With Arsenal seemingly looking back in Benjamin Sesko’s direction, does that mean Manchester United are now favourites to land Viktor Gyokeres?
With so much transfer talk doing the rounds, we’re here through the summer to sift through the bullsh*t and highlight the whispers that might have some substance.
Each day we’re ranking the top 20 rumours involving Premier League clubs, the higher the link, the more likely we feel they are to become done deals.
So we start with the tittle-tattle…
20) 🔽 Alexander Isak – Newcastle to Liverpool
We know Liverpool like Isak. Everyone likes Isak. But the Reds seem to be lurking with intent to break the British transfer record, which will be necessary to tempt Newcastle. The Magpies want to keep the Swede, and there is talk of a new structure-smashing contract, but they can sell a sale to their fans if they are getting silly money. And if Isak states a desire to move. Both things will need to happen. And they might…
READ MORE:Newcastle can learn from Liverpool – selling Alexander Isak can be for the best
19) Rodrygo – Real Madrid to Arsenal
The rumour that won’t go away. Madrid will say they don’t want to sell but if Arsenal offer big, big money for someone not guaranteed to start, they’ll sell. That’s a big if, mind. A big, big if.
18) Marcus Rashford – Manchester United to Barcelona
Of course Rashford wants to join Barca, and the forward must have received some encouragement from the Catalans that they will take him. But only on their terms. Which involve a loan, not a purchase. Which United must have seen coming.
17) Jadon Sancho – Manchester United to Fenerbahce
A move abroad is surely the plan for Sancho, but with so many United players, his salary will make any permanent departure tricky. Saying that, those Turks are being very ambitious this summer and Jose is apparently keen. Juventus are still sniffing, though, with a call said to have taken place between United and the Old Lady on Wednesday.
MORE ON THE SUMMER 2025 TRANSFER WINDOW
👉 Every Premier League transfer and release confirmed in the summer of 2025
👉 Twenty biggest transfers in the world in 2025 summer transfer window
16) 🆕 Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace to Arsenal
Spurs and Arsenal are reportedly set to battle it out for the FA Cup-winning England star, who is unlikely to leave Palace for less than his £68m release clause. He’s not exactly an out-and-out left-winger but that’s probably where he’ll play for either team, and that’s a position of priority for the Gunners, while Spurs recently signed Mathys Tel permanently.
15) Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace to Liverpool
With a year left on his contract and a renewal unlikely, Palace are willing to cash in on their captain, who could be the subject of a ‘significant offer’ from the champions when they receive the Jarell Quansah money. The contract situation is important; it means Liverpool will be reluctant to spend over the odds, and while Palace won’t have their pants pulled down, they cannot risk the prospect of their skipper leaving for free.
14) Illia Zabarnyi – Bournemouth to PSG
The clubs are at least £15m apart on valuation according to latest reports, with Bournemouth understandably reluctant to see Zabarnyi follow Dean Huijsen out of the club in the same summer. The reality is, though, that there may ultimately be little they can do about it. Even if it means losing 80% of their back five from 2024/25.
13) Anthony Elanga – Nottingham Forest to Newcastle
Newcastle failed with an opening £45m offer for Elanga, with Forest apparently looking for £60million. Which seems… excessive? Newcastle have sought to compromise at £50million. Forest are thinking it over…
12) 🔼 Viktor Gyokeres – Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United
The story goes that Gyokeres has told United he’s up for joining them now Arsenal seem to be veering in Sesko’s direction. If you think you’ve heard that before, it’s because you have. But United could become the Swede’s most viable option for a big move this summer. Once the Red Devils sell the players that almost no one wants to buy. For now, though, we’d still make Arsenal favourites… just.
11) Viktor Gyokeres – Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal
Even if Sesko is the man most wanted at Arsenal, the Gunners see an opportunity to get more bang for their buck with Gyokeres. The Swede has made it abundantly clear that he wants to leave Sporting, going as far as telling them he won’t report for pre-season training next week. So time is of the essence for Gyokeres but Arsenal are working to their own timetable even if Mikel Arteta wants a new striker to be boarding the plane for the pre-season tour on July 19.
10) Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford to Tottenham
Spurs are reported to have piqued Mbeumo’s interest and the prospect of staying in London to play for a manager he trusts would certainly appeal. But now United have returned to Brentford with a second offer, how serious are Spurs about reuniting Mbeumo and Thomas Frank?
9) Joao Pedro – Brighton to Newcastle
Chelsea were linked with the Brighton striker but Newcastle always seemed most keen, which has led to a £50million offer. Brighton reportedly wanted £60million initially, but the forward has made it clear he wants to move on. We would expect the Magpies and Seagulls to find common ground soon. Pedro won’t be going to from the south coast to the North-East to play second fiddle. So what could that mean for Alexander Isak?
8) James Trafford – Burnley to Newcastle
This has been going on for over a year but Newcastle seem more intent to land the Clarets keeper than last summer. Trafford wants the move and Newcastle have offered Burnley £25million plus add-ons. They have already secured a keeper of their own.
7) Benjamin Sesko – RB Leipzig to Arsenal
Arsenal are still refusing to pick a lane. The momentum swung with Sesko, then Gyokeres, now it seems the Slovenian is back in the running. Indeed, reports suggest Sesko is the preferred option among the big-hitters at Arsenal but Leipzig aren’t willing to roll over and have their bellies tickled. Arsenal seem to feel they will get a better deal on the other guy…
6) Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford to Manchester United
Only the fact that United have made a second bid puts them ahead of Tottenham. We wait to see Spurs’ reaction and whether they counter – Brentford will pray they do something to prolong any bidding war. Apparently, United have been having conversations with the Bees so we have to assume they are confident this offer will suffice, but only if Daniel Levy and Thomas Frank don’t show similar intent.
5) Sverre Nypan – Rosenborg to Manchester City
City have agreed a £12.5million deal for the 18-year-old attacking midfielder and a medical was scheduled for almost a fortnight ago, but we’ve heard nothing since while City are in the United States for a nonsense tournament.
4) Jarell Quansah – Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen
A £34million deal has been agreed – that’s decent money for a back-up centre-back – but Quansah won’t be heading to Germany until after he’s faced them in the European Under-21 Championship final.
3) Kepa – Chelsea to Arsenal
Nice and easy, this, because of the £5million clause in his Chelsea contract. A reminder: he joined them for £72million and remains the world’s most-expensive goalkeeper. Apparently, Kepa has done his medical and put pen to paper on a deal that should give David Raya the heebie-jeebies.
2) 🔼 Christian Norgaard – Brentford to Arsenal
We thought Brentford might attempt to squeeze more out of Arsenal after their initial bid but it seems £10million plus add-ons has done the trick. A medical is in the offing.
1) Martin Zubimendi – Real Sociedad to Arsenal
This one got the ‘Here we go’ treatment six weeks ago but, finally, the midfielder is in London to sign for Arsenal for £51million. Actually, he’s been there since Monday so we must be getting close to an unveiling.