Arsenal are closing in on a stellar €70m double deal as they close in on a new winger and midfielder, Liverpool are pushing to sign an explosive former Everton winger and Barcelona are targeting the Manchester United star and also want a Championship winger.
Liverpool moves to Arsenal to sign Johan Bakayoko
Arsenal are front-runners to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko, with strong reports in the Netherlands linking a big-money move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Belgium international was one of the Eredivisie’s best players last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in 48 games as Peter Bosz’s side cruised to title glory.
These performances have given Bakayoko a key role in the Belgian national team at Euro 2024, and as his performances at the tournament have become more prominent, speculation about his future has intensified.
PSV have already made it clear that they will be unable to stop their star man from leaving in a lucrative transfer this summer, with Liverpool and new manager Arne Slot reportedly being huge fans.
However, Liverpool are likely to only make a move if one of Luis Diaz or Mo Salah leaves, which would leave them at risk of being stymied in the transfer race.
Now, according to reports, it is Arsenal who are first in line to sign Bakayoko, with the 21-year-old star emerging as a big target for Mikel Arteta this summer.
The Arsenal manager is desperate to add another winger to his squad and sees Bakayoko as his number one choice ahead of another Euro 2024 winger, Pedro Neto.
The Gunners have been keeping tabs on the Wolves star for a long time, but they now say they believe the PSV man represents better value for money.
Although the two parties have yet to reach an agreement, Gazet van Antwerpen claim the Gunners are expected to make a formal statement of interest to both the player’s agent and the Dutch club soon.
PSV are seeking a package worth around €45 million for the 21-year-old, which would make them the joint biggest sale in their history alongside Irving Lozano, who moved to Naples in the summer of 2019.
Talks over a deal are expected to ‘develop positively’ and it is claimed Bakayoko could quickly become an Arsenal player after Belgium’s Euro 2024 adventure ends.
Arteta personally called Sociedad star about Arsenal move
Meanwhile, the Gunners are working hard to complete the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino this summer.
Recruiting a new midfield partner for Declan Rice is one of the club’s top priorities this summer. With Mohamed Elneny gone, Albert Sambi Loconga and Thomas Partey do not have a clear future at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with Amadou Onana and another Sociedad star, Martin Zuvimendi, with the latter could leave if his €60m (£50.7m) transfer clause is met.
However, reports in Spain suggest that the reported interest in Zubimendi is actually a smokescreen for Arteta’s actual top target in Merino.
The Newcastle native has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Spanish football and his performances have put him on the radar of Barcelona this summer.
And with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025, Real are likely to sell him this summer for a fee of just €25m (£21.1m).
While competition for his signature is fierce, it is claimed that Arsenal are in a strong position after Arteta personally called up the midfielder over a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Things have also improved for Arsenal, with the 28-year-old given the green light to return to English football if the two clubs can agree a fee.
Tottenham put talks on signing great striker on hold
Tottenham Hotspur have beaten Manchester United and are in talks with Jonathan David’s agent to sign the Lille striker. The Canada international is out of contract next year and could be sold for around €40m (£33.8m).
Chelsea and Manchester United are locked in a race to sign Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino, with the 19-year-old set to leave for around €25m (£21.3m). (TyC Sports)
Unwanted Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could find a new home at Borussia Dortmund after the German giants expressed interest in signing the Danish midfielder, who could leave for around €25m (£21.3m). (built)
Manchester City look set to miss out on River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, while Real Madrid are close to completing a deal for the 16-year-old sensation, who has a €45m exit clause in his contract. (markka)
Napoli are ready to consider a €100m (£84.5m) offer for Victor Osimhen this summer, while Antonio Conte has already decided to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea as a discounted replacement. (Calciomercato)
Liverpool and Manchester United have been warned they will need an £85m fee to persuade West Ham to sell Mohamed Quddus this summer. The Hammers are yet to receive an official inquiry for the Ghanaian, who was signed for just £38m last summer. (Sky Germany)
Chelsea have a golden opportunity to sign Barcelona teenage striker Marc Giu for €6m, with the Blues now agreeing personal terms with the 18-year-old. (TEAMtalk exclusive)
The Blues will also have to compete with Aston Villa in the race to sign Hoffenheim forward Max Bayer, with the German forward likely to move for around €35m (£29.6m) this summer. (Sky Germany)
Liverpool review former Everton winger’s shock move
Liverpool are eyeing a surprise signing of Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman. The former Everton and Fulham player had an excellent season in Italy, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists. This record also includes a hat-trick in the Europa League final, with Manchester United and Chelsea also showing interest. (Calciomercato)
Liverpool look set to lose out on signing Feyenoord defender David Hancko, with the Slovakian expected to join Atletico Madrid. He would form a new central defensive partnership with another summer target, Robin Le Norman of Real Sociedad. Hancko’s agent has confirmed talks have taken place over a move for the €30m-rated defender to the Wanda Metropolitano. (Various)
Aston Villa and West Ham are reviewing a deal for Lazio left-back Luca Pellegrini, with the capital club ready to make an immediate profit on the player and could secure a permanent deal from Juventus after completing a successful loan spell this summer . (Coriedello Sports)
Inter Milan and Genoa are continuing negotiations over the signing of Manchester United’s desired goalkeeper Josep Martinez. The two clubs were considering a deal to send midfielder Gaetano Oristanio in the other direction, but only a cash deal worth €15m is currently being discussed. (Sky Italy)
Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa are all contenders to sign Adrien Rabiot after it was confirmed he will not sign a contract extension with Juventus. Inter Milan are also ready to take action to keep the French Euro 2024 midfielder in Serie A. (TEAMtalk exclusive)
Borussia Dortmund remain on the right flank as they look to sign Archie Gray, while Tottenham are also considering a move. However, reports that a deal could be completed for as little as £21.3m (€25m) are completely inaccurate. (TEAMtalk exclusive)
Liverpool have received a positive response from Real Madrid after being contacted about a deal for Arda Guler. However, Los Blancos are only willing to discuss ending the season-long loan for the Turkish sensation and have a strict policy of blocking any option for the Reds to make the move permanent. (markka)
Barcelona Iman UTD star and Hull winger
Barcelona are considering a surprise move for Hull City winger Jaden Philogene, with Deco seeing the Aston Villa and West Ham target as a cheaper alternative to Nico Williams and Luis Diaz. (Various)
Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has urged the Blaugrana to move to Manchester United to sign Jadon Sancho, with the German boss confident the winger can rebuild his career at the Nou Camp. (Sport)
Leeds and West Ham are competing to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Adam Hlozek. The Czech striker has been frustrated by his limited playing time under Xabi Alonso. A €20m move has been linked for the striker, who scored seven goals and provided five assists in 1,026 minutes last season. (Bild)
Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez has agreed a major contract with Saudi Arabian Al-Qadsia, ending his long-standing relationship with Los Blancos and the veteran defender. (Marca)
Barcelona are set to reluctantly sell teenage defender Michail Payet this summer, with the Manchester United target set to join FC Porto for a €15m fee from the Blaugrana. (Mundo Deportivo)
Inter Milan playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu has issued a statement through his agent denying rumors of a €70m (£59.2m) move to Bayern Munich this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Everton are set to make a third move for Marseille striker Iliman N’Diaye, while the Toffees are also pursuing a move for Newcastle winger Yankuba Minthe. (Fabrizio Romano)
Liverpool are set to outbid Manchester United to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, with Arne Slott seeing real value in the countryman’s €40m (£33.8m) release clause. (Called offside)
