Transfer information stay: Arsenal’s Gyokeres bid, Robertson to go away Liverpool and Man United proceed Mbeumo chase
The transfer window is about to re-open after shutting following its mini-opening ahead of the summer’s Club World Cup. The window will officially re-open on Monday (16 June) and clubs are continuing to make deals in the interim.
Liverpool are making plans for a Florian Wirtz medical after agreeing a record £116.5m deal for the German superstar. The Premier League champions, who have already brought in Jeremie Frimpong, will make Wirtz their club-record signing after agreeing a deal with Bayer Leverkusen. However, they may well lose left-back stalwart Andy Robertson, with Atletico Madrid circling.
Manchester United, who have secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, are negotiating with Brentford over Bryan Mbeumo, who would prefer a move to Old Trafford over Tottenham Hotspur even as Thomas Frank takes charges in north London – though Spurs want Mbeumo and teammate Yoane Wissa.
Arsenal hope to bring in Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Arteta has made RB Leipzig striker, Benjamin Sesko, their No 1 target for a striker. However, the Gunners have reportedly submitted an offer for another dorward option – Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been rebuffed in their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.
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:
Arsenal miss out on new goalkeeper to Barcelona
Barcelona look poised to add a new goalkeeper having triggered a clause for Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
The Blaugrana will pay €25m (£21.3m) for Garcia, with confirmation to the league coming on Friday.
The 24-year-old has agreed terms on a six-year contract and will compete with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny and Inaki Pena.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Bournemouth were all linked with Garcia in the last year.
Nmecha headed to Leeds
Some Leeds news for you now with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting that Lukas Nmecha is close to becoming the newly-promoted side’s first signing of the summer.
The 26-year-old attacker is out of contract at Wolfsburg, so would join on a free on 1 July.
Nmecha began his career at Man City and played for England up to U21 level when he switched to represent Germany and has won seven caps for Die Mannschaft, although none since 2022.
He’s never exactly been a prolific striker and scored just three goals in 20 games for Wolfsburg last term.
Zabarnyi agrees personal terms with PSG
Another defender who could be headed for the exit at Bournemouth is Ilya Zabarnyi.
The 22-year-old Ukrainian centre-back has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, according to Fabrizio Romano.
PSG and Bournemouth are discussing a potential fee, with talks underway but no agreement sealed yet.
Bournemouth sign Truffert from Rennes
There are a lot of outgoings at Bournemouth this summer but the job of replacing their departing stars has begun.
Rennes left-back Adrien Truffert, 23, will join on a five-year deal according to Fabrizio Romano for a €13.5m fixed fee, €3.5m add-ons and a 10 per cent sell-on clause to Rennes.
Romano says the medical has been completed and he’ll be officially unveiled next week.
Truffert will replace Milos Kerkez, with the 21-year-old destined for Liverpool.
Man United have a maximum price for Mbeumo
Manchester United still want to sign Bryan Mbeumo but the club have a limit they are not willing to pass, according to ESPN.
The club’s first offer of £45m + £10m in add-ons was rejected by Brentford, who are thought to be holding out for a fee of around £60-70m, and United haven’t yet returned with an improved bid.
The Red Devils believe they still lead the race for Mbeumo, with private confidence that he prefers Old Trafford to Tottenham.
While the Cameroon international was intrigued by interest from Spurs now that Thomas Frank has moved to north London, The Independent can report that United are still in the driving seat for the 25-year-old.
Man City closing in on young talent Sverre Nypan
It sounds like this one is close – an exciting prospect for Manchester City fans:
DONE DEAL! Tottenham confirm signing of Mathys Tel
Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel in a deal worth £29.8m, with the France U21 international signing a contract until 2031.
Tel was originally signed on loan with a view of a permanent deal in January under former boss Ange Postecoglou, who has since been replaced by Thomas Frank.
Spurs paid a £7.3m loan fee in January and that temporary deal was always intended to become a permanent one, with Postecoglou often saying Tel was signed with the long term in mind.
Nico Williams ‘chooses the club he wants to join’ with Arsenal set for blow
Arsenal target Nico Williams looks set to push for a move to Barcelona in a blow to Mikel Arteta’s plans.
The 22-year-old has been linked with a transfer to the Emirates, while Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also in talks to tempt the Spain winger away from Athletic Bilbao.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Williams is desperate to join Barcelona, though, with a big-money deal set to be thrashed out in the coming weeks.
Atletico Madrid target Liverpool’s Andy Robertson
In one of the more interesting transfer-related stories, Andy Robertson could move to LaLiga with Atletico Madrid, reports Fabrizio Romano.
With Liverpool linked with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, Robertson may look for a new start.
The report states Robertson is a priority for Diego Simeone this summer.
Man Utd identify two ‘Mbeumo back-ups’ to boost squad
Man United are preparing for all eventualities this summer, which could mean a back-up plan if Bryan Mbeumo decides to join former boss Thomas Frank at Tottenham instead of moving to Old Trafford.
Brentford are also driving a hard bargain, meaning United could look elsewhere for value, with ESPN reporting new targets have emerged.
The Bees want closer to £70m for Mbeumo, based on the £62.5m fee paid by United for Matheus Cunha.
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze are the key targets behind Mbeumo now.
