the ball and open up defenses.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career has been plagued by injuries in recent years but he’s still won three FA Cups with Arsenal and racked up 26 appearances for England with six goals, the latest coming in the 2-2 draw with Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday.

With 12 months left on his current deal at Arsenal, this speculation has certainly come at an intriguing time?

Across Merseyside it is believe Everton is closing in on two new signings with the BBC reporting that striker Sandro Ramirez is in talks and close to agreeing a $6.5 million move from Malaga, while multiple reports state Ajax’s Davy Klaassen is also heading to Goodison.

Ronald Koeman is wasting no time in rebuilding his Everton squad in the offseason and although the futures of star players Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley seem increasingly uncertain, the Toffees are moving ahead with moves for new signings.

Sandro scored 15 goals in La Liga for Malaga in the 2016-17 season after arriving from Barcelona and the small release clause in his contract make him a wanted man. Instead of replacing Lukaku he would be seen as a complimentary forward option which would make sense after Arouna Kone left Everton in the summer.

As for Klaassen, the 24-year-old Dutch international is a silky central midfielder and his arrival could spark the end for James McCarthy and maybe even Gareth Barry at Everton. Competition for places in Everton’s central midfield would be huge with Idrissa Gueye, Morgan Schneiderlin and Tom Davies all impressing last season.

Ajax’s captain is also said to be interesting Napoli and Inter Milan but Koeman’s pull as a Dutch legend may well sell the deal. A fee of around $32.9 million is expected for Klaassen.

Cristiano Ronaldo accused of huge tax evasion

Cristiano Ronaldo may well be the best-paid player on the planet, but the Real Madrid star could have a few issues heading his way.

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The Spanish authorities have accused Ronaldo, 32, of defrauding them of $16 million in tax from 2011-14 and the prosecutors office in Madrid have filed a lawsuit against the reigning World Player of the Year.

Tax evasion allegations are a growing theme in Spanish soccer with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Javier Mascherano of Barcelona all either alleged of tax fraud or found guilty in recent months.

Ronaldo is adjudged to have set up business structures which saw offshore accounts used for his earnings from image rights, but the Portuguese superstar denies any wrongdoing.

Speaking to a Portuguese journalist from Radio Television Portuguesa (RTP) when asked about the allegations, Ronaldo simply said: “He who has nothing to hide has no fear.”

Ronaldo scored twice in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff just over a week ago as he led Real to a second-straight UCL crown and their third European title in the past four seasons, plus they also won the La Liga title.

He is the heavy favorite to win the Ballon d’Or once again this year and he will lead Portugal in the 2017 Confederations Cup in the next few weeks in Russia.

Reports: Everton agree $38 million Pickford deal

It has been widely reported that Everton have agreed a $38 million deal with Sunderland for goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The 23-year-old was the major positive for the Black Cats last season as they were relegated from the Premier League and he will tie up the deal to Goodison Park after he returns from England U-21 duty in the 2017 European Championships.

It is a lot of money for Ronald Koeman to spend on a goalkeeper who has just one season (29 games to be exact) of Premier League experience under his belt, but Pickford’s imminent arrival will solve a major issue for the Toffees.

Last season both Joel Robles and Marteen Stekelenburg were guilty of high-profile errors and even the season before that the Toffees had issues with Tim Howard. Liverpool, Manchester City and several other PL clubs were said to have been interested in Pickford but Everton are set to spend big this summer with Sandro Ramirez and Davy Klaassen reportedly on the way too.

Pickford came through the ranks at Sunderland’s academy and has spent several spells out on loan, most notably at Preston North End. His shot-stopping ability and sublime accuracy with kicking are his main strengths but it’s tough to see a weakness in his game as he shone in a struggling Sunderland side last season.

That’s why he is set to become the most-expensive British goalkeeper in history and the third-most expensive of all-time behind only Gianluigi Buffon and Ederson.