The summer transfer window is open for some leagues in Europe, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Arsenal set to break transfer record for Rice
Arsenal have made a third bid for West Ham United captain Declan Rice, according to the Athletic, in a move that would break the record for a British player.
The Gunners have reportedly offered £100 million and a further £5m in add-ons to land their top target just hours after West Ham turned down Manchester City’s opening proposal of £90m for the England international.
City have already secured a £30m deal for Mateo Kovacic but also are keen to add Rice to their midfield options following Ilkay Gundogan‘s decision to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
Since making his debut at age 18, Rice has made 245 appearances for the east London club. He has one year left on his contract, but West Ham also hold an option to extend his deal by a further year. It has been widely reported that West Ham expects Rice to leave this summer but have so far held firm with their demands to receive a record fee for their midfield general.
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09.14 BST: Tottenham Hotspur are in advanced talks with Leicester City over the transfer of midfielder James Maddison, sources told ESPN’s Tom Hamilton.
Spurs have tracked Maddison, 26, for several seasons, and new manager Ange Postecoglou is thought to be keen on the move. Sources told ESPN that negotiations are ongoing, with the two sides are still trying to find mutual ground on the transfer fee.
Maddison and his Leicester teammates were relegated from the Premier League last season, during which the midfielder registered 10 goals and nine assists from 30 league appearances.
08.37 BST: Turkish club Adana Demirspor is interested in signing Valencia forward Edinson Cavani, according to Estadio Deportivo.
Adana Demirspor are looking to strengthen their squad as they will play in the Europa League next season, and have already expressed their interest to Cavani’s brother and agent Nando Guglielmone.
Cavani, who joined Valencia last summer after his contract with Manchester United expired, endured a disappointing season at the Mestalla stadium.
The Uruguay international, who is under contract with Valencia until June 2024, scored only five goals in 25 league appearances for Los Che.
According to reports, Valencia could allow the 36-year-old to leave for free to offload a high-wage player.
08.00 BST: Celta Vigo left-back Javi Galan is set to join Atletico Madrid in a transfer worth around €3.5m, sources have confirmed to ESPN’s Rodrigo Faez.
Atletico youngster Manu Sanchez will move in the other direction as part of the deal.
Galan’s arrival ends Atletico’s search for a permanent left-back following Renan Lodi’s move to Nottingham Forest last year and an injury to Reinildo.
Sergio Reguilon joined on loan from Tottenham last season but, for various reasons, did not nail down a regular starting sport and coach Diego Simeone was forced to improvise with personnel and his formation.
Galan, 28, was a regular for Celta last season, making 40 appearances in all competitions, and has previously been linked with Barcelona.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Abbie Ingham)
– Bayern Munich are preparing a written bid for Harry Kane, after their initial verbal offer of €70 million was rejected by Tottenham Hotspur, according to Sky Sports Deutschland. However, sources have told ESPN that the north London club are not willing to part with the 30-year-old striker, who has one year remaining on his contract, and they have not received an official bid for the England captain.
– Roberto Firmino is closing in on a move to Al Ahli, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 31-year-old is set to become a free agent when his contract expires with Liverpool this week, departing Anfield after eight years and 111 goals in 362 appearances. The Brazil international is now reportedly in advanced talks to join the Saudi Pro League club on a three-year contract.
– Leicester City are pushing hard for a deal for Conor Coady, according to the Mirror. Following their relegation, the Foxes are set to beat out Premier League competition for the 30-year-old defender’s signature. The England international, who spent the past season at Everton on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, is wanted by the East Midlands club’s new manager, Enzo Maresca, who heard positive remarks about the centre-back from Pep Guardiola when he was part of the coaching setup at Manchester City.
– Leicester also are lining up moves for Tottenham’s Harry Winks and Manchester City keeper Zack Steffen, according to the Telegraph. The Foxes are reportedly in negotiations for 27-year-old Winks, who spent the past season on loan at Sampdoria and is understood not to be part of Spurs’ plans for next season. Maresca also is eyeing a move for 28-year-old goalkeeper Steffen, whom he knows well following his time at Man City.
– Sevilla are in talks with Espanyol over the signing of Nico Melamed, Fabrizio Romano reports. The 22-year-old winger has several suitors this summer transfer window, and his departure from the Periquitos is a distinct possibility. The Spain under-21 international made 32 appearances, scoring one goal and providing two assists as the Spanish club finished 19th and were relegated from LaLiga.