Transfer Talk: Chelsea to beat Arsenal to Caicedo deal

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: Chelsea to beat Arsenal for Caicedo

Chelsea are moving closer to signing Moisés CaicedoFabrizio Romano.

The Blues have been competing with London rivals Arsenal for the signature of the Brighton midfielder but The Times reports that the Gunners had withdrawn their interest in the Ecuador international after having two bids rejected in the January transfer window. Sky Sport Deutschland also reports that Bayern Munich had been contention.

Arsenal are focusing on securing a £100m-plus move for West Ham United captain Declan Rice, as well as Chelsea forward Kai Havertz.

Caicedo impressed in 37 appearances in the Premier League last season, where he helped Brighton to a record sixth-place finish, as they qualified for Europe for the first time in their history. He is under contract until 2027 after signing a new long-term deal in March, but Romano adds that he is nearing agreement on personal terms with Chelsea.

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22.00 BST: Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will not sign for Borussia Dortmund this summer, according to BILD.

With the options available to the German international, including a potential contract extension at Manchester City, a move to Barcelona or Arsenal, Dortmund are not thought to be in the race for Gundogan. The report suggests the financial power of the clubs in the race for the midfielder does not allow for the German outfit to compete, despite their desire to bring the 32-year-old back to the club.

21.43 BST: Bayern Munich have identified Aymeric Laporte and Presnel Kimpembe as potential defensive options alongside Kim Min-jae, according to Rudy Galetti.

Following the likely departures of Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard, it has been reported that Thomas Tuchel is keen to bolster his side’s defensive options. Min-jae has been strongly linked to Bayern in recent days, as they look to hijack Manchester United’s deal for the Napoli centre-back.

Laporte is expected to leave Manchester City this summer, after making just 12 Premier League appearances last season, whilst Paris Saint-Germain may be willing to part ways with Kimpembe, following his injury problems last season.

21.30 BST: Edin Dzeko will sign for Fenerbahce, following the expiration of his contract at Inter Milan, according to Calciomercato.

The 37-year-old netted 14 goals across all competitions for Inter last season, however, he is set to depart the San Siro at the end of the month with the forward not agreeing a new deal with the Italian outfit. Fenerbahce have reportedly convinced Dzeko to sign for the club, with the report suggesting that the Turkish Cup winners will also appoint Vincenzo Montella as manager.

21.15 BST: Real Madrid are close to finalising a deal for striker Joselu with the final details being completed, per Fabrizio Romano.

The 33-year-old netted 17 goals in all competitions for Espanyol last season, and with Los Blancos losing Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad, Joselu has emerged as a viable option to the Spanish giants. Romano reveals that personal terms have been agreed between the player and club, with a contract between the parties expected to be signed early next week.

20.58 BST: Defender Chris Smalling has signed a new two year deal with Roma, the club confirms.

The 33-year-old reignited his career with the Italian outfit, making over 140 appearances for the club since his initial loan move in the 2019-20 season. Inter Milan and Juventus were reported to have held an interest in the England international, however, he has committed his future to Roma, with his new deal keeping him at the club until June 2025.

20.40 BST: West Ham have submitted a loan offer for Liverpool midfielder Fabio Carvalho amid Brentford and Burnley interest, according to Football Insider.

The report suggests that Liverpool are contemplating whether they should allow the 20-year-old to depart on loan, or permanently this summer, with RB Leipzig planning a second bid for Carvalho. The midfielder struggled for consistent minutes at Liverpool last season, following his move from Fulham in the summer, and made just 13 Premier League appearances, leaving the door open for a potential move.

20.17 BST: Weston McKennie will be allowed to depart Juventus this summer, alongside several players returning from loans, per Fabrizio Romano.

McKennie joined Leeds United on loan in January, but could not prevent the Yorkshire outfit from relegation. Romano suggests that Arthur Melo and Denis Zakaria, who spent the season on loan at Liverpool and Chelsea respectively, will also be allowed to leave the Turin giants this summer, with the duo failing to impress in their Premier League stints.

19.20 BST: Bayern Munich are in talks to sign Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, sources told ESPN.

The 33-year-old is under contract at the Etihad until the end of season, but the delay in a new offer from City has made his future at the club a doubt. Although the right-back has been key in City’s run to the treble this season, sources have said that Guardiola is now ready to plan for the future by offloading Walker and replacing him in the squad.

18.17 BST: AC Milan will let midfielder Charles De Ketelaere depart the club for €28-29m, writes Calciomercato. The report reveals that Milan have placed the Belgium international on the transfer market, following a disappointing season where the 22-year-old could only manage one assist in 40 appearances for the Italian outfit.

De Ketelaere arrived from Club Brugge, last summer, for a hefty fee of €35m, after notching 25 goals and 20 assists for the club, but following a tough first season in Italy, he looks likely to depart Milan.

