In demand: Benjamin Sesko, Florian Wirtz and Liam Delap all look set for huge summer transfers
The first instalment of a unique two-window transfer summer is now officially underway with clubs striving to take advantage of the early business opportunities afforded by the Club World Cup. Arsenal aren’t heading to the tournament but are still keen to make some statement early signings, with the Gunners seemingly having now chosen Benjamin Sesko over Viktor Gyokeres as their next striker as Martin Zubimendi prepares to seal his own move to north London.
Arsenal continue to be linked with the likes of Leroy Sane, Rodrygo, Rafael Leao and Kaoru Mitoma, though Joan Garcia is heading to Barcelona. Liam Delap is poised to undergo a medical at Chelsea on Monday after a £30million deal was struck with Ipswich, while Manchester United are said to have lined up Pedro Goncalves as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes, who has been given a new deadline to decide on a lucrative switch to Al-Hilal.
Liverpool are now close to a blockbuster agreement for Florian Wirtz and could battle for Hugo Ekitike with Chelsea, who are also weighing up an approach for Jarrad Branthwaite as Tottenham eye Sane and Eberechi Eze. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
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Liverpool close to huge deal for Florian Wirtz
Liverpool are expected to swiftly wrap up the signing of Florian Wirtz.
Arne Slot’s reigning Premier League champions have been chasing a blockbuster deal for the highly-rated German forward since agreeing a £29.5m switch for his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong, which was officially announced on Friday.
Liverpool have made two bids for Wirtz so far, the second of which came on Friday and was said to total up to £109m.
According to Florian Plettenberg, that latest offer was not accepted by Leverkusen, who remain in negotiations with the Reds and could still get a player in return for Wirtz in part-exchange.
However, he says an agreement is now considered just days away, with Wirtz with the Germany squad as he waits to get permission to undergo a medical with Liverpool.
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Arsenal hold secret talks over Benjamin Sesko deal
Arsenal are clearly ramping up their move to sign Benjamin Sesko with the early summer transfer window now open for business.
The Slovenian striker has long been heavily linked with a high-profile switch to north London, though it appeared for quite a while like prolific Sporting Lisbon frontman Viktor Gyokeres had replaced him as their No1 striker target.
However, reports in recent days suggest that Sesko - said to be the preferred option of manager Mikel Arteta - has now been chosen as Arsenal’s priority option, with new sporting director Andrea Berta said to have held “secret talks” over a deal with RB Leipzig chief Marcel Schafer.
Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
Champions League - Round of 16 - First Leg - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
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