🚨 Harry Kane developments, Chelsea star finally closing in on exit, clarification on Josko Gvardiol rumours, Arsenal transfer plans, and more
Today's Briefing, featuring Harry Kane and other big stories from Chelsea and Arsenal
Good morning all and welcome to another edition of the Daily Briefing - all the big transfer headlines in one place, completely ad-free. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Arteta on Balogun and Arsenal transfers
Plus latest news on Chelsea, Man City, RB Leipzig and more!
AC Milan
AC Milan are now planning to advance in talks with Valencia for Yunus Musah — new round of negotiations soon. The USMNT midfielder agreed personal terms with Milan weeks ago, he wants the move. It’s now up to the clubs but Milan want Musah after Reijnders and Loftus-Cheek.
Al Nassr
Seko Fofana to Al Nassr, done deal and here we go! He completed the first part of medical tests yesterday in Portugal as new Al Nassr player. RC Lens will receive around €25/30m.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “I won’t return to European football, the door is completely closed. I’m 38 years old, also European football has lost lot of quality... only valid one is Premier League, they're way ahead of all the other leagues. I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club. I opened the way to Saudi league... and now all the players are coming here. My decision to join Saudi clubs was 100% crucial to bring in new top players. It’s a fact. When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead and then after I signed… it was revived. Wherever Cristiano goes he generates higher interest.”
Arsenal
It has been agreed that 21-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo can leave the club on a permanent transfer this summer. His contract expires next summer - after Sturm Graz loan last season Okonkwo is now subject of interest from clubs in England and across Europe.
Mikel Arteta on Folarin Balogun: “Now we’ve to think what is best to do. We want to see him, we want to experience him in the next few games.”
Arteta on more signings for Arsenal: “We will be alert. There’s a lot of time still in the market. We’ll have to see how things develop in the next couple of weeks. There’s still time to do things - for exits as well.”
Atletico Madrid
One key point on Alvaro Morata as the interest keeps growing from Inter, Roma and two Saudi clubs — Morata has not given his green light to a single club. He’s still assessing his options and he’ll decide in the next days, while Atletico want €20m.
Barcelona
Barcelona are set to seal Oriol Romeu deal, here we go! More on Barca deals here.
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Bayern Munich
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen on Harry Kane: “It's no secret that we're very interested in Kane. Everything Uli Hoeness said is correct. But it’s best for us to stick with what Thomas Tuchel said. The grass doesn't grow faster when you pull it…”
Will Harry Kane stay with Spurs? More info in yesterday’s Debrief Podcast.
How confident are Bayern and how key is Thomas Tuchel to the Kane deal? Full details here.
What are Tottenham trying to do to keep Kane? More info here.
Dreesen: “Kim Min-jae is an exciting player. We want him to join us. I can't announce anything yet — I hope it will happen in the coming days.”
💬 Would Kane make Bayern Champions League favourites?
Bournemouth
Milos Kerkez to Bournemouth, here we go! Agreement reached and hijack now completed after news revealed 24h ago — done deal. Kerkez agreed personal terms yesterday and clubs agreed with AZ green light. Medical being booked this week for Hungarian LB. Huge signing.
Brighton
The agreement between Brighton and Brazilian defender Igor is on a four year deal — contract until 2027. Fiorentina and Brighton are in talks over the fee and then the deal could be done.
Chelsea
Chelsea will improve their bid for Moises Caicedo this week, but it’s not really about official bids as Chelsea and Brighton are discussing directly club to club. Still, the proposal will be improved, more than £70m fixed. Chelsea hope to get it done this week.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may have found his next club - full details here.
Ethan Ampadu is leaving Chelsea and will join Leeds United on a permanent deal, agreement in place. Chelsea will receive £7m fixed fee plus add-ons. Personal terms also agreed. There’s no buy back clause, but sell-on clause.
Wesley Fofana has not travelled with Chelsea squad to USA due to a knee injury which is being assessed.
Corinthians
Corinthians winger Roger Guedes is now attracting concrete interest from Saudi — as Al Nassr are pushing and also Al Hilal are informed. Soon will be time to make decisions for Guedes and the club.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina are closing in on the signing of Arthur Melo on loan until June 2024 — with an option to buy clause included, worth around €20m. Juventus will pay part of his salary.
