The official opening of the summer transfer window is now just days away, but Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham have already begun pursuing huge early signings. Arsenal are working on a club-record deal to sign Declan Rice, though it now seems that West Ham may want to take Emile Smith Rowe in part-exchange.
The Gunners are also holding talks over Joao Cancelo as they push for Manchester City team-mate Ilkay Gundogan, with they are rivalling Chelsea for Moises Caicedo and reportedly eyeing a shock raid for Kai Havertz. The Blues are believed to have started negotiations with AC Milan over Mike Maignan, with Inter’s Andre Onana also linked as well as a surprise bid for Federico Valverde.
Tottenham have learned the price for James Maddison and have Sofyan Amrabat in their sights as they aim to keep Harry Kane. Manchester United are pushing for Diogo Costa as they also pursue the likes of Kim Min-jae, Axel Disasi and Rasmus Hojlund, though face a fight with Chelsea and Real Madrid over Lautaro Martinez as Liverpool pursue Khephren Thuram, Gabi Veiga and Manu Kone. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Live updates
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo fear as Arsenal and Chelsea chase deal
Brighton fear that they will lose Moises Caicedo this summer.
Arsenal and Chelsea are known to be battling over the signing of the highly-rated Ecuador international, 21, after the Gunners saw several bids rebuffed during the latter stages of the January transfer window.
Europa League qualifiers Brighton have already seen one star midfielder in Alexis Mac Allister depart this week for Liverpool, and Seagulls left-back Pervis Estupinan admits he is scared that his compatriot will be next out the door at the Amex Stadium.
“I think that having a player of Moi’s [Caicedo] category, many teams would like him,” he told ESPN. “We all fear that he will leave us.
“As I have always talked to him, if he stays I will be very happy to play next to him, to continue enjoying his football.”
Arsenal close to new William Saliba deal
Arsenal are said to be progressing nicely in contract talks with William Saliba.
The French defender is the next priority Gunners star in line for a new deal after agreements with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale already this summer.
Arsenal badly missed Saliba during their title collapse, with his importance laid bare after a back injury that ended up preventing him from playing beyond mid-March.
The 22-year-old’s contract had originally been due to expire this summer, but Arsenal exercised a club option to extend it by a further 12 months in December amid negotiations over a longer-term extension.
Fabrizio Romano now reports that those talks are advancing, with fresh discussions taking place today. He says all parties are confident over reaching an agreement soon.
Liverpool agree terms with Khephren Thuram
Liverpool are now reported to have agreed personal terms with Khephren Thuram.
The Nice star quickly seems to have become Jurgen Klopp’s second priority midfield target after the bargain £35m signing of Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton was confirmed earlier this week.
footballtransfers.com now cites multiple sources claiming Thuram has verbally agreed contract terms with the Reds, who have also been linked with the likes of Manu Kone at Borussia Monchengladbach, Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, Barcelona’s Franck Kessie and Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga as they instigate a long overdue rebuild of their midfield having missed out on the top four and with the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all leaving.
Negotiations are now said to be underway between Nice and Liverpool over a fee for Thuram, son of France legend Lillian, who is also believed to be on Newcastle’s radar.
Man United handed Hojlund and Disasi boosts
Manchester United have been handed a double boost in their pursuits of Rasmus Hojlund and Axel Disasi.
The Atalanta striker – earning favourable early comparisons to Erling Haaland – and Monaco defender have both emerged as key targets for Erik ten Hag as he plots significant upgrades throughout his squad this summer after returning to the top four and Champions League.
The ongoing takeover uncertainty does not appear to be impacting United’s transfer planning, with Napoli’s Kim Min-jae also in their sights along with Mason Mount at Chelsea.
According to the Daily Mirror, United have been boosted after being informed that both Hojlund and Disasi want to move to Old Trafford this summer.
Arsenal start talks over Ilkay Gundogan
Arsenal have reportedly opened talks over a deal for Ilkay Gundogan.
The Gunners have made Manchester City’s FA Cup final hero and captain another key target alongside Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo as they plot major midfield upgrades this summer.
Gundogan is out of contract at City this month and they want him to sign an extension, with a decision on his future expected after the Champions League final as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain also chase his signature along with rival suitors in Saudi Arabia.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Arsenal have also now entered talks over Gundogan, who has four concrete offers on the table and will decide his next move inside 10 days after talks with agent and uncle Ilhan Gundogan.
Mikel Arteta wants to reunite with Gundogan in north London, having worked with the German during his time as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at City.
Man United rival Chelsea for Lautaro Martinez
Manchester United are said to be back on the trail of Lautaro Martinez.
The Argentine striker will look to fire Inter Milan to Champions League glory in Istanbul tonight and deny Manchester City a famous treble.
He could then head to Manchester himself, with 90min.com reporting that United have registered their interest in a summer transfer.
However, it is said that Chelsea and Real Madrid are also both keen on a deal for Martinez after tonight’s European showpiece.
Arsenal eye shock Kai Havertz move
Arsenal have joined the race for Kai Havertz, reports claim.
Chelsea are willing to sell the German forward this summer as part of their squad overhaul following a dismal campaign, though want to recoup a huge chunk of the £75m they paid Bayer Leverkusen for his services three years ago.
Real Madrid have been leading the race for Havertz as part of their plans post-Karim Benzema, but there are now suggestions that Arsenal could be tempted to launch a shock move for the player.
The Daily Telegraph report that the Gunners could look to act if Chelsea lower their asking price for the 23-year-old.
Tottenham learn James Maddison price
Tottenham have learned the price it will take to sign James Maddison this summer.
Reports claim that new Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has asked for the England playmaker to be made his first signing in north London as he looks to install an exciting, attacking brand of football.
Per the Daily Mail, Tottenham will have to splash out £60m to land Maddison, who is almost certain to leave Leicester after their relegation from the Premier League.
That is despite the player having just one year left on his contract in the East Midlands, with the Foxes said to be hoping that rival interest between Spurs and Newcastle will protect that hefty price tag.
Chelsea open talks over Mike Maignan deal
Chelsea have opened talks over a deal for Mike Maignan, reports suggest.
The Blues are known to be after a new long-term No1 goalkeeper this summer with doubts over the futures of both Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga under incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino.
According to L’Equipe, Chelsea have now initiated contact with Milan over highly-rated first-choice stopper Maignan.
The French international has been excellent for club and country this term, though the Rossoneri apparently do not want to sell and it would take a massive bid for that to change at this stage.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has even claimed that Milan are seeking a whopping €100m fee for Maignan, who has been fairly cryptic over his future on social media.
New Declan Rice to Arsenal twist
A surprise twist in the Declan Rice to Arsenal saga.
The Gunners are known to be keen on a swift club-record deal for their top summer transfer target, with a £90m bid being prepared.
However, a potential curveball seems to have now come from West Ham’s end.
The Sun reports that Rice does want to join Arsenal despite rival interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich, but also that the Hammers want to include Gunners favourite Emile Smith Rowe as part of the deal.
Standard Sport understands that Arsenal do not want to part with Smith Rowe this summer, despite a hugely frustrating and injury-plagued 2022-23 season in which he was limited to just 195 minutes of football across all competitions.
