The transfer window is now open again following the start of this summer’s Club World Cup with clubs able to accelerate deals ahead of the new season.
Arsenal chiefs are reportedly in talks with Eberechi Eze as the look to bring a striker to the club in this window. The Gunners have already agreed a fee for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard in a surprising move after contract talks with Thomas Partey stalled. They have also agreed to pay above the release fee for Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Arteta wants to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko – though talks have stalled somewhat.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m and are negotiating with Brentford about Bryan Mbeumo, having submitted an improved offer.
Florian Wirtz is now officially a Liverpool player after agreeing a record £116.5m deal for the German superstar and completed the medical last Friday, while Reds defender Jarell Quansah is set to go the other way in a £35m deal to join Bayern Leverkusen. Liverpool, who have already brought in Jeremie Frimpong, signed Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, on Thursday as they continue to strengthen ahead of the new season.
You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free, while all the latest updates, rumours and done deals will be covered in the blog below:
The key attribute that explains why Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz – and why he’ll succeed
There was a time when Liverpool looked to a German prodigy at Bayer Leverkusen as they sought to add another dimension to their attack but didn’t get him. That time was 2017, the Bundesliga wunderkind was Julian Brandt and the reason was that Jurgen Klopp, initially an advocate of his compatriot, was persuaded to switch his attentions to Mohamed Salah by Michael Edwards and the recruitment team assembled by Fenway Sports Group.
Fast forward eight years, when Brandt has had a fine career but Salah an exceptional one, and Liverpool have brought in the next generation of German playmaker. Florian Wirtz has cost an initial £100m; it could rise to a British record £116m if add-ons are triggered. It is already a club high: it could be a third overall record set in the FSG era after the most expensive prices then ever paid for a goalkeeper (Alisson, £65m) and defender (Virgil van Dijk, £75m). FSG can make the statement signing and balance the books. When they go big, it tends to be for a player they feel will be transformative.
Liverpool complete £40m deal for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez
The chase for Gyokeres would continue a busy summer for Liverpool so far that continued with the signing of Milos Kerkez this week.
Liverpool size up move for Viktor Gyokeres
Liverpool are interested in competing for the services of Sporting’s wantaway striker Viktor Gyokeres.
That’s according to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, which reports that the Premier League club have made an initial enquiry over Sporting’s asking price, thought to be around €80m (£69m).
Manchester United have been strongly linked with Gyokeres this summer after the Swedish international scored 54 goals last season. Arsenal are the only club to have submitted a concrete offer and Gyokeres is reported to prefer a move to the Emirates to Old Trafford.
Liverpool’s involvement could now throw Arsenal’s plans into chaos, as Arne Slot seeks to replace Darwin Nunez, a target for Italian champions Napoli.
Thomas Partey future at Arsenal all but confirmed
Thomas Partey’s contract at Arsenal has entered its final days, and according to Fabrizio Romano, there will be no last-gasp extension.
A deal for Brentford’s Norgaard, which is progressing, appears to be Arsenal’s solution to replace the midfielder.
Arsenal agree fee for Christian Norgaard
Arsenal have agreed a fee of £10m plus add-ons to sign Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard.
Sky Sports News have revealed that the add-ons amount to around £5m if they are all met, taking the total value of the deal to a possible £15m.
Negotiations are ongoing for the 31-year-old but this transfer is expected to get over the line in the next couple of days.
Arsenal made the move after contract extension talks with Thomas Partey began to stall.
Tottenham also in the hunt for Eberechi Eze
It appears it may be a north London rivalry for the signature of Eberechi Eze – Talksport and others have mentioned that Tottenham have strong interest in the Crystal Palace man after being dealt a blow in their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo.
Arsenal in talks with Eze’s representatives
Arsenal are reportedly in talks with the representatives of Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze.
It is claimed that Gunners chief Andrea Beta met with Eze’s people to discuss the details of a potential transfer.
Eze is on the market for around £68m and Arsenal would need to battle Tottenham to do a deal.
Their main priority is still an out-and-out striker with an attacking winger seen as a bonus.
If any move for Eze materialises that would reduce the funds available to purchase a centre forward with Arsenal still negotiating a price for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
The Chelsea-Man United swap deal that explains the transfer window’s latest trend
Swap deals are becoming more and more common as Premier League clubs seek to navigate profit and sustainability rules, balance the books and find value in a market that is eye-wateringly expensive.
Amid reports that Chelsea and Manchester United are considering trading Christopher Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho, Will Castle examines this transfer trend:
The logic behind Man United’s recruitment that could solve their goalscoring crisis
Matheus Cunha has already been brought in by Manchester United and Bryan Mbeumo could well follow as Ruben Amorim’s side pick off the best and brightest from other Premier League clubs. Richard Jolly explores the strategy behind their transfer dealings:
Bryan Mbeumo intent on Manchester United move
A blow, then, for Manchester United – though The Athletic report that Bryan Mbeumo has told both Brentford and Tottenham, another suitor, that he only desires a move to Manchester United if he is to be sold this summer.