🚨Arsenal hit transfer JACKPOT again, Kyle Walker's Man City decision, Harry Kane's DEMAND, West Ham close to first signing, and more

Today's transfer news headlines, featuring Arsenal, Man United, Tottenham, Man City, Chelsea, Barcelona and more

Aug 09, 2023

Good morning and welcome to the latest edition of the Daily Briefing - your essential round-up of the biggest transfer stories, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

Arsenal have agreed a fee for David Raya
Harry Kane wants his future sorted by the weekend
Kyle Walker makes a decision on Man City stay
Plus more from Chelsea, Man United and West Ham

Ajax

Edson Álvarez was flying to London on Tuesday, ready to undergo medical tests as a new West Ham player. He will become the most expensive Mexican player ever.

Al Ali

Roger Ibañez has signed the contract as Al Ahli player —done, sealed, here we go confirmed. €28.5m fixed fee, €3m add-ons, 20% sell-on clause to AS Roma.

Al Hilal

Understand Al Hilal have improved their proposal for Marco Verratti in recent days; from €30m up to €45m fixed fee. PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi has still no intention to accept at current conditions. If bid won't be way higher, Verratti could stay at PSG.
Al Hilal approached Atlético with formal intention to offer loan deal for João Félix. Atlético rejected — priority remains to sell João on permanent deal. Player dreams of Barça; only considers Saudi move possible on loan. Al Hilal and Jorge Jesus will insist.

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- Christian Falk - Bild’s Head of Football provides a deep-dive into the Bundesliga deals

- Ben Jacobs - CBS broadcaster, Transfer specialist and podcaster opens up some new perspectives on the biggest moves in football

- Neil Jones - Goal and Liverpool Echo lead analyses all the key developments on Merseyside

- Jonathan Johnson - CBS Paris based journalist gives us the inside track on what’s really going on at PSG and across Ligue 1

Arsenal

AS Monaco want to try and bid again for Folarin Balogun after initial proposal made on Monday. He's the top target to replace Breel Embolo who snapped his ACL. Both Inter and Monaco expect to have situation clear this week.
Inter director Ausilio on talks with Arsenal for Balogun: “We want someone who can score goals and for sure Balogun is one of the opportunities, but not the only one we are tracking. Lukaku deal? I’m not interested.”
Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign David Raya, here we go! Deal agreed with Brentford after personal terms sorted last week. Documents being prepared between the clubs, medical to be booked this week. Total package will be close to £30m and Raya will sign a contract until June 2028.

🗞️ West Ham are keen on Kieran Tierney [Football Transfers via CaughtOffside]

AS Monaco

AS Monaco want to try and bid again for Folarin Balogun after initial proposal made on Monday. He's the top target to replace Breel Embolo who snapped his ACL. Both Inter and Monaco expect to have situation clear this week.

AS Roma

AS Roma are waiting for PSG’s answer on Renato Sanches deal. Last bid sent is for a loan move until June 2024 plus non-mandatory option to buy clause. It’s up to Paris Saint-Germain as they always asked for obligation to buy.
Roger Ibañez has signed the contract as Al Ahli player —done, sealed, here we go confirmed. €28.5m fixed fee, €3m add-ons, 20% sell-on clause to AS Roma.

Atalanta

Atalanta and Torino have opened talks over a potential swap deal — Wilfried Singo to Atalanta and Brandon Soppy to Torino.
Told Bournemouth entered the race with Wolfsburg to sign Joachim Maehle from Atalanta — negotiations ongoing, both clubs want him. Package around €11/12m.

Atletico Madrid

Atlético Madrid and Alvaro Morata will complete the agreement on new contract soon. It will be valid until June 2027. Morata has decided to stay after speaking to Atléti board and Diego Simeone himself.
Understand Al Hilal approached Atlético with formal intention to offer loan deal for João Félix. Atlético rejected — priority remains to sell João on permanent deal. Player dreams of Barça; only considers Saudi move possible on loan. Al Hilal and Jorge Jesus will insist.

Barcelona

Official: Barcelona confirm the signing of Noah Darvich from Freiburg. €2.5m fixed fee, add ons up to €5m and contract until June 2026.
Barcelona director Alemany confirms: “Ousmane Dembélé is on his way to Paris. The deal is done, we just have to sign all documents.” It will be official later this week.
More details on the Dembélé deal here.
Xavi on Ansu Fati’s future: “Until the 31st of August a lot of things can happen. It will depend a lot on Financial Fair Play for us.”
Xavi on Neymar: “I can’t say anything on names and options, same for Neymar. We will see what we can do from today until August 31. I can’t advance anything about names.”
The latest and most up-to-date news on the Neymar situation can be found here.
Understand Al Hilal approached Atlético with formal intention to offer loan deal for João Félix. Atlético rejected — priority remains to sell João on permanent deal. Player dreams of Barça; only considers Saudi move possible on loan. Al Hilal and Jorge Jesus will insist.

