Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd chase cut-price deal, Arsenal get top target update, Chelsea face hijack – The Mirror
The transfer window is creeping up as the season comes to an end and Manchester United and Liverpool both look set to be busy in new eras while Arsenal look to make moves
With the club calendar close to wrapped up, the countdown to the summer transfer window is already well underway.
Teams across Europe will already be making their preparations to improve their squads in a busy period that will see Euro 2024 impact the time in which they have to work. The window will open in June, but has yet to officially have its dates revealed.
Transfers were able to occur from June 14 last year, which would leave those sides looking for a quick start just over one month to finalise a strategy.
Kylian Mbappe is set to lead a blockbuster summer period as his PSG contract expires. A move to Real Madrid is believed to already have been agreed.
Arsenal seem set to continue their activity from recent years, and could do so as Premier League champions, while Manchester City rarely escape without one big move. Liverpool and Manchester United will both begin new eras, under new management and ownership respectively, who will hope to put their own stamp on things.
Stay tuned with the latest transfer news below.
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Kylian Mbappe has officially announced he will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer, with the forward now expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
In a video shared on his social media accounts, Mbappe said: "I've always said that I would speak with you when the time comes and so I wanted to announce to you all that it's my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come an end in a few weeks.
"I will play my last game at the Parce des Princes on Sunday. It's a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world which allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure, to grow as a player by being alongside some of the best in history, to meet a lot of people and to grow as a man with all the glory and the mistakes I've made."
Huddersfield have announced that head coach Andre Breitenreiter has left the club following their relegation to League One.
"I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Andre over the past three months and he departs with our best wishes, while contingencies in place have seen our recruitment process for a new Head Coach advance," owner Kevin Nagle said.
"Supporters should rest assured that all decisions made are with the best intentions of our Club in mind, and we look forward to moving on in a positive manner with a new Head Coach dedicated to our ideals and vision, with our plans for pre-season and ambitions for the year ahead unmoved."
19-year-old winger Kaide Gordon has signed a long-term contract extension with Liverpool.
Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes WILL be Newcastle players next season – after Eddie Howe blasted £200m transfer rumours surrounding his star men.
Isak is Arsenal's top target for the summer window and rated at £120m, and Guimaraes has a £100m release clause that goes live in June for a month and only a handful of clubs could afford him including Man CIty and PSG.
Howe says it would set Newcastle back into rebuild mode if they lost either and he is planning for BOTH to spearhead the Toon next term. But Newcastle face an internal debate over the future of Callum Wilson who has a year left on his contract and is a big asset as they look to stay within financial fair play rules.
Isak has 20 goals this season and Howe said: "I'm planning for them to be here. All my planning is with them in the squad. We don't want to sell our best players. That is hugely important for us, it will knock us back some considerable distance because we would have to start again. There is no weakness in the club to say we are going to sell anyone. There is no desire from anyone at the football club to sell our best players."
Paris Saint-Germain want to sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to replace Kylian Mbappe this summer (see post at 10.28).
The Napoli star has 10 goals and nine assists this season and the club's struggles in Serie A make an exit likely, with no European football next season a distinct possibility.
Le Parisien reports that PSG have backtracked on the idea of using Bradley Barcola as Mbappe's replacement on the left while signing a top striker like Victor Osimhen. Now they want Kvaratskhelia – and talks are reportedly progressing well.
Chelsea want to sign Stuttgart winger Chris Führich this summer, according to Kicker.
He's been linked with RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich and is expecting to fetch between €25-30million (£21-25m).
Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid can probably lay claim to the title of 'worst kept secret in football'. The Paris Saint-Germain star has been flirting with Real for years – and, with his contract expiring this summer, the time has finally come.
Well, according to reports in France, he actually signed for Real back in February. It's all set to go through in the summer.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi says he wants to keep hold of midfielder Pascal Gross this summer.
Gross has been a near ever-present for Brighton this season, but is about to enter the final year of his contract.
"I hope he can stay with us," De Zerbi said in his press conference. "I work for myself, but I also work to help players become better and if Pascal offers, I think we can understand him. I want him to stay with us."
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has told the club to do everything they can to sign Crystal Palace duo Michael Olise and Ebere Eze this summer.
“I’m not being funny, but Liverpool should be in for Michael Olise and Ebere Eze,” Lawrenson told Paddy Power. “Olise went past everyone for his goal, and I think he’s slightly better. He’s a fab talent and if you’re a top six club, you’d be making a phone call and wanting to take him.
