🚨 Joao Felix next target for Al Ahil, one in, one out at Arsenal, big end to window expected for West Ham, and more
Today's transfer news headlines, featuring Al Ahil, Arsenal, Chelsea, PSG, West Ham and more...
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:
Defender set for crunch talks with agents this week; Man City willing to sell
Man United will listen to offers for three first-team players
West Ham want at least four more signings
Al Ahli
Roger Ibanez was not part of Roma’s friendly squad to play Toulouse on Sunday because he is on the verge of joining Al Ahli. The deal is now really close.
Barcelona are also signing all the formal documents for Franck Kessie deal. Midfielder set to complete medical in Paris on Monday.
The Saudi club have also made a formal bid for Piotr Zielinski, who will be out of contract in just one year. Negotiations are ongoing in order to reach an agreement. Al Ahli want to agree on fee for Zielinski soon or they will move on next target.
Another player Al Ahil have approached is Joao Felix. They are prepared to offer even just a one-year loan. It is up to the player. I understand Jorge Jesus called Felix several times. The player’s priority remains to join Barcelona and to stay in Europe but Al Hilal has now become an option. Regardless of what happens, one thing is sure - Felix will NOT stay at Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal
New round of talks took place over the weekend for David Raya. Negotiations between Brentford and Arsenal are advancing to key and final stages.
Matt Turner will join Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal.
🚨 ICYMI - Arsenal beat Manchester City on Sunday to win the 2023 FA Community Shield. Leandro Trossard’s 101st-minute equaliser set the stage for penalties which the Gunners went on to win 4-1.
💬 Can Arsenal win the 2023-24 Premier League title? - Let me know your season-long predictions in the comments section below!
If you’re wondering what could happen with Folarin Balogun now Gabriel Jesus is injured, you can read my in-depth exclusive column where I explain Balogun’s situation here.
AS Monaco
AS Monaco hope to close the deal for Denis Zakaria next week as negotiations will continue on both player and club side with Juventus.
Aston Villa
Two of Aston Villa’s most important players have just two years left on their contracts - Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey; both expire in 2025. Don’t panic though Villa fans - the club are relaxed about the situations. You can read more about what is happening at Aston Villa this summer here.
Benfica
Benfica are close to completing a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The Portuguese club’s official bid submitted to Shakhtar is a £8.6 million fixed fee plus £900,000 in add-ons. The potential deal will also include a 40% sell-on clause to Shakhtar. The first contacts were revealed four days ago - the deal is now on the verge of being completed.
Brighton and Hove Albion
Moises Caicedo was not in Brighton’s friendly squad to play Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. The player’s position is very clear - he wants to leave. Roberto De Zerbi spoke after the game and when asked if Caicedo will return to first-team training on Monday, said: “I don’t know. If Moises leaves, we will find another important player. If Moises stays, I’ll be happy for us. It’s not my problem. At Brighton, it’s possible to lose some players; we always move forward.”
💬 How much is Moises Caicedo worth in today’s market? - Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Mohammed Kudus started for Ajax in their friendly against Borussia Dortmund yesterday. Brighton agreed a £35 million fee in July; but the Seagulls are still waiting to agree personal terms — not a done deal yet.
Chelsea
Chelsea have made contact with Tyler Adams’ camp and have asked to be informed on the conditions of a potential deal.
They know the Leeds United midfielder has a £20 million release clause. The club’s focus remains on signing Brighton’s Moises Caicedo so Adams is a potentially separate deal. My exclusive column contains more information on the Caicedo saga - you can read it all here.
Everton
Youssef Chermiti is on his way to complete his medical tests as a new Everton player after agreement on all details for personal terms. The deal’s documents are not signed yet but are being prepared on both player and clubs side with Sporting.
Inter Milan
Yann Sommer landed in Milan last night. The goalkeeper has medical tests booked for today. He is expected to be unveiled as Inter Milan’s new goalkeeper soon. Inter will pay a £5.2 million fee in two instalments to Bayern Munich. Matter of time.
Leicester City
Leicester are closing in on signing Cesare Casadei from Chelsea on loan. The Foxes are just waiting for the green light from Chelsea. Italian head coach Enzo Maresca considers Casadei one of his priority targets.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola spoke about Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva’s situations after the Community Shield, the Spaniard said: “He’s [Walker] super important for us. Hopefully he can stay. We have one more year of contract, it's not the end so if someone wants him they have to talk, like Bernardo Silva. We want them to stay. They are so important for us.”
