🚨 CRUCIAL day for Lavia to Chelsea, Man Utd target's social media hint, Arsenal like ANOTHER Man City player, and more
Today's Briefing, featuring Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal and much more!
Good morning everyone and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Al Ahli
Merih Demiral to Al Ahli, here we go! There’s an agreement now in place with Atalanta and player side — set to be signed in the next 24 hours. Two Premier League clubs also wanted Demiral but Al Ahli agreed a deal on the same conditions and now it’s done.
Al Hilal
Neymar to Al Hilal, here we go! He’ll travel to Saudi Arabia later this week, he joins on a two-year contract, and takes the number 10 shirt.
Was Neymar really rejected by the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United? Full details here.
Al Hilal keep working on the Aleksandar Mitrovic deal, as first reported yesterday — it’s agreed on the player side and negotiations are ongoing with Fulham.
Arsenal
Arsenal will explore the market for replacements for the injured Jurrien Timber, with another Man City player on their radar.
💬 Can Arsenal cope without Timber? Who would be an ideal signing as cover?
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are now closing in on the signing of Nicolo Zaniolo. An agreement is now very close, and set to be completed. It’ll be a loan deal with buy option clause, total package worth around €27m. His medical will take place on Wednesday, if all goes to plan.
Atalanta
Charles de Ketelaere is set to undergo medical tests as a new Atalanta player; documents have been approved with AC Milan for a loan deal with buy option. De Ketelaere accepted last week, deal done and now set to be signed. Here we go, confirmed.
Barcelona
Barcelona are set to submit a formal bid for Joao Cancelo. Personal terms have already been agreed with the player, and now Barcelona will try a loan bid with the option to buy. Barca will use part of the Ousmane Dembele money for Cancelo.
Besiktas
Official: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed for Besiktas on a three year deal. He joins as a free agent after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth now look the favourites for Tyler Adams - more info here.
Brighton
Brighton have already reached an agreement with Carlos Baleba on personal terms — he’s their favoured option to replace Moises Caicedo. An opening bid has already been submitted to Lille — in excess of €16m and it also includes add-ons. Talks ongoing.
Chelsea
Today could be crucial for Romeo Lavia to Chelsea - full exclusive details here.
What do the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia mean for the likes of Carney Chukwuemeka and Conor Gallagher? More on that here.
Caicedo on his move: “I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me. I just knew I wanted to sign for this club, Chelsea. It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait.”
Inter Milan
Marko Arnautovic to Inter, here we go! An agreement has been reached on a €10m package, with add-ons included. Medical tests will take place later this week after he agreed personal terms weeks ago.
Liverpool
💬 How big a blow is missing out on Lavia and who should Liverpool go for next?
Manchester City
Manchester City will bid again for Lucas Paqueta - more on that here.
City are also speaking to Jeremy Doku - full details here.
As some have been asking - Man City’s buy back clause for Romeo Lavia will no longer exist once he joins Chelsea. It was valid only from 2024 and if he was staying under contract at Southampton. Man City will get more than £10m from Chelsea-Lavia deal as they got a sell-on clause.
Manchester United
Benjamin Pavard is showing how much he wants to join Manchester United after posting this reaction to Raphael Varane’s winning goal last night…
Monaco
Official, confirmed. Denis Zakaria has joined Monaco in a €20m deal from Juventus.
Napoli
Official: Mario Rui has signed a new deal with Napoli valid until June 30, 2026.
PSV
PSV Eindhoven are now expected to complete the Aster Vranckx deal this week. An agreement has been close since ten days ago and finally imminent. Negotiations advancing to final stages as Vranckx wants PSV.
Real Madrid
Official, confirmed. Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea with no buy option clause.
Aurelien Tchouameni has made his situation clear after liking a Fabrizio Romano tweet stating that he’s “not for sale”.
Rennes
Official, confirmed: Nemanja Matic has joined Rennes on a two year deal after leaving Roma.
Roma
Leandro Paredes to AS Roma, here we go! Deal agreed for fee in excess of €4m to Paris Saint-Germain. PSG and Roma have just reached final agreement, Leandro will now travel to Italy. Contract until June 2025 with option until 2026.
Renato Sanches to AS Roma, here we go! An agreement has been sealed with PSG as he will join the club together with Leandro Paredes. It’ll be a €1m loan fee with the option to buy for €15m, which becomes mandatory if he plays 60% of Roma’s games this season.
Sassuolo
Sassuolo are set to sign Uros Racic on a permanent deal from Valencia — also medical tests set to be booked.
Union Berlin
Union Berlin have sealed the Robin Gosens deal with Inter — it’s done and completed, as expected. Gosens will now travel to Germany as he’ll undergo medical tests and sign a long term deal today.
West Ham United
West Ham are working on signing this potential replacement for Lucas Paqueta in case he moves to Manchester City.
Official, confirmed: James Ward-Prowse has joined West Ham from Southampton in a permanent deal.
Talks continue with Harry Maguire over personal terms after a £30m deal was agreed with Manchester United.
💬 Hammers fans - happy with the Ward-Prowse deal? Would Maguire be a good target next?
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg on the verge of closing Lovro Majer deal with Rennes on fee in excess of €30m package. Medical tests are being scheduled, plus final details to discuss, then it will be a done deal. It’d be 2nd most expensive signing in the history of the club after Julian Draxler.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com