🚨 Chelsea confident over Caicedo, Gvardiol to Man City agreed, how Jesus injury impacts Balogun's Arsenal future, and more
The latest transfer news all in one handy round-up!
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:
AC Milan
Atalanta have reached an agreement in principle with AC Milan to sign Charles De Ketelaere on loan with buy option clause. No agreement with De Ketelaere yet; he has proposals from different countries including Spain. A decision will be made soon.
Almeria
Almeria are in advanced talks to sign Dion Lopy from Reims on a permanent deal. The package would be worth around €10m, and talks are underway.
Arsenal
What does Gabriel Jesus’ injury mean for Folarin Balogun’s future? Latest info here.
Arsenal talks for David Raya are ongoing - full details here.
Arteta on Jesus/Balogun: “The plan with Flo does not change at all, but unfortunately, with Gabby… we not going to have him [for few weeks]. We have other options to play with different qualities of players, so we will adapt.”
Turkish side Besiktas have a genuine interest in signing Nicolas Pepe, who is out of the project at Arsenal and prepared to leave. Negotiations will take place in order to discuss structure of the potential deal.
Takehiro Tomiyasu hasn’t been offered to any Italian club despite reports. He’s regular part of Arsenal plans. The situation could only change if Arsenal sign a new full-back but there’s nothing close or advanced at the moment.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid and Al Ahli sources are both denying any agreement in place for Marcos Llorente. There’s interest but no deal in place and no formal bid to Atletico Madrid at this stage.
Barcelona
Pedri on PSG transfer rumours: “It would take lot of things to take me out of Barca. Rumours don't interest me, I want Barca. I will stay here for many more years, at my dream club — my goal is to become a captain and play at the new Spotify Camp Nou.”
Bayern Munich
What’s the latest on Bayern’s pursuit of Harry Kane? Full info here.
Benfica
Benfica are interested in Anatolji Trubin. Discussions will take place soon with Shakhtar Donetsk for the Ukrainian goalkeeper. Inter remain interested in Trubin, one of the GKs in the list. Trubin’s contract expires in June 2024.
Brighton
Deniz Undav is completing his move to Stuttgart on a loan deal from Brighton — medical and contract signing were yesterday. The deal includes a buy option too.
Chelsea
Chelsea remain confident over Moises Caicedo and talks are also still ongoing for both him and Robert Sanchez - more here.
Official: Levi Colwill has signed a new contract at Chelsea until June 2029 with option until 2030. He said: “It’s always been an easy decision. All I’ve known is Chelsea. Pochettino given me reassurance, that trust I needed. He’s spoken with me not just as a player but a person.”
Romelu Lukaku and Juventus have an agreement in place over a three year deal with the option for a further season. Juventus keep insisting on a swap deal with Chelsea including a €40m fee, but they’re still waiting for Chelsea to decide on Dusan Vlahovic. Pochettino will be crucial.
💬 Will Chelsea ever get a deal done for Caicedo? Should they move on to other targets?
Fulham
Saudi side Al Shabab have approached Fulham winger Willian with a formal bid as they have concrete interest in the Brazilian. Willian signed a new Fulham deal ten days ago but Al Shabab are insisting — and the player is now speaking to the club about the proposal.
Girona
Girona are closing in on Artem Dovbyk deal with Dnipro — agreement in place and negotiations advancing to the final stages. 50% of the final fee will go to Midtjylland.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan are confident over a deal for Gianluca Scamacca as negotiations between parties are underway. The current bid remains €25m, with add ons included. There’s no confirmation on Atalanta after links over last 24 hours.
Juventus
Romelu Lukaku and Juventus have an agreement in place over a three year deal with the option for a further season. Juventus keep insisting on a swap deal with Chelsea including a €40m fee, but they’re still waiting for Chelsea to decide on Dusan Vlahovic. Pochettino will be crucial.
Juventus have completed documents for the Facundo Gonzalez deal with Valencia - it’s done and sealed. The fee is around €2-3m add-ons included, and a contract has been agreed with the 2003 Uruguayan centre-back.