“They’re both fantastic but on the flip side, they get injured a lot so you have to be very careful. It may be that they’re still growing, or that they find it difficult to play two games a week. But in terms of talent, they’ve both got loads.”
Jordan Henderson signed until June 2026 when he joined Ajax in January following his disastrous and short spell in Saudi Arabia, but his future is already uncertain in Amsterdam.
The Athletic reports that Ajax might be forced to sell high-earners Henderson and Steven Bergwijn this summer if they miss out on qualification for European football. They are currently fifth in the Eredivisie, with six games remaining, but are already considering their options.
Graham Potter has just rejected the chance to take over as head coach and things are well and truly up in the air at the club.
Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell has admitted that the club will have to sell some of their stars this summer.
The Toffees have avoided relegation from the Premier League this season, but have been hit by two points deductions for breaches of the profit and sustainability rules. The latest set of financial results showed they lost £89.1million over the 2022/23 season – almost twice the £44.7m deficit of the previous year.
"The reality is, given the regulations in place and the club’s current financial position, we have to trade well," Thelwell said in his programme notes for this weekend. "Working within such tight financial parameters makes the job extremely difficult. Whilst we want to ensure the team is as competitive as possible, we cannot lose sight of our central objective to protect the long-term stability of the club.
"That does mean players will be sold, and also that every tool at our disposal will be used to secure new additions to the squad, including utilisation of the loan market."
Joao Cancelo will reportedly refuse to join any club other than Barcelona this summer – and could cost Manchester City £25million in the process.
Cancelo has spent this season on loan with Barca and is desperate to stay with them for the 2024/25 season. But he's under contract with City until June 2027 and they want to shop around for the highest bidder, with a €30m (£25m) price tag mooted.
However, Spanish daily Sport says that Cancelo is willing to drag his feet all summer and wait for City to bend. Barca want to sign him as cheapily as possible on another season-long loan.
Cancelo fell out with Pep Guardiola, who initially sent him on loan to Bayern Munich in January 2023. His future is unlikely to lie at City.
Liverpool have been informed how much Eintracht Frankfurt would like in order to sell William Pacho this summer.
The 22-year-old centre-back is one of the Reds' targets in the off-season. Sky Germany report that Frankfurt have set their asking price for Pacho between €50million and €60million (£43m-£52m).
Jurgen Klopp has mounted a staunch defence of Darwin Nunez and dismissed any chance that the striker could join Barcelona.
“There’s no speculation,” Klopp said. “That must be an external speculation because I don’t know about it. There's no speculation right now."
Blackburn star Sammie Szmodics has admitted he would be open to leaving the club for the Premier League this summer.
Szmodics has been exceptional this season, racking up 33 goals and four assists in 48 games to win the Championship's Golden Boot.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, the West Ham fan said: “Staying at Blackburn is a decision that’s out of my hands because I still have two and a half years left on my contract. I love playing for Blackburn, it’s a great football club, but obviously when you score 33 goals in a season there’s going to be speculation.
“I don’t think anyone would begrudge me a move if a Premier League team came calling. It is my dream to play in the Premier League, I’m not saying that opportunity will definitely arise, but I don’t think people could blame me for wanting to go and play there.
“If a Premier League team came knocking then it would be stupid for me not to see what could happen."
Will Hughes, Jeffrey Schlupp and Joel Ward have signed new contracts with Crystal Palace.
They have all extended their deals until June 2025 following a period of good form for the club. “As well as playing a pivotal role on the pitch, Will, Jeff and Joel are natural leaders in the dressing room who embody the Crystal Palace DNA and who help set a culture of the highest standards at the training ground," chairman Steve Parish said. "We are delighted that they will be with us next season to help further our exciting early progress under Oliver Glasner.”
Palace are also in talks with Nathaniel Clyne and Remi Matthews over new deals.
Chelsea have held talks to sign the fantastically-nicknamed Estevao 'Messinho' Willian from Palmeiras, but the deal isn't done and Bayern Munich are trying to muscle in.
GOAL Brazil reports that Bayern have made their interest clear for the 17-year-old, who is ready to move to Europe in the summer of 2025. Chelsea have reportedly offered to pay €35million (£30.1m) with €25m (£21.5m) to be paid as add-ons.
But Bayern are set to formalise their offer, which will trump Chelsea's but still come in below Willian's release clause of €45m (£38.7m).
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has insisted that Alexander Isak has not been affected by transfer speculation and that the club are planning to keep him this summer.
Isak has been linked with Arsenal following a brilliant campaign in which he's scored 24 goals. Newcastle have admitted they may have to sell a star player due to financial fair play constraints and Isak and Bruno Guimaraes are the prime candidates.
