The summer transfer window isn’t open yet in Europe, but teams are getting ready for it, 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: PSG keen on Man City’s Gundogan
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Ilkay GundoganL’Equipe.
The 32-year-old is in the final weeks of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and he is set to decide on his future after the Champions League final on Saturday.
Although PSG believe Barcelona are leading the race to sign him as a free transfer, they are hopeful that the potential hiring of head coach Julian Nagelsmann — who ESPN sources revealed held talks with PSG earlier this week — could tilt the pendulum in their favour.
Gundogan has also been on the radar of Arsenal, though City remain keen on extending his deal.
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21.44 BST: Sevilla wing-back Marcos Acuna is on the radar of Atletico Madrid, reveals Mundo Deportivo.
The 31-year-old is one of a number of players who could be moved on from Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium this summer, and having previously been linked with Premier League side Wolves, the latest indicates that he is also being watched by sides in LaLiga.
Sevilla are also reported to be expecting to part ways with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
21.08 BST: Barcelona have made Manchester City wing-back Joao Cancelo their number one priority to reinforce right-back this summer, writes Sport.
The Blaugrana are said to be keen on a one-year loan move for the 29-year-old, who won two league titles this season after being loaned out to Bayern Munich in January.
Manager Xavi Hernandez has identified right-back as a key position to upgrade in the transfer window, but with difficulty in finding a long-term option amid the club’s current economic situation, they are set to delay making a signing on a permanent basis until 2024.
20.27 BST: The race is heating up for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to Calciomercato.
AC Milan are reported to have made contact with the 26-year-old’s representatives, with the Rossoneri hopeful of beating both Aston Villa and Roma to his signature. He is set to become a free agent later this month, and also has the option to go to Turkey’s top flight, having received a four-year deal worth €4million-per-season from Galatasaray.
19.58 BST: USMNT and Augsburg forward Ricardo Pepi wants to join PSV Eindhoven, reports Eindhovens Dagblad.
It is reported that the 20-year-old sees a switch to the Eredivisie side as a key move in his development, and he has informed his club of his desire to join them. Pepi enjoyed a bright loan spell in the Eredivisie this season, scoring 12 times in 29 matches for FC Groningen.
19.19 BST: Crystal Palace and Fulham are plotting a move for Coventry City forward Viktor Gyokeres, says Football Insider.
A number of clubs in the Premier League are reported to be keen to sign the 25-year-old after the Sky Blues missed out on promotion to England’s top flight, with many taking notice of his impressive campaign that saw him contribute to 33 goals in 49 matches.
Just 12 months remain on his current deal, and it is said that Wolves and Everton are also watching his situation closely.
18.55 BST: Talks have begun between Atletico Madrid and Benfica over a potential deal for left-back Renan Lodi, reports Relevo.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a positive campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last season, but unable to amend his relationship with manager Diego Simeone, Los Colchoneros intend to move him on permanently this summer.
Benfica are said to see him as a potential successor for Alex Grimaldo, who has agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen, though they could face competition for Lodi from multiple clubs in Serie A.
18.08 BST: In more news surrounding Juventus, the Bianconeri have decided against signing striker Arkadiusz Milik on a permanent basis, reveals Fabrizio Romano.
On loan from Marseille, the 29-year-old could have been signed for €7m by activating a permanent option clause, but it now looks as though he is set to return to the Ligue 1 side, who are unwilling to lower their demands to part ways with him.
He scored seven times in Serie A this season, with his last strike coming in the 1-1 away draw with Bologna.
17.33 BST: Bayern Munich aren’t one of the clubs considering a move for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, reports Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg.
The 25-year-old has also been linked with Liverpool recently, and he enjoyed a brighter spell of form towards the end of the current season with two goals and as many assists in the final seven matches.
After returning from an injury that left him sidelined for 10 months, it looks as though there is interest in his signature, but the latest indicates that he won’t be making the switch to the Allianz Arena.
17.00 BST: Almeria are looking for a proposal worth £34m if they are to agree to move striker El Bilal Toure on, according to Football Insider.
Everton, West Ham, and Wolves are all said to be interested in landing the 21-year-old, who contributed to nine goals in 21 LaLiga matches last season. Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen are also reported to have been keeping close tabs on his situation.
16.30 BST: Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, but won’t pay the required transfer fee, says Fabrizio Romano.
Havertz, 23, was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for just less than €80m, but the club are now ready to let him go for €60m, plus add-ons.
Madrid have just spent €103m to sign midfielder Jude Bellingham from Dortmund, so won’t go that high for the Germany international.
15.16 BST: Real Madrid have brought back Fran Garcia to the club as their first signing of the summer, the LaLiga club announced on Friday.
The Spanish full-back returns to Los Blancos after three seasons at Rayo Vallecano and has put pen to paper on a contract until June 2027.
“Real Madrid C. F. and Rayo Vallecano have agreed the transfer of the player Fran Garcia, who will be with the club for the next four seasons,” Madrid said in a statement.
Madrid owned 50% of Garcia’s sporting rights and have acquired the player’s full rights for €5m.
