🚨 Lukaku to Napoli 'here we go,' Gundogan completes City return, Solanke injured, Ugarte left out by PSG and much more
Plus all of the other stories making the news in the world of football...
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Today’s top stories:
Read all about the latest Bundesliga news in Christian Falk’s Fact Files
🎧 LISTEN: The Debrief Podcast - Latest on the window with one week to go
Arteta confirms talks over a new deal will take place after the window closes
Plus more from Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham United
Alavés
The agreement between Alavés and FC Porto on Toni Martínez is almost closed for a €2.5m fixed fee for 50% of the rights.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta discusses why Aston Villa were able to get the better of Arsenal twice last season [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Arteta on Nketiah and Forest: “I expect Eddie to train with us and that’s it. Whatever happens will happen if it’s good for everybody.”
Arteta on the final days of the summer transfer window: “Anything can happen and we have to be ready. A lot of surprises can come… we will be prepared.”
Mikel Arteta confirms talks over a new deal for him will take place after the transfer window. He and the club have a very clear plan to continue together.
Mikel Arteta when asked if he had a temptation to call Raheem Sterling: “No… but I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional, we built a really strong relationship together.” NO talks taking place with Arsenal or Aston Villa so far.
Arsenal considering audacious move for Euro 2024 winner [The Independent]
AS Roma
What does Paulo Dybala staying at Roma mean for the Giallorossi in terms of summer signings? Matteo Moretto has more.
AS Roma are closing in on a deal to sign Saud Abdulhamid as a new right back from Al Hilal. Deal in place for €2.5m plus add-ons with final details being sorted… then all done. Reims tried to hijack the deal but Roma remain ahead, planning for travel on Saturday.
Atlético Madrid
Clement Lenglet to Atlético Madrid, here we go! Understand Lenglet will EXTEND his contract at Barcelona for one more year until 2027 and leave on a straight loan. NO buy option, Atlético will pay the main part of the salary. Medical tests also booked for Saturday.
Conor Gallagher: I’m perfect for Diego Simeone and Atléti [Mundo Deportivo]
Barcelona
Mika Faye will say goodbye to the Barça squad and then travel to Rennes. €12m transfer fee. €4m add-ons included. €35m buy back clause first year. €40m buy back clause second year. Sell-on clause also included for Barça. Permanent move, confirmed.
Pau Victor signs a new deal at Barça valid until June 2029, sealed on Friday.
Barcelona right-back Hector Fort has interest from three teams. Matteo Moretto tells us who they are.
Matteo Moretto also has some exclusive, bang up-to-date details as to how close Juventus ace, Federico Chiesa, could be to a Barça move.
Bayer Leverkusen
Should Xabi Alonso be worried about losing Edmond Tapsoba, Odilon Kossounou and Piero Hincapié in the summer window? Christian Falk has more.
Bayern Munich
There’s a huge amount happening at Bayern Munich at the moment. Christian Falk breaks down what could be a very interesting last few days in the transfer window.
Bologna
Bologna agree a deal to sign 2006 born talent Jan Labedzki from LKS Lodz on a permanent move. Clubs agreed a fee and the player will travel soon to Italy. Club expect him to be the ‘new’ Kacper Urbanski, same level of investment and prospect.
Bologna are closing in on a deal to sign Tommaso Pobega from AC Milan. Positive talks taking place as Pobega has accepted the possibility to join Bologna and clubs are close. Loan with buy option clause.
Samuel Iling Jr from Aston Villa to Bologna, here we go! Villa accept a loan proposal with salary covered. Iling Jr will be back in Serie A on a straight loan after joining Villa from Juventus as part of the Douglas Luiz deal. No buy option included, medical on Sunday.
Brentford
Brazilian winger Gustavo Nunes has arrived in London, set to undergo medical tests at Brentford’s training ground. Plan confirmed as revealed two days ago, Nunes will be the next signing; €12m fee and 20% sell-on clause to Gremio.
Thomas Frank on Ivan Toney’s future: “He could be selected or maybe not. He could be here after the 30th, he could not be. Everything is up in the air!”
Brighton and Hove Albion
Ferdi Kadioglu to Brighton, here we go! Deal in place for a €30m package for Fenerbahçe. Kadioglu wanted Brighton and personal terms were agreed two weeks ago on a five year deal. He will undergo medical tests this weekend as part of Brighton’s plan.
Matt O’Riley to Brighton, here we go! Agreement sealed as reported earlier as Brighton complete one more massive signing. Celtic to receive a £25m fixed fee plus add-ons up to a £30m package, record fee in Scotland. O’Riley and Kadioglu, done deals.
Could Mats Hummels really sign for Brighton? Bundesliga expert, Christian Falk, tries to make sense of all the moving parts.
