Transfer information stay: Arsenal agree new signing, Man United eye £9m launch clause, Kerkez to affix Liverpool
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.
Florian Wirtz is now officially a Liverpool player after agreeing a record £116.5m deal for the German superstar and completing the medical on 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, now turn attention to Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who looks set to complete his deal this week.
Arsenal have agreed to pay above the release fee for Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, while Mikel Arteta has made RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko a priority – though talks have stalled somewhat. The Gunners have submitted an initial offer for another forward option – Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres – while Chelsea’s Noni Madueke emerging as a surprise alternative target.
Manchester United, who have secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, are negotiating with Brentford about Bryan Mbeumo, having submitted an improved offer. Tottenham, meanwhile, had been keen to reunited the forward with Thomas Frank but could switch their attentions to Eberechi Eze.
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:
The Chelsea-Man United swap deal that explains the transfer window’s latest trend
Swap deals that don’t make much footballing sense are becoming part and parcel of the Premier League when summer rolls around.
This isn’t an exposé on the dodgy activities of Premier League clubs, because everyone knows what’s going on at this point. It was bound to happen once financial regulations – namely the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) – were tightened. Balancing the books has become an increasingly integral motivation to transfer business, and if there’s a way to work the system via a loophole while abiding by the letter of the law, teams will take advantage.
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Brighton star Valentin Barco’s future remains unclear
Brighton youngster Valentin Barco is wanted again by Strasbourg after a fine loan spell in France.
The Argentine left-back shone for Le Racing and now returns to the Seagulls, handing them a dilemma over his future.
After a failed loan at Sevilla, Barco shone in France, but Fabian Hurzeler may look to integrate the former Boca Juniors star in his Premier League squad this term.
Stones speaks out on his Man City future
John Stones has insisted he wants to stay at Manchester City and hopes to “shut down” any suggestions he will leave this summer.
Manager Pep Guardiola said he wants to trim his squad, which he described as “too long”, and now has seven centre-backs after the January signings of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov. And Stones, 31, is about to enter the last year of his contract, having only started six Premier League games in an injury-hit campaign.
But the England international, who has not played since February, is adamant he has no intention of leaving the Etihad Stadium.
“I want to stay here,” Stones said. “I love it. I’m here to help the team. I don’t know if there’s been any speculation [about going], but I hope that this kind of shuts it down.”
Atletico Madrid target Senegal midfielder
Atletico Madrid are targeting Strasbourg’s Habib Diarra.
RMC reports that the 21-year-old will be allowed to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer.
The Senegal international will cost in the region of £21.3m (€25m), but that fee could rise with Strasbourg valuing Diarra highly.
Crystal Palace to sign Argentine goalkeeper on free transfer from PSV
FA Cup winners Crystal Palace will welcome Argentina goalkeeper Walter Benitez next week.
When his contract with Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven expires, the 32-year-old will compete with Dean Henderson to be the Eagles’ No 1.
Benitez has given up a Champions League campaign with PSV to play in the Premier League.
Wilfred Ndidi on the radar of a couple of clubs
Wilfred Ndidi feels a tricky player to figure out, now up to eight years with Leicester and having already played a season in the Championship but surely a useful option for one of the bottom-half Premier League clubs. The midfielder is a target for two such sides, Talksport say: Manchester United and Everton could both make a move for the Nigerian with a £9m relegation clause in his contract mentioned.
Kepa Arrizabalaga set for Arsenal move
Arsenal look set to have a new back-up to David Raya next season with Kepa Arrizabalaga near to a switch across London from Chelsea. Arrizabalaga spent last season down at Bournemouth.
Real Madrid set hefty price for Rodrygo
Rodrygo has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid this summer, with Arsenal among those interested in the Brazilian – yet any interested parties will have to pay a hefty price. Spanish radio station Cadena SER suggest the club will demand somewhere near £80m for him.
Derby close in on USA international striker
Derby County are in talks to sign USA international Patrick Agyemang.
The 24-year-old striker is currently with MLS side Charlotte FC.
QPR confirm appointment of Julien Stephan as manager
QPR have hired Julien Stephan as their new manager.
Formerly at Rennes, Stephan has worked in their academy with super talents such as Eduardo Camavinga, Desire Doue and Raphinha.
He also guided the Ligue 1 club to their first trophy in 48 years in 2019.
