🚨 Mount's MESSAGE to Chelsea as Man Utd eye alternatives, Man City keep working on €100m deal, Firmino transfer talks, Rice-Arsenal latest, and more

Today's transfer round-up, featuring Chelsea, Man Utd, City, and more!

Good morning guys and welcome to my latest Daily Briefing! Start your Monday morning right with my comprehensive transfer round-up, delivered ad-free and straight to your inbox as always. Thanks for reading, and enjoy :-)

Today’s top stories:

• Man Utd have Mount alternatives

• Further Chelsea departures to Saudi Arabia

• Plus more from Arsenal, Man City and Real Madrid

Al Ahli

• Al Ahli are