Cardiff
After Pellistri and Maxi Oyedele, Will Fish leaves Man United on the same formula and joins Cardiff on a permanent deal. £1m initial fee plus add-ons and 30% sell-on clause also included.
Chelsea
Mykhailo Mudryk has new agents as he has joined ProStar Football Agency. He will now be represented by Ukrainian agent and company CEO, Vadim Shabliy, together with Nikita Tyatkov.
Enzo Maresca on goalkeepers: “If the level continues to be the same, then probably Robert will be the Premier League starting goalkeeper and Filip in the Conference League or the domestic cups.”
Enzo Maresca on whether Chelsea will sign a new striker: “If we have the chance to bring in a nine that can help us and make the difference… then we are gonna try.”
Willian Estevão has been called up by the Brazilian national team for the upcoming games in September. The 17 year old winger signed for Chelsea in June, joining them in July 2025.
Gallagher, Félix, Sterling, Servette… Si Phillips has a lot to get through in his brilliant Chelsea update.
Como
Nico Páz has signed his contract as a new Como player from Real Madrid. €6m, 50% sell-on clause and buy-back clause as revealed — confirmed.
Como confirm the Sergi Roberto deal is done on a two year contract plus one year option. The former Barça captain joins Fabregas… next is Maxi Perrone.
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner on a potential deal for Raheem Sterling: “Raheem Sterling is a fantastic player, but it doesn't mean he will be a Crystal Palace player! He's a great player but I don't know what will happen with him…”
Marc Guehi on being Palace captain from the next game: “It’s a huge honour to be made captain of this football club. Now we look ahead to this season in the hope that we can create something like the momentum we had at the end of the last campaign.”
Palace emerge as front runners to sign £325k p/w Premier League player [Daily Mail]
Everton
One year deal confirmed for Asmir Begović as a new Everton player.
FC Porto
Samu Omorodion joins FC Porto from Atlético Madrid, here we go! €15m plus 50% sell-on clause and €100m release clause. Bomb by André Villas-Boas!
Samu Omorodion becomes a new FC Porto player thanks to Villas-Boas’ mission. €15m for 50% of Samu, Atléti own 50%. Porto can buy 15% for €5m in 2025. Porto can buy another 15% for €5m in 2026. Contract until 2029, €100m release clause.
FC Porto agree a deal to sign Fábio Vieira on loan from Arsenal, green light from the player and his agent Mendes. Negotiations already at final stages. Understand Porto will only proceed when/if Conceição leaves.
Porto coach Vítor Bruno on Francisco Conceição: “Some big clubs may have interest in him, there is a possibility that he can leave.” He’s NOT in the Porto squad.
Fulham
Fulham and Crystal Palace have signed all docs for the Joachim Andersen deal. Official, confirmed. £30m package, contract until 2029 with an option for a further season.
Galatasaray
No negotiations ongoing between Adrien Rabiot and Galatasaray despite recent reports. His priority remains to continue in a top 5 European league, still available as a free agent.
Girona
Girona confirm a club record deal for Colombian talent Yaser Asprilla who’s joining from Watford. €18m fee plus add-ons up to €25m total potential package. Sell-on clause included and contract valid until June 2030.
Juventus
Official, confirmed. Weston McKennie signs a new Juventus deal valid until June 2026.
Juventus are currently in talks with the agents of Jadon Sancho, Nico González and Francisco Conceição. Decisions to follow on wingers, soon.
Juventus prepare to send Miretti on loan to Genoa [Gianluca Di Marzio]
Leicester City
Jordan Ayew joins Leicester City on a £5m deal plus £3m in add-ons from Crystal Palace.
Liverpool
Liverpool manager Arne Slot spoke ahead of his first Premier League game at Anfield [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Liverpool have completed a deal for 16-year-old talent Alvin Ayman to join the Academy from Wolves. Five year deal, £2m compensation fee and Premier League’s 5 step approval now completed.
Manchester City
Official, confirmed. Ilkay Gündogan returns to Manchester City from Barcelona on a free transfer. Contract until June 2025 plus option for a further season. He’s back [pictures from Manchester City]:
Raheem Sterling back to Man City? Pep Guardiola: “He's a Chelsea player, absolutely. I feel so attached to the time we lived together with Raheem, and Enzo. So I just wish him all the best, but he's of course, a Chelsea player.”
Pep Guardiola on players leaving after Gündogan’s arrival: “No, everyone stays. We do not have the depth of squad, we have 19, 20, 21 players. There’s a lot of games and everyone has to fight.”
