Transfer Talk! Haaland to Chelsea; Man United target Di Lorenzo
The summer window is open and clubs are stepping up their efforts to sign and sell players.
Manchester United have finally signed long-time no1 target Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, for a ‘fixed transfer fee of £73million’. The young Englishman could be joined at Old Trafford by Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, while talks are advancing with Rennes over French starlet Eduardo Camavinga.
Manchester City are ready to once again splash the cash as they target huge deals for both Harry Kane and Jack Grealish, though managing to prise the pair away from Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively will prove difficult, with Villa confident of Grealish agreeing fresh terms to stay put and Spurs holding firm.
Liverpool are believed to be considering offers for Saul Niguez and Youri Tielemans with Porto’s Otavio and Nicolo Barella of Inter Milan also firmly on the radar as well as a potential deal for Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches, while Erling Haaland is said to be interested in a move to Chelsea this summer.
Tottenham’s transfer activity will step up a gear now Nuno Espirito Santo has been confimed as their new manager and they are trying to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna. Nuno reportedly wants to meet Kane for talks over his future before the striker goes on holiday after Euro 2020.
Meanwhile, West Ham are in talks over a deal for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper and former Fulham loanee Alphonse Areola.
Keep up to date with all of today’s latest transfer news, rumours and gossip below!
Live updates
Arsenal ‘agree £14.9m Lokonga deal’
After completing the £8.5m signing of sign Nuno Tavares yesterday, Arsenal have reportedly now agreed a £14.9m transfer for Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Gunners have completed the paperwork on a five-year deal for Lokonga and the transfer will be made official after the Anderlecht midfielder has undergone a quarantine period.
It has been reported in Belgium that Lokonga passed his Arsenal medical in Holland on Friday.
Arsenal also want to sign Brighton defender Ben White and are interested in Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
Chelsea and Man United dealt blow in Camavinga persuit
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal appear to have been dealt a blow in their efforts to sign to Eduardo Camavinga after reports in France claimed he would prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain if he leaves Rennes this summer.
Le Parisien claim Chelsea have contacted Rennes about Camavinga, who is also wanted by Real Madrid.
But they say the 18-year-old France midfielder is keen to stay in France and join PSG.
Tuchel wants ‘immediate’ Haaland move
Thomas Tuchel wants Chelsea to make an “immediate” move to sign Erling Braut Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
German newspaper Bild claim Tuchel has told Chelsea chiefs to swoop for and that the Norway striker can imagine a future at Stamford Bridge.
But the report also says that Dortmund are unlikely to sell Haaland this summer and are demanding £150m for the 20-year-old.
Tuchel has made a top-class striker his transfer priority this summer and Haaland has long been Chelsea’s leading target, though Dortmund’s refusal to sell and the huge financial package required to secure the deal have been major obstacles.
United to target Di Lorenzo after Euro 2020 Final
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a £17m move for Italy right-back Giovanni di Lorenzo after Sunday’s Euro 2020 Final.
Napoli defender Di Lorenzo has impressed during the tournament and Il Napolista in Italy claim that United are set to try and sign him this summer.
It is claimed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees Di Lorenzo as a way of providing some competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford.
United have also been linked with England defender Kieran Trippier but it is thought they are not willing to meet Atletico Madrid’s asking price for him.
ICYMI: Tottenham ready to make Aouar bid
Tottenham have reportedly joined Arsenal in showing an interest in Lyon and France midfielder Houssem Aouar.
Aouar has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal but Le10 Sport claimed Spurs are entered the race to sign the 23-year-old.
Paris-Saint-German and Atletico Madrid are also said to be in the race to sign Aouar, who Lyon value at around £25m.
Tavares: I dreamed about Arsenal move
New Arsenal signing Nuno Tavares has told fans what they can expect from him.
In his first interview since completing his transfer from Benfica, Tavares told Arsenal.com: “I am fast, I am good at shooting with my right foot, but I’m left-footed. I can dribble, improvising. That’s my qualities, my technique. I have more qualities and I will find more in this club.
“I’m so excited because it is a big club and for me as a young guy, it is a pleasure to be here.
“When I finished the season my agent told me that Arsenal were interested in me. In the first instance I was very happy and after this I dreamed about it, and [spoke about it] with my mum. I was so excited to be here, and now I’m here I’m so happy.
“Mikel [Arteta] and Edu helped me so much. They speak with me every time, and call me and I feel people want me here. I like that because I need this power and I’m so grateful for this.”
Ireland wonderkid Zefi agrees Inter move
Republic of Ireland wonderkid Kevin Zefi has agreed to sign for Inter Milan.
The 16-year-old will move to Italy from Shamrock Rovers in the next few weeks to start pre-season in the Inter youth academy.
Zefi became the youngest goalscorer in League of Ireland history in September when he scored for Shamrock Rovers against Longford Town aged just 15.
He is being advised by former Tottenham right-back Stephen Carr.
Chelsea make contact with Rennes over Camavinga
Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Rennes over signing midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
Manchester United had also been strongly linked with the 18-year-old who has also attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
But Le Parisien in France claim Chelsea have entered the mix for Camavinga after speaking directly to Rennes about him.
Edu: Tavares was wanted by a number of clubs across Europe
Arsenal technical director Edu claims the Gunners saw off compeition from “a number of clubs across Europe” to sign Nuno Tavares.
Edu said: “Nuno is a talented young player who was wanted by a number of clubs across Europe.
“He will provide strong back-up in the left-back position. We look forward to him growing and developing with us and becming an important member of the first-team squad.”
Arsenal complete £8.5m Tavares signing
Arsenal have completed the signing of Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares in a deal that could eventually be worth £8.5million.
The Gunners announced on Saturday morning that Tavares has signed a long-term contract with the club.
Tavares will join up with his new team-mates in the coming days after he has travelled from Portugal and completed the current isolation regulations for international arrivals into the UK. He will wear the No20 shirt.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “We welcome Nuno to the club. He is a young player with great promise who has developed very well with Benfica in recent seasons and has also shown his quality by being part of Portugal Under-21s.
“Nuno’s arrival will give the squad extra strength and options in defence, particularly with this energy on the left side of the pitch.
“We look forward to Nuno’s arrival soon, his integration into the Arsenal family and playing in front of our fantastic supporters.”