Transfer Talk: Silva snubs Saudi deal; Barca, PSG keen

The summer transfer window is open for some leagues 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: Silva rejects big-money offer from Saudi Arabia; Barcelona, PSG show interest

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been approached with a lucrative opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League and talks have taken place, but he plans to reject the offer, according to The Athletic.

The Saudis aren’t expected to give up their attempts to sign the 28-year-old Portugal international as they hunt for further high-profile signings this summer. N’Golo KanteEdouard MendyChelsea, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo already having made the switch.

Silva is under contract with Man City until 2025, but has been strongly linked with a move away. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both reportedly interested and the midfielder would prefer to continue to ply his trade in Europe.

Barcelona were interested in signing Silva in January but couldn’t raise the €70 million needed, while Man City were reluctant to part ways while the season was ongoing. He played a vital role in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign last season, featuring 55 times across all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and eight assists.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga & more (U.S.)
– Read on ESPN+: Is Mbappe using Lebron’s contract tactics?

LIVE BLOG

21.33 BST: Another midfielder being considered by Barcelona is Espanyol’s Sergi Darder, reveals Sport.

Manager Xavi Hernandez is said to believe that the 29-year-old could play a key role for the Blaugrana after he contributed to nine goals in 38 LaLiga matches last season, and it is reported that he has been identified as a potential alternative should Barcelona not complete a move for Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan.

21.03 BST: After returning from a loan spell with Sevilla, Manchester United are looking to move on wingback Alex Telles, says Fabrizio Romano.

The LaLiga club chose to sign Espanyol defender Adria Pedrosa as a replacement rather than making Telles’ stay in Seville permanent, and it looks as though the 30-year-old isn’t part of manager Erik ten Hag’s plans at Old Trafford. He made 27 league appearances last season.

20.05 BST: Bundesliga side RB Leipzig have made an approach to sign Lyon defender Castello Lukeba, reveals Foot Mercato.

The 20-year-old was a key player for the Ligue 1 side last season, making 37 appearances across all competitions, and that has seen interest in his services begin to surface from clubs in Europe.

Leipzig believe Lukeba has high potential, and their first offer is set to be a figure below €30m. Clubs in the Premier League are also believed to be interested in him.

19.50 BST: Barcelona remain interested in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but some members of the club’s hierarchy aren’t optimistic of getting a deal done, reports Sport.

The valuation of the 24-year-old remains an obstacle for the Blaugrana, who intend to make one final attempt to see whether they can bring him to the Camp Nou as an ideal successor for Sergio Busquets, who will leave the club as a free agent later this month.

19.22 BST: Searching for a future star, Newcastle are interested in signing Hertha Berlin forward Derry Scherhant, according to the Telegraph.

The 20-year-old made 10 appearances in the Bundesliga last season, scoring one goal in the 4-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach, while he also made his debut for the Germany U20 national side in March during a 2-0 defeat against England.

It is reported that manager Eddie Howe is keen to find young players for the future in the current transfer window who could eventually compete for a place in the first team squad.

18.50 BST: AC Milan are continuing their search to find a playmaker this summer, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Rossoneri, who still hold interest in USMNT star Christian Pulisic, are on the lookout for a right-winger who can cause problems for defenders with direct dribbling, and it is reported that the two latest players to emerge on the radar are Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, and Fenerbahce prospect Arda Guler.

Chukwueze, 24, contributed to 11 goals in 37 LaLiga matches last season, while 18-year-old Guler caught the attention of sides on Monday after scoring for Turkey in their 2-0 win over Wales.

18.25 BST: Borussia Dortmund are yet to make an approach for Ajax and Mexico international midfielder Edson Alvarez, says Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg.

BVB have shown interest in the 25-year-old since the transfer window opened, with belief that he could help reinforce their midfield after they parted ways with Jude Bellingham, but the Bundesliga club still have some way to go, with Alvarez also yet to accept their proposal over personal terms.

17.48 BST: Paris Saint-Germain are looking to offload midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, reports Foot Mercato.

The 32-year-old is set to return to PSG after a loan spell with Roma last season, but it is said that the Netherlands international also sees his future away from the Parc des Princes.

Despite receiving offers, no club has been able to capture his attention, while sides in the Saudi Pro League have been reluctant to match his salary demands that are reported to be in excess of the €10m-per-season in his current contract.

16.52 BST: Newcastle are considering ending their interest in Internazionale midfielder Nicolo Barella, according to the Independent.