Juventus have contacted Nice to ask about Jean Clair Todibo — they’re being informed on conditions of the deal, but there’s no formal bid yet. Juventus’ new director Cristiano Giuntoli has always appreciated Todibo.
Lazio
Lazio have submitted verbal proposal to Daichi Kamada — he’s available as a free agent. Negotiations are ongoing. Kamada has more than three possible opportunities, so we’re waiting on his decision. A deal with AC Milan collapsed two weeks ago.
Lazio are finalising the Gustav Isaksen deal as the details are being discussed with Midtjylland, it will take some days to get it sealed. Isaksen has already accepted, and talks will continue between the clubs to sign as soon as possible.
Liverpool
Liverpool remain in talks for Romeo Lavia but what about those links with Andre? More info here.
What’s the latest on Liverpool’s CB search and how much was Levi Colwill a target? Neil Jones has more details here.
Have Liverpool pulled off one of the bargains of the summer? Neil Jones takes a look here.
Manchester City
Manchester City have agreed a €90m deal for Josko Gvardiol - full details here.
Could a midfielder be on City’s agenda after missing out on Declan Rice? More info here.
Manchester United
Sofyan Amrabat has no doubts: he said yes to Manchester United, he wants the move since first talks in June despite rich Saudi bids. He never said he’s “staying” or anything similar - those were fake quotes. There’s been no official bid yet — Man Utd will send it as soon as Fred and/or Donny van de Beek leave.
Manchester United are aiming for the weekend to unveil Rasmus Hojlund as their new signing. VISA and contract work being finalised, with the club aiming for the weekend to seal and announce it.
Nathan Bishop has left Manchester United to join Sunderland - a permanent move has now been completed. Three year deal for the goalkeeper.
Goncalo Ramos was an option for Man Utd this summer - more on that here.
Marseille
Olympique Marseille are not working on a deal to sign Mohammed Simakan. No talks, no negotiation, despite rumours to the contrary.
PSG
PSG are in talks over the transfer of Goncalo Ramos - full details here.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have submitted one more bid for Lutsharel Geertruida — talks are ongoing with Feyenoord. Negotiations will continue after Lyon said no to a new bid for Castello Lukeba yesterday. Leipzig are still looking for Josko Gvardiol’s replacement.
Real Sociedad
Official, confirmed: Portuguese striker Andre Silva has joined Real Sociedad on loan from RB Leipzig for the season after completing medical tests.
River Plate
Manuel Lanzini is on the verge of joining River Plate. Club president Jorge Brito has confirmed: “We’ve reached an agreement with Lanzini few hours ago. He’ll arrive in Buenos Aires in the next days.”
Tottenham
What’s the latest on Harry Kane and Micky van de Ven? Full info here.
Tottenham have approached Rosario Central for 2003-born talented striker Alejo Veliz. Talks are ongoing and there’s no agreement in place between all parties just yet, but negotiations are concrete. Decision to be made in few days.
West Ham
Manuel Lanzini is on the verge of joining River Plate. Club president Jorge Brito has confirmed: “We’ve reached an agreement with Lanzini few hours ago. He’ll arrive in Buenos Aires in the next days.”
Inter Milan are confident over a deal for Gianluca Scamacca as negotiations between parties are underway. The current bid remains €25m, with add ons included. There’s no confirmation on Atalanta after links over last 24 hours.
Wolfsburg
Robin Gosens remains an option for Wolfsburg — nothing collapsed yet, at least until Rogerio deal is signed. Wolfsburg agreed terms of Rogerio deal with Sassuolo but not yet with player side/no medical. Gosens, still a possibility — with Inter open to selling the German LB.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Hi Fab. I have a friend in Alicante who, with her son, are firm Elche fans. They believe that goalkeeper Edgar Badía may be leaving to go to Rayo Vallecano, or possibly Valencia. Do you have anything on this? Thanks very much.
“...my goal is to become a captain and play at the new Spotify Camp Nou.”
Pedri shows he can pull the strings (read: levers) off the pitch as well.