🚨 Man Utd eyeing Chelsea and Spurs stars, Ansu Fati could be Premier League-bound, more Arsenal exits, star pleads for PSG transfer, and more
Today's transfer round-up, featuring Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and more!
Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
AC Milan’s bid for Mehdi Taremi has been submitted, as expected. Package worth €15m with favourable payment terms. It’s up to FC Porto now, with today likely to be crucial.
AEK Athens
AEK Athens are keen on signing George Baldock from Sheffield United, talks are taking place. The club are pushing and waiting for developments, it’s up to Sheffield United.
Ajax
Georges Mikautadze has been in Amsterdam to complete his move to Ajax from Metz — the deal is done on player and clubs side, here we go confirmed.
Al Ahli
Gabri Veiga is a major statement signing for Al Ahli, but why did he choose them over Napoli? Ben Jacobs has the details in his column.
Al Arabi
Al Arabi keep working on the Marco Verratti deal as reported on Monday — the Qatari side remains optimistic.
Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad have submitted formal bid for Luiz Felipe after talks on Monday: €22m fixed fee plus €3m add-ons, expecting to get the deal done today with Betis and player side. Betis are already looking for a new centre-back as a potential replacement.
Arsenal
Mallorca and Sevilla have both asked for the conditions of the potential Rob Holding deal this week. There are also Premier League clubs informed on Holding’s situation, as he’s still expected to leave.
Folarin Balogun will officially sign in as a new AS Monaco player today. His medical was completed on Tuesday. Arsenal will receive €40m package add-ons included plus sell-on clause.
What are Arsenal’s plans after letting both Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares leave? Latest details here.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa weighing up a move for Clement Lenglet as option on the table for the final days of the window. There are multiple options available but Barcelona aware of Aston Villa interest, waiting for developments. In any case, Barca feel sure that Lenglet will leave.
Barcelona
Barcelona are prepared to activate the ‘operation Joao Felix’ in the next 48 hours. He’d only consider other clubs or Saudi if Barca deal collapse, but FFP is crucial - more here.
More on Joao Felix and Mohamed Salah to Saudi from Ben Jacobs here.
Xavi is a big fan of Martin Zubimendi, so why didn’t a deal happen? Full info here.
The Ansu Fati situation is one to watch until the end of the window. Tottenham made contact to be informed on his situation while talks for Brennan Johnson also continue. Chelsea have also been presented Ansu as an opportunity earlier this week.
Official, confirmed. Fermin Lopez has signed a new four year deal at Barcelona and it includes a €400m release clause.
Barcelona are closing in on a deal to sign 2004 born striker Petterson Novaes from Flamengo — he’ll join the club’s academy for a fee of €3m, it’s on the verge of being sealed.
Bayern Munich
Bayern have given Benjamin Pavard the green light to join Inter and are working on signing a replacement.
Brighton
Official, confirmed. Brighton sign Carlos Baleba from Lille in a €30m package deal.
Roberto De Zerbi: “Carlos, very good player. He’s very young but a specific player for our style. He will be the future of the club.”
Chelsea
Stories about Trevoh Chalobah undergoing medical tests at Bayern are wide of mark. There has been no medical in London or Munich as of now. Negotiations between Bayern and Chelsea have taken place, with the Blues insisting on a permanent deal or no way.
Why do Man Utd view Marc Cucurella as the ‘perfect’ opportunity? Full details here.
Chelsea have been presented with Ansu Fati as an option in the final days of the transfer window. His situation at Barcelona is one to watch, with Tottenham also making contact to be informed on a potential move.
Conor Gallagher has plenty of admirers, but what’s the latest on his future? Ben Jacobs delves into that in his column here.
This former Chelsea player is open to returning! More from Ben Jacobs here.
Crystal Palace
Everton
Officially confirmed: Everton have completed a deal worth in excess of €30m for Portuguese striker Beto on a permanent move from Udinese.
Fulham
Official, confirmed: Timothy Castagne has agreed a contract until the summer of 2027 at Fulham after medical passed on Monday. The deal includes an option to extend by a further 12 months.
Inter Milan
Inter are finally set to sign Benjamin Pavard - full details here.
