🚨 Ten Hag trusts Rashford, Calafiori's plans change, Pep's message, Varane joins Como, Soulé/Dovbyk to Roma and much more
Plus all of the transfer stories making the news from around the world of football....
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Today’s top stories:
AC Monza
AC Monza have agreed a deal to sign former Spurs and Napoli goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini. Deal in place with Monza after several Italian clubs wanted to sign him, he’s joining from Atalanta.
Arsenal
Riccardo Calafiori’s travel plan has been re-scheduled again — due to Arsenal and Bologna completing all formal documents late last night. Calafiori will travel from Roma to London later this morning. Medical in London, then travel to USA.
Arsenal and Liverpool battling it out for €40m-rated winger [CaughtOffside]
AS Roma
Matias Soulé to AS Roma, here we go! Deal in place for talented winger after verbal agreement revealed. €26m fixed fee, €2m easy add-ons and €2m difficult add-ons package, 10% sell-on clause to Juventus. Five year deal to Soulé, wanted by Friedkin and de Rossi.
How does Soulé fit in at Roma? {Football Italia]
Artem Dovbyk’s agent Alex Lundovsky tells Ukrfootball: “Atlético Madrid is a great club, but we didn’t see a serious project for Artem there. Their offer is significantly lower in financial terms compared to the other offers. Dovbyk gave the green light to AS Roma.”
AS Roma and Artem Dovbyk’s agents have already discussed contract terms, as the Ukrainian striker said yes to the move on Thursday night. He’s keen on joining AS Roma after talks with club’s board and manager de Rossi. AS Roma and Girona, in contact to discuss fee package.
Atlético Madrid
João Félix, back in Madrid to train alone supported by Atlético Madrid staff. No chance to stay at Atléti as club wants to sell him… and he wants to leave. Unai Emery, insisting on him as a dream signing but Aston Villa will try to reduce expensive package. One to watch.
Atlético Madrid have lost the fight to land Artem Dovbyk. What caused the problem? Matteo Moretto expertly navigates all the details with another superb exclusive.
Bahia
Official, exclusive story now confirmed. Uruguayan top talent Luciano Rodríguez has signed in as a new Bahia player. He’s joining City Football Group for $11m for 70% of the deal.
Barcelona
Dani Olmo is understood to want to return to Barcelona but there could be a couple of issues which stop that from happening. Matteo Moretto breaks down the moving parts to this potential deal.
Saudi clubs are definitely interested in Vitor Roque though there’s a lot more interest besides. Matteo Moretto has more.
Barcelona’s stance has not changed: total priority to Nico Williams, no other signing will be activated until they get the final answer from Nico. Contacts took place for Dani Olmo but nothing will happen or advance until Nico deal is clarified. Same for João Cancelo.
Bologna
Bologna confirm they’ve sent a formal proposal to Mats Hummels to join them as a free agent. “We’re waiting for Hummels to decide, we’ve presented our project,” club CEO Fenucci says. Bologna booked a medical for Hummels two days ago but he needs more time to decide.
Borussia Dortmund
Contacts between Borussia Dortmund and Man City for Yan Couto, ongoing. Couto’s keen on BVB move.
More on Yan Couto. Borussia Dortmund are trying to include add-ons as part of the negotiation with Man City over the fee. No issues on player terms, working on club to club agreement over €20m plus add-ons.
Bournemouth
Dean Huijsen confirms he’s leaving Juventus as his move to Bournemouth will be completed soon. €15m plus €3m fee and sell-on clause, confirmed. From today, Juve will start entering key stages of the Jean-Clair Todibo deal.
Chelsea
Chelsea are closing in on the Filip Jørgensen deal, as agreement with Villarreal is at the final stages. Chelsea have improved their proposal after initial bid worth €20m and they’re just discussing deal structure with Villarreal. Jørgensen has already agreed on contract.
Si Phillips takes a very interesting deep dive into Chelsea’s bad decisions this summer.
Como
Raphael Varane to Como, here we go! Documents ready and set to be signed. Former Real Madrid and Man United CB will play in Serie A under Cesc Fabregas as manager. Understand Varane will sign a two year deal until June 2026 + option until 2027. Exclusive story, confirmed.
Crystal Palace
Ismaïla Sarr will sort his visa in order to complete medical tests and sign in as a new Crystal Palace player. Palace agreed on a €15m deal with Olympique Marseille on Thursday.
Everton
Official, confirmed. Jesper Lindstrøm signs in as a new Everton player from Napoli. €2.5m loan fee, €22.5m buy option, salary covered by Everton and potential future deal until June 2029. Exclusive story, confirmed.
Everton expected to bid for £28m-rated Leeds man as a ‘priority’ [CaughtOffside]
Fulham
Official, exclusive story confirmed: Ryan Sessegnon has joined Fulham on a two year deal plus an option for a further season.
Juventus
Juventus and Bournemouth have exchanged all documents on Dean Huijsen deal, medical later today.
