🚨 Mohammed Kudus speaks out, Mo Salah will have to force Liverpool exit, Chelsea and PSG in race to sign Lyon attacker, and more
Today's transfer headlines, featuring Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham!
Good morning and welcome to today’s Daily Briefing - thanks for reading and hope you enjoy!
Today’s top stories:
Mohammed Kudus has admitted last night’s game against Ludogorets could be his last.
Wolves have rejected Man City’s opening offer for Matheus Nunes.
Mo Salah will have to push for Liverpool exit if he is to join Al Ittihad.
Ajax
Mohammed Kudus scored a hat-trick against Ludogorets in the Europa League last night and spoke about his future after the game. He said: “Yes, I think it was my final game here at Ajax. But let's see what happens in the next day. The talks are going on. We have to see if an agreement is reached in the next days.” When asked specifically about West Ham, he added: “West Ham? Good club, yes.”
Al Ahli
Gabri Veiga has medical tests booked with Al Ahli, the deal from Celta Vigo is set to be sealed.
Rafa Benitez spoke about the player’s decision, he said: “Al Ahli deal will change Gabri Veiga’s life in positive. It hurts but will also help our club financially. Going to Saudi at 20? It’s not just a place for old players. I had Carrasco in China, then he returned and he’s playing UCL.”
Arsenal
AS Monaco are close to reaching a total agreement with Arsenal on a permanent deal for Folarin Balogun. Negotiations are advancing to the final stages - the player has already agreed to join the Ligue 1 club.
🚨 ICYMI - Gabriel Jesus is back in Arsenal first team training following recent injury.
Kieran Tierney to Real Sociedad on loan - here we go! There is a verbal agreement in place with Arsenal — no buy option clause. Tierney has accepted the move. His medical is scheduled after the clubs exchange all documents. Salary will be covered until June.
💬 Do you think Mikel Arteta will regret letting Tierney leave? - Let me know in the comments.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid want talented Ajax midfielder Silvano Vos. Atletico already tried to sign Vos before he signed a new deal at Ajax but now wants to insist again as they consider Vos a top talent for the future in his position.
President Cerezo has also recently spoken about Joao Felix, he said: “It’s very clear, João Félix doesn't want to play for Atleti. Whether other teams want him, that's another debate.”
Barcelona
Joao Cancelo hasn't received the approval to travel to Barcelona yet. No green light as Financial Fair Play checks are not allowing the deal to proceed yet. There is patience on all sides though because the feeling is still the same: Cancelo will join Barca.
The La Liga giants could be in for a busy end to the summer transfer window. I recently wrote about them in my exclusive column - check it out here!
Bayern Munich
Daniel Peretz will become a new Bayern Munich player today, as expected. Deal agreed for €5 million plus add-ons, five-year contract set to be signed - here we go confirmed!
Bologna
Understand Bologna are now set to sign Victor Kristensen from Leicester City — done deal on loan plus buy option clause and future four-year contract. Medical tests have been booked for the Danish left-back, who will complete his move in the next two or three days.
Brentford
Fiorentina CEO Barone has confirmed an official bid from Brentford for Nico Gonzalez. He said: “We want to thank Brentford, they sent another bid for Nico but he will NOT leave the club. He’s key player for us. He’s not for sale and he won’t be available on the market.”
Brighton
Highly rated Brighton and Ireland under-21 forward Andrew Moran set for Blackburn Rovers loan move. Medical booked for today. Moran also had offers from Germany and the Netherlands but Brighton are keen to send him to Blackburn due to the manager’s possession-based style of play.
Burnley
Burnley presented a €20 million proposal for PSV’s Johan Bakayoko but it was rejected quickly. It won’t be an easy deal to complete because many clubs are interested in the player and PSV want a big fee.
Chelsea
Ryan Bertrand is back fully fit and is now training with Chelsea loan development group. Bertrand will be making a decision on his next step amid interest from England, Europe and the Middle East — as he’s now a free agent.
Lyon winger Bradley Barcola remains on Chelsea’s shortlist. The player would like to join PSG but Chelsea could now be an option - find out why here.
💬 Which attacker would you like Chelsea to sign this summer? - Drop some names in the comments below.
