Euro 2020 and the Copa America are over and the summer transfer window is open, leaving Europe’s biggest clubs clear to make a splash in the market. Check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
TOP STORY: Man United may beat Arsenal to Wolves star Neves
Manchester United have leapfrogged Arsenal in a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves, according to TalkSPORT.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to the Gunners this summer, with two years left on his deal, but the Midlands club want £35 million in transfer fee if they are to let him go.
Neves joined the Molineux outfit in 2017 from FC Porto for around £15m. He helped Wolves gain promotion from the Championship that season and his profile has only risen since then. He has made over 100 appearances in the Premier League and also has Champions League experience from his time at Porto.
With uncertainty surrounding the future of Paul Pogba, a move for the Portugal international could help United bolster their midfield for long-term security.
While for Arsenal, Neves could be a replacement for the outgoing Granit Xhaka, who is expected to leave for AS Roma in the coming weeks.
Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with Neves and they could lure him to the club thanks to new boss Nuno Espirito Santo. The Spurs manager was in charge of Wolves when he signed Neves, meaning they could have an advantage in landing the midfielder.
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12.30 BST: Chelsea could move for a new striker — Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is No. 1 choice — but does that mean having to move on a man who cost them €53m to sign last summer?
12.06 BST: Everton have signed winger Demarai Gray on a three-year deal from Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee.
Gray, 25, began his career at Birmingham City before joining Leicester in January 2016. He left for a new challenge in Germany in January 2021 but has returned to England.
“I’m delighted to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I’m excited to play with the team and get to work,” Gray told Everton TV. !Speaking to the manager and [Director of Football] Marcel Brands, I had a really good feel for the Club and I feel this is a place where I can continue to develop.
“The manager, with his ambition and what he has won in the past, is important and we’ll look to push forward and compete with the top clubs. I think a club of this magnitude has all the potential to be right up there.”
11.18 BST: Sao Paulo have stepped up negotiations to secure the services of Dario Benedetto from Marseille in a season-long loan deal, sources have told ESPN Brasil.
Benedetto, 31, has scored 17 goals in 69 appearances for Marseille since joining them from Boca Juniors in 2019. However, the forward only started 19 games in Ligue 1 during last season and is now ready for a new challenge in Brazilian football.
ESPN Brasil reports that negotiations have advanced considerably in recent hours and only minor details are pending to complete the deal.
10.44 BST: Sevilla have agreed personal terms with Erik Lamela as part of the negotiations that the Spanish side are having with Tottenham Hotspur over a swap deal between the Argentine midfielder and winger Bryan Gil, according to Spanish news agency EFE.
Lamela, 29, would sign a three-year-deal with Julen Lopetegui‘s side and EFE adds that Sevilla would also get around €25m in cash as part of the deal which is expected to be completed in the coming days.
10.20 BST: Real Madrid have made contact with Leon Goretzka over a free transfer next summer, says Bild.
The Bayern Munich midfielder has yet to agree new terms to his contract which expires in 2022, and is reportedly demanding €20m per year in salary, with Bayern only willing to give him half that.
Goretzka, 26, is a world-class player so other clubs are showing interest, including Man United. The Daily Mail says they are looking for Paul Pogba‘s replacement and are willing to offer him £200,000-a-week (around €12m per year).
10.05 BST: Leeds United have signed midfielder Lewis Bate from Chelsea for around £1.5m on a three-year deal.
Bate, 18, has been part of the Chelsea youth setup for the last decade and captained the Blues in the 2020 FA Youth Cup final.
09.41 BST: Arsenal are preparing another move to sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, says TalkSPORT.
Ramsdale, 23, was part of the England squad at Euro 2020 and the Gunners are seeking a reliable backup to No. 1 Bernd Leno.
Sheffield United have already reportedly rejected two bids, and The Times says the club want over £32m from clubs wanting to land Ramsdale.
09.24 BST: Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard has been offered to former club Chelsea, according to AS.
Hazard, 30, has made 43 appearances in all competitions across two seasons due to injury after his €100m move in 2019.
Chelsea have Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner who all operate in the forward positions, but could be keen to bring Hazard back if the terms are right.
08.30 BST: Real Madrid’s first summer signing David Alaba has said he would love to play alongside Raphael Varane amid reports the France international defender will leave and join Manchester United.
Varane, whose contract at Bernabeu is due to expire in June 2022, is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top defensive target and sources have told ESPN that United are closing in on his signing.
“Of course I would love to play with Varane,” Alaba said during his unveiling on Wednesday. “For many years he has played excellent football and not just now. He is a wonderful defender and has great qualities.”
Madrid already lost a defensive stalwart with Sergio Ramos leaving for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent after 16 years at the club and six seasons as captain.
Alaba has inherited the No. 4 shirt left vacant by Ramos.
“They only had this number available but I know what this number means for the club,” Alaba said. “For me it’s an honour to wear it. I want to honour this number. It really motivates me. It’s a number that represents strength and leadership.”
PAPER GOSSIP (by Luke Thrower)
– Liverpool are interested in West Ham United‘s Jarrod Bowen as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his squad in the attacking third. The Athletic reports that the 24-year-old is on the Merseyside club’s radar this summer. The winger, who can play anywhere across the front three, joined the Hammers for roughly £18m from Hull City in January 2020. Any move is said to be dependent on if Klopp can move on squad members Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri. Liverpool are said to be monitoring Bowen’s development beyond this summer if a deal doesn’t materialise.
– Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign Norwich City playmaker Todd Cantwell, reports Football Insider. The Canaries are reported to value the 23-year-old highly, meaning that Villa would have to put in a significant offer for the player. However, Cantwell only has one year left on his deal, meaning manager Daniel Farke could be forced to move him on rather than lose him on a free. The playmaker can play across the attacking midfield positions but usually on the left for Norwich.
– Leicester City, Southampton and Burnley are all interested in a move for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to BBC Sport. The 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Emirates after coming through the youth ranks with the Gunners. Maitland-Niles has nearly 80 appearances in the Premier League, spending last season on loan at relegated West Brom, making 26 appearances.
– Tottenham are pushing to sign Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, according to Calciomercato. The 25-year-old only has a year left on his current deal, which would allow him to discuss joining a new club in six months’ time. The midfielder also has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for €30m but that expires in just over a week and Spurs aren’t willing to meet that valuation at the moment. The Italy international has a preference to stay with Jose Mourinho’s team beyond the end of next season, but could be willing to leave if improved terms aren’t agreed.
– Aston Villa are eyeing a move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, reports the Daily Mail. The 23-year-old is valued at around £30m with the club looking to add another wide player to their ranks. The Jamaica international registered 18 goal involvements in 30 Bundesliga appearances last season — his best output since moving to Germany.
– Orlando City SC have confirmed that U.S. international Chris Mueller has signed a pre-contract with an unnamed European side. Mueller, 24, will remain with the MLS side until the end of the season before moving on to his new club. Orlando did not identify where Mueller will go next but reports have said clubs in Belgium and Scotland were eyeing the winger.
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