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: Chelsea want Dybala from Roma
Paulo Dybala could leave Roma for Chelsea this summer for €12 million ($13m), according to Calciomercato.
The Argentine attacking midfielder is wanted by new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino, and the 29-year-old has a clause in his contract stating that he can leave for the above amount should a foreign club come in for him before 2025, when his existing deal comes to an end.
The same contract states that should Dybala decide to join a rival Italian side instead, he could leave the Italian capital for around €20m.
Pochettino is a big fan of Dybala, who has been spotted at Wimbledon in the last seven days. Moreover, Chelsea defender Thiago Silva was questioned about the prospect of Dybala joining Chelsea while at Silverstone on Sunday, and the Brazilian revealed that he has discussed the west London club with Dybala, stating he would be a “huge signing.”
For his part, Dybala told reporters on Sunday that he is happy at Roma as he prepares to begin preseason training with the Italian club.
It’s already been a busy summer for Chelsea. The Blues have signed Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, while a number of players are set to follow Mason Mount out of the club.
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21.08 BST: As Napoli look to replace Bayern Munich-bound centre-back Kim Min-Jae, Gazzetta dello Sport report that they are looking at Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kou Itakura. Gli Azzurri are offering a €12m transfer fee, and an agreement isn’t far with Gladbach wanting more than €15m to sanction the departure of the 26-year-old Japan international.
20.35 BST: Torino are interested in Lille left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, reports Tuttosport, having just signed right-back Raoul Bellanova from Cagliari. A move for Hellas Verona’s Josh Doig is close while Marcos Acuna could be looked at if Sevilla bring in a new left-back and Salernitana’s Pasquale Mazzocchi remains in the picture.
20.02 BST: Lyon have rejected RB Leipzig’s opening offer of a €26m transfer fee plus €6m in bonuses for centre-back Castello Lukeba, reports L’Equipe. The 20-year-old France youth international has already agreed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga side, but the historic French club are holding out for €30m without add-ons and a percentage of the funds earned from a future move.
19.29 BST: Wolverhampton Wanderers could give Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo a second chance in the Premier League, reports the Daily Mail, after the 26-year-old Brazil international endured a disappointing loan in which he didn’t play a single league minute for Liverpool. The former Barcelona standout has received a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League but is waiting to see whether Wolves will firm up an initial enquiry.
18.56 BST: A medical has been scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday ahead of Brest winger Franck Honorat‘s move to Borussia Monchengladbach, according to Sky Sport Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. The 26-year-old’s contract will run until 2027 and include an option for another year, while the French club will receive a €8m transfer fee plus potential add-ons.
18.23 BST: Arsenal are hopeful that they can complete the signing of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice before their squad departs for a tour in the U.S.on Sunday, reports Sky Sports, with the deal set to be worth a club-record £100m plus £5m in add-ons. The Gunners are also expected to announce centre-back Jurrien Timber’s £38m move from Ajax in time for the 22-year-old Netherlands international to take part in their friendly against Nurnberg on Thursday.
17.50 BST: Al Hilal have reached a verbal agreement with Lazio to sign midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic for a €40m transfer fee, reports Fabrizio Romano, with a formal offer and documents to be checked. The move now depends on the 28-year-old Serbia international, who is open to discussing contract terms.
17.17 BST: Strasbourg will make an attempt to sign Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, according to Foot Mercato, following Blue Co, owners of Chelsea, purchasing Strasbourg. The 20-year-old France youth international caught the eye with 25 goal contributions in the 2022-23 Ligue 1 season, which has also resulted in interest from the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle United and Eintracht Frankfurt.
16.44 BST: The Athletic reports that Danish giants Brondby are interested in FC Dallas centre-back Justin Che. The 19-year-old U.S. youth international has spent the past two years on loan in Germany, first with Bayern Munich’s second team and then with Hoffenheim’s reserves, with the latter declining to trigger their option to make Che’s signing permanent.
16.11 BST: Free agent forward Wilfried Zaha is waiting for his deal with his current representatives to expire at the end of this month before deciding his future, according to the Sun. Crystal Palace want the 30-year-old Ivory Coast international to remain at the south London club, where he’s spent the entirety of his career (apart from a two-and-a-half-year spell at Manchester United, which also included 18 months on loan back at Selhurst Park), but there is also interest from Lazio, Fenerbahce and Saudi side Al Nassr.
15.38 BST: United States international Sergino Dest could be moving from Barcelona to London amid interest from two Premier League clubs, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Fulham are willing to pay a £17m fee for the 22-year-old, almost as much as Barca paid to sign him from Ajax in 2020.
Crystal Palace are also interested in signing the right-back, who has a contract at Camp Nou until 2025 but is no longer in Barca coach Xavi Hernandez’s plans.
