Transfer targets: Manu Kone, Bradley Barcola and Bruno Guimaraes
The summer window is stepping up a gear with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool all in talks to wrap up major deals as pre-season begins. Arsenal are pursuing Bruno Guimaraes and Morgan Rogers, with both midfielders equally keen to join. The Newcastle captain is said to have agreed personal terms on a five-year contract, while the progress on Aston Villa star will come after the World Cup. Bradley Barcola will cost £130million, and Christos Tzolis is another target.
Man Utd have pulled the plug on Ederson's move from Atlanta following concerns over his fitness, and could now turn to Manu Kone, Carlos Baleba or Alex Scott, who is also attracting interest from Chelsea and the Gunners. Michael Carrick is also an admirer of Crysencio Summerville. Chelsea are still working on deals for Pep Chavarria and Maxence Lacroix.
Tottenham remain interested in Savinho and Rafael Leao, while Cody Gakpo's situation at Liverpool. Links with a £100m move for eli Junior Kroupi rumble on. Liverpool are undeterred by Paris Saint-Germain's asking price for Barcola. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Latest transfer news and rumours
Arsenal reach Bruno Guimaraes agreement
Arsenal are also believed to have agreed personal terms with Bruno Guimaraes.
The influential Newcastle captain is a key transfer target for Mikel Arteta this summer and his club future looks set to be resolved following Brazil’s shock last-16 exit from the World Cup at the hands of Norway last weekend.
Arsenal have received plenty of encouragement from Guimaraes’ camp regarding a potential transfer, with the Gunners set to formalise their interest as a result - though Newcastle remain adamant at this stage that he will not follow the likes of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon through the exit door at St James’ Park.
French outlet L’Equipe report that Guimaraes now has an agreement with Arsenal on a five-year contract that would run until 2031.
Bruno Guimaraes
London Standard
PSG ready to sell Arsenal and Liverpool target Barcola
Paris Saint-Germain are ‘increasingly open’ to selling Bradley Barcola this summer.
Per reports in Spain, they are keen to offload at least one of their many attackers, and the French winger is a leading option to depart.
He has been linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool.
AFP/Getty
Ederson to Man Utd on?
Hold your horses. Apparently all is not lost regarding Ederson’s move to Manchester United.
After reports last night from Italy that the plug had been pulled on the deal, Man Utd were quick to let it be known that was not the case.
There has been a suggestion that Man Utd think Atalanta are trying to hurry up the process.
Ederson to Man Utd off?
Manchester United have pulled the plug on their deal to sign Ederson.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who reported on Friday evening that the Red Devils would not continue their pursuit of the Atalanta midfielder, who they agreed to sign for £35million.
Standard Sport previously reported that Michael Carrick’s side had agreed a £50m package deal to land Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, who is set to undergo a medical with the Old Trafford club this week.
Mourinho begins second spell
Jose Mourinho has started work in his second spell as Real Madrid head coach.
So far, he has been backed with four new signings: Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Denzel Dumfries.
How close Liverpool came to signing Kylian Mbappe
Jurgen Klopp has revealed the story of how he tried to woo Kylian Mbappe to join Liverpool with a private jet and a slap-up meal.
Real Madrid marksman Mbappe has set the World Cup alight this summer, scoring eight goals in six France appearances thus far in the campaign, but it has now come out that his career could have taken a very different path.
After watching Mbappe fire France past Morocco and into the World Cup semi-finals, Klopp lifted the lid on the lengths to which Liverpool went to convince a then-17-year-old Mbappe to move to Anfield.
Michael Edwards quits role with Liverpool
Michael Edwards has resigned from his role of chief executive of football with Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
Edwards, the club’s former sporting director, returned to a more senior role two years ago following Jurgen Klopp’s departure with a remit of heading up a multi-club operation for FSG.
However, the American owners shelved those plans late last year and it is understood soon after Edwards expressed his desire to leave, with attempts to persuade him to stay failing.
With speculation continuing over current sporting director Richard Hughes’ links with a move to Saudi Arabia, Edwards’ departure leaves more leadership issues for FSG to address.
Rafa Benitez open to Scotland role
Rafa Benitez has not ruled out the possibility of becoming Scotland's next head coach,
The Scottish FA are currently looking for Steve Clarke's successor following his decision to quit following their World Cup exit - a month after he signed a new four-year deal.
Admitting international football interests him, Benitez said: "I'm open to international football," he told Sky Sports News.
"It's a different way, it's a different approach. You have players that go fully motivated, and then you can organise the team in a way that they will be proud for the country.
"It's not like when you have, in Panathinaikos, 33 players in the squad. So how can you motivate the ones that will not play any games?
"The national team is different, so it's another challenge. Yeah, it could be interesting.
"Any country that they can offer you the possibility to do something, to get something, to achieve something."
Manchester United close to double transfer
Manchester United are closing in on the signings of Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow as they look to step up their summer transfer business.
Standard Sport understands that while Man Utd are yet to reach a full agreement for either player, there is an expectation that both deals will be finalised imminently.
As reported earlier in the week, United have agreed to pay Chelsea £48million plus an additional £2m in performance-related add-ons for Brazilian midfielder Santos.
Crystal Palace confirm Sage backroom staff
Pierre Sage has confirmed the five-man backroom staff he will take to Crystal Palace.
He has added Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard to the team, all coming over from roles in France. Alioui previously served as Sage’s assistant at Lyon.
The three new arrivals join established goalkeeping coach Andy Quy and assistant coach Paddy McCarthy, both of whom have worked with Palace for some time.
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