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: Joao Felix set for PSG?
Paris Saint-Germain are keen to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, according to Relevo.
The Ligue 1 champions are in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer following the departure of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami CF and the continued saga of Kylian Mbappe‘s transfer to Real Madrid.
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Felix, 23, had disappointing loan stint at Chelsea in the second half of last season as he managed just four goals for the west London club.
The Portugal international has struggled at Atletico since his €126 million move from Benfica in 2019, netting 34 goals. Following a high-profile falling out with manager Diego Simeone last season, it is reported that the LaLiga outfit are eager to offload Felix this summer. But, with a contract until 2027, Atletico are looking for a high fee and not another loan spell.
Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique is reportedly keen to make Felix his first signing once he joins PSG. The French side are looking to replace Christophe Galtier, who has already been sacked but remains under contract and is at the centre of an investigation into racism allegations at his former club Nice.
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14.24 BST: Zack Steffen is available to leave Manchester City this summer with Leicester City showing an interest in the American goalkeeper, sources have told ESPN.
Steffen, who has 29 caps for the United States, spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough but narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
City are open to allowing the 28-year-old to leave permanently during the transfer window but sources have told ESPN that they will ask for a fee before sanctioning any move. Steffen is under contract at the Etihad until 2025.
Leicester, according to sources, have registered their interest in Steffen although they have yet to make a formal offer.
13.40 BST: The transfer window is confusing because it’s designed to be confusing. No one in European soccer benefits from you or I being able to understand how they’re spending their money or why they’re spending their money. And with the influx of sovereign wealth funds and venture capital over the past decade-plus — entities somewhat randomly concerned with “winning soccer games” — that’s truer than ever.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t try! So, as the summer transfer window across Europe open on July 1, here’s your dictionary guide to the terms that will define the summer of 2023.
12.30 BST: Man United are closing on the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea for £55m
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Why Mount is a great signing for Manchester United
Mark Ogden explains why the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea will improve Manchester United.
11.46 BST: Man City winger Riyad Mahrez is closing on a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, says Rudy Galetti.
Mahrez, 31, was reportedly unhappy at being snubbed for Man City’s FA Cup and Champions League finals and could move on, with £45m-a-year personal terms already agreed with Al Ahli.
A big offer could persuade City to let the Algeria star go, but the club are loathe to lose both him and Bernardo Silva, who has also been linked with Saudi clubs at around £75m.
11.15 BST: Manchester United are interested in signing FC Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, according to Jornal de Noticias.
Taremi, 30, netted 31 goals and 14 assists in 51 games for the club last season and his transfer value is around €20m.
United are looking to bolster their striking options and the Iran international is available.
10.26 BST: Calciomercato claims that Real Madrid want to replace Karim Benzema with PSG star Kylian Mbappe, but will wait to get him on a free transfer next summer.
Mbappe, 24, has a contract which expires in 2024 and has already said he won’t sign a new one. PSG are ready to move him on for €150m this summer, but there are few clubs who can afford that and Madrid are prepared to wait.
In the meantime, Madrid want to bring in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic on loan for a year to cover them, with an option to sign permanently included in the deal.
10.14 BST: Chelsea have completed the signing of 18-year-old forward Alex Matos from Norwich City.
Matos, who scored three goals in the Premier League 2 for Norwich U21s last season, is a highly rated young player and England youth international.
10.03 BST: Inter Milan have announced the signing of France international forward Marcus Thuram on a free transfer.
Thuram, 25, scored 34 goals in 111 games for Borussia Mönchengladbach but opted not to extend his contract and move to Serie A.
09.56 BST: Manchester United are planning face-to-face talks with David de Gea in a bid to resolve his contract standoff, sources have told ESPN.
De Gea’s existing deal at Old Trafford officially expired on Friday when the goalkeeper became a free agent. He is getting married this weekend and sources said that United are allowing the 32-year-old to spend time with his family in Spain without interruptions.
However, club bosses including football director John Murtough are keen to meet De Gea in person to discuss his contract situation.
09.26 BST: Liverpool are closing in on the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, sources have told ESPN.
Liverpool have activated a release clause in Szoboszlai’s contract, which is believed to be in the region of €70m, sources said.
Szoboszlai, 22, is expected to travel to Liverpool this weekend for a medical, having already agreed personal terms. If the move goes through, he will become Liverpool’s second summer signing after Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister arrived for an initial £35m.
09.00 BST: United States international Christian Pulisic has an agreement in principle on a long-term deal to leave Chelsea and move to Serie A giants AC Milan; however, the clubs have yet to agree on a transfer fee, a source in Italy with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.
Pulisic, 24, is willing to take a substantial pay cut to make the transfer work, the source added, with only minor details still to be worked out before a full agreement on personal terms can be reached.
There remain negotiations on the fee, with Chelsea wanting €25m ($27.3m) while Milan is thinking more in the €15m-€18m range, the source said.
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Dawson: Arsenal in pole position to sign Declan Rice
Rob Dawson explains Manchester City’s decision to pull out of the race for Declan Rice.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Rajan Hothi)
– Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, who will sign a two-year deal with the club, per Fabrizio Romano. The tweet suggests that Chelsea will allow the 33-year-old to depart on a free transfer, despite the Spaniard signing a two-year deal last summer as recognition for his 11 years of service.
– AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho is eager to sign Manchester United midfielder Fred, according to the Sun. The Portuguese coach signed Fred for the Red Devils in 2018, with the report indicating that the Brazil international could depart Old Trafford this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. United are keen to offload several players in the transfer window, which could fund summer signings of their own.
– Manchester United have asked goalkeeper David de Gea to not find a new club, as they remain unsure on their goalkeeping situation this summer, per the Sun. Despite the 32-year-old being a free agent, the report reveals that United are unsure if they can afford to sign a new No. 1 keeper, leaving the door ajar for De Gea to get a new deal.
– Atalanta have shown an interest in Tottenham defender Japhet Tanganga, according to Calciomercato. The 24-year-old played a minimal role for the north London club last season, featuring in just 146 minutes of Premier League action. With only two years left on his deal, Tanganga could be on the move this summer and has previously been linked with a move to AC Milan.
