The summer transfer window is open for some leagues in Europe and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Kim Min-Jae picks Bayern over Man United, Liverpool
Napoli centre-back Kim Min-Jae has decided that he wants to join Bayern Munich this summer, according to a report by Foot Mercato.
The 26-year-old played a key role in lifting Napoli to the Scudetto in a historic year, which has resulted in interest from across Europe, including from Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain.
In addition to Kim’s performances, Europe’s top clubs also had an eye on him due to a release clause in his Napoli contract that means the South Korea international will soon be available for around €47m.
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Despite the interest from the Premier League and beyond, it seems his next destination will be in the Bundesliga. Bayern reportedly convinced Kim and Napoli by meeting the release clause and offering the defender a long-term contract with a net salary of €10m-per-season, per the report, with his agents also receiving a large commission.
The other clubs interested in Kim have already been made aware of his decision and will need to look to other defenders as they prepare for the 2023-24 campaign.
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11.30 BST: The Guardian says Chelsea would add a player in their bid to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton. And that player is midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Caicedo, 21, was the subject of interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in January but Brighton’s demands for a transfer fee of over £80m scuppered any move.
Arsenal have now dropped their interest in signing the Ecuador international in favour of West Ham’s Declan Rice, while Brighton could be keen on a deal with the Blues that sees Gallagher arrive as a replacement.
10.26 BST: Chelsea are looking to raise some money and are ready to offload Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy to Saudi Pro League clubs, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Aubameyang and Ziyech have caught the eye of Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr, while Karim Benzema‘s Al Ittihad (who are closing on the capture of N’Golo Kante) are also interested in Aubameyang.
Newly promoted Al-Ahli are keen to sign Senegal goalkeeper Mendy, though Tottenham are reported to be in the running as well.
09.53 BST: Newcastle United are interested in Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, according to Football Insider.
Thuram, 22, has been on the radar of Liverpool after a fine season in Ligue 1 and could cost around €40m to sign.
The France international had two goals and eight assists in 48 appearances in all competitions last season and Newcastle are keen to add him to their squad.
09.22 BST: Julian Nagelsmann will not become the next Paris Saint-Germain manager after talks between the two parties broke down, sources have told ESPN.
The French champions have now turned attentions away from Nagelsmann, sources have told ESPN, narrowing their shortlist to four candidates: Luis Enrique, Sergio Conceicao, Marcelo Gallardo and Thiago Motta.
Porto manager Conceicao has been contacted by the club, while former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique has has some strong support from club officials in Doha.
PSG are also interested former players Gallardo, who now coaches Argentine side River Plate, and Motta, who is in charge at Serie A side Bologna.
09.00 BST: Brentford B have signed Romeo Beckham on a permanent transfer after the forward spent the second half of last season in England on loan, the Premier League club said on Saturday.
Beckham, who began training with the team in October last year and joined them in January on a six-month loan from Inter Miami, has signed a one-year contract with an extension option for an additional year.
The 20-year-old was part of the squad that in May lifted the Premier League Cup, a competition run by the Premier League for under-21 sides.
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PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)
– Chelsea will submit an official offer worth €35m for Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson next week, reports Fabrizio Romano. That figure matches the 21-year-old’s release clause, with instalments and payment terms being discussed before a medical is scheduled. Jackson is set on joining Chelsea despite three other clubs attempting to bring in the Senegal international.
– Arsenal are confident that Chelsea’s need to offload players means they will be able to sign forward Kai Havertz for £60m, despite the Blues asking for £70m, as reported by The Guardian. The Gunners remain favourites to sign the 24-year-old despite competition from Bayern Munich, who have seen moves for Tottenham Hotspur‘s Harry Kane and Napoli‘s Victor Osimhen come to nothing so far.
– Amid a stalemate over David De Gea‘s Manchester United contract, the Daily Star has reported that the Red Devils are readying a £45m offer for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The Toffees’ financial situation means they could be willing to accept a deal as Sean Dyche aims to rebuild after securing Everton’s Premier League safety on the final day of the season.
- Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella is among the players Newcastle United are looking at this summer as they plan for life in the Champions League, according to The Mirror. Mauricio Pochettino is willing to let the 24-year-old leave just a year after he joined for £60m, although any deal now would likely be worth half that figure.
– Olympique Lyonnais could lose some of their most talented players this summer, Foot Mercato reports, offering the example that Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs keeping an eye on 23-year-old midfielder Maxence Caqueret. In addition, Ekrem Konur reports that Real Madrid are planning to check on 19-year-old forward Rayan Cherki.