🗣️ Would Neymar be a good enough replacement for Ousmane Dembélé at Barcelona? Let’s hear your thoughts!

Bayern Munich

Not only Harry Kane. FC Bayern internal talks will have touched on the goalkeeper situation after Sommer joined Inter and Manuel Neuer underwent a minor operation last Sunday. Decision on new GK is close. Bounou remains in the list, Rulli also.
Harry Kane’s camp has informed Bayern and Tottenham of the player’s preference in terms of timing: decision on the deal has to be by the end of this week. Kane doesn’t want to move after start of the Premier League on Saturday. Up to Bayern and… Daniel Levy, again.
Manchester City offered a new contract to Kyle Walker, and the proposal has been improved. Walker had to decide between a Bayern move with Tuchel pushing or a new deal at Man City… and he’s close to accepting the new proposal received by City in the last 24 hours.
How does the Walker situation affect Benjamin Pavard? Find out here.

Bournemouth

Told Bournemouth entered the race with Wolfsburg to sign Joachim Maehle from Atalanta — negotiations ongoing, both clubs want him. Package around €11/12m.

Brentford

Brentford have submitted €30m formal proposal to Fiorentina for Nico González as priority target. Talks ongoing for the Argentine forward.
Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign David Raya, here we go! Deal agreed with Brentford after personal terms sorted last week. Documents being prepared between the clubs, medical to be booked this week. Total package will be close to £30m and Raya will sign a contract until June 2028.

Burnley

Hoffenheim have reached an agreement to sign Wout Weghorst on a loan deal from Burnley. Deal done.
Sander Berge, undergoing medical tests as a new Burnley player from Sheffield Utd after agreement reached on Monday. Deal in place, personal terms agreed — here we go.

Chelsea

Chelsea’s transfer plans could change significantly. Find out why here.
No official shirt number for Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Chelsea expect all of them to leave the club in the next weeks.
“Lukaku has betrayed us. We’re very disappointed. We expected completely different behaviour by Romelu, as a professional but also as a man,” Inter vice president Zanetti told Gazzetta.
Chelsea confirm Christopher Nkunku has undergone surgery to his knee injury sustained in Chicago. New signing could be out for up to 16 weeks.
Deivid Washington to Chelsea, here we go! Verbal agreement done as Santos accepted €15m plus €5m add-ons for the 18 year old striker. Long term deal agreed, Deivid wanted Chelsea; documents being prepared now. Decision soon about loan to Strasbourg or staying at Chelsea.
Chelsea are considering two requests more than others for Cesare Casadei: Leicester with Enzo Maresca insisting and Serie A side Genoa. Discussions continue in order to pick the best solution for the Italian midfielder.
Official, confirmed. Angelo Gabriel joins Strasbourg on loan from Chelsea.
Lewis Hall to Crystal Palace, agreed last week and set to be completed this week between clubs. Here we go soon.
Inter director Ausilio on talks with Arsenal for Balogun: “We want someone who can score goals and for sure Balogun is one of the opportunities, but not the only one we are tracking. Lukaku deal? I’m not interested.”

🗞️ Chelsea to take advantage of Leeds star’s release clause [The Athletic via CaughtOffside]

Crystal Palace

Lewis Hall to Crystal Palace, agreed last week and set to be completed this week between clubs. Here we go soon.
Hodgson: “Guaita is disenchanted with the club. So he has made it clear that he would like to move on and he’s refusing to play. It’s up to the club to decide, not him, but the current situation is that he’s made it clear to everybody that he doesn’t want to be here.”

Eibar

Konrad de la Fuente, set to leave Marseille on loan to join Spanish side Eibar until the end of current season. Deal agreed and completed on Tuesday.

Fiorentina

Brentford have submitted €30m formal proposal to Fiorentina for Nico González as priority target. Talks ongoing for the Argentine forward.

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim have reached an agreement to sign Wout Weghorst on a loan deal from Burnley. Deal done.

Inter Milan

AS Monaco want to try and bid again for Folarin Balogun after initial proposal made on Monday. He's the top target to replace Breel Embolo who snapped his ACL. Both Inter and Monaco expect to have situation clear this week.
Inter director Ausilio on talks with Arsenal for Balogun: “We want someone who can score goals and for sure Balogun is one of the opportunities, but not the only one we are tracking. Lukaku deal? I’m not interested.”
“Lukaku has betrayed us. We’re very disappointed. We expected completely different behaviour by Romelu, as a professional but also as a man,” Inter vice president Zanetti told Gazzetta.
Lazar Samardzić will arrive in Milan on Wednesday night and then undergo medical tests on Thursday morning as new Inter player.

Juventus

Official: Facundo González joins Juve on a permanent deal from Valencia

Leeds United

Joe Rodon is on the verge of joining Leeds on a loan deal from Tottenham. Deal could be completed this week.

Leicester City

Chelsea are considering two requests more than others for Cesare Casadei: Leicester with Enzo Maresca insisting and Serie A side Genoa. Discussions continue to pick the best solution for the Italian midfielder.