17.46 BST: Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez is eager to join Chelsea, reports Football Insider. The Italian giants are looking to offload several players to fund their summer signings, and the report suggests that £60m could be enough to see the Argentina international swap the San Siro for Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United are also reported to hold an interest in the forward, as the Red Devils look to alternative targets, after dropping their interest in Tottenham talisman Harry Kane. Martinez was integral to Inter last season, notching 21 goals and helping the club reach the Champions League final.

16.07 BST: Manchester United have included Mason Greenwood on their retained list for the 2023-24 season, the club announced on Friday, but sources have told ESPN that United have not yet made a decision on the footballer’s future.

The 21-year-old has been suspended from matches and training since he was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in January 2022 — charges that which subsequently dropped in February 2023. United immediately opened their own investigation and the process is ongoing.

Sources have told ESPN that Greenwood’s inclusion on the club’s retained list, which has been sent to the Premier League, reflects his position as a contracted player and is not considered to be an indicator of his future at United.

15.00 BST: What would Arsenal be getting if they signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea?

14.24 BST: Manchester United are growing concerned that goalkeeper David de Gea might have played his last game for the club, sources have told ESPN.

United chiefs believed they were close to an agreement with the 32-year-old to extend his contract, but talks have dragged on and there are fears he could now leave on a free transfer this summer.

The club decided against triggering a one-year extension to De Gea’s contract which would have kept him at the club until 2024. That option expired in May. Instead, negotiations have taken place about a longer deal on a lower basic wage but including significant performance-related bonuses.

Sources have told ESPN that earlier this season he was exploring the possibility of returning to Spain, while there has also been tentative interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia. The Daily Mirror claims that England No. 1 Jordan Pickford, FC Porto and Portugal’s Diogo Costa and Inter Milan’s Cameroon international Andre Onana are on the shortlist to replace him.

Meanwhile, United are set to make a second bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.

A first offer of another £40m was immediately rejected by Chelsea, who want closer to £70m. United won’t stretch that far but, according to sources, are hoping to agree a fee of around £50m.

14.15 BST: Brighton have confirmed the signing of former Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud on a free transfer.

Dahoud, 27, signs on a four-year contract until June 2027. He his international debut for Germany against Turkey in 2020.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: “I’m excited to have Mahmoud in my team. I wanted him when I was at Sassuolo and I’m sure he is going to be a top player for us.”

14.06 BST: Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas has given an update on Manuel Ugarte‘s imminent departure from the club.

The Uruguay midfielder turned down a move to Chelsea and is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain in a €60m transfer and sign a five-year contract with the French champions on July 1.

“He’s a great player,” Varandas said. “Excellent character, great professional. One club we already know as he himself said, PSG … Chelsea? I won’t comment. Two clubs beat the value of the clause. They made him proposals from the point of view of career and salary, first he opted for one, then changed his mind for another, as is normal. We said the conditions that would be the value of the clause and other costs that we interpret that the buying club has to assume. It is not yet black and white with PSG, there is another club willing to give this value.

“PSG knows the conditions. We will also only close [the deal] after July 1st, with the 2023-24 fiscal year. Ugarte has two clubs that want him, he preferred PSG. The decision is at PSG.”

13.48 BST: LaLiga president Javier Tebas believes Kylian Mbappe will leave Paris Saint-Germain to join Real Madrid this summer.

PSG are reportedly willing to listen to offers of around €150m to signr Mbappe after the France forward notified his club he will not sign a contract extension once his deal ends in June 2024.

“I hope Mbappe can come [to LaLiga],” Tebas said. “If you ask me as a fan, I think Mbappe will leave PSG this season because at UEFA there is much more financial control and he has a very high wage bill. PSG will have to unload [players.]

“I think Real Madrid is capable of making that signing.”

13.04 BST: Manchester United are eyeing a new striker.

12.18 BST: Brazil forward Raphinha says he has no intention of leaving Barcelona any time soon.

Raphinha, 27, scored 10 goals and set up 12 more in 50 appearances across all competitions for Barca, but Barca are reportedly considering placing him on the transfer list this summer to ease the club’s financial problems, having signed him in a €60m transfer from Leeds last summer.

“I will continue at Barça next season and the one after that, and the one after that,” Raphinha said. “I have many years of contract [until 2027] and I hope to fulfil those years and many more.

“My first few months were tough. I didn’t score many goals but then I adapted better. The Champions League is our aim next season.”

11.52 BST: Alessia Russo will leave Manchester United this summer, the club and player confirmed on Friday.

Russo has not extended her contract at Old Trafford and will depart at the end of her deal on June 30.

Sources told ESPN’s Mark Ogden that the 24-year-old turned down a number of contract offers to extend her stay at United (see 08.00 BST:).

