Latest updates, gossip, rumours and deals from the summer transfer window
Alex Young @ alexwsyoung2 minutes ago
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Arsenal have been linked with signing a striker all window but it appears a new defender could be the first addition through the door. The Gunners are interested in Bologna and Italy's Riccardo Calafiori and are now leading the race for a player who is expected to cost around £42million. Viktor Gyokeres remains the desired target up top, and is available for an £85million release clause.
Chelsea were also interested in Calafiori, though not at that price, but are closing in on their sixth summer signing in the form of Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino. A deal could be wrapped up this week, just days after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Guiu joined. Spain's Euro 2024 star Nico Williams is now a target, and also of interest to Tottenham.
Spurs have signed Leeds teenager Archie Gray for £30m, and are now looking at Williams who has a £49m release clause. Désiré Doué and Pedro Neto are also targets. Manchester United's transfer business is also stepping up as Bayern Munich's Matthijs De Ligt and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee likely first arrivals. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip below!
Live transfer updates
Newcastle confirm Paul Mitchell as new sporting director
Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Paul Mitchell as the club's sporting director.
He has a big reputation in football after spells with Southampton, Tottenham, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Soccer International and Monaco.
Paul Mitchell said: "It's with immense pride that I accept the responsibility of being Newcastle United's new sporting director.
"I've seen the recent growth and ambition of the club. This, plus the amazing fan base, made the decision to join an easy one.
"I can’t wait to get started and help continue the organisation's growth and long-term competitiveness in all areas of elite football performance."
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England squad talk transfers as Anthony Gordon hopes for Liverpool move
Transfer talk is a hot topic in the England camp at Euro 2024.
According to the Mail’s Sami Mokbel, the summer transfer window and the players’ futures are a keen topic of conversation in Germany.
He said on the Euros Daily podcast: "There's stuff going on, players are openly speaking about where they are going, who is interested, whether they will sign a new contract, whether they won't sign a new contract as their release clause is too high for them.
"It all gets discussed, it's open season for that ... the players are caught up in that drama, they love it and love speaking about it.”
He adds: “[Anthony] Gordon wants to join Liverpool and I don’t think a deal in completely dead ... [but] Newcastle are confident they have recouped enough money to avoid a points deduction.”
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Chelsea interested in £63m Diogo Costa
Chelsea want to replace Robert Sanchez with Portugal star Diogo Costa.
Enzo Maresca has decided he wants a new goalkeeper, despite Sanchez arriving from Brighton for £25million last summer, and has his sights on the 24-year-old Porto star.
Costa was most recently seen saving all three Slovenia penalties in a shootout win for Portugal at Euro 2024.
And TEAMtalk claim Costa has caught the eye at Stamford Bridge and could cost €75m (£63m).
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AC Milan hope to sign Emerson Royal this week
AC Milan have accelerated their bid to sign Tottenham defender Emerson Royal.
According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Milan are pushing hard for a breakthrough which is anticipated to come this week.
Spurs want £17m for Brazilian right-back Royal.
AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United could sign Matthijs de Ligt for just £30m
Manchester United hope to wrap up the signing of Matthijs de Ligt for around £30-35million, plus add-ons.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is being worked on this week and personal terms are being discussed and not expected to be a problem.
He wrote: "De Ligt’s agent Rafaela Pimenta is working on this deal, she is negotiating with Manchester United, and I can guarantee that the contract is not going to be a problem. Man United know De Ligt is on a big salary at Bayern, but also that he’s keen on the move and won’t create an issue there, so personal terms are being negotiated and are advancing."
He added: "He needs a new project where he has 100% trust of everyone at the club. Hasan Salihamidzic signed him for Bayern but then things changed and De Ligt was no longer trusted as a key player; so being reunited with Erik ten Hag could be the best solution for him."
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Arsenal make Viktor Gyokeres decision
Arsenal have decided against a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in favour of targeting Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the Gunners believe Gyokeres is the cheaper option despite having a €100million (£85m) release clause.
It leaves Osimhen with few options, which is bad news for Napoli. Manchester United and Chelsea were also linked with the striker, but the former are closing in on Joshua Zirkzee and the latter are yet to decide on their preferred target.
AFP via Getty Images
Bayern finally seal Joao Palhinha deal after year-long saga
Bayern Munich have agreed a deal worth up to £47.5million to sign Joao Palhinha, in what would be a club-record sale for Fulham, writes Dom Smith.
The Bavarian giants had already made two bids this summer — including one worth £29.7m — but Fulham stuck to their valuation of the player and rejected both.
Now, though, Bayern have made a breakthrough, having struck a deal worth an initial £43.2m plus a further £4.3m in performance-related add-ons.
The deal would beat Fulham’s previous record sale, set last summer when striker Aleksandar Mitrovic joined Saudi club Al-Hilal for £45m.
Read in full here!
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Real Madrid keen on move for Marc Guehi
During an otherwise fairly underwhelming Euro 2024 for England, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has impressed.
Even before starring for the Three Lions on the grandest of stages, the centre-back was linked with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Now, according to the Daily Mirror, Real Madrid have entered the running to sign Guehi.
The FA via Getty Images
Chelsea close in on sixth summer signing as Aaron Anselmino terms agreed
Chelsea are closing in on their sixth summer signing in the form of Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino.
According to reports, the 19-year-old has agreed personal terms over a £14million move to Stamford Bridge.
Anselmino will sign a six-year deal but will return to Boca on loan until January.
Getty Images
Arsenal to beat Chelsea to Riccardo Calafiori deal
Arsenal are now in pole position to sign Riccardo Calafiori.
According to various reports, it is the Gunners who have jumped to the head of the queue for the Bologna and Italy defender after positive talks with Mikel Arteta.
Bologna will demand around €50million (£42m) for the defender, who can play at centre-back and at full-back, and the deal is expected to advance quickly over the coming days.
Chelsea are also interested, but reportedly want to offer players as part of the deal.
Evening Standard
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