Transfer information stay: Zubimendi throws Arsenal transfer into doubt, Liverpool get £18m increase for Wirtz signing
The summer transfer window is up and running with a shortened period between 1 June and 10 June enabling business to be done ahead of the Club World Cup.
Manchester City and Chelsea will represent the Premier League at the tournament, but it is champions Liverpool who look busy already having seen a club-record bid for Bayer Leverkusen‘s Florian Wirtz reportedly rebuffed, watching goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher leave for Brentford and wrapping up a deal to bring Jeremie Frimpong to Anfield by triggering his £29.5m release clause.
It comes as Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid before the Club World Cup, with a £10m fee agreed to get him out of his contract a month early. Manchester United have an awful lot of work to do in the window after a disastrous season, though Matheus Cunha will sign from Wolves for £62.5m, and Bryan Mbeumo now appears to be on their list of targets with the Brentford forward seemingly keen on a switch. Doubt is also easing over captain Bruno Fernandes’s potential departure with the Portuguese supposedly rejecting a mega offer from the Saudi Pro League.
Arsenal, meanwhile, may have hit a snag in their attempted addition of Martin Zubimendi but Mikel Arteta has seemingly sanctioned talks with RB Leipzig over striker Benjamin Sesko.
You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free, while all the latest updates, rumours and done deals from what promises to be a chaotic transfer window will be covered in the blog below:
Martin Zubimendi throws Arsenal move into doubt
A curveball that Arsenal could definitely have done without. Martin Zubimendi has thrown doubt on to his move to the Gunners.
The Real Sociedad midfielder was thought to be a sure thing, with a deal being agreed and only the formalities of a medical to be completed but he has no refused to rule out the possibility of staying at Sociedad.
The 26-year-old had a €60 million (£50.5m) release clause that has supposedly been met but in an interview with Radio Nacional de Espana, Zubimendi said his future is undecided.
“Of course there are options, but it’s true that it seems like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it will end,” Zubimendi said.
“I don’t think thinking about it right now is my priority. I’m here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.”
After reports emerged claiming that Zubimendi was undergoing a medical with Arsenal, the midfielder uploaded a picture from a beach in San Sebastian on his Instagram account.
“It’s an example of what surrounds football,” Zubimendi added. “Many times I wake up in the morning and read things that I didn’t know I had done. That was a clear example.”
DONE DEAL! Brentford complete £18m signing of Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool
Caoimhin Kelleher has completed his move from Liverpool to Brentford for £18m.
The Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper joins Brentford as the replacement for Mark Flekken, who has completed his £11m transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
Brentford were swift to identify Kelleher as their top target to take over from the Dutchman and he passed a medical and agreed personal terms with the London club.
Rasmus Hojlund on his way out of Old Trafford?
While Bryan Mbeumo can operate centrally, it may be that Manchester United are still on the hunt for a focal point up front with neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee really seizing their chances under Ruben Amorim so far.
La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy report that Champions League finalists Inter Milan eyeing Hojlund on loan.
The Denmark international joined United from Serie A club Atalanta for £72m in August 2023.
Barcelona enter Luis Diaz talks
Barcelona have started initial talks with Liverpool winger Luis Diaz amid interest from Saudi Arabia for the Colombian, according to Sky Sports Germany.
The report states that Diaz is one of the main targets for Barcelona this summer, despite the high overall cost and ongoing issues with registration.
Diaz scored 16 goals across all competitions for Liverpool this term but could be leaving Anfield
Mateta on Man Utd’s radar?
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is being linked with Manchester United.
After Liam Delap turned down United to move to Chelsea, the Red Devils are looking at Bryan Mbeumo and Mateta.
Teamtalk reports that Mateta is on United’s striker shortlist and the club are “expected to make a concrete move in the coming days to explore the conditions of a potential deal.”
They also report interest in Mateta from Juventus and AC Milan.
Why Manchester United are confident of signing Bryan Mbeumo as attacking overhaul continues
United are yet to agree a fee with Brentford for Mbeumo, who has attracted attention from Newcastle and could be valued at around £60m.
Latest from Richard Jolly:
Chelsea in talks to buy Jamie Gittens
Chelsea are in talks to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
The Blues are targeting another wide player, with doubts over the future of Jadon Sancho, who could return to Manchester United with the Blues paying £5m in compensation to avoid the £25m obligation to buy.
And the Telegraph say Chelsea could make a £50m move for Englishman Gittens, with a release clause in and around that figure.
Gittens has shone for the Bundesliga giants since joining in 2020, with the Under-21 international the youngest English player to score in the Champions League – aged 20 and 75 days – after his goal against Real Madrid.
Bruno Fernandes makes decision on Man Utd future
Manchester United appear to be holding on to Bruno Fernandes, in good news for Ruben Amorim – for now.
The Portuguese midfielder had been mulling a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal, but Fabrizio Romano reports that the club captain has rejected their proposal as he wishes to stay in Europe. Could that mean a move elsewhere, though?
Federico Chiesa ‘to think about’ leaving Liverpool
Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has admitted he’s pondering a return to Italy this summer.
He played just 14 times for the Reds in his first season at Anfield, having signed for £10m last summer.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, when asked about a potential return to Serie A, Chiesa said: “That’s something to think about during the summer.
“My family, my agent and I have a great relationship with Liverpool, and the goal is to be ready for the pre-season. We’ll find the best solution for everyone.
“While out of the squad (at Juventus), I was able to train in great condition, but I missed playing friendlies. I had to start from scratch at Liverpool and that held me back.
“I hope (next season) it’s my season. My dream is to participate in the World Cup.”