Garcia came through Madrid’s youth ranks and made one appearance for the Spanish giants during the 2018-19 season before being sent out on loan to Rayo in 2020.
15.00 BST: Could Tottenham land Leicester midfielder James Maddison for £50m?
A delegation including the Saudi Arabia club president Waleed Muaath has been in London this week discussing the possibility of deals with several players including Mahrez. The Algeria forward has two years remaining on his existing agreement with City but sources have suggested he has become frustrated with a lack of playing time under Pep Guardiola this season. 13.33 BST: Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund wants to join Manchester United this summer, according to The Athletic. Hojlund, 20, is considered one of the top young strikers in Europe, after scoring nine goals in 32 games in Serie A, and has been compared in style to Man City striker Erling Haaland. United’s first choice is to land Tottenham’s Harry Kane but, with a transfer fee of over £100m, they could turn to other options and Hojlund’s transfer would cost around £40m. 12.47 BST: Ben Foster has signed a new one-year contract at Wrexham, the team announced on Friday. The former Manchester United and England goalkeeper played a pivotal role in the latter stages of Wrexham’s 2022-23 National League title-winning campaign and will now extend his stay at the club until the end of the 2023-24 season. “At the end of last season it was obvious that I enjoyed being at the club,” Foster said in a statement. “I loved being part of the team and everything that Wrexham stands for. “The fans took to me so warmly, Phil Parkinson is brilliant, Steve Parkin is top class, I love Aidan Davison to bits, and the Co-Chairmen are out of this world. I’d decided before the end of last season I wanted to do it, because it feels like home. I’ve never joined a football club and felt at ease so quickly.” The 40-year-old came out of retirement to join the Hollywood-owned club in March after injuries to Mark Howard and Rob Lainton left the team in need of a new goalkeeper. Keita, 28, signed from Leipzig for €55m in 2018 but has slipped down the pecking order and couldn’t agree new terms. The Guinea international decided to leave Anfield for nothing and head back to the German Bundesliga. 12.22 BST: Xavi Hernandez has said Barcelona need a Santi Cazorla-type player if they are to build on their success of winning LaLiga this season. The Barca boss led the club to their first league title since 2019 but said they must strengthen this summer if they want to take steps forward in Europe following back-to-back group-stage exits in the Champions League. After missing out on Lionel Messi, who announced his intention to join Inter Miami on Wednesday, Xaxi said he wants an attacking midfielder and a replacement for Sergio Busquets, who will leave the club when his contract expires this month. “I would sign a Santi Cazorla for Barca,” Xavi, who coached the former Arsenal midfielder in Qatar, told Jijantes. “He is the best player I’ve worked with as a manager. You cannot put a price on him. With the exception of Messi, Busquets and [Andres] Iniesta, he’s the player I’ve most fallen in love with. He has a talent that doesn’t exist elsewhere in the game.” 11.45 BST: Can Ange Postecoglou turn things around at Tottenham? Sophie Lawson explains how Catarina Macario will fit into the Chelsea side after she signed from Lyon on a free transfer. Spurs have tracked the 26-year-old for several seasons and the club’s new head coach Ange Postecoglou is reportedly ready to support a summer move. Leicester are willing to let him go after their relegation from the Premier League, with Maddison wanting to continue his career in English football’s top flight as he seeks to push for a place in England’s squad for Euro 2024. Reports suggest Leicester could demand a fee of more than £50m for Maddison, who has just one year remaining on his contract. Spurs are likely to face competition from Newcastle United for his signature. Arsenal were also previously linked with a move, although the Gunners are currently prioritising a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice while also retaining an interest in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. 10.50 BST: Real Madrid will reportedly not offer more than €100m to land Tottenham striker Harry Kane this summer, according to COPE. Kane, 29, is under contract with Spurs for another season but is Madrid’s first choice to replace Karim Benzema, who turned down a contract extension to join Saudi champions Al Ittihad on a free transfer this week. The England captain is also a target of Manchester United and Los Blancos know negotiations to sign Kane will be hard, with Spurs not looking to put the striker on the market. Earlier this week, Spurs unveiled their kit for the 2023-24 season with Kane front and centre. Macario, 23, has signed a deal until 2026 after moving from Lyon, where she won the 2021-22 Champions League and two Division 1 Feminine titles. “I can’t wait to get started here!” she said. “I’m really happy to sign for Chelsea and I hope to represent the jersey well over the next few years. I can play either as a No.10 or a more traditional number nine and I’m looking forward to linking up with so many good forward players such as Sam [Kerr], Lauren James and Guro [Reiten]. It will be good to play with Kadeisha [Buchanan] again also. “I’ve been fortunate to have some great experiences in Europe already with Lyon, playing with many top players and of course winning the Champions League also. I hope to carry on those experiences here and bring home the trophy for Chelsea as well!” 10.11 BST: ESPN Brasil reports that Endrick’s goal for Palmeiras in the 4-2 triumph over Barcelona SC in Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores has earned his team €2.5m. Real Madrid announced in December that the club had agreed to sign the 16-year-old for a reported fee of €72m in 2024, when he turns 18. One of the clauses stipulated in the contract between Palmeiras and Real Madrid was that Palmeiras would pocket €2.5m for every five goals scored until he reaches 25. And the goal against Barcelona SC was Endrick’s fifth of the 2023 season. Palmeiras president Leila Pereira described the Madrid deal as “the biggest negotiation in the history of Brazilian football.” 