The summer transfer window is now open 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: Man City eye Barcelona’s De Jong
Manchester City are interested in a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong following the end of their pursuit of West Ham United‘s Declan Rice, according to The Sun.
De Jong, 26, has been tipped to leave Camp Nou for some time, turning down an €85 million ($89.7m) move to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United a year ago, but his departure may now be necessary for the LaLiga champions as they look to slash their huge wage bill amid continuing financial issues.
The Netherlands midfielder, who earns a reported €465,000-a-week, is keen to stay at the club. However, the Catalan club would let him go for a fee of over €100m and City boss Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of the player and made an unsuccessful attempt to sign him in 2019.
Rice, 24, is nearing a move to Arsenal after the Gunners agreed a deal worth £100m plus £5m in add-ons on Wednesday, sources told ESPN. While there remain minor details to finalise, they are said to be a formality at this stage.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
LIVE BLOG
09.00 BST: United States international Christian Pulisic has an agreement in principle on a long-term deal to leave Chelsea and move to Serie A giants AC Milan; however, the clubs have yet to agree on a transfer fee, a source in Italy with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.
Pulisic, 24, is willing to take a substantial pay cut to make the transfer work, the source added, with only minor details still to be worked out before a full agreement on personal terms can be reached.
There remain negotiations on the fee, with Chelsea wanting €25 million ($27.3m) while Milan is thinking more in the €15m-€18m range, the source said.
1:53
Why Harry Kane holds all the cards over his future
Rob Dawson discusses Harry Kane’s future amidst interest from Bayern Munich in the striker.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Abbie Ingham)
– RB Leipzig‘s Dominik Szoboszlai has completed his medical ahead of his move to Liverpool, reports The Athletic. The 22-year-old midfielder, who scored six goals and provided eight assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances last season, will move to Liverpool after sources told ESPN that player’s release clause of €70m was activated. The two clubs were already in contact over a deal for Fabio Carvalho, who has joined the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan.
– Manchester United are set to look at other goalkeeper options after deeming a move for Internazionale‘s Andre Onana too expensive, according to the Mirror. With Mason Mount‘s £55m deal reportedly accounting for almost half of the club’s transfer budget, United are aware that other big-money moves could run against Financial Fair Play restrictions. United’s keeper shortlist to replace David de Gea includes pursuit of Feyenoord‘s Justin Bijlow and Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Kevin Trapp. The Eredivisie side will likely part with Bijlow, 25, for around £20m, whilst the Bundesliga club would accept close to £10m for 32-year-old Trapp.
– West Ham are looking to beat AC Milan in the race to sign South American wonderkid Dario Osorio, reports the Sun. The 19-year-old winger, who plays for Universidad de Chile, has already reportedly declined a transfer to a Brazilian club in an effort to move to Europe. The Hammers are readying a £7.5m offer for the Chile international, whilst the Rossoneri also keen on a sign-and-loan move for the teenager.
– Arsenal are finalising a deal for Ajax‘s Jurrien Timber, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 22-year-old defender is expected to undergo a medical in north London shortly, with negotiations for the Netherlands international’s move to the Emirates reaching their final stages. Sources told ESPN last month that Arsenal offered a fee in the region of £30m but that Ajax wanted £50m.
– Al Nassr have approached Sevilla to sign goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, according to Foot Mercato. The 32-year-old could be set to leave Spain this summer if the LaLiga club receive a good offer. However, it is reported that the Morocco international is not interested in relocating to Saudi Arabia and would need to be convinced to make the move. The Saudi side are looking to offload current No. 1 David Ospina to make room to sign more foreign players this summer.