The summer transfer window opens next week and Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all wasting no time getting their early business done. Chelsea are now said to have clinched a deal for Manuel Ugarte at Sporting Lisbon. The Blues are also keen on fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo, with Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic on the verge of exits.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are closing in on the signing of Declan Rice, having reportedly agreed terms on a contract, and have taken an interest in PSV youngster Xavi Simons and Sacha Boey of Galatasaray. Brighton’s Caicedo is also a target after Arsenal revived their interest from January.
United have agreed terms with Mount and must now agree a fee with Chelsea, and are also working on a deal for 20-year-old Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund. Harry Kane is their main target, but he is expected to stay at Tottenham for one more year amid strong interest from Real Madrid. Dusan Vlahovic has been touted as an alternative for United. Spurs, meanwhile, are closing in on Ange Postecoglou as their new manager. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours below!
Live updates
Chelsea seal Ugarte deal
Chelsea have now clinched the signing of Manuel Ugarte, reports claim.
The Blues have been pushing hard to beat PSG to a deal for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder, who was backed as an early summer target by incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Ugarte is now set to become Pochettino’s first signing at Stamford Bridge, with Portuguese outlet Record claiming tonight that the deal is now done.
They say Chelsea will pay €60m for Ugarte, with another €5m in add-ons potentially due based on goals scored.
Record report that the Uruguayan international, 22, will early €3.5m per year in west London.
Real Madrid confirm early Eden Hazard exit
The high-profile exit announcements are coming thick and fast tonight.
Real Madrid have just confirmed that Eden Hazard will leave the Bernabeu one year earlier than scheduled at the end of this month, with the two parties having agreed to a mutual contract termination.
“Real Madrid CF and Eden Hazard have reached an agreement whereby the player will be released from the club as of June 30, 2023,” Los Blancos said in a statement. “Eden Hazard has been part of our club for four seasons, in which he has won 8 titles: 1 European Cup, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 2 Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey and 2 Spanish Super Cups. “Real Madrid wants to express its affection for Eden Hazard and wishes him and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage.”
Reports suggest that Chelsea legend Hazard could now contemplate retirement aged just 32 after an injury nightmare.
Confirmed: Lionel Messi to leave PSG this summer
Hardly a surprise this, but Lionel Messi’s summer exit from Paris Saint-Germain has now been officially confirmed by the club.
“After two seasons with PSG, the adventure between Leo Messi and Paris Saint-Germain will come to an end at the end of the 2022-23 campaign,” PSG announced in a statement released before the final Ligue 1 game of the season against Clermont Foot on Saturday, alongside a farewell video.
“The Club wishes Leo, with undeniable emotion, many more accomplishments for the rest of his career.”
Messi said: “I would like to thank the club, the city of Paris and its people for these two years. I wish you all the best for the future.”
PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi paid tribute to Messi, stating: “I would like to thank Leo Messi for his two seasons in Paris. To see a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in the Rouge & Bleu and at Parc des Princes, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and inspiring our younger players has been a pleasure.
“His contribution to Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 cannot be understated and we wish Leo and his family all the best for the future.”
Xavi has admitted that securing Messi’s fairytale return is a prority for Barcelona this summer, while the Argentine superstar has also been linked with big-money moves to Saudi Arabia – where he serves as an ambassador to the country’s tourism board – and Major League Soccer in the United States.
Wembley hero Gundogan sends message over Man City future
Ilkay Gundogan insists nothing has been decided over his Manchester City future.
The influential City captain scored two memorable volleys from outside the box – the first after only 13 seconds – to guide Pep Guardiola’s dominant side to a narrow FA Cup final win over fierce rivals Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.
Gundogan is out of contract at City next month and Barcelona and Arsenal have both been strongly linked with the German midfielder, who could yet remain at the Etihad.
After moving his team to within one more win of a historic Treble, Gundogan told the BBC: “I don’t need these kind of days to feel appreciated or special in this club. I am here (for) seven years, with all the up and downs. Nothing is decided yet. We are going to see what’s going to happen.
“To win a final is always special, every single trophy is special. This group deserves it. We played really well and we deserved to lift another trophy.
“Obviously we knew how we wanted to play the kick off, we aimed for it, to go long for Erling and get the second ball. For the first time this season we’ve scored, the ball was placed amazingly for me.
“It was a good strike, it went in and it was amazing.”
Lloris wants to leave Tottenham
Hugo Lloris has confirmed his desire to leave Tottenham this summer.
The 36-year-old French goalkeeper still has one year left on his contract but says he is seeking a new challenge after 11 years and more than 400 appearances for the club.
Spurs in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer and their targets include Brentford No1 David Raya.
Lloris has been at Spurs since joining in 2012 from Lyon and has captained the side since 2015.
“It’s the end of an era,” said Lloris. I have a desire for something else.”
Read more here!
Simeone opens door for Felix to make Atleti return
After new Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino rejected the chance to sign Joao Felix permanently, Diego Simeone has opened the door for him to return to Atletico Madrid.
Simeone told El Partidazo de COPE: “Joao is an Atletico Madrid player who, if he does not have a place at Chelsea, as Pochettino apparently said, he will have to come to Atletico de Madrid, he will have to work with us again, and obviously we will be willing to give him the best for that he can improve in what we believe is important.
“He has enormous quality, he heads well, he hits well with both feet… he will be what he wants to be. It is a reality that is shown in the game.”
Asensio to leave Real Madrid
Real Madrid have confirmed Marco Asensio will leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
The Spanish international is set to join Paris Saint-Germain.
After seven years at the Bernanbeu, a Real statement read: “Madridistas will never forget his career and his exemplary behaviour during all this time.
“Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and his whole family good luck in this new stage.”
Adrian set for new Liverpool contract
Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian has confirmed he is set to sign a new contract at Anfield.
The goalkeeper has not played for Liverpool since the Community Shield at the start of the season but Jurgen Klopp wants to keep both him and Caoimhin Kelleher this window.
“I have a great relationship with the manager and the club. We’ve been in talks and we’re really close,” Adrian told The Athletic.
“I know the situation and my role in the squad. Everyone wants to play and have minutes on the pitch, but you also need a big squad with good people who will commit everything every day in training.”
Xavi: Messi is Barcelona’s priority
Barcelona manager Xavi has confirmed a move to bring Lionel Messi back is a priority for the Catalan club.
Messi is leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal are confident of securing his signing.
But Xavi has not given up a dream return for Messi at Barcelona.
He said: “The priorities are very clear. I would really like Messi to return, I have spoken with him. I have already said that it depends on him. From here, apart from Leo, the other priority is a pivot”.
Ancelotti: Kane is a ‘top player’
Carlo Ancelotti has described Harry Kane as a “top player” as Real Madrid step up their interest in the Tottenham striker.
Reports in Spain claim Real have made Kane their top transfer target, whatever happens to Karim Benzema as he weighs up a lucrative offer to move to Saudi Arabia.
Real are said to want to Kane and Benzema to play together at the Bernabeu and their interest is being driven by Ancelotti, who has identified Kane as his preferred striker.
Ancelotti has now confirmed he is staying at Real Madrid in a move that could implications for Kane and his future.
Read more here!
