Keep up to do with all the latest news, rumours and gossip throughout summer window
Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Ronald Araujo
Transfer targets: Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Ronald Araujo
The summer window is heading into crucial weeks as the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham work on huge deals. The Gunners are assessing new targets after missing out on Vinicius Jr, with Julian Alvarez a key target for attack and Ezri Konsa for the defence. An approach for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero also failed. Bruno Guimaraes is set to be confirmed after passing his medical.
Manchester United are desperate for a new left-back, but have admitted defeat in attempts to sign Lewis Hall after Newcastle ruled out a sale so have turned to Jorge Salinas. Chelsea are set to confirm the arrival of Pep Chavarria, but could lose both Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto to Manchester City.
Liverpool have agreed a shock deal to sign Ronald Araujo on loan, but remain keen to wrap up a deal for Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye. Tottenham are exploring a deal for Georges Mikautadze, and remain keen on Cody Gakpo and Savinho, as Micky van de Ven agrees a new contract. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Arsenal agree personal terms with Julian Alvarez
Arsenal are expected to reignire their interest in Julian Alvarez after failing to lure Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid.
Ben Jacobs reports that Alvarez is Mikel Arteta’s back-up option, having also missed out on Morgan Rogers to strengthen his attack.
Reports on X go further by suggesting personal terms on a contract have already been agreed. The Article claim Alvarez would prefer a move to Barcelona but has not ruled out moving back to the Premier League.
A move for Alvarez could throw Viktor Gyokeres’s future into doubt.
Getty Images
Man City launch Enzo Fernandez pursuit
Manchester City want Enzo Fernandez to replace Barcelona-bound Rodri
Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Man City are working on two potential midfield additions alongside the already completed signing of Elliot Anderson.
Fernandez has emerged as a priority target for City, with manager Enzo Maresca keen on a reunion with his former vice-captain, but a deal will be difficult.
City are also keen on Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed during the recent World Cup with Morocco, with talks already underway.
Arsenal have three new targets
Arsenal have moved on from their pursuit of Vinicius Jr after the Brazilian winger committed his future to Real Madrid until 2032.
Despite coming close to agreeing personal terms, Arsenal were unable to convince him to leave Spain.
Mikel Arteta remains determined to strengthen his attacking options and has identified three alternatives: Julian Alvarez, Bradley Barcola and Iliman Ndiaye.
Barcola is an appealing option, although Liverpool are further ahead in negotiations and PSG’s £130m valuation exceeds Arsenal’s assessment.
Alvarez is admired by Arteta but appears likely to stay in Spain, while Ndiaye remains another possibility.
AFP/Getty
Liverpool close in on second summer signing
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo to help ease a defensive injury crisis.
According to widespread reports, the Reds have agreed a deal with the LaLiga champions to bring the Uruguay international in on a season-long loan.
Furthermore, it’s understood that Liverpool will have the option to sign Araujo permanently next summer should the 27-year-old impress.
Liverpool agree Araujo loan deal
Big news coming out of Liverpool!
The Reds have agree loan deal to for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
As per Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement is in place between the two clubs and the move has been approved by Deco.
Will Arsenal injury blow impact Bruno Guimaraes transfer?
Prior to the injury blow, Louie Copley was a big topic among Arsenal supporters due to the shirt number he wore for both pre-season friendlies, amid the imminent arrival of Bruno Guimaraes.
While Copley wore No39 for the Gunners against both Girona and Real Betis, he had already been handed the No38 shirt - based on details via the official Arsenal website.
It’s unclear as to why Copley wore that particular shirt number in pre-season, but he did wear No38 last season when named on the bench in the Champions League win over Club Brugge and there was no confirmation of a change.
Therefore, the No39 shirt at Arsenal remains vacant - which has been the case since Harrison Dudziak - the previous incumbent was released by the club at the end of June after his contract had expired.
PSG stand firm on Barcola price
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly standing firm on their valuation for Bradley Barcola, amid reports Arsenal hold an interest in the Liverpool transfer target.
Having initially ruled out the sale of Barcola this summer, PSG are now open to offers for the 23-year-old and have even held preliminary talks with Liverpool.
However, Sky Sports have stated that there is a significant gap in valuation between the two clubs.
This update comes amid reports of an agreement in principle between Liverpool and PSG for a fee is believed to be in the region of €128million (109m).
Although, with PSG valuing Barcola at £145m, in addition to standing firm on their stance over the fee, it is making a deal difficult to complete at this stage.
Man Utd get Jorge Salinas transfer boost
Manchester United have been handed a boost in their attempts to sign Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas after seeing an approach for Lewis Hall turned down by Newcastle.
Standard Sport understands that Hall has long had admirers at Man United, and there is strong interest in doing a deal this summer as Michael Carrick seeks to provide competition for Luke Shaw at left-back.
However, according to Sky Sports, the Magpies have made it clear to Man Utd that the 21-year-old is not for sale in a summer where the club have already lost Anthony Gordan and Sandro Tonali.
Furthermore, with captain Bruno Guimaraes on the verge of completing a £75million move to Arsenal, Newcastle have, understandably, no plans to lose a fourth key player this summer and are said ton have officially rejected an initial enquiry from United for Hall.
As a result, the Red Devils will be forced to turn their attentions to other left-back targets.
ICYMI: Vini Jr statement
“Real Madrid C. F. and Vinicius Jr. have agreed on the extension of our player's contract, which links him to the club until June 30, 2032.
“Vinicius Jr. joined Real Madrid in July 2018 at the age of 18. In his eight seasons wearing our jersey, he has played 375 matches, scored 128 goals, and won 14 titles: 2 Champions League, 3 Club World Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups, 3 LaLiga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, and 3 Spanish Super Cups.
“His contribution to all these titles has been pivotal due to his gameplay, assists, and goals, including those scored in the last two Champions League finals won by Real Madrid: the Fourteenth (Paris, 2022) and the Fifteenth (London, 2024).
“During this period with Real Madrid, Vinicius won The Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2024, was named the Golden Ball of the Intercontinental Cup 2024, Best Player of the Champions League 2023-2024, Golden Ball of the Club World Cup 2022, and Best Young Player of the Champions League 2021-2022.
“Additionally, he was included in the FIFA World XI (2024), twice in the FIFA FIFPro World11 (2023 and 2024), and three times in the Champions League Team of the Season (2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024).
“Vinicius Jr. has become one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history.”
Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr
Endrick update
While speculation over his future rumbles on, Endrick has arrived in Budapest as he is part of the Real Madrid squad for Saturday’s friendly against Ferencvaros.
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