Dest, who started all four of the USMNT’s matches at the 2022 World Cup, made 14 appearances for AC Milan during his loan spell last season.
14.56 BST: Tottenham Hotspur head coach, Ange Postecoglou, has said he wants Harry Kane to stay at the club, but admitted he has not received “any assurances” about the player’s future.
Sources have told ESPN’s Mark Ogden that Kane, who is entering the final year of his Tottenham contract, has been told that he is unavailable for transfer this summer and there are no plans by the club to offload their all-time record scorer. The Daily Mail reported on Sunday that Bayern Munich are set to have a second bid for Kane worth €80m plus add-ons rejected by Spurs.
Postecoglou, who was speaking in his first news conference since being appointed as manager of the north London club, said: “I don’t think it’s my role to sit there and treat people in a manner because of their circumstances. I treat everyone the same. Harry is already an important figure in the history of this football club. He’s one of the premier players in the world. I want him here and I want to make this club successful. I’m certain he wants that as well.”
Kane is expected back at the club for preseason training on Wednesday and Postecoglou said he is keen to speak to the forward.
“It’s not going to be a conversation where we come out with some kind of understanding,” Postecoglou said. “I just want to introduce myself and I want to know what he wants to happen to make this football club successful then we’ll go out there on the training ground and make it happen.
“I haven’t had any assurances and I wouldn’t expect any. With these type of situations you’re never dealing with certainties. I can only go with what I know right now. Harry is part of the squad and looking forward to being back and part of the players.”
14.09 BST: Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has said he expects Christian Pulisic to reinvigorate his career at AC Milan as the United States captain closes in on a move to Serie A.
Sources have told ESPN that Milan are expected to make an improved offer for Pulisic as confidence grows that a deal will be reached for the forward. Milan submitted a new bid worth over €20m ($21.8m) for Pulisic on Wednesday. Lyon have also submitted an offer to Chelsea, although it is less than reported €25m fee, a significant portion of which is made up in add-ons.
Pulisic is expected to reject the chance to join the French side, believing it to be the wrong move for his career. Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday at the British Grand Prix, Silva said: “Pulisic is a good guy, he’s going to do very well at Milan — the same as [Chelsea teammate] Ruben Loftus-Cheek.”
1:29
Would AC Milan be an upgrade on Chelsea for Christian Pulisic?
Herculez Gomez explains why he thinks a transfer to AC Milan would be a step forward for Christian Pulisic.
13.23 BST: Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba visited Al Ittihad’s training ground this weekend as he considers an offer from the Saudi Pro League club, Tuttosport reports.
Al Ittihad have reportedly offered the 30-year-old, who endured a difficult 2022-23 season at Juve due to injuries, a three-year contract worth €100m net.
There were reports earlier this year that Juve could cancel Pogba’s contract, which runs until June 2026, and allow him to leave this summer to free up space on their wage bill.
A move to Saudi Arabia would see Pogba link back up with compatriots N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema, who have already moved to Al Ittihad.
– Saudi Pro League transfer tracker: Done deals, players linked
12.34 BST: Inter Milan are set to make a second bid to sign Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku, according to Calciomercato.
Chelsea reportedly turned down Inter’s €30m bid for Lukaku last week, but last season’s Champions League finalists are set to raise their offer by €10m in the hope of reaching an agreement.
However, it still may not be enough to convince the Blues, who paid Inter €113m the summer of 2021 for the Belgium international only to loan him back to them last term.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reports that Lukaku is will to take a pay cut of €1m a year in order to help facilitate a permanent move back to Inter.
1:01
Pochettino: Lukaku needs to come back to Chelsea
New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says Inter loanee Romelu Lukaku is due to return to the Premier League club later in July.
11.59 BST: Benfica are in talks with Atletico Madrid to sign Joao Felix on a season-long loan, according to Record.
The Portugal international spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea from Atletico after falling out of favour with Rojiblanco coach Diego Simeone.
Chelsea have opted against signing Felix on a permanent basis, and the 23-year-old remains on Atletico’s transfer list. Should Atletico fail to find a suitable offer for Felix in this transfer window, the Spanish outfit will consider allowing the forward to leave on loan.
Benfica have already expressed their interest in loaning Felix, who is under contract with Atletico through June 2027.
11.17 BST: Manchester United will make an official bid for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana this week, the Daily Mail reports.
United are in search of a new No. 1 after David de Gea confirmed at the weekend that he would be leaving after 12 years at Old Trafford.
Last season’s Champions League finalists Inter’s initially wanted a transfer fee of €60m for the Cameroon international. However, after talks between the two clubs this summer, United are expected to make a formal offer closer to €50m.
Onana has previously worked under United manager Erik ten hag at Ajax where they won three Eredivisie titles and reached the semifinals of the Champions League and the final of the Europa League.
– Dawson: De Gea leaves as a United legend despite bittersweet ending
10.40 BST: Galatasaray have reached a verbal agreement to sign Mauro Icardi on a permanent transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Sky Sports.
The Turkish champions have agreed to sign Icardi in a €10m transfer, and the former Inter Milan star is expected to sign a contract with Galatasaray until June 2026.
Icardi, 30, spent last season on loan at Galatasaray from PSG. The Argentine striker scored 22 goals and set up seven more to help Gala win the Super Lig title.
09.58 BST: Liverpool will only let defender Nat Phillips leave for Leeds United if he does so on a permanent transfer, The Sun reports.
Leeds had hoped to bring the 26-year-old to Elland Road on a season-long loan deal as they bid to make an immediate return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation to the Championship.
Phillips has made 29 appearances for Liverpool, many of those coming in the 2020-21 season when Jurgen Klopp’s side recovered from a defensive injury crisis and a poor start to the season to secure a top-four finish.
He also has plenty of top-flight experience from loan spells at Stuttgart and Bournemouth.
09.22 BST: Everton and newly promoted Luton Town are two of the potential destinations for Ashley Young, the Daily Mail reports.
Young, 37, spent nine seasons at Manchester United and won the Serie A title at Inter Milan before returning to former club Aston Villa in 2021.
His contract at Villa Park has now expired after making 57 appearances in two seasons, and he has spoken to Premier League clubs over a free transfer this summer.
08.39 BST: Sevilla defender Jose Angel Carmona did not travel with the rest of the team for preseason training as he is set to join Sporting CP this week, according to Record.
The two clubs have agreed for Carmona, 21, to join Sporting on a permanent transfer for €3.8m. The right-back is expected to sign a contract with Sporting until June 2028.
A Spain U21 player, Carmona played the second half of last season on loan at Elche.
08.00 BST: Kylian Mbappe has described his own club Paris Saint-Germain as a “divisive team,” amid a contract standoff between the player and the Ligue 1 champions.
Relations between PSG and Mbappe soured last month after the France international said he would not renew his contract that expires at the end of next season, meaning he can leave for free in June 2024.
If he runs down his contract, PSG would be unable to recoup any of the €180m they spent to sign him. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said they will not let him go for free.
Mbappe, Ligue 1’s top scorer in the past five seasons, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
“I think that playing for PSG doesn’t help much because it’s a divisive team, a divisive club,” he said in an interview with France Football magazine. He did not elaborate.
PAPER GOSSIP (Nick Judd)
– Roma are looking to bolster their midfield with the signing of Austrian star Marcel Sabitzer, who has been on loan at Manchester United from Bayern Munich in the second half of 2022-23. That’s according to Calciomercato, who believe that Roma General Manager Tiago Pinto is looking to add some steel alongside new addition Houssem Aouar, who has joined the Italians from Lyon. Roma would be looking to bring the 29-year-old to the club on a temporary basis.
– Further to the Daily Mail’s earlier suggestion that Bayern Munich would return with a higher offer for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, Sky Germany‘s Florian Plettenberg has revealed that the German club has submitted a new bid of £80m to the north London club. The German champions’ bid of £70m was rejected by Daniel Levy, but the Bavarians have now increased their offer to include £80m plus add-ons. It is believed that the 29 year old, England‘s record goalscorer, is open to a move away from Spurs.
– Aston Villa have joined Arsenal, Newcastle United and Manchester United in the hunt for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, according to the Daily Mail. The only problem for the Villains is that the German side are demanding £50m for their star man, a fee that would represent a club record for Unai Emery’s side. The Frenchman is expected to leave the Bundesliga this summer and though Villa are interested, they would have to surpass their previous record transfer of £38m, which they paid for Emi Buendia in 2021. Diaby has scored 49 goals and set up a further 48 in 172 games since joining from Norwich City in 2019.
– Winger Manor Solomon is en route to London to sign for Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis from Shakhtar Donetsk, according to Fabrizio Romano. Israeli international Solomon is set to have his medical on Monday, with his contract set to be finalised and signed later in the month. Solomon will join the north London club on a free transfer, and follow James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario as one of the latest players to join under new coach Ange Postecoglou.
– Paris Saint Germain are looking at a number of options to bolster their strike force next season, and Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic is said to be on their wanted list, says Romano. The Serbian striker played 27 times for the Bianconeri last season and has been courted by Chelsea, but Juve are believed to have rejected a bid of around £51m from the Blues. Instead, Juve are looking to recoup around £77m for the 23-year-old, which is more than they paid for him last year.