Man City trying to tie down most important player [Football Insider]
Manchester United
Manuel Ugarte again OUT of the PSG squad for this weekend, exactly as one week ago. His move to Manchester United is at the final stages, almost completed. Carlos Soler is also out of the list as West Ham keep working on the deal.
More on the exclusive news of Sékou Koné’s move to join Manchester United. Deal 100% agreed and done, documents will be signed after a medical next week. £1m transfer fee plus several add-ons based on performances. 2006 born Mali international talent is considered as a smart investment.
More on the Jadon Sancho situation. As reported in the recent days, it’s 100% open with an exit considered a concrete possibility in the final seven days. Manchester United received an approach from Juventus as reported yesterday, DIRECT contact.
Manchester United have received a €25m proposal from Napoli for Scott McTominay but it’s still not enough to proceed. Man United always asked for a fee in excess of €30m to sell McTominay.
Chris Sutton names surprise player Man United ‘missed’ last season [BBC Sport]
Napoli
Romelu Lukaku to Napoli, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between clubs. Chelsea accept a €30m fixed fee plus add-ons up to €15m for a €45m potential package. Permanent transfer brokered by Ali Barat for Epic Sports. Lukaku will sign a three year deal at Napoli until 2027.
Conte irritated by constant Lukaku and Osimhen questions [TMW]
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe: “Trippier has trained really well this week. He continues to be really valued by all of us. My wish is that he stays. But I can never answer with absolute certainty.”
Alan Shearer hopes Newcastle complete signing of £19m defender [Sky Sports News]
Olympique Marseille
Luis Henrique has signed a new deal at Olympique Marseille valid until June 2028.
Official, confirmed. Olympique Marseille have signed Jonathan Rowe from Norwich.
Paris Saint-Germain
Milan Skriniar, Danilo and Nordi Mukiele are also out of the Paris St Germain list for this weekend. Decision made by Luis Enrique.
Two games, four assists for João Neves. Fantastic piece of business for PSG for €60m plus add-ons, as João has always been their top target despite PL clubs also being keen. João has also had a very positive impact with his teammates in the dressing room.
Real Madrid
Ancelotti: “I spoke to Rodrygo this week and asked him if something had happened... he told me the message was NOT sent by him. He is happy here and is doing very well. There is no problem with him.”
Jude Bellingham says his body needs rest after Real Madrid setback [Football Espana]
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad manager Imanol: “Let me say thanks to Merino. He’s been fantastic and I’m proud to see him now making this step.”
Real Sociedad are advancing in talks to sign Mats Hummels, waiting for player's final decision as he's their main target as CB. Real Sociedad will also bring in a new striker soon.
Liverpool legend questions Martin Zubimendi’s ambition [Jamie Carragher]
Saudi Pro League
Al Nassr are now closing in on the Wesley deal with Corinthians for a package in excess of $20m. Final details being sorted between clubs, deal done on the player side… almost there.
Al Hilal keep negotiating with João Cancelo and his agent Jorge Mendes to agree on personal terms. Manchester City are waiting for Cancelo’s decision in order to get the deal done. Barcelona are still there in contact with João’s camp but no formal bid at this stage.
Could the Saudi Pro League really be successful with bids for Vini Jr. and Éder Militão? Matteo Moretto ponders the possibilities.
Sevilla
Sevilla complete a deal to sign Valentín ‘Colo’ Barco on loan from Brighton. No buy option has been included.
Strasbourg
Official, exclusive news confirmed. Sebastian Nanasi joins Strasbourg for an €11m Swedish record fee from Malmö.
Tottenham Hotspur
Manor Solomon is set for medical tests at Leeds United on Saturday. He’s leaving Spurs after rejecting a bid from Getafe as England has always been his priority. Deal at final stages.
Ange Postecoglou: “Yves Bissouma is now available for selection, yes… but the bridge building continues.”
Postecoglou on Bissouma: "You know what it’s like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days? He’s first in the meetings, doing all right but there’s always temptation down the road. I’ve always believed in opportunity for redemption."
Ange Postecoglou says that Dominic Solanke will miss the weekend’s fixture after sustaining an ankle injury [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Ange Postecoglou admits Spurs have a little bit to do in the transfer window [BBC Sport]
West Ham United
Carlos Soler’s priority is West Ham, as director Tim Steidten and manager Lopetegui are pushing a lot. Negotiations are already ongoing with PSG in order to get the deal done, but West Ham also need to complete outgoings. Despite other clubs being keen, West Ham are leading the race.
Angelo Ogbonna is set to join Watford on a free transfer as a deal has been verbally agreed with the Italian CB. He’s expected to be the replacement for Wesley Hoedt who’s moving to the Saudi Pro League.
David Moyes blasts West Ham’s summer transfer business [No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast]