Arsenal’s summer transfer business is beginning to accelerate following confirmation of Gabriel signing a new contract. The Brazilian defender could be joined in north London by international team-mate Rodrygo amid reports that the Gunners have made the Real Madrid winger a priority target. They are also being linked with Morgan Rogers, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Igor Paixao and 17-year-old Greek wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have opted to move for Viktor Gyokeres and have reportedly tabled a second bid for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo after their opening offer was rejected earlier this week. Chelsea announced the signing of Liam Delap on Wednesday, but have had an approach for Mohammed Kudus rejected by West Ham as they continue to chase AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
The Blues will face competition for the latter from Premier League champions Liverpool, who are looking to seal a club-record move for Florian Wirtz and wrap up a deal for Milos Kerkez, while Manchester City look set to welcome all of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki ahead of the Club World Cup with medicals booked this weekend. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
The Reds had seen two huge bids for the German forward rejected by Bayer Leverkusen, the second of which was said to total a club-record £109m.
That still did not meet the lofty asking price, however, with negotiations between the clubs continuing in recent days.
Liverpool finally now look to have made real progress, with Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reporting that they are very close to an agreement after tabling an improved third offer worth close to €150m (£126.4m), including potential add-ons.
Fabrizio Romano says there is a push to get the deal done in the next few days, with Wirtz then set to travel to Merseyside for a medical.
The Times’ Paul Joyce now says that Liverpool’s third approach for Wirtz is actually worth £113m, including £100m guaranteed and £13m in add-ons.
Arsenal have confirmed the early exit of Jorginho.
The former Chelsea midfielder was originally due to depart north London when his current contract expires at the end of this month.
However, Arsenal have now moved to mutually agree a slightly premature departure for Jorginho, allowing him to become a free agent and join Brazilian giants Flamengo in time for the Club World Cup.
The 33-year-old has now promptly been unveiled as a Flamengo player, signing a three-year contract in Rio de Janeiro.
Brentford’s Thomas Frank is believed to be leading the race to succeed the sacked Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.
But Fulham’s Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth and Crystal Palace’s FA Cup-winning hero Oliver Glasner might also be in the frame.
Some more potential left-field shouts include the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Scott Parker and Xavi.
Spurs officially announced on Friday evening that the Australian had been relieved of his duties just two weeks after ending the club’s 17-year major trophy drought.
Postecoglou led Spurs to Europa League glory in Bilbao last month but has been sacked after overseeing their worst-ever Premier League season.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank is emerging as an early front-runner to replace Postecoglou.
Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva have also been under consideration, but Frank has impressed Spurs with the job he has done in his seven years at Brentford.
Liverpool’s hopes of wrapping up a deal for Milos Kerkez fairly quickly have hit a snag.
According to the i Paper, Bournemouth are standing firm on their £45m asking price for the left-back.
As a result, this saga is expected to drag on into next week.
Victor Osimhen will not be joining Manchester United this summer.
The Nigeria international is expected to leave Napoli on a permanent transfer following an impressive loan spell with Galatasaray in which he scored 37 goals across all competitions.
Links to Old Trafford have been strong with the Red Devils on the market to further bolster their attacking options following the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
However, ESPN are reporting that United are not looking to sign Osimhen despite his availability.
Reasons given for this decision are that Osimhen doesn’t have the profile required by Ruben Amorim and any deal financially would be a problem.
After reportedly booking a medical test, Arsenal midfield target Martin Zubimendi is said to have pulled out of his planned move.
The player’s switch to the Emirates from Real Sociedad was all but complete, but he is now said to favour a move to Real Madrid and is content to wait for their offer.
According to Spanish outlet La Defensa, he has informed Real Sociedad of his decision.
He hopes to play under Xabi Alonso, though Real are not keen to fulfill his £50m release clause.
