Updated: 20 Jul 2026 15:09 BST | 5 min read
Rafael Leao, Rumours
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FootballTransfers runs through the latest done deals, biggest rumours and gossip from 20 July, including the latest updates on Rafael Leao, Phil Foden and Joao Gomes.
Monday 20 July Done Deals
© IMAGO - Monday 20 July Done Deals
- Following Wolves’ relegation last season, it seemed inevitable that star midfielder Joao Gomes would leave in this window and that’s now happened, with Aston Villa winning the race for the Brazilian’s signature in a deal worth €40m. Manchester United and Liverpool were previously credited with an interest after a move to Atletico Madrid fell through earlier this summer.
- Late last week, Manchester City and Tottenham were considering hijacking Francisco Trincao’s proposed transfer from Sporting CP to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. No such hijacking happened, though, and the Portugal international is the latest big-name to make the career move to the Middle East for €39.4m.
- Christ Inao Oulai was a wanted man in this transfer window, with Nottingham Forest, Man City and Man Utd previously linked with the Trabzonspor midfielder. In the end, Fiorentina swooped to complete a €26m deal.
- Bayern Munich youngster Noel Aseko has completed a €12m transfer to the club’s Bundesliga rivals, Eintracht Frankfurt. The 20-year-old midfielder spent the last 18 months on loan at Bundesliga 2 club Hannover 96.
- Man Utd have picked up Tottenham youngster Tynan Thompson for a relatively nominal fee of €4.9m. If certain incentives are triggered, that could rise up to around €9.4m. The player’s desire to return to the north of England was believed to be a factor in the transfer.
Monday 20 July Rumours
© IMAGO - Monday 20 July Rumours
- It seems likely that Rafael Leao will leave Milan this summer following a seven-year spell at San Siro. Aston Villa are going to be flush with cash when Morgan Rogers’ €137m switch to Chelsea is finalised and Unai Emery could ask for some of that money to be spent on the flying Portuguese winger. €60m of it, to be exact. (Gazzetta)
Phil Foden was not at his best for Man City last season and it’s not an exaggeration to say he may not be considered a key player for the Etihad club anymore. With a new manager in place in Enzo Maresca, there’s sure to be some upheaval at the club this summer, with Foden potentially a victim of that. Milan are interested, but Barcelona have now been credited with interest in a €50m offer. (El Nacional)
Tottenham would be willing to sell Richarlison as he only has one year left on his contract in North London. Serie A giants Inter and Juventus may find themselves in a tug-of-war for the Brazilian, who will cost €25m. (Gazzetta)
There are no signs that Liverpool are looking to sell Virgil van Dijk, but that hasn’t stopped rumours developing about a potential move to Turkey. Besiktas want both him and Mohamed Salah to join the club, but no transfer fee has been mentioned for the big Dutchman. He does have an Expected Transfer Value of €6.8m and, at 35 years old, any fee probably won’t be much higher than that. (Levent Umit Erol)
With William Saliba set to be out for around five months due to back surgery, Arsenal are looking for a new centre-back and have identified a short-term option by bringing in John Stones on a free transfer from Man City. (Sun)
Both Chelsea and Aston Villa are considering a €40m approach to Bologna for English winger Jonathan Rowe. (Calciomercato)
Versatile Borussia Dortmund star Daniel Svensson is on the radar of both Arsenal and Liverpool. In January, it was reported that BVB were looking for a €33m offer to consider a sale. (Caught Offside)
New Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, formerly of Real Madrid, is plotting two audacious moves for Real Madrid youngsters Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastanuono. The former would be a permanent deal, but Los Blancos will only entertain loan bids for the talented Argentine, who only joined a year ago. (Sun)
Ivan Perisic is reportedly on the cusp of a return to Inter from PSV. (TuttoMercatoWeb)
During the negotiations between Aston Villa and Chelsea for Morgan Rogers, Villa asked about Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson potentially heading in the other direction in two separate deals. (TeamTalk)
Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey is a transfer target for newly promoted Hull City. (Athletic)
Man Utd are one of a number of clubs interested in signing 6ft 5in central defender Ben Nelson from Leicester. (Daily Mail)
Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc is interesting Everton and Leeds, who are both mulling over €29m bids for the Czechia international. (Daily Mail)