The summer transfer window isn’t open yet in Europe, but teams are getting ready for it, 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: Leipzig eye transfer fee record from Man City for Gvardiol
Manchester City are considering a deal to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol for a record fee this summer, reports Fabrizio Romano and talkSPORT.
Gvardiol, 21, joined Leipzig in 2020 and the German club are demanding a new record transfer fee for a centre-back to let him go. The previous record was set when Manchester United paid around £80m to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019.
The Croatia international is reportedly a top transfer target of Man City manager Pep Guardiola and the treble winners have already held talks with him. Gvardiol has made 41 appearances for Leipzig this season, scoring three goals, including a pivotal equaliser in a 1-1 draw in the Champions League match earlier this year.
Sources have told ESPN that Guardiola is also interested in signing Croatia and Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Kovacic, 29, has been a key player since joining permanently from Real Madrid in 2019, amassing 221 appearances in all competitions, but with his contract due to expire in 2024 and new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino looking at a squad rebuild, the Blues are keen to move him on for around £35m.
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09.49 BST: Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Odriozola is an option for Chelsea, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Odriozola, 27, joined Madrid for €32m from Real Sociedad in 2018 but has struggled to assert himself and spent time on loan at Bayern Munich and Fiorentina.
The Spain international played just six games last season and wants to leave, with a year left on his contract. La Real are keen to re-sign him on a transfer but Chelsea and Athletic Club are also interested and may pay a fee to land him earlier.
09.26 BST: Espanyol forward Joselu says his wish is to continue playing in Spain’s top division amid reports that Real Madrid are monitoring him.
Joselu, 33, is expected to leave Espanyol on loan this summer after the Barcelona-based club were relegated to the second division. He scored 16 goals in 34 league appearances last season and is under contract until June 2025.
Madrid are looking to strengthen their attack after the exit of Karim Benzema and sources told ESPN that Joselu, who played in Madrid’s academy, has been in advanced talks with the club.
“My idea and aim is to continue playing in the first division,” Joselu said. “I hope my future can be resolved soon. Regarding Madrid, we are talking about the best team in the world and anyone on this planet would like to wear that jersey. I really don’t know what’s going to happen.”
09.04 BST: Inter Milan want to sign Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly on loan this summer, according to Sky Italia.
The Italian club are looking to strengthen their defensive line and consider the former Napoli centre-back a good option.
Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio will reportedly travel to London in the coming days to meet with Chelsea executives. And the meeting in London will also allow Ausilio to discuss the renewal of Romelu Lukaku‘s loan deal.
The Belgium striker joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea last summer, but Inter are hopeful an agreement can be reached for Lukaku to continue for another season.
08.24 BST: Sources have told ESPN that Manchester United are monitoring Napoli’s Kim Min-Jae and Monaco’ s Axel Disasi but their priority in the transfer market remains landing a top-class striker and a midfielder.
United, according to sources, have asked to be kept informed of developments regarding the two defenders, although there has been no direct contact with their clubs.
United are expected to make their opening offer for Chelsea’s Mason Mount this week despite a gap in valuation. Mount will enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and is open to a move to United.
08.00 BST: Paris Saint-Germain are open to listening to offers for Kylian Mbappe this summer, sources have told ESPN.
The Ligue 1 champions’ willingness to part ways with their superstar forward comes after sources confirmed multiple reports that Mbappe sent a letter to PSG informing them he would not exercise the option to extend his current deal beyond 2024.
With PSG not wanting Mbappe to leave as a free agent after next season, sources said club chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi is now begrudgingly open to letting the 24-year-old leave Paris.
ESPN sources added that PSG would be looking for a fee in the region of €150m.
Kylian Mbappe informs PSG he won’t extend contract
Julien Laurens reports on Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe informing the club that he will not extend his contract into 2025.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Abbie Ingham)
– André Onana is Chelsea‘s priority target for the summer transfer window, as per the Evening Standard. The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who impressed in the Champions League final loss to Manchester City, is under contract with Internazionale until 2027. However, the Nezaruzzi have reportedly already lined up Empoli‘s Guglielmo Vicario as a replacement. The Blues originally approached AC Milan for Mike Maignan, but after the Italian side demanded €90m, Chelsea decided to focus on a move for Onana, valued at €50m, to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga and Édouard Mendy as the No.1 at Stamford Bridge.
– Newcastle United are lining up a move for Wolfsburg’s Felix Nmecha, reports the Telegraph. The Magpies are preparing a bid of £15m for the 22-year-old midfielder who joined the German side from Manchester City in 2021. The German U21 international made 30 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, scoring three goals and providing five assists.
- Aston Villa are closing in on a move for Liverpool defender/midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as per Football Insider. The 29-year-old has extensive experience in the Premier League, making 235 appearances, registering 20 goals and 28 assists. The England international is expected to depart Anfield this summer on a free transfer, but he could remain in the English top-flight next season with Unai Emery’s side reportedly in advanced talks over a move to Villa Park.
– Fenerbahce are in pursuit of Internazionale’s Edin Dzeko, as per Gazzetta dello Sport. The 37-year-old striker, who is out of contract in June, has made 52 appearances for Inter across all competitions this season, scoring 14 goals and providing five assists. The agent of the Bosnia and Herzegovina international was in Istanbul to negotiate a move to the Turkish side, and the Süper Lig club are reportedly prepared to offer a two-year contract.
