The summer transfer window is here, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: De Ligt among six Chelsea targets in £200m spree
The Daily Telegraph claims that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel “has been promised as many as six summer signings” by the club’s new owner Todd Boehly, who will hand him around £200 million to challenge for the Premier League title again.
In defence, the Blues require a rebuild following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers. Sevilla‘s Jules Kounde has been linked with a €60m move, while Chelsea have reportedly offered forward Timo Werner to Juventus in their negotiations for centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
De Ligt, 22, is under contract until 2024, which includes a release clause worth €120m, and Juve are reportedly unhappy with a straight-cash offer. Lens right-back Jonathan Clauss is also being considered to strengthen the depth in defence as doubts remain over the futures of captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
Up front, sources have told ESPN that Man City’s Raheem Sterling is the club’s top attacking target, however Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele and Everton‘s Richarlison are also reported to be on their shortlist.
Striker Romelu Lukaku, who only rejoined Chelsea last summer for €115m, will return to Inter Milan on loan, and Bayern Munich‘s Robert Lewandowski is of interest to replace him.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Kepa told Marca that his “clear objective is to play,” so they may need to find another backup for No. 1 Edouard Mendy.
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10.45 BST: Bayern Munich have turned down a second offer form Barcelona for striker Robert Lewandowski, according to COPE.
Lewandowski, 33, scored 50 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions this past season but wants to leave Bayern this summer. However, he is under contract until June 2023 and Bayern have no intention of letting the Poland international leave, so are unwilling to enter into negotiations with Barcelona or any other club.
Still, Barca stepped up their initial bid and have reportedly offered €35m plus €5m in variables for Lewandowski, which Bayern have rejected.
Meanwhile, Bayern have denied they are interested in signing Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
The Portugal captain scored 24 goals in all competitions for United last season but the Red Devils had their lowest points tally since the Premier League’s inauguration back in 1992.
Rumours have circulated that Ronaldo, who has one year left on his contract with United, could leave Old Trafford this summer. But Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was quick to brush off rumours that his club would be interested in the 37-year-old’s services.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a top player with an outstanding career,” Salihamidzic said. “However, the rumour that is circulating is a rumour that has no truth to it.”
09.56 BST: Real Madrid winger Rodrygo will join teammates Eder Militao and Vinicius Jr. in signing improved contracts with the Spanish champions, according to AS.
The Brazilian trio was pivotal in helping Madrid win the LaLiga title and the Champions League this past season. They have all been offered contracts through June 2027, with an option to extend it for a further year, while their release clauses will also be raised to €1 billion.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly hopeful that Rodrygo, Militao and Vinicius will sign their new deals before the start of pre-season on July 8.
Rodrygo scored nine goals and set up seven more in 49 appearances across all competitions for Madrid this past season. Militao and Rodrygo’s current deals expires in 2025, while Vinicius’ deal runs out a year earlier.
09.34 BST: Luis Suarez has requested a further week to consider the offer he has from Argentine giants River Plate.
Suarez, 35, who is a free agent after his contract with Atletico Madrid ended this month, is keen to remain in Europe but has not ruled out a move to River.
According to reports, money would not be an impediment for the Uruguay striker to join River. He scored 11 league goals for Atletico this past campaign and helped Uruguay qualify for the World Cup, while he is currently on holiday in Spain with friend Lionel Messi.
09.15 BST: West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek is of interest to Newcastle, Aston Villa and Everton, says The Sun.
Soucek, 27, has been one of the Premier League’s stars over recent years and has yet to agree terms on a new contract.
As a result, the Czech Republic international could move on if West Ham receive a bid of around £30m.
08.57 BST: Newcastle have agreed a £30m deal for Lille defender Sven Botman, says the BBC.
Botman, 22, has been on manager Eddie Howe’s radar for some time, but they faced competition from AC Milan.
The Netherlands under-21 international is rated highly and Howe will add him to a new defence which includes former Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier, Brighton centre-back Dan Burn and Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett.
08.34 BST: Manchester United and Ralf Rangnick agreed to cut ties at the end of the season in part because of Erik ten Hag‘s reluctance to work with the German in his proposed consultancy role, sources have told ESPN.
Rangnick spent the second half of last season as interim manager at Old Trafford and was due to take up a two-year consultancy position starting this summer.
But just a week after the end of the campaign, United announced Rangnick would make a clean break from the club and focus fully on his role as manager of the Austria national team.
Sources told ESPN that United instigated the termination of the agreement in consultation with Ten Hag, although Rangnick was already unhappy at not being granted a formal handover with the new manager.
08.00 BST: Manchester City have agreed a deal with Leeds United to sign Kalvin Phillips, sources have told ESPN.
City are set to pay an initial £42m to sign the midfielder with another £3m due in add-ons. Man City U23 midfielder Darko Gyabi, 18, will join Leeds in a separate deal worth £5m.
Phillips will next finalise personal terms with City before undergoing a medical. The 26-year-old should complete his move to the Etihad Stadium in time to join up with Pep Guardiola’s squad for their tour of the United States.
The England international will become the club’s second major signing of the summer after the £51.2m capture of striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
1:38
Shaka Hislop says Gabriel Jesus should swap Manchester City for Arsenal if Mikel Arteta’s rumoured interest is true.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Abbie Ingham)
– Gabriel Jesus is set to leave Manchester City and move to Arsenal, according to The Athletic. The 25-year-old is reportedly set to join the Emirates for £45m as the Gunners finalise personal terms. The Brazil international, who has one year remaining on his contract, will leave the Etihad after five years, where he scored 95 and assisted 46 in 236 appearances across all competitions for the Premier League Champions.
– West Ham are close to permanently signing Alphonse Areola for £10.5m following a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain, reports the Sun. The Hammers are set to announce the deal next week, following the agreement of personal terms. The 29-year-old goalkeeper was mainly used as a replacement for Lukasz Fabianski in the Premier League but is reportedly ready to take over the No. 1 position next season.
– Christian Eriksen is deciding whether to join Manchester United or stay at Brentford next season, according to Sky Sports. The 30-year-old, who trained with Erik ten Hag’s Ajax following his cardia arrest at Euro 2020, has reportedly received a more lucrative offer from the Red Devils. However, the Denmark international has reservations about relocating his family this summer, with his contract with the Bees expiring at the end of this month.
– Newcastle United have agreed a deal with Lille for Sven Botman, reports The Athletic. The Magpies had three offers to sign the 22-year-old turned down in the January transfer window and the centre-back is now set to join for €37m including add-ons, with a medical reportedly taking place next week. The Netherlands under-21 international has made 79 appearances for Lille after joining from Ajax in 2020.
– Arsenal and Tottenham are still in pursuit of Raphinha, as negotiations with Barcelona continue to stall, according to Fabrizio Romano. Leeds are asking for £65m to sign the 25-year-old and have already rejected the Gunners’ opening offer. Although Leeds have received no new bids for the winger, next week is tipped to be crucial. Chelsea are also reportedly interested in the Brazil international to play at wing-back, but the Blues consider Raheem Sterling as their priority this transfer window.