Liverpool

Roméo Lavia, not part of Southampton’s squad on Tuesday night as expected. Talks with Liverpool continue.

Man City

Manchester City offered a new contract to Kyle Walker, and the proposal has been improved. Walker had to decide between a Bayern move with Tuchel pushing or a new deal at Man City… and he’s close to accepting the new proposal received by City in the last 24 hours.
Manchester City have concrete interest in Lucas Paquetá. Talks took place with West Ham this week. Not an easy negotiation but City have added him to summer targets list.

🗣️ Man City fans - are you happy that Kyle Walker is set to stay at the club? Let us know!

Man United

Nottingham Forest will speak again to Manchester United in the next days about Dean Henderson deal as there's still no agreement on the formula - but it's still on. Forest priority was Matt Turner and the deal has been completed with Arsenal, medical too.
There’s more pressure on Erik ten Hag. Ben Jacobs tells us why here.
Man United are going to be busy over the next few weeks. Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive update here.

🗞️ MUFC can’t be happy with latest Højlund injury development [Daily Mail via CaughtOffside]

Marseille

Konrad de la Fuente, set to leave Marseille on loan to join Spanish side Eibar until the end of current season. Deal agreed and completed on Tuesday.

Newcastle

What would constitute success for Newcastle? Ben Jacobs takes a look here.
What other transfer targets do Newcastle have in mind following completion of the Livramento deal? Find out here.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest will speak again to Manchester United in the next days about Dean Henderson deal as there's still no agreement on the formula - but it's still on. Forest priority was Matt Turner and the deal has been completed with Arsenal, medical too.

PSG

Understand Al Hilal have improved their proposal for Marco Verratti in recent days; from €30m up to €45m fixed fee. PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi has still no intention to accept at current conditions. If bid won't be way higher, Verratti could stay at PSG.
Ben Jacobs reveals the reason why Kylian Mbappé is holding out for Real Madrid here.
Barcelona director Alemany confirms: “Ousmane Dembélé is on his way to Paris. The deal is done, we just have to sign all documents.” It will be official later this week.
More details on the Dembélé deal here.
AS Roma are waiting for PSG’s answer on Renato Sanches deal. Last bid sent is for a loan move until June 2024 plus non-mandatory option to buy clause. It’s up to Paris Saint-Germain as they always asked for obligation to buy.
Xavi on Neymar: “I can’t say anything on names and options, same for Neymar. We will see what we can do from today until August 31. I can’t advance anything about names.”
The latest and most up-to-date news on the Neymar situation can be found here.

🗣️ How much longer can PSG and Mbappé continue their current stand off? Who’s in the right here? Let us know your thoughts below:

Real Betis

Real Betis have decided to open talks to sign talented midfielder Sergi Altimira — negotiations with Getafe are set to start this week.

Santos

Deivid Washington to Chelsea, here we go! Verbal agreement done as Santos accepted €15m plus €5m add-ons for the 18 year old striker. Long term deal agreed, Deivid wanted Chelsea; documents being prepared now. Decision soon about loan to Strasbourg or staying at Chelsea.

Sheffield United

Sander Berge, undergoing medical tests as a new Burnley player from Sheffield Utd after agreement reached on Monday. Deal in place, personal terms agreed — here we go.

Southampton

Roméo Lavia, not part of Southampton’s squad on Tuesday night as expected. Talks with Liverpool continue.

Torino

Atalanta and Torino have opened talks over a potential swap deal — Wilfried Singo to Atalanta and Brandon Soppy to Torino.

Tottenham

Official, confirmed. Micky van de Ven joins Tottenham on six year deal valid until June 2029.
Official, confirmed. Alejo Véliz has joined Tottenham from Rosario Central.
Harry Kane’s camp has informed Bayern and Tottenham of the player’s preference in terms of timing: decision on the deal has to be by the end of this week. Kane doesn’t want to move after start of the Premier League on Saturday. Up to Bayern and… Daniel Levy, again.
Ben Jacobs has an exclusive update on the Harry Kane latest here.
Joe Rodon is on the verge of joining Leeds on a loan deal from Tottenham. Deal could be completed this week.

Valencia

Official: Facundo González joins Juve on permanent deal from Valencia

West Ham

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Edson Álvarez was flying to London on Tuesday, ready to undergo medical tests as a new West Ham player. He will become the most expensive Mexican player ever.
Could David Moyes walk out at West Ham? Ben Jacobs has more here.
Manchester City have concrete interest in Lucas Paquetá. Talks took place with West Ham this week. Not an easy negotiation but City have added him to summer targets list.

Wolfsburg

Told Bournemouth entered the race with Wolfsburg to sign Joachim Maehle from Atalanta — negotiations ongoing, both clubs want him. Package around €11/12m.

Wolves

Official: it’s over between Wolves and Julen Lopetegui as they reached an agreement to part ways

For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com

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