🚨 Andre Onana here we go! Man Utd's Xavi Simons interest, Harry Maguire replacement, plus key talks for Chelsea this week, and much more!
The latest transfer news, featuring Man Utd, Chelsea, City and more.
Happy Monday and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - thanks as always for reading, and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
What next for Harry Maguire after losing the United captaincy?
Plus more from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and West Ham
AC Milan
Tijjani Reijnders will have his medical with AC Milan on Tuesday, as reported yesterday. Everything will be signed and sealed in the next few days, Tijjani can’t wait to join Milan, as sources close to player confirm.
Arsenal
Inter will ask for the final conditions of Folarin Balogun deal early next week. Balogun is open to permanent move but Arsenal are expected to request an important fee. Balogun is one of Inter’s targets as the Romelu Lukaku deal is now off. Mbala Nzola and Benjamin Sesko are not on the list.
Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Cedric Soares are out of Arsenal’s squad travelling for their pre season tour. Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey will join the team next week.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have included Jeremy Doku in their shortlist for a new winger signing in case the Moussa Diaby deal won’t happen. Villa’s priority remains Diaby after €35m plus add ons bid rejected. Aston Villa will bid again for sure. Doku is another name being explored.
Atalanta
Merih Demiral is not part of Atalanta’s main squad for pre season as there’s a serious chance for him to leave this summer. He’s open to a new experience but only wants a top club as next step. Inter remain interested but now busy with different priorities.
Barcelona
A new round of talks has been scheduled by Juventus for the potential Franck Kessie deal. He’s top target for the midfield but Juve want to understand the player’s plan as he has always wanted to stay at Barca... or try an experience in the Premier League. Talks are expected soon as Juve’s new director Giuntoli wants Kessie.
Bayern Munich
Kyle Walker will speak to Pep Guardiola next week as Man City will get back to work. The conversation will be crucial before final decision. Walker has given the initial green light to Bayern, but there are still details to be clarified; also, no agreement between the two clubs yet.
Bayern’s Hoeness on Yann Sommer: “True, he has a clause that he could leave if he wanted to. It will depend on how we deal with him. We will have open talks with him, we told him so.”
Bournemouth
Bournemouth are looking set to hijack Lazio’s move to sign Milos Kerkez. Personal terms are agreed between Bournemouth and Kerkez — it was the same with Lazio. The deal now depends on the clubs — AZ want around €15/20m. Talks are ongoing with Bournemouth and now look to be at an advanced stage.
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Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku won’t travel to USA with Chelsea. He’ll be back early next week to train but Pochettino is 100% aligned with the board: getting €40m for him is one of the priorities now - more on that here.
This week could be key for Moises Caicedo - full update here.
Official, confirmed: Chelsea have signed 2004 born talented winger Angelo Gabriel on a permanent €15m deal from Santos. Strasbourg loan could be an option for him next.
💬 Thoughts on Chelsea’s business so far? What else do they need to get back into the top four?
Inter Miami
Amazing scenes last night as Lionel Messi was unveiled by Inter Miami. Here he is with David Beckham as he received an incredible reception at his new home:
Messi said: “I’m so happy to be here! I can’t wait to start training and competing. I’m here to compete, to win, to help the team as I always did. I come here with the same desire as always. We will enjoy a lot.”
Inter Milan
Inter will ask for the final conditions of Folarin Balogun deal early next week. Balogun is open to permanent move but Arsenal are expected to request an important fee. Balogun is one of Inter’s targets as the Romelu Lukaku deal is now off. Mbala Nzola and Benjamin Sesko are not on the list.
Inter are set to sign Juan Cuadrado as a free agent — verbal agreement reached with his representatives, and it should now be done in the next few days and made official next week.
Juventus
A new round of talks has been scheduled by Juventus for the potential Franck Kessie deal. He’s top target for the midfield but Juve want to understand the player’s plan as he has always wanted to stay at Barca... or try an experience in the Premier League. Talks are expected soon as Juve’s new director Giuntoli wants Kessie.
Liverpool
Did Liverpool stay away from the Declan Rice deal because of Jude Bellingham? Latest info on this story here.
Manchester City
Kyle Walker will have a crucial conversation with Pep Guardiola in the coming week as Man City will get back to work. They are also still waiting for a formal approach from Al Ahli for Riyad Mahrez.
💬 How much of a force could Bayern be if they sign Harry Kane and Kyle Walker?
Manchester United
Manchester United statement: “Everyone at Manchester United thanks Harry Maguire for his contribution as captain over the past three and a half years. The manager will announce the new captain in due course, after briefing the players.”
Thoughts on Harry Maguire’s future and the next United captain here.
Andre Onana to Manchester United - here we go! He’s confirmed his plans to Erik ten Hag in the last 48 hours and will soon be on his way to Manchester. He’s set to sign a five-year deal with the option of one more year. Sources claim he found it ‘impossible’ to turn down United.
Xavi Simons or Leon Goretzka to United? Details on those stories here.
PSG
PSG have triggered the €6m buy-back clause to bring Xavi Simons back from PSV. He’s now set to go out on loan - more on that here.
RB Leipzig
Xavi Simons is expected to move on loan to RB Leipzig, just a straight loan with no buy option. But what about Man Utd’s interest? More on that here.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu has been in Leipzig to undergo his medical tests and sign a long term deal on Monday. A deal for the PSG defender is almost done.
Real Betis
Marc Roca has been in Sevilla in order to sign as new Real Betis player on loan with buy option clause from Leeds.
Real Madrid
West Ham
Could West Ham sign Harry Maguire? More on that here.
What about links with Sofyan Amrabat and Harvey Barnes? Full info here.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com