Fulham
Willian signs with Fulham, one year deal agreed - more on that here.
Callum Hudson-Odoi next for Fulham? And what’s the latest on Joao Palhinha’s future? Full details here.
Leeds United
Ethan Ampadu is leaving Chelsea and will join Leeds United on a permanent deal, agreement in place. Chelsea will receive £7m fixed fee plus add-ons. Personal terms also agreed, medical booked.
Manchester City
Negotiations between Manchester City and RB Leipzig for Josko Gvardiol have not stopped at all - it’s still on. The key point is the fixed amount, no problem on add-ons. Leipzig insist on €100m fixed. Gvardiol is pushing to join City after personal terms were agreed one month ago.
The agents of Riyad Mahrez have requested to speak to Manchester City after discussing contract details with Al Ahli. Talks will take place between Mahrez's camp and City, still waiting for Al Ahli bid.
Manchester United
Andre Onana to Manchester United is ‘here we go’ - more info and details here.
Bruno Fernandes has rejected a transfer away from Manchester United - more info here.
Manchester United have Sofyan Amrabat included into their defensive midfielder list, but there’s nothing imminent and no bid has been sent. Man Utd’s next priority is new striker with Rasmus Hojlund talks on. Signing a new midfielder depends on outgoings, especially on Fred and Donny van de Beek.
Marcus Rashford has signed a new deal at Manchester United. It’s all sealed and delivered, with a club statement to come soon. A verbal agreement was reached one month ago. It’s now all signed and completed. The new contract is valid until June 2028 - a five year deal.
Harry Maguire’s exit from Man Utd may have to wait - here’s why.
Dean Henderson could be leaving and replaced with a new backup goalkeeper - more here.
💬 How good a signing is Onana for Man Utd? And who should be their next priority?
Marseille
The Iliman Ndiaye to Olympique Marseille deal could definitely collapse soon. There’s still no agreement at this stage so the deal is now getting difficult. Ndiaye could stay at Sheffield.
Who could Marseille sign instead? Full exclusive details here.
Napoli
Victor Osimhen agent Roberto Calenda: “Reports of my plan to explore all the options now and then not signing new contract at Napoli are completely fake.” Napoli offered a new long term deal to Osimhen, and are waiting for his final decision.
Newcastle United
Newcastle and Man United remain in talks over the Axel Disasi deal, as reported two weeks ago. Newcastle previously approached the player side, but no bid yet.
Porto
Porto are closing in on Alan Varela deal — as new official bid has been sent to Boca Juniors. €10.5m plus add-ons up to final €12m package proposal made. It also includes 20% sell on clause. Porto expect deal to be sealed soon.
QPR
Asmir Begovic has completed medical tests as a new QPR player. Done deal on one year contract, here we go confirmed as revealed last week.
RB Leipzig
Today should be the day of an announcement on Xavi Simons’ future, with RB Leipzig the favourites to sign him on loan after PSG triggered their option to buy him back from PSV.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu - here we go! He’s now a new RB Leipzig player after joining on a permanent deal from PSG.
Sevilla
Sevilla defender Karim Rekik is on the verge of joining Saudi side Al Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard. An agreement is almost done between the two clubs, waiting for formal steps and some final details to be agreed on the personal terms. Medical already booked.
Spartak Moscow
Spartak Moscow are pushing to sign Brazilian LB Rogerio on permanent deal from Sassuolo. Talks ongoing. Rogerio is keen on the move — Sassuolo still hope to keep the player at the club.
Tottenham
Will Harry Kane stay with Spurs? More info in yesterday’s Debrief Podcast.
What are Tottenham trying to do to keep Kane? More info here.
Tottenham will hold talks over a key defensive signing next week - more exclusive info here.
Son Heung-min confirms he’s not moving to Saudi Arabia this summer: “If I wanted to be there I wouldn't be here now! Last season I suffered. Last season was not the Sonny I know. I want to show people the Sonny they know this season at Spurs.”
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Cristiano is such a bell end. He won’t go back to Europe.... because no clubs want him #realitycheck