Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd's Branthwaite boost, Liverpool & Arsenal in Chiesa battle, Sesko latest – The Mirror

There’s now less than a week until the 2024 summer transfer window flies wide open and there are a number of deals in the pipeline with Chelsea having already sealed their first incoming with Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal all due to follow suit
The transfer frenzy is well and truly underway in the Premier League.
Despite the window not opening for another few days, Chelsea have already got us going with a move for Tosin Adarabioyo. The Blues fought off interest from Newcastle and Man United.
Speaking of the Red Devils, a number of faces have already left Old Trafford, while questions still remain over the future of Erik ten Hag. Marcus Rashford has been urged to potentially follow him out of the door, while Mason Greenwood has approved an exit.
Moving to Arsenal, they are on the hunt for a striker. Benjamin Sesko appears to be their priority target. The Gunners are also considering selling FOUR first-team stars including Aaron Ramsdale.
Elsewhere, Liverpool look set to spend big again as they aim to adjust to life under their new manager Arne Slot. Ederson, Dario Osorio and Teun Koopmeiners are all the standout names linked with the Reds.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also going head-to-head for the signing of Juventus star Federico Chiesa.
Make sure you stay tuned throughout the day for all of the rumours and confirmed deals…
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That's all for this evening from us, we'll be back in the morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as the transfer news gears up once again!
José Mourinho kept things straightforward when asked about a possible move at his new club.
"Rafa Silva to Fenerbahçe? He’s a great player, but I heard he’s close to joining Galatasaray," told RTP Portugal.
Like many it seems, Arsenal rate Napoli forward Victor Osimhen but are much cooler on the fee he could demand. According to Sky Sports Italy, the Gunners have told Napoli they will not pay over £100m to sign the forward.
A regular feature of the summer transfer window is Lautaro Martinez. The Argentina and Inter Milan forward is often not too far away from speculation from a move.
Inter chief Javier Zanetti has confirmed a new deal is 'all done', per Fabrizio Romano however. It's set to be announced soon. Maybe not too many rumours this summer.
Joshua Zirkzee is set to move to AC Milan after an impressive season with Bologna. The forward helped his side into the Champions League with 11 goals and four assists to drawn attention from around Europe.
Reports now say his English suitors in Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United have been informed that Zirkzee will head to Milan, with the deal to be done quickly.
The Arsenal midfielder is currently playing for Real Oviedo in the Segunda division play-offs, but is set to retire at the end of the season. It an Arsenal return on the cards?
"I have a very special affection for Arsenal," Cazorla told Sky Sports. "I spent six wonderful years there and I know how much all the people love me there.
"Of course, I was fortunate to share a dressing room with Mikel Arteta and now he is the manager. We had conversations about that but right now I am not focused on anything other than contributing to this club, Oviedo, and continuing to enjoy football as a player.
"After that, we will see what the future holds for me. It is clear that Arsenal is a club that has always left the door open to me to return. But right now, I have enough on my mind with the play-offs and trying to enjoy the last days of my playing career."
That is according to Ben Jacobs. The Gunners are said to have some indecision around the forward they hope to land however.
"I think Arsenal are still stuck deciding on the striker front," "I think Arsenal are still stuck deciding on the striker front. But it's clear that that's the kind of profile that they're looking for, and they feel is missing.
"And along with Benjamin Sesko, they've considered Evan Ferguson and Viktor Gyokeres, but they've ruled out Ivan Toney. And even though we hear reports about Arsenal moving for Victor Osimhen, the outlay is so severe that nothing is advancing at this stage on that front.
"It's a long window, of course, but there's better value and slightly younger profiles of strikers that Arsenal are prioritising at this time."e said. "But it's clear that that's the kind of profile that they're looking for, and they feel is missing.
"And along with Benjamin Sesko, they've considered Evan Ferguson and Viktor Gyokeres, but they've ruled out Ivan Toney. And even though we hear reports about Arsenal moving for Victor Osimhen, the outlay is so severe that nothing is advancing at this stage on that front.
"It's a long window, of course, but there's better value and slightly younger profiles of strikers that Arsenal are prioritising at this time."
Reports say Manchester United could consider offers in excess of £70m as 'serious' for captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal international has said he would like to remain at Old Trafford but issued caveats of he won't discuss his future until after the Euros and admitted he wants to challenge at the very top.