Negotiations between Juventus and OGC Nice for Jean-Clair Todibo will enter into key stages starting from today. Juventus will offer loan with buy option clause, almost guaranteed mandatory. Barça will receive 20%. Understand Nice want also sell-on clause included.
Thaigo Motta’s Juventus lose 3-0 in first pre-season game [Football Italia]
Liverpool
Christian Falk details Liverpool’s concrete update on European rival interest in Barış Alper Yilmaz
Liverpool make offer to sign Euro 2024 striker [Football Italia]
Liverpool won their pre-season match against Real Betis in Pittsburgh thanks to a Dominik Szoboszlai goal [pictures from LFC]:
Manchester City
Which 22-year-old Manchester City star is now a ‘very concrete option’ for Borussia Dortmund? Christian Falk has the details.
Christian Falk also walks us through why Kevin De Bruyne and Max Eberl hold the keys to Jamal Musiala’s future…
Understand negotiations between Al Ittihad and Man City for Ederson are currently not progressing, it's still complicated. Man City have been clear: €50/60m package or no way for a green light on the deal. Al Ittihad are also considering other options from La Liga and elswhere.
Éderson’s statement reports he’s “fully focused on preparing for the new season” and he “never had any problems with Stefan Ortega.” Talks between Man City and Al Ittihad are still difficult as request remains clear, at least €50/60m.
Guardiola on Éderson and Saudi: “I would love, from the bottom of my heart, that Éderson stays. He’s a key player for us. If nobody goes, we’ll stay as we are. It’s so difficult to replace a top player like Éderson.”
Pep Guardiola: “I have been at Man City for eight years. So I'm not staying here for eight more years, that's why I'm more closer to leaving than staying. But I didn't say I'm leaving…”
Manchester United
Harry Maguire on his future and links with Man United exit: “To be honest, everything I've heard is that I'm part of future here at Man United. I'm ready to fight for the biggest trophies.”
Harry Maguire: “I have one year left on my contract with an option but if they come to me and say they don’t want me any more, of course I’ll look for options elsewhere. But that’s never been told to me.”
Before completing any deal for a new right back, Man United need to clarify the situation of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. His exit is considered as a crucial step in order to sign new RB, while AWB has one year left on his contract.
Abhorrent Mason Greenwood was still an asset for Man United [CaughtOffside]
Manchester United have held talks with agent Rafaela Pimenta for both de Ligt and Mazraoui. Mazraoui wants Man United, but the move depends on Wan Bissaka’s future. United and Inter have been offered Dumfries/Wan Bissaka swap by intermediaries and also considered Vanderson.
Andreas Georgson has joined Manchester United as first-team set piece coach. Georgson arrives from Norwegian side Lillestrom, where he has been head coach since January of this year.
Erik ten Hag on new signings: "I want the squad as strong as possible. With squad depth we need to catch up because we had injuries. This season will be survival of the fittest."
Ten Hag on summer uncertainty: "I just believed in myself as always and finally I got the reward. We are now in a new season, we left everything behind and we think about the future. We can do this together. I'm 100% sure this is a great project."
Erik ten Hag on Marcus Rashford: "I am confident, I trust Marcus. I 100% believe he can do what he did two years ago in terms of goals and performances. He's capable of it."
Ten Hag on a new centre back to join after Yoro: "We are occupied, we work continually... We already signed two players, but a club like Man United has to take advantage if an opportunity is there. There is time until August 31."
Olympique Marseille
Kiliann Sildillia has now told his coach of his desire and determination to sign for Olympique Marseille. His agents are working to resolve the situation as Sildillia does not want to be disrupted at the Olympic Games. OM, waiting for Freiburg response soon.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig remain clear favorites to sign Xavi Simons, as revealed. There’s still some work to do in order to seal the agreement but club CEO Mintzlaff is on it. Bayern are still trying until the end, not giving up on Xavi while they wait for Désiré Doué decision.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid remain calm and confident over the signing of another world-class star. Matteo Moretto has all the details.
Real Madrid set to lose another centre-back [Relevo]
RC Lens
Official, confirmed. Malang Sarr signs in as a new RC Lens player. Free transfer from Chelsea.
Strasbourg
Guela Doué joins Strasbourg on €6m plus €2m deal from Rennes. Club confirms direct signing, no Chelsea involved.
Torino
Torino have sent a proposal to Union Berlin to advance on a loan deal with buy clause potentially becoming mandatory for Robin Gosens. There’s still no agreement or green light on the player side, a key step for the deal.
Tottenham Hotspur
Postecoglou confirms Tottenham are set to sign Yang Min-hyuk: “I'm well aware of the quality of the K League. Korean players have made a fantastic impact across Europe.”
Understand Bryan Gil has got his heart set on a move to Girona and personal terms have been agreed. Player’s camp informed Tottenham that Bryan wants to join Girona at all costs. Negotiations between clubs over deal formula, talks still ongoing.
10-goal striker now very likely to join Tottenham this summer [CalcioNapoli24]