Russo was frustrated by United’s failure to negotiate at an earlier stage, sources added, and their eventual offer was too late in the process.

A statement issued by the club on Friday said: “Manchester United can confirm that Alessia Russo will leave the football club on completion of her contract at the end of June. Everyone at the football club would like to thank Alessia for her service and wish her luck for the future.”

A post shared by Alessia Russo (@alessiarusso99)

11.08 BST: Manchester City are on the brink of completing a deal worth £34.2m to sign Chelsea midfielder

Talks between the two clubs have progressed well in recent days with a broad agreement on the fee leading to more detailed conversations about how the payments are structured.

Although there are still some issues to be resolved, sources have told ESPN the expectation is a deal for the 29-year-old will be completed within the next fortnight. Kovacic has broadly agreed personal terms and the transfer will likely progress further after he finishes his international obligations with Croatia.

Their final match comes in Sunday’s Nations League Final against Spain. Kovacic initially joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in 2018 before signing a permanent deal in a £40m switch a year later.

He has made a total of 221 appearances, scoring six goals and winning the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

10.32 BST: Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has turned down a lucrative deal to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Taawoun FC, according to COPE radio.

The Spain international is set to sign a contract extension with Atletico, with his current deal ending in June 2024.

Morata, 30, scored 15 goals in 45 appearances for the Rojiblancos this past season.

09.47 BST: Romeo Beckham is set to make his loan at Brentford from Inter Miami permanent this summer, according to Sky Sports.

Beckham, 20, has been playing for Brentford’s B team during his six-month spell at the club, during which time they won the Premier League Cup.

Brentford will now pay Inter Miami a nominal fee to sign Beckham on a one-year contract with their B team.

09.09 BST: Barcelona are closely monitoring Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso, Mundo Deportivo reports.

Barca coach Xavi Hernandez is an admirer of Lo Celso and considers the Argentina international an ideal addition to his team’s midfield line.

Lo Celso, 27, has played the last two seasons on loan at Villarreal from Spurs, with whom he has a contract until June 2025.

08.34 BST: New Real Madrid signing Jude Bellingham said during his opening presentation at the club on Thursday that he would like to see

Madrid confirmed the deal to sign the England international — a deal Dortmund have said is worth an initial €103 million ($111m), with another possible €30m ($32m) due in variables — on Wednesday.

The midfielder, 19, has signed a six-year contract at the Bernabeu and will wear the No. 5 shirt — previously worn by his idol, Zinedine Zidane — for Madrid next season.

In an event at the club’s Real Madrid City training complex, club president Florentino Perez called Bellingham “one of the best players in the world” as the former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund player posed for photos, before taking questions from the media.

“I can’t really comment, I don’t know his situation,” Bellingham said when asked about Madrid’s links with Mbappe. “If anything, my whole saga has taught me that not everything you see is true.

“He’s a great player, whatever he chooses to do, all the best to him. Would I like to play with a player like Kylian Mbappe? Who wouldn’t?”

08.00 BST: Manchester United forward Alessia Russo is considering a move to the United States amid interest from NWSL team Washington Spirit, sources have told ESPN’s Mark Ogden, despite Arsenal’s attempts to sign the England international.

Lyon and an unnamed Spanish team are also prepared to offer the Lioness the chance to move overseas before the start of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.

Russo, 24, will become a free agent when her contract with United expires at the end of June and Arsenal are in pole position to sign the former Chelsea youngster having had a world record bid of £450,000 ($569,655) rejected by United in January.

But while Russo is aware of the long-standing interest from Arsenal, sources have said she is open to a return to the U.S. having spent two years with North Carolina Tar Heels between 2017 and 2019.

Russo’s representatives travelled to the U.S. last week and attended Washington’s 2-1 victory against Angel City — a win which cemented Spirit’s second place position in the NWSL standings.

PAPER GOSSIP (Abbie Ingham)

– Tottenham Hotspur are not looking to sign Leicester City duo James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Daily Mail previously reported that Spurs saw a £50m bid for the two midfielders rejected by Leicester. However, the north London club have sent no proposal for the pair, who contributed to 23 goals and 10 assists between them last season as the east Midlands club were relegated. Maddison is out of contract next summer, so the club will be looking to avoid losing the 26-year-old on a free transfer at the end of next season, whilst Barnes’ deal does not expire until 2025.

– Internazionale are set to challenge Tottenham for David Raya, the Guardian reports. The 27-year-old Brentford goalkeeper, who made the most saves in the Premier League last season in his 38 appearances, is a top transfer target for Spurs as they look to replace the departing Hugo Lloris. However, they now face competition from the Nerazzurri, who have reportedly inquired about the Spain international. This comes amid reports that Inter keeper André OnanaManchester United pushing hard for the 27-year-old Cameroon international.