09.37 BST: AC Milan have joined the race to sign Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze, according to Sky Italia. Chukwueze, 24, scored 13 goals and gave 11 assists in 50 games this season, but he has not signed a contract extension, with his current deal ending next summer. The Rossoneri have reportedly approached Villarreal to express interest in signing the Nigeria international, while Real Madrid have also monitored him. A youth product of Villarreal, Chukwueze is also a target of Premier League clubs and has an €80m release clause. Laimer, 26, has signed a deal until 2027 and the Austria international will join up with his new teammates for preseason. “FC Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said. “I will give everything for the club and the fans. FC Bayern always has the highest goals — just like me. I’m in the right place here. I’m only capable of giving 100% and that’s what I’ll put into every training session from day one. I can hardly wait.” 08.55 BST: Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is prepared to reduce his wages by 40% to continue at the club beyond June 2024, according to COPE. The Spain international is in talks to sign a contract extension with the Rojiblancos. Morata, 30, is aware of the club’s financial struggles and is willing to accept a lower salary to continue in Madrid. Morata has scored 15 goals in 45 games for Atletico this past season. 08.32 BST: Sergio Aguero admits he was surprised that friend and former teammate Lionel Messi has decided to join Inter Miami instead of returning to Barcelona. Aguero told ESPN Argentina: “It was surprising for everyone because there had been a lot of talk of [a return to] Barcelona. He sought happiness more than the pressure to keep winning and winning. He did well to try to seek happiness for him and his family.” Aguero, meanwhile, has not ruled out Messi playing for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, when he would be 39. “Knowing Leo, who takes great care of himself, a door must be left open,” Aguero said. “He will not be at the same level, but he is Messi, with a set piece he can score a goal.” 08.00 BST: Luis Suarez will not be joining his friend and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, the Uruguayan striker said on Thursday. Messi revealed his intention to join the MLS club following the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain on June 30. Speculation immediately followed that Miami could look to surround Messi with some other familiar faces. Suarez, who was linked with a transfer to Miami before he left Europe to return to South America — first with Uruguayan giants Nacional and then with Brazilian club Gremio — was one of those tipped for a potential move. But the 36-year-old, who spent six seasons alongside Messi at Barcelona, said his contract with Gremio means a move to Miami is not on the cards. “This is false, it is impossible,” Suarez told Uruguayan newspaper El Observador about the reports. “I am very happy at Gremio and I have a contract until 2024.” James Olley gives the latest on James Maddison’s future as the Leicester midfielder continues to be linked with Tottenham. – Manchester City have reached an agreement over personal terms with Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, writes Fabrizio Romano. The 29-year-old Croatia international is interested in joining the Premier League champions, who will begin negotiations over a transfer fee with the Blues after the Champions League final on Saturday. It is reported that Chelsea are willing to move Kovacic on, as they look to trim their first-team squad this summer. – Arsenal are set to launch an approach for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, The Telegraph reports. The Gunners had been waiting for David Moyes’ side to finish their season after Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final that saw them secure a 2-1 win over Fiorentina. Despite interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United, it is Mikel Arteta’s side who are reported to be leading the race for Rice’s signature. The Hammers are said to be looking for a fee in the region of £92m to part ways with him. – Barcelona fear falling behind in the race for Manchester City attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva, writes Sport. While the Blaugrana are keen on the 28-year-old, it is reported that they are able to make a move for him only if they offload a number of players this summer, while there are also concerns over whether they would be able to match the level of salary that PSG are willing to offer. – Talks will take place this week between AS Roma and winger Stephan El Shaarawy over a new contract, Gazzetta dello Sport reveals. The 30-year-old’s deal will expire on June 30, but it is reported that he is keen to stay at the Stadio Olimpico, and he would be willing to accept a salary reduction to help reach an agreement. He made 42 appearances across all competitions last season. – West Ham are leading the race to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, The Telegraph says. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also reported to be interested in landing the 25-year-old, but the Hammers securing Europa League football for next season on Wednesday sees them as frontrunners for his signature.
13.56 BST: Al Ahli are willing to offer Riyad Mahrez a contract worth €100m plus bonuses to leave Manchester City, a source close to negotiations has told ESPN.12.30 BST: Werder Bremen have confirmed the signing of midfielder Naby Keita from Liverpool on a free transfer.11.23 BST: Tottenham are interested in signing Leicester midfielder James Maddison, sources have told ESPN.10.20 BST: Chelsea have confirmed the signing of USWNT forward Catarina Macario.09.04 BST: Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of defensive midfielder Konrad Laimer on a free transfer from RB Leipzig.PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