Official, confirmed. 2005-born Brazilian striker Deivid Washington signs in as new Chelsea player. The deal is €16 million plus €4 million in add-ons to Brazilian side Santos. Contract until June 2030 with the option to extend until 2031. A loan to Strasbourg is NOT guaranteed yet. Washington could stay - the club will make a decision soon.
Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about Chelsea possibly signing another goalkeeper before the window closes, he said: “We need at least one goalkeeper. One offensive player, the correct profile, to help…” - The goalkeeper the club will sign is Dorde Petrovic as he’s completing his €16 million move to Chelsea. They’re also working to sign an offensive player.
Everton
Everton have approached Udinese with an initial €25 / 26 million package for Portuguese striker Beto — he has been on Everton's shortlist since last January. Everton sources feel that’s not enough yet to convince Udinese because there is a release in Beto’s contract worth €35 million.
FC Porto
Jorge Sanchez to FC Porto is a done deal and here we go confirmed — contracts being exchanged with Ajax Loan deal with €4 million buy option clause - it could become mandatory under certain conditions.
Inter Milan
Alexis Sanchez to Inter, here we go! He’s back on a free transfer after spending one year at Marseille. The agreement has been reached and his medical is booked for today. Sanchez will sign a short-term deal in the next days as he was waiting for Inter. He’s set to replace Joaquin Correa who joins Marseille.
Leeds United
Joel Piroe is having medical tests at Leeds United — deal agreed between the Whites and Swansea City. All parties expect the deal to be signed by the end of the week.
Liverpool
Liverpool have been clear with Mo Salah and Al Ittihad - they have no intention to negotiate. The winger is considered NOT for sale. Al Ittihad's astronomical contract bid to Salah remains valid to tempt the player; but the only way to make a move possible would be for Salah to force the move.
💬 Should Liverpool sell Mo Salah this summer? Will the player push for a move? - Let me know what you think in the comments. I want to hear from you!
Man City
Manchester City's formal opening bid for Matheus Nunes was there despite the denials as revealed yesterday — €55 million package is not enough yet to convince Wolves. Negotiations are expected to continue as City see Nunes as a priority target since Wednesday. You can read more on Man City’s pursuit of Nunes here.
Man United
Brandon Williams has joined Ipswich Town on loan with an option to buy. It’s official.
The Red Devils will also receive a €1 million total package for Noam Emeran who has now joined Groningen on a permanent deal.
Fiorentina CEO Barone has spoken about a potential transfer for Sofyan Amrabat. He said: “Sofyan’s not working with the squad — but we have still not received any bid for Amrabat this summer. If there are players who are unhappy here, we can start considering bids for them of course.”
💬 Where are Man United going to finish in the Premier League table this season? - Drop your predictions below.
Marseille
Joaquin Correa to Olympique Marseille, here we go! Deal now in place on loan for €2 million fee plus €10 million buy clause. The buy clause will be mandatory in case Marseille qualify for UCL 2024-25. Medical tests are booked for today.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have presented their first bid to sign Brazilian centre-back Murilo from Corinthians. Terms agreed with the player side as first called by Brazilian sources, and now the clubs are in talks - Nottingham are really pushing.
Forest have already agreed a loan deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea - here we go! - Medical tests are to be scheduled soon. No option to buy clause, as he’s a key part of Chelsea's future.
PSG
Paris Saint-Germain and Eintracht Frankfurt are optimistic about reaching an agreement for Randal Kolo Muani. Talks continue as Eintracht are looking for a replacement and Hugo Ekitike is still being discussed as an option between clubs.
RB Salzburg
RB Salzburg talent Leon Lalic joins City Group - here we go!
It’s the first-ever deal from RB Salzburg to City Group — historical for 2006-born midfielder Lalic, who will initially join side Lommel. David Fernandez’s team followed Lalic for more than 2 years before making a move to sign.
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti is certain Real Madrid will not sign any more players before the transfer deadline. He told reporters: “No, I rule that out. 100% no. It's over, I discard any new signing before market closes — the squad is closed.”
Roma
Serdar Azmoun to Roma - here we go!
All parties have reached a verbal agreement. It will be a loan deal and Roma will have a €12 million buy option clause that is not mandatory. The player will have medical today. Fulham called for Azmoun but he only wanted Roma, Mourinho’s call was key.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com
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