🚨 Is Kylian Mbappe still destined for Real Madrid? Plus the latest on Joao Felix, Lautaro Martinez Saudi approaches, Arsenal change transfer plans, and more

The latest transfer news, featuring Kylian Mbappe, Liverpool, Arsenal, and more!

Good morning everyone and welcome to another Daily Briefing - your daily dose of all the main transfer headlines, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox. Enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

• The latest on Kylian Mbappe’s future

• Is Joao Felix to Barcelona still on?

• Lautaro Martinez speaks out on his future

• Plus more from Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City

AC Milan

• Samuel Chukwueze is on his way to AC Milan, but how close was he to moving to the Premier League?

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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

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Al Ettifaq

• Jordan Henderson is a new Al Ettifaq player as contracts are being signed right now. Henderson is in Croatia at Al Ettifaq’s camp to complete his move on three year deal, and has already been training with his new club.

Al Hilal

• Kylian Mbappe is not currently keen to talk to Al Hilal - full details here.

• Marco Verratti to Al Hilal is at an advanced stage - more here.

• Official, confirmed. Former Barcelona winger Malcom has joined Al Hilal in a €60m package deal from Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Arsenal

• Arsenal have cooled their interest in Romeo Lavia as it now looks increasingly likely that Thomas Partey could stay at the club this summer. Liverpool are stepping up their pursuit of Lavia, while Chelsea are also still interested.

💬 Arsenal fans - would you be happy with Partey staying but not signing Lavia?

Atletico Madrid

• Diego Simeone on Joao Felix: “The most important thing is that none of us who are inside the team is more important than Atletico de Madrid. Atleti is much more important than all of us.”

Barcelona

• Barcelona still want Joao Felix and he wants them but here’s what needs to happen first.

Bayern Munich

• Bayern president Herbert Hainer confirms: “Yes, Bayern is informed about Sadio Mane agent in talks with Al Nassr. That’s good style. But as far as I know, these are the first talks. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.”

• Dayot Upamecano on his future: “I didn't think for a second about leaving FC Bayern. I will fight for my place.”

Bournemouth

• Andrei Radu has just completed medical tests as a new Bournemouth player, loan with €8m buy option clause from Inter — not mandatory.

Brighton

• Official, confirmed: Igor has joined Brighton from Fiorentina in a €17m deal plus €3m add ons, as well as a sell on clause.

Chelsea

• Mauricio Pochettino on Kylian Mbappe and Chelsea recent links: “We are working on our reality, our reality is different. From my side, nothing to say. I just hope they find a solution for both sides. I love PSG, I was a player and coach there... and I love Kylian.”

• Pochettino: “So far, Ian Maatsen is in my plan. I am so happy with him, can play in different positions. He is a clever player, I am so pleased with him so far.”

Fenerbahce

• Fenerbahce and Olympique Marseille are in direct contact to negotiate the final crucial details of the Cengiz Under deal. Talks are advancing over a permanent move.

Fiorentina

• Fiorentina have submitted official opening bid to Dinamo Zagreb for Josip Sutalo, club sources confirm. The proposal is worth €12m for the Croatian centre-back who’s also on the list at Ajax and other clubs.

Fulham

• Fulham are closing in on the signing of Calvin Bassey - a medical has been booked, deal in place for €21m. He’s always been the favourite option as a new left footed CB. The final details are being sorted and then… here we go confirmed.

Galatasaray

• Galatasaray remain keen on signing Fred as a priority target in midfield, as revealed two weeks ago. Fred will leave Manchester United this summer.

Inter Milan

• Lautaro Martinez on Saudi interest: “I received huge bids from Saudi clubs, it’s true. But I’m very happy at Inter and in Milano, no chance and no reason to change. I’m the captain here, Inter is my second home. I feel loved here since day one. I’m proud to be here.”

• Martinez on Romelu Lukaku: “Lukaku saga? I was disappointed by Romelu, it’s the truth. I tried to call him in those days of chaos, but he never answered me, the same he did with my other teammates. I was disappointed. But ok, well, it’s his choice.”

Leicester City

• Stephy Mavididi to Leicester, confirmed as revealed in June. A deal is in place. Agreement on €7.5m plus sell-on clause, player already in England in order to undergo medical tests and sign long term deal.

Liverpool

• Liverpool’s new formal bid for Romeo Lavia is almost ready — it’ll be around £42.5m guaranteed fee plus £2.5m add ons up to total £45m package. Liverpool want to be fast as Chelsea are still interested in Lavia. Arsenal have gone quiet as Thomas Partey could now stay.

• More on Lavia to Liverpool from Neil Jones here.

• Jordan Henderson’s goodbye message to Liverpool fans: “It’s hard to put these last 12 years into words, it’s even harder to say goodbye. I will always be a Red. Until the day I die. Thank you. You’ll never walk alone.”

• Matheus Nunes was on Liverpool’s list not so long ago - latest on his future here.

Manchester City

• Manchester City have reached an agreement with Nathan Ake on a new long-term deal with salary increase, it’s done and set to be sealed in the next days. After talks progressing earlier this week, a verbal agreement was reached yesterday. Here we go!

• A new Manchester City deal for Rico Lewis has been agreed since May and is expected to be signed soon. Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the player, who looks set to stay at City.

Manchester United

• Erik ten Hag: “There were lots of doubts when we called and approached players last summer. Now it’s very, very different. This year, they see the ambition in the project, and many quality players really want to come.”

💬 Man Utd fans - do you share Ten Hag’s optimism about the project?

Nottingham Forest

• Nottingham Forest are now in advanced talks to sign Ismail Jakobs as their new left back. The player is keen on the move, and negotiations are advancing on clubs side with AS Monaco to reach an agreement soon.

PSG

• Kylian Mbappe is not currently keen to talk to Al Hilal - full details here.

• Marco Verratti to Al Hilal is at an advanced stage - more here.

Real Betis

• Official: Isco has joined Real Betis on a one-year deal as a free agent. He’s had his medical, and it’s a done deal, with manager Manuel Pellegrini key to the move.

Real Madrid

• Do all signs point towards Kylian Mbappe eventually joining Real Madrid?

Sao Paulo

• James Rodriguez is on his way to Brazil as he will sign as a new Sao Paulo player on a free transfer. A verbal agreement has been reached, with final details to be fixed and then the deal will be official. Here we go.

Tottenham

• Key days could be ahead for this Tottenham signing - full info here.

West Ham United

• Could Divock Origi be a good signing for West Ham? Neil Jones has his say here.

• What’s the latest on West Ham’s midfielder search? More info here.

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