It is reported that the Serie A side are unwilling to move from their £80m valuation, while the Magpies have so far only been prepared to propose a deal worth £50m during the negotiations for the 26-year-old’s signature.

Liverpool are also exploring a potential move for him, and could now go ahead of Newcastle in the race, with Eddie Howe’s side set to look at Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and AC Milan star Sandro Tonali as alternatives.

16.28 BST: Real Madrid have brought in Joselu on loan, but will they sign another striker?

16.05 BST: Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all tried to sign Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde this summer, says TEAMtalk.

Valverde, 24, could find himself on the fringes of the first team after the €103m arrival of Jude Bellingham, plus recent additions of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

The Uruguay international reportedly wants to stay in Madrid, but some of the top Premier League clubs are interested in landing him if he becomes available.

15.33 BST: Arsenal have submitted a second offer to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, but still remain short of the player’s £100m valuation, sources have told ESPN.

The north London club had an opening bid rejected last week and have now returned with a revised bid totalling around £90m.

Although the overall package is a similar amount, sources suggest more of the initial £75m payment would be paid up front while the proposed £15m in add-ons are viewed as more attainable than previously indicated.

It remains to be seen if West Ham accept Arsenal’s bid or continue to hold out for a higher fee. Given they value Rice’s transfer in excess of £100m, the expectation is it will be rejected.

14.32 BST: Fabrizio Romano says that Newcastle and Tottenham are battling to sign Leicester midfielder James Maddison.

Maddison, 26, will leave Leicester after the club were relegated and his transfer is valued at around £50m.

Romano claims that Newcastle want to do a deal for the England international this week, while Tottenham are prepared to wait a bit longer.

13.50 BST: Steven Gerrard has said he will not be taking up an offer to coach in the Saudi Pro League .

The 43-year-old guided Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years in 2021 before leaving for Aston Villa , where he was sacked last October.

ESPN reported earlier this month that he was considering an offer to become coach of Al Ettifaq on a two-year contract worth around £9 million ($11.5m) per year. Gerrard confirmed on Friday he had received an offer but has since rejected it.

“I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did,” the former England captain told Channel 4. “I have been analyzing that over the last couple of days. But, as we stand right now, I won’t be taking that offer up.”

13.13 BST: Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr have made a €15m offer to sign Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, according to Sky Italia.

Brozovic, 30, is under contract with Inter until June 2026. He made 40 appearances across all competitions for the Nerazzurri, including starting in the Champions League final defeat to Manchester City.

Should the Croatia international decide to leave Inter this summer, the club will look to sign Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi as his replacement.

12.30 BST: Is this the end of the road for Eden Hazard?

11.51 BST: Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber but may face competition from Bayern Munich for his signature, sources have told ESPN.

The north London club have made an opening offer in the region of £30m but that bid is expected to be rejected as Ajax value the 22-year-old’s transfer closer to £50m.

Arsenal are optimistic of securing a deal for Timber but Bayern are tracking the situation and it remains to be seen whether they will enter the running with a formal offer.

Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his centre-back options after the team struggled last season following a back injury to William Saliba.

11.27 BST: Joselu insisted he’s not at Real Madrid to replace Karim Benzema as the Spain forward was presented at the club’s training ground on Tuesday.

Joselu, 33, joins Madrid on a season-long loan with an option for the club to make the deal permanent, after scoring 16 league goals for relegated Espanyol last campaign.

“I’m not here to replace anyone,” Joselu said in a news conference, when asked how he felt about filling in for the Ballon d’Or winning Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad this month after 14 years at the Bernabeu. “I’m here to do my bit, to enjoy myself and to do what the coach asks me to do. We all know what Karim has done for this club but I’m here to do a different job.”

Joselu is now the only senior centre forward in the Madrid squad but will wear the No. 14 shirt next season, leaving Benzema’s No. 9 vacant for a potential further signing.

“Any number in the Real Madrid first team is important,” he said. “I’m proud to wear any number … For me the number is secondary, the important thing is to be here and enjoy the moment. It’s not for me to say if more players will come or not. I’m looking forward to getting started. It’s not for me to say. I’m here to help.”

11.14 BST: Manchester United are confident they are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with forward Marcus Rashford, sources have told ESPN.

Rashford will enter the final year of his deal this summer but, after talks were stepped up towards the end of last season, the England striker is edging towards extending his stay at Old Trafford.

Sources have told ESPN that Rashford is set to be rewarded for his performances last season with a financial package that will make him one of the club’s highest earners.