Juventus
Juventus agree terms with Kenan Yildiz to extend his contract until June 2027. His new deal is set to be activated as he had two more year options left on current contract. Excellent news for Juventus as Kenan is a highly rated talent and the club trusts him for the future.
Leeds United
Djed Spence has completed medical tests at Leeds United, with his loan move from Spurs set to be signed.
Leeds will allow Cody Drameh to leave on loan or permanent transfer. Drameh won’t accept a new deal and the arrival of Spence clears path for his move away.
Lille
Lille have presented a formal bid to Espanyol for Martin Braithwaite in the last 24 hours. Espanyol rejected the opening bid but Lille remain interested.
Manchester City
Manchester City are on verge of agreeing deal to sign former West Ham centre back Jamal Baptiste, born in 2003. Baptiste will join on free transfer, with the medical and contract signing soon.
Manchester United
Manchester United now consider the Altay Bayindir deal from Fenerbahce ‘on track’ — they’re working on thee final details and then it’ll be confirmed. An official statement is not expected yet as there’s still some work to do but €7m deal underway. Player in UK since Friday.
West Ham have decided to leave the race for Harry Maguire - more info on that here.
Why do Man Utd view Marc Cucurella as the ‘perfect’ opportunity? Full details here.
Who else did United look at for the left-back position? Ben Jacobs has more here.
United want Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but Tottenham’s demands are clear - more info here.
Monaco
Folarin Balogun will officially sign in as a new AS Monaco player today. His medical was completed on Tuesday. Arsenal will receive €40m package add-ons included plus sell-on clause.
Napoli
Done deal, official: Jesper Lindstrom has joined Napoli on a permanent deal from Eintracht Frankfurt. It’s a €5m loan fee, with €20m mandatory buy option clause.
Gabri Veiga is a major statement signing for Al Ahli, but why did he choose them over Napoli? Ben Jacobs has the details in his column.
Nottingham Forest
Nuno Tavares to Nottingham Forest, here we go! A deal has been agreed with Arsenal for a loan until June 2024. The loan fee will be bit higher than £1m plus £12m buy option.
Nottingham Forest are closing in on deal to sign Michy Batshuayi from Fenerbahce as he was already on the list in January. There are still some details to be sorted with Fenerbahce.
Brazilian centre-back Murillo has completed the first part of medical tests as a new Nottingham Forest player in the morning. €15m package deal confirmed with Corinthians to retain sell-on clause.
Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement in principle with Bologna for Nico Dominguez as new midfielder.
Porto
Official, confirmed: Jorge Sanchez has joined Porto on a loan deal from Ajax with €4m buy option clause, which will become mandatory after 20 appearances.
PSG
Randal Kolo Muani: “I hope Eintracht will let me leave and join PSG. I owe Eintracht a lot. I always gave my best. But it’s no secret that PSG made a record offer for me, I’d like to join them as it’s big opportunity. I hope Eintracht will accept.”
PSV
There’s a concrete chance to see Johan Bakayoko leaving PSV in the final days of the window, with clubs now pushing. This is likely due to Hirving Lozano who’s on the verge of returning to PSV - a move back from Napoli is now imminent.
Real Sociedad
Sporting Lisbon
Ivan Fresneda has signed his contract as a new Sporting player. Deal sealed for a €9m fixed fee, plus €3m add-ons and 10% sell on clause to Real Valladolid.
Tottenham
Tottenham have made contact to be informed on the Ansu Fati situation while talks for Brennan Johnson also continue. Fati is one to watch, with Chelsea also presented this option.
Ange Postecoglou is happy with Giovani Lo Celso staying at Tottenham. Positive feedback on Argentine midfielder who’s likely to continue at Spurs. It would take an important bid to change the club’s stance on Lo Celso in the final days.
Was there ever a chance of Clement Lenglet returning to Tottenham?
West Ham
West Ham have decided to leave the race for Harry Maguire - more info on that here.
Wolves
Bendeguz Bolla has completed medical tests at Swiss side Servette and leaves Wolves on loan deal. Buy option clause included, confirmed.
Wolves are closing in on deal to sign Santiago Bueno from Girona as final details are being sorted. The Uruguayan centre back prepared to fly to England for medical tests as final fee could be in excess of €10m. Personal terms also agreed
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com