But asked about the speculation in his pre-match press conference, Howe said: "I don't think about anything to do with those things and, judging by Alex's performances in training and just how he is day to day, I don't see him dealing with those rumours. It's business as usual."
Manchester United will go head to head with Aston Villa to try and sign Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo this summer, according to The Sun.
The 30-year-old Mozambique international has one year left on his Atleti contract and would reportedly be available for just £8million. Juventus have also been credited with interest, but a previous cruciate ligament injury may be a concern for scouts.
United have endured problems at left-back this season, with Tyrell Malacia yet to feature and Luke Shaw in and out of the side.
Napoli could lose their star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with Paris Saint-Germain lurking.
RMC Sport says that PSG have made their interest known and Napoli have not agreed a new deal for the Georgia international yet. The 23-year-old has 10 goals and nine assists this season and Napoli's fall to eighth in Serie A means they risk missing out on European football next season.
Kvaratskhelia has a contract until June 2027, so would cost a lot, but that is unlikely to deter PSG.
Inter Milan are very happy with Marcus Thuram, who has enjoyed a decent debut season, but they may have to sell him this summer.
That's because the 26-year-old forward has a release clause of €85million (£73m) and Sky Sports Italy say Inter couldn't turn that down, comparing it to the £53m Manchester United paid for Andre Onana last summer.
Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have all been credited with interest in Thuram, who has 14 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season.
Yan Couto has never played a match for Manchester City's first team, but he could net the club a sizable fee this summer, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The 21-year-old full-back joined in 2020 for a deal around £10million and has spent time on loan with Braga and Girona. He is under contract with City until June 2026 and uncertainty over Kyle Walker's future, amid interest from Saudi Arabian sides, means he could be kept and promoted by Pep Guardiola.
But there is interest from Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Premier League sides and City could be tempted to cash in this summer.
Julen Lopetegui is expected to take over from David Moyes at West Ham this summer – and the transfer rumours have already started.
The former Wolves boss previously managed Sevilla and The Sun says he is interested in raiding the Spanish side for Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri and Argentina left-back Marcos Acuna.
The duo could replace Michail Antonio, who is now 34 years old, and Aaron Cresswell, who is out of contract in June.
Kieran Tierney has admitted there is "every chance" he has already played his final game for Arsenal. The Scotland international has spent the season on loan at Real Sociedad, and although he still has two years left on his Arsenal contract, he is realistic about his future.
“There is every chance,” he told The Athletic when asked if he could have kicked his last ball for Arsenal already. “Look at the squad depth in that position now. They have [Oleksandr] Zinchenko, [Jurrien] Timber, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu, [Jakub] Kiwior. Four players can play there. So if I go back and it’s the same as before then I’m not silly, I know the chances are I’ll be leaving.
“But you never know in football. You get the rare case with [William] Saliba, where he came back after a couple of good seasons (out on loan) but you don’t see it too often with someone who has played for four years, left, and then come back to play again. Stranger things have happened. I could go back and there is a place for me. So I’m prepared for both.”
Mikel Arteta already has Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya at his disposal but another could be on the cards this summer. Teamtalk suggest the Gunners could make a move for Everton stopper Jordan Pickford.
With Raya yet to sign permanently, could that impact his status?
Gazzetta Dello Sport report that Inter could be open to selling Denzel Dumfries this summer. The Dutch defender's contract is set to expire in 2025 with no agreement over an extension in place.
Man United and Chelsea are among a number of clubs to have been previously linked to the ace and this summer could be Inter's last chance to earn a fee.
It could be another summer of Manchester United looking at Frenkie de Jong according to reports. United's previous failed attempt saw them land Casemiro, who could now be on his way out of Old Trafford.
The Red Devils appear to have been given a greenlight to make another attempt with Barcelona setting up a lengthy transfer list however. As many as 17 players could be offloaded.
It's not only players who could be on the move with Napoli already fluttering their eyelashes at Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini.
Referencing interest, Atalanta president Percassi said: “He’s under contract for one more year, but if he presents us some proposal we will consider that… of course, we’d be sad! We’d be open to discuss, but we don’t think about that."
Sergino Dest, a recurring figure of the transfer often linked to Chelsea in the past, will not see his move to PSV made permanent. It appears his ACL injury has deterred them from extending the stay of the Barcelona star they had been happy with per Fabrizio Romano.
Thanks for joining us for another day of transfer chat as the transfer rumours begin to hot up ahead of a busy summer!
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