🚨 Big week ahead for Barcelona, Chelsea attacker targets, major West Ham deal stalls, surprise Arsenal links, and more
Hello everyone and welcome to another 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:
AC Milan
AC Milan complete Marco Pellegrino deal with Platense — 2002 born CB signs until 2028, here we go! Deal will cost around €3m fee, the medical will take place early next week.
Ajax
Josip Sutalo to Ajax, here we go! Verbal agreement in place for €21m fee with add-ons, five year deal to the Croatian talented centre back. Travel and medical tests being scheduled, deal finally in place despite interest from England and Italy.
Al Nassr
Aymeric Laporte is heading to Al Nassr - more info here.
Al Shabab
Al Shabab reach verbal agreement in principle with Everton to sign Demarai Gray. The deal is only agreed club to club at this stage — as Saudi sources confirm. Al Shabab will now start talks also on personal terms — up to Demarai’s decision.
Arsenal
Have Arsenal found their ideal target to come in as cover for Jurrien Timber?
Nicolas Pepe is said to have rejected a move, but what’s the truth?
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are exploring conditions of deal to sign Nuno Tavares from Arsenal. Personal terms not discussed yet — as up to the clubs now. Nuno, alternative option to Marcos Acuna deal with Sevilla for Villa.
Barcelona
This could be a key week for Joao Cancelo - more info here.
Could Jules Kounde’s future be in doubt again? Latest info here.
Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste: “Joao Felix? We’re proud to hear from a top, excellent player like Joao that he wants to join us at Barcelona. It will be up to Deco and Xavi, for both Felix and Cancelo.”
Sergino Dest leaves Barcelona to join PSV Eindhoven, agreement in place — loan deal with €10m buy option, not mandatory. Barca will cover 50% of his salary.
💬 How would you rate Barcelona’s transfer window so far? Who should they sign next?
Bayer Leverkusen
Official: Josip Stanisic has joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan deal from Bayern — until June 2024.
Bournemouth
Official, confirmed. Tyler Adams signs in as new Bournemouth player from Leeds — here we go, confirmed.
Chelsea
Why did Chelsea leave the race for Gabri Veiga? Full details here.
Mauricio Pochettino: “Romelu Lukaku situation was clear before I arrived between the club and the player. For us, there’s nothing to do. It’s not only one side. It’s two sides. It’s two sides to try to find the best solution. You cannot put it only on the club.”
Pochettino on Chelsea plans to sign more offensive players: “It is not easy in this moment to find the right profile. We are in the process, working to see if we can add some players in this area. For sure, they are working really hard to add some players.”
Crystal Palace
Dean Henderson is still expected to leave Manchester United, with Crystal Palace now interested in the goalkeeper to replace Vicente Guaita.
Inter Milan
Inter are now prepared to pay more than €30m package add-ons included for Benjamin Pavard — Bayern and player’s camp are informed. The crucial point remains Bayern finding a replacement for Pavard before giving the final green light.
Lens
Official: Elye Wahi to RC Lens - deal signed and sealed yesterday.
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester City have been linked with Florian Wirtz, but how realistic is a deal? More info here.
A decision on Cole Palmer is expected soon - full details here.
Pep Guardiola on a new contract for Bernardo Silva: “It will be my dream! Same also for Kyle Walker. Hopefully it happens. From the deep of my heart, from the bottom of my heart, I wish it happens.”
Dani Olmo on Manchester City rumours: “There is nothing! I’m fully focused on the task in Leipzig, the Bundesliga, the UCL and the cup. Man City are a big club — one of the biggest in the world. Josko Gvardiol] went there. But I’m happy here...”
Manchester United
The latest on Anthony Martial’s situation at Manchester United.
Manchester United now exploring move for Odisseas Vlachodimos who’s expected to leave Benfica. Vlachodimos is now top of Man Utd’s list as new backup goalkeepers in case Dean Henderson joins Crystal Palace or Forest.
📰 Marco Verratti is on Manchester United’s radar but they face competition from Bayern and Al Ahli (L’Equipe)
💬 Should Man Utd sell Martial? And would Verratti be a good signing?
Nice
Nice are advancing in talks to sign Lucas Digne from Aston Villa. Clubs are in contact, player side too — as called by. Negotiations are about loan deal with buy option clause.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Gonzalo Montiel - an agreement on personal terms is being finalised then medical on Monday. The deal will cost €11m
PSV
Sergino Dest leaves Barcelona to join PSV Eindhoven, agreement in place — loan deal with €10m buy option, not mandatory. Barca will cover 50% of his salary.
Sassuolo
Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali: “Domenico Berardi will stay. He’s not joining Juve — it’s too late. There was no agreement with Juventus on final fee — he’s staying here with us.”
West Ham
Has Mohammed Kudus to West Ham stalled? More info here.
Konstantinos Mavropanos has completed his West Ham medical in London ahead of a €20m plus €5m move from Stuttgart — deal done. It will be signed and sealed by Monday. The defender was at the London Stadium yesterday with director Tim Steidten.
📰 West Ham have seen a bid rejected for Jeremy Doku, who is also a target for Man City (Foot Mercato)
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
