🚨 Arsenal chasing midfield duo, strange situation at Manchester United, Man City closing in on one signing and already planning another, and more
Today's transfer round-up, featuring Arsenal, Man Utd, Man City, and more!
Good morning and welcome to my latest Daily Briefing - hope you enjoy! :-)
Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
No changes on Daichi Kamada deal as reported last week. Other clubs have asked for him as free agent but the Japan international wants to join AC Milan following a four-year deal being verbally agreed back in May. It’s now just a matter of technical details not depending on the club then it should be signed.
Al Ittihad
Official, confirmed. N’Golo Kante has been announced as a new Al Ittihad player. €25m salary per season until 2027 on four year €100m total fixed package — plus commercial deals and image rights. He will be presented in Saudi in July. Here we go confirmed!
Arsenal
Arsenal WILL bid for a third time for Declan Rice - full info in my exclusive column.
Arsenal are also advancing on Romeo Lavia - further details here.
The expectation around the Kai Havertz deal is to get an agreement done this week — after the international break. Arsenal hope to get green light from Chelsea after already agreeing terms on a five-year deal with the player. Indicated fee to get the deal done is around £65m.
What’s the situation with Mikel Arteta and PSG? Ben Jacobs has the answers here.
Atletico Madrid
What’s going on with Joao Felix, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid? Full details here.
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Barcelona
Barcelona and Vitor Roque agreed salary details last week — it will be increased season by season until June 2028 and it will include bonuses based on single and team performances. Barca and Athletico Paranaense will speak again soon to discuss final details and seal the deal.
Joao Cancelo will leave Manchester City this summer. The decision is very clear on both the player and club side. Barcelona remain interested in Cancelo, but it will depend on Financial Fair Play.
Official: The Gavi saga is over, he has been registered by La Liga with Barcelona first team - statement confirms. He’s gonna wear the no.6 shirt and will have a €1bn release clause.
Deco announces that he’s set to close his agency D20 Sports after eight years representing players like Raphinha, Tapsoba and more. The next step is an announcement for him to become the new Barcelona director.
Benfica
Benfica are closing in on re-signing Angel Di Maria. Negotiations are at the final stages — just final details are missing to get it sealed and it will happen in the next days if all goes to plan. Contract until June 2024 accepted, waiting to sign and to return to the club after 13 years.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth are advancing to the final stages of the Justin Kluivert deal with Roma, as expected. I understand the agreement is now on the verge of being reached between clubs for £9.5m guaranteed fee plus £850k add ons. Talks are still ongoing over personal terms.
Chelsea
It’s finally officially confirmed: Christopher Nkunku has signed a six year deal to join Chelsea valid until June 2029. The fee will be close to €60m to RB Leipzig. “I am incredibly happy — big effort was made to bring me to the club, I wanna show Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch,” he said.
The expectation around the Kai Havertz deal is to get an agreement done this week — after the international break. Arsenal hope to get green light from Chelsea after already agreeing terms on a five-year deal with the player. Indicated fee to get the deal done is around £65m.
What’s going on with Joao Felix, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid? Full details here.
Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Mateo Kovacic — it’s matter of details as the agreement with Chelsea looks finally imminent. Personal terms were agreed two weeks ago and City now hope to get things finalised this week.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has been approached by two Saudi clubs today. He’s one more name being discussed with Chelsea. Talks have not started yet on the player side and it’s not clear yet whether CHO would accept a move to Saudi or not.
Chelsea will not include any buy option in Cesare Casadei’s next loan deal — this is the plan. Casadei is part of the long-term plan and is also happy at Chelsea and trusts the project. Many loan bids are on the table and will be discussed soon. Despite rumours, there have been no talks with Juventus; they’re happy with their own talents.
💬 Should Chelsea keep Hudson-Odoi and Havertz? And are you happy with the Nkunku deal, Chelsea fans?
Inter Milan
Stefan de Vrij’s agent Pastorello: “He’s set to extend his contract with Inter, the plan is to continue there despite bids from Saudi. He doesn’t feel ready for Saudi league at this stage of his career, de Vrij will continue in Europe.”