💬 Where does Kyle Walker rank among the best Premier League full-backs of all time? - Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Guardiola also spoke about Cole Palmer and said: “We have a lot of confidence in Cole. I know he wanted to play last season and didn't much. The agent, himself, we have to talk. If he wants to stay, we're more than pleased. If he wants to leave, we'll find a solution because he's a top player.”
Also, Manchester City are open to selling Aymeric Laporte but it has to be for an important proposal. You can read more about what this summer transfer window could have in store for the Spanish defender in my exclusive column here.
Manchester United
Manchester United have three players in their ‘open to offers’ category; McTominay, Maguire and Anthony Martial. I explain all three players’ situations in my exclusive column. Check it out here!
The Red Devils also expect Fred's sale to advance next week. Sources guarantee he will 100% leave the club. Negotiations will also continue with Real Sociedad for Donny van de Beek.
Napoli
Natan underwent medical tests on Sunday in order to be unveiled as a new Napoli centre back next week.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are closing in on Matt Turner but he may not be the only goalkeeper Steve Cooper signs this summer. Check out my exclusive column here where you can find more information on what Forest may do later on in the summer window.
Paris Saint-Germain
Goncalo Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain… HERE WE GO!
There is a verbal agreement in place for a £70 million deal (including add-ons) between Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica. The deal’s documents are being prepared. The striker’s move will be a loan with an obligation to buy in 2024 due to Financial Fair Play issues. Ramos’ medical is booked for this week.
Kylian Mbappe will not train with Paris Saint-Germain’s main group of senior players. The club’s position is clear - it has not changed as nothing has changed on the player’s side — after he rejected ‘guaranteed sale’ clause for summer 2024 included in the new deal.
💬 What club will Kylian Mbappe be playing for next season? - Let me know what you predict in the comments below.
Sporting Lisbon
The final details are being discussed and then Sporting will have Morten Hjulmand as their newest midfielder. The deal will see Leece receive £15.5 million plus £1.7 million in add-ons package. There is just one more clause in the player’s contract to agree then he will join the Portuguese side.
Tottenham Hotspur
Micky van de Ven travelled to London on Sunday - his medical tests are booked for today. He will sign a five-year deal later this week. Wolfsburg are set to receive a fee of around £43 million add-ons included.
🚨 ICYMI - Van de Ven was pictured in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium for yesterday’s friendly against Shakhtar Donetsk. You can check out the photos here.
Ange Postecoglou spoke about Harry Kane after the Englishman scored four goals yesterday. “You saw today that Harry Kane certainly is invested in what we're doing,” the Spurs boss said. “And we will keep on doing that unless something changes. We know there's one deadline: that's the end of the transfer window.”
West Ham United
Edson Alvarez has agreed personal terms and wants the move to West Ham - it is up to the Hammers and Ajax now. I think West Ham will be very busy with four or five signings potentially. Read my exclusive column here and learn how the Hammers feel about two Manchester United players.
Wolves
Wolves midfielder Luke Cundle has agreed to join Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the 2023-24 season. I have been told the player’s medical has been booked for today.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
Can Arsenal win the PL. yes of course we can and my belief was the Sailiba injury was far more impactful than the Jesus. With Saliba the drop off of quality as in strength in depth issue was glaring and we couldn’t cope with Holding and Kiwior (but not suggesting Kiwior didn’t play well he did but he’s young and he was new to the squad). Holding I love as a person and he’s been an incredible player for Arsenal a bit like Elneny they are both true professionals who focus on their jobs they been asked to do without any moaning or egos. Every team needs players that may not be in the starting lines but who provide lots of character and glue for the squad. So I’m not suggesting they should move on I think they both have greater value than on the pitch. Then I look at Balogun and his latest antics, he’s not trying to stay at Arsenal and endearing himself to the fans, and he’s not yet proven in the PL. I do hope he stays because I think he has the potential to be a big star but he’s first got to learn humility and respect for his club, manager, players, and most importantly fans. But he should look at Nketia, Nelson, and Lakonga, the latter who showed his personality and it now in the departure lounge. Whereas Nketia and Nelson are both on long term contracts.
For me yes Arsenal can win the PL we could have last season and we are a better squad this time round. I think if we get another fast start get and stay at the top and provide that consistent winning we did last year. I also look at City and wonder how much they will miss Gundovan their captain and leader. These are players that don’t come around often. We have now strategically got two huge leaders in Odegaard and now Rice. A and you could see the impact they had on Sunday.
You wrote the al ahli team , supposed to be al Hilal team plz correct it regarding Joao Felix