Jorge Mendes could orchestrate a transfer for Rafael Leão to join Chelsea or Barcelona, while Paris Saint-Germain are Juventus’ main competition for Victor Osimhen. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
Even though Rafael Leão has a €175 million release clause, Calciomercato has reported that €100m is more realistic for the winger and AC Milan could even accept €85m. Agent Jorge Mendes has previously helped Milan sign João Félix on loan from Chelsea and could help Leão go in the opposite direction to Stamford Bridge, a club that previous tried to sign him, per the report. Chelsea, Barcelona and several other unnamed clubs are interested in the 25-year-old.
– Juventus manager Cristiano Giuntoli is keen to sign Victor Osimhen with the futures of Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani uncertain, reports Gazzetta dello Sport, which adds that Paris Saint-Germain provide the main competition for the Napoli striker, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray. There are other obstacles to signing the 26-year-old, as it would be difficult to persuade Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis to let Osimhen join a rival, and the striker’s wage demands would be considerable.
Manchester United and Manchester City could compete to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton in the summer, according to TEAMtalk, who add that the rivals are both tracking the 21-year-old. Wharton — who has been training with England’s senior squad — has also received interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and various clubs from across Europe.
– Arsenal’s financial situation puts the Gunners ahead of their competition as they attempt to sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, according to Football Transfers. The North London club are prepared to offer the 22-year-old £200,000-per-week to move to Emirates Stadium, which the Spain international’s representatives have already indicated would be accepted if he chooses to join Arsenal.
Liverpool have decided to allow Federico Chiesa to leave in the summer, Calciomercato reports. The Italy international moved to Anfield from Juventus for €15m last summer but has struggled for game time — playing just 387 minutes all season. The 27-year-old could return to Serie A, but will likely have to accept a drop in his salary to make it happen. Napoli are interested, and Liverpool could agree to a loan arrangement.
Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha are Real Madrid’s leading midfielder targets. Zubimendi is seen as a more viable transfer, despite strong competition from Arsenal. (AS)
– Barcelona have a “very good relationship” with the people close to Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, who would be open to a move to LaLiga. (CaughtOffside)
– Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, 27, is the latest player to be linked with Barcelona. The Nigeria international is also being tracked by Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League clubs. (Mundo Deportivo)
– Lille striker Jonathan David, who is out of contract in the summer, says LaLiga is his favourite league and he’d like to play there. (Foot Mercato)
Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt is on Bayern Munich’s shortlist as they look to sign a top back-up option for Harry Kane. Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and multiple Premier League clubs are also interested. (Sky Sports Deutschland)
– Arsenal are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester City. A five-year deal has been proposed, keeping him at the Emirates until at least 2030. The 18-year-old has scored eight goals in 29 games in all competitions this season. (Daily Mail)
– Atlético Madrid see Villarreal midfielder Álex Baena as an ideal fit for Diego Simeone’s squad. There will be lucrative offers from the Premier League and there have already been big-money approaches from Saudi Arabia. Over €50m will be required to complete a move with the 23-year-old having a €60m release clause. (AS)
Juventus see former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane as the perfect replacement for head coach Thiago Motta. The 52-year-old played for Juve for five years, winning the Scudetto twice. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Nottingham Forest, strongly positioned to qualify for the Champions League, could smash their transfer record by making a move for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha. The 25-year-old, valued at £63m, is also being tracked by Arsenal. (TBR)
– Forest will also make a new offer for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, having failed to get a deal done in January. The Serie A club will look to recoup the €50m they paid Aston Villa to sign the Brazil international last summer. (Tuttosport)
– A third player linked with Forest is Brentford winger Yoane Wissa. The 28-year-old could be available for as little as £15m to £20m as he heads into the final year of his contract. (Football Insider)
Napoli will look to sign Edon Zhegrova from Lille as the long-term replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined PSG in January. The 25-year-old, valued at around €20m to €25m, is a Kosovo international who has also played for Genk and FC Basel. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Premier League clubs have already started calling Eintracht Frankfurt about their 22-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike, who is expected to leave the Bundesliga this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Mats Hummels is expected to leave AS Roma this summer, as the Serie A club don’t wish to extend his contract. (Sky Sports Deutschland)
– Arsenal, Aston Villa, RB Leipzig and Real Madrid are all monitoring young Valencia defender Yarek Gasiorowski. (Ekrem Konur)
LONDON — Thomas Tuchel’s unveiling as the third foreign coach in England’s history may have irked some sections of the fanbase — but it seems that three news conferences and Friday’s victorious 90-minute opening salvo have done enough to generate a fair amount of belief from supporters and players alike.
The German term for “honeymoon period,” flitterwochen, roughly translates as “tinsel weeks.” It may not have particularly romantic overtones, but it is an apt term for the welcome party thrown for Tuchel at Wembley Stadium on Friday. Morgan Rogers’ comments about his new boss’ “aura” were notable ahead of kickoff against Albania, as was the coach’s appeal for the public to “fall in love” with his team — but Tuchel and England’s honeymoon began in earnest with a pre-match firework display and a giant banner which welcomed the 51-year-old “to the home of football.
By the end of the night, Tuchel was applauding the 82,378-strong crowd who had showed considerable loyalty to his team throughout an era-launching 2-0 victory to open England’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Despite the slightly scrappy performance, a win is what Tuchel and England were looking for in the new manager’s debut. But make no mistake, this is a marriage of convenience for both sides.
The 18-month contract the coach signed in October is indicative of both parties’ singular focus on winning the 2026 World Cup. This is an England team that contains established stars and for many the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico is likely to be their last. The FA can’t afford another failed generation, and Tuchel wants to prove he is the man capable of ending the 60 years of hurt England have endured since Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 triumph.
If Tuchel is going to develop an all-conquering England team, he is clearly going to have to do it fast. In fairness, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach has proved that he is able to deliver trophies in double-quick time before flaming out.
But will he succeed where so many have failed and translate his domestic and continental successes onto the international scene? It is the question that will define his England reign, and it is why, with just 20 training sessions and a handful of matches remaining before the 2026 World Cup begins, each outing in front of the cameras is laced with meaning.
As it happened, England started against Albania as they had done in so many of Gareth Southgate’s latter days in charge as careful, technically precise passing combinations in midfield barely troubled the packed Albania defence. But just as the now-familiar paper aeroplanes began falling from the stands, a moment of individual brilliance broke the game open.
The reaction [to Euros qualification] has been fantastic — increased media interest and a growing number of young girls wanting to play football,” said Patalon. “We’ve already seen a rise in participation in girls’ teams across our projects. More importantly, this achievement isn’t just about one tournament — it’s about creating a lasting impact. We want this to be a turning point that inspires future generations and further develops the women’s game in Poland.”
But 2025 could be better. Score and win against Madrid on Sunday and Barça will be 10 points clear at the top of the table, a first Liga F title for Pajor moving into sight. However, it is an elusive Champions League trophy which she really wants to win this season. It would serve as the perfect prelude for what is to come this summer: a historic first-ever major tournament with Poland.