Talks between Saudi clubs and Marcelo Brozovic will continue in the next 48 hours on both player and clubs sides. There’s no agreement in place yet but it looks like the deal is on. Inter rejected €15m approach as they want more to let Brozovic leave.
Is Lautaro Martinez leaving Inter? My latest info here.
Juventus
Juventus have completed the agreement to sign Arkadiusz Milik from Olympique Marseille. Permanent transfer for €6m guaranteed fee. Here we go!
Could Adrien Rabiot still stay at Juventus or are Man Utd leading the race? Full exclusive info here.
Leonardo Bonucci confirms that he’s not planning for any transfer this summer as rumours about Marseille were wide of mark. He’s only planning to stay at Juventus.
Manchester City
Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Mateo Kovacic — it’s matter of details as the agreement with Chelsea looks finally imminent. Personal terms were agreed two weeks ago and City now hope to get things finalised this week.
After Kovacic is done, Man City will push again for top target Josko Gvardiol. Personal terms are on the verge of being agreed with the young Croatian defender. Negotiations are still needed with RB Leipzig as they want way more than reported €80m fee, and they’re still hoping to keep the player.
Joao Cancelo will leave Manchester City this summer. The decision is very clear on both the player and club side. They’re now looking for the best solution — one more reason for City trying to extending Kyle Walker’s contract. Barcelona remain interested in Cancelo, but it will depend on Financial Fair Play.
Man City are expected to join the race for Declan Rice this week - more info here.
City have a buy-back clause for Romeo Lavia for £40m next summer, but if he moves this year it’s no longer valid. City also have percentage on sell-on clause for the future.
Rafaela Pimenta: “Erling Haaland will stay at Man City and continue there, for sure.”
Kalvin Phillips: “My intention is to stay at Man City. We’ve just won the Treble, so there is no reason for me to leave…I cannot give it 12 months and say I am not playing so I am going to leave.”
Manchester United
It’s a strange situation with David de Gea and Man United - all you need to know here.
United recently held talks with Adrien Rabiot - is a move back on? Full details here.
Is Lautaro Martinez leaving Inter? My latest info here.
With Kim Min-jae heading to Bayern, which two defenders are on Man Utd’s list? Ben Jacobs reveals the latest here.
Marseille
Olympique Marseille are closing in on the appointment of Marcelino as new head coach to replace Igor Tudor, as expected. Discussions were positive on Monday and Tuesday, and the deal is now almost done.
Newcastle United
Newcastle will insist on James Maddison deal this week as they don’t want a long saga — he’s top target but decision has to be made soon. Could Tottenham also be in the race? More from Ben Jacobs here.
PSG
Is Harry Kane really a top target for PSG? Full exclusive info here.
Real Madrid
Dani Ceballos has not signed today but he will sign in the next few days. It’s all done since last week: new contract has been agreed. Ceballos will stay and extend at Real Madrid until June 2027.
Sevilla
Official: former Leeds United director Victor Orta has been appointed as new Sevilla director. He replaces Monchi, who is on his way to Aston Villa.
Sevilla have signed Adria Pedrosa as new left back, deal completed — as new director Victor Orta has just confirmed. He will replace Alex Telles who is returning to Manchester United after his loan spell. He will now be available on the market for a new move this summer.
Tottenham
Spurs have NOT made a double bid for James Maddison and Harvey Barnes but remain interested in both players - more info here.
Is Harry Kane really a top target for PSG? Full exclusive info here.
Tottenham have absolutely no intention to sell Son Heung-min despite rumours of interest from Saudi clubs. It’s not part of their plans — and they’ve not received any concrete bid at this stage. Son is also understood to be determined to stay at Spurs.
Son later confirmed this, saying: “I have many things to do in PL. Money doesn't matter to me now, and the pride of playing football, to play in my favourite league is important. I want to play more for Tottenham.”
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Calling it now - Harry Kane won't leave this summer. I think he wants the PL scoring record more than he wants trophies at somewhere like PSG or Bayern, and Spurs won't sell to another English club.
Am so happy for Nkhuku welcome to the blues family my man