The 25-year-old excelled in his first season under Erik ten Hag, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and 17 in the Premier League.

Sources have told ESPN that progress made under Ten Hag has been a key factor in Rashford’s decision to stay.

10.58 BST: Spain forward Joselu could be Real Madrid’s last summer signing, Marca reports, with the newspaper claiming that “everything points to the the fact that [Joselu] could be the last reinforcement” this window.

Madrid have already strengthened their squad by bringing in England midfielder Jude Bellingham for €103m, playmaker Brahim Diaz (after his loan at Milan) and full-back Fran Garcia for €5m, and have now added Joselu, 33 — who will be presented at the club’s training ground on Tuesday — on loan from Espanyol.

Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz have both left the Bernabeu this month, meaning that Joselu’s only competition in the centre-forward role next season would be an out-of-position Rodrygo Goes, if Madrid decide to rule out a move for Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe.

Meanwhile, Diario AS reports that defender Jesus Vallejo, 26, is unwilling to leave Madrid this summer, despite receiving offers to depart.

Vallejo has given up his No. 5 shirt to new arrival Bellingham — and has Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez ahead of him in the centre-back pecking order — but according to AS, he hasn’t given up hope of making it at the Bernabeu.

10.31 BST: Chelsea have announced a deal for RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku.

Nkunku, 25, has agreed a six-year contract, which will begin on 1 July. The transfer will reportedly cost over €60m.

“I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,” Nkunku said. “A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.

“Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.”

10.20 BST: Alvaro Morata wants to stay at Atletico Madrid next season, Cadena COPE reports, despite taking a wage cut and having received attractive offers from elsewhere, including one from Saudi Arabia which would see him earn €120m over three years.

Morata’s new Atletico contract has seen his salary reduced to €2m a year after tax, according to the radio station.

Atletico’s plan for next season is to see Morata — who scored 13 league goals last campaign — and Memphis Depay battle it out for the centre-forward position in the team.

Morata’s teammate Saul Niguez could be about to depart the Metropolitano, AS reports, after receiving an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr where he would link up with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saul, 28, has a long-term contract at Atletico until 2026 but has barely featured over the last two seasons, spending 2021-22 on loan at Chelsea.

09.44 BST: Chelsea are considering signing FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to replace Edouard Mendy, Record reports.

Mendy, 31, has reportedly agreed terms to join Saudi side Al Ahli and is set to leave this summer on a permanent deal.

Costa, 23, has been monitored by several Premier League clubs including Manchester United. The Portugal international has a €75m release clause.

09.09 BST: Portugal winger Goncalo Guedes will stay on loan at Benfica next season from Wolves, according to Record.

Guedes, 26, joined Benfica on a six-month loan from Wolves in January and scored one goal in 12 league appearances. He is under contract until June 2027 but wants to remain in Lisbon. The agreement between the two clubs is all but done.

08.40 BST: The Daily Mail reports that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice expects to become an Arsenal player when he returns from holiday at the end of the month.

With the 24-year-old’s season now over after helping England to a 7-0 win over North Macedonia in qualifying for Euro 2024, the Europa Conference League winner will now take a short break before sorting out his club future.

ESPN sources confirmed last week that West Ham had already turned down an offer of £90m from Arsenal, with boss David Moyes insisting Rice is worth more than £100m. The Mail report says that Arsenal are expected to match that valuation with their next offer.

08.00 BST: Al Ittihad are ready to move for Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min with an opening bid in the region of €60m ($65m) plus bonuses, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN.

Top clubs from Saudi Arabia are interested in a number of Premier League stars this summer, and Son has become the latest high-profile name to be approached over a move.

The source said Son has been offered a four-year contract worth €30m per season. There is some optimism within the Saudi Pro League side that the 30-year-old could be tempted to join Al Ittihad, who are on the brink of agreeing to a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and have already signed former Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard MendyFabrizio Romano. The 31-year-old is set to sign a three-year contract with the Saudi outfit as negotiations reach the final stages. Mendy fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge last season and it is reported that manager Mauricio Pochettino will look to sign a new first-team goalkeeper this summer, paving the way for Mendy’s exit, three years after he joined the west London club.

– Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is set to sign a new long-term contract with the club, according to the Daily Mail. The report reveals that the England international will earn £375,000 per week, making him one of the highest paid players at the club. The Red Devils are in the market for a striker this summer, having been linked with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Tottenham’s Harry Kane, however, they are keen to retain Rashford, who netted 30 goals, alongside 11 assists across all competitions last season.