The club's captain did not feature among the players named as untouchable by the club either.
Reports have emerged that Chelsea could lose talented 15-year-old prospect Rio Ngumoha. The teenager has rose to prominence this season in Chelsea's youth ranks but it has been suggested talks have stalled over a deal.
The prospect holds an EU passport and has drawn interest from Bayern Munich, while sides such as Newcastle, Man City, Tottenham and Liverpool could provide competition closer to home.
World Cup winner and former Real Madrid and Juventus star Fabio Cannavaro took charge of Udinese in April and helped prevent their relegation from Serie A but now appears set to depart.
The 50-year-old has informed the club he plans to part ways, per Fabrizio Romano.
The Man City star has been linked to a number of clubs this summer with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea among them. With the departures of Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus in recent seasons, it wouldn't be the first time City has allowed a forward to leave.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo doesn't see it this time though.
“Julián Álvarez is a Manchester City player and I believe he won’t be moving from there," he said.
The Irons have agreed a £25m deal for Palmeiras winger Luis Guilherme, according to the Guardian. The 18-year-old has been subject of talks over the last week and looks set to be the first signing since Julen Lopetegui's arrival as boss.
The Everton midfielder's most recent comments have been more temperered but he still has his eyes on progressing further up the footballing mountain.
“I have the approach that everything I dream about can come true,” he said, via Sport Witness.
“I dreamed of becoming a professional, which I became at HSV. I dreamed of moving to France and playing for a Champions League club, which I achieved with Lille.
“And I dreamed of playing in the Premier League, which Everton made possible. It’s actually true that every step in my career is planned.
“I want to be a much better player. And my goal is to play for an international world club in three years. I also want to have qualified with Belgium for the 2026 World Cup in America in three years. I dream about that. And I will do everything I can to make these dreams come true too.
“I have to and will answer this very professionally: I’m under contract with Everton – and I’ll leave everything else to the media. I’ll just do my best at the European Championships and then we’ll see.”
Reports in Italy suggest that Napoli are only willing to take Romelu Lukaku on loan next season. That would act in opposition in Chelsea only being open to a permanent deal.
The Blues had the same stance last summer but could not come to an agreement and eventually allowed Lukaku to move on loan to Roma.
Napoli, who have recently appointed Antonio Conte, are open to footing the bill for all of Lukaku's wages it is said. Conte enjoyed a good season with Lukaku at Inter Milan.
Louis van Gaal was sacked following an FA Cup win at Manchester United, and current boss Erik ten Hag could yet face the same fate. The Dutch coach was very clear in his verdict on the future of his countryman.
"Of course (he shouldn't be sacked)," Van Gaal told Sky Sports. "But I needed also more time at Manchester United. I also won the FA Cup and before me for 20 years nobody has got the FA Cup."
Chelsea star Christopher Nkunku has reportedly received interest after a disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge. The Frenchman arrived last summer as the Blues' most established signing but had difficulty staying fit after suffering an injury in Chelsea's final friendly of pre-season.
The Seagulls could look to 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler to take charge of the club next term, following the departure of Robertoo De Zerbi. The young coach guided St Paul to the Bundesliga 2 title in 2023/24 and would become the youngest boss in Premier League history should he take the reigns.
For those of a Colchester United persuasion, Danny Cowley sounds like he's planning to be busy in the market this summer having already added Matt Macey.
“We’re working really hard at it, and we have a really good team of people to put us in the best position to make the best decisions," he said. "A lot of clubs that do work in May and early June are those that are in the position to pay a financial premium.
“We have complete clarity over the players that we want to bring in, and we know the areas of the pitch that we really want to try and influence and improve.
“We are making progress. We would really like to have the spine of the group together come the beginning of pre-season, but we will need to use the rest of the window to keep adding.”
Reports suggest that German giants Bayern Munich are open to the sale of six of their stars this summer following the arrival of Vincent Kompany.
Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt could depart this summer if the correct offer arrives.
With new manager Arne Slot at the helm, Liverpool are set for a key summer of recruitment and the Reds look to be exploring a deal for Chilean wonderkid Dario Osorio.
Osorio, 20, joined Danish side Midtjylland from Universidad de Chile last summer and had previously been linked with a January move to Wolves.
But Chilean outlet La Tercera report that Liverpool have now joined a growing list of admirers and the starlet could be available for a bargain £8million this summer.
Talk of Manchester United signing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite escalated this morning.
The 21-year-old missed out on Gareth Southgate's final Euro 2024 squad nut has enjoyed a stratospheric rise having as recently as 2019 represented Carlisle United in League Two.
Here's a rundown of what we know so far regarding a potential deal with United:
The director of AC Milan, Geoffrey Moncada, flew to London on Friday to meet with Chelsea regarding Armando Broja.
The striker has a steady list of admirerers and the race to procure his services is heating up at pace, with AC Milan identifying the Albanian as a replacement for Olivier Giroud.
Negotiation will be key as the money the Italian club can offer might pale in comparison to others.
Broja toiled to break into Mauricio Pochettino's plans. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham but featured just eight times for a total of 80 minutes. The 22-year-old's fate looks unlikely to change under new manager Enzo Maresca next term.
Some rumours have suggested that Chelsea have placed a £35 million asking price on the striker.
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly unlikely to be seen as the long-term solution for United this summer if they part ways with manager Erik ten Hag.
According to the MEN, Old Trafford executives view Tuchel as a short-term fix rather than a potential fulcrum for a long-term project.
Tuchel left Bayern at the end of this season after the Munich club finished runners-up to Bayer Leverkusen.
Tottenham have been tipped to make a move for Leeds United starlet Archie Gray by trading in centre-back Joe Rodon.
Leeds' loss in the promotion play-off final against Southampton leaves them in need of funds to bolster next season's promotion bid, while Ange Postecoglou is searching for additions to strengthen the squad after a mercurial season that saw them finish one spot off Champions League qualification.
And former Spurs defender Alan Hutton has cited a potential swap deal featuring Gray and Rodon, the latter enjoying one of his most consistent seasons while on loan with Daniel Farke's side.
“It would have to be big cash, not just Rodon, I think it would be a lot of money on top of that," Hutton told Football Insider. "He’s had an outstanding season. The guy has played at full-back, played in midfield, played as a number ten, the list goes on.
“I think he’s only going to get better. He plays with such freedom and it’s refreshing to see. The way Ange plays, that’s perfectly suited to him. He’s comfortable coming inside and taking the ball with his back to play and getting forward with his ability to cross into the box. He’s so young as well.
“It’s going to be a big fee, but looking to the future, if they can bring someone like him in now, he could be there for years to come. That would be a brilliant signing for them.”
Manchester United are set to submit an improved bid for Joao Neves after Benfica rejected an opening bid worth up to £51million.
The Portugal international is a much sought-after target this summer and according to A Bola, United are working hard to seal a deal for the teenager.
United are reportedly one of two clubs to have seen £51million bids rejected by Benfica, who would like to pocket Neves' release clause value, which is set at €120m (£102m).
Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso will join Napoli this summer.
The Spaniard's contract is due to expire this month. According to DAZN Italy, he will move to Naples to join Antonio Conte's side.
He had previously been linked with Aston Villa and Inter Milan.
Nottingham Forest could turn to Chile star Ben Brereton Diaz should they sell Taiwo Awoniyi this summer.
That is according to Mail Online, who suggest that the City Ground side are open to selling the Nigerian this summer. West Ham are interested.
They have already been considering replacements, one of which is former striker Brereton Diaz. He scored six goals on loan with Sheffield United last season.
Sticking with Newcastle and it appears that the Magpies are keen to add to their own players.
According to Mail Online, they have lodged a £16million. bid for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. It is suggested that the Clarets are holding out for £20m.
Newcastle were previously linked with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale but were put off by the Gunners' valuation.
Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a surprise move for Newcastle star Yankuba Minteh.
It is suggested that the Magpies may have to sell a star this summer in order to abide by PS rules according to The Telegraph. They will apparently demand £40m for the forward – who spent last season at Feyenoord.
Reports suggest that Arne Slot is keen, with the Reds open for a move.
Manchester United are aiming to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this month after his England exit.
The centre-back has been left out of the Three Lions side for the Euros this summer. And according to the Liverpool Echo, that has left the door open to the Red Devils.
It is reported that they are keen to seal a deal by June 30, with Everton wanting to bank a £75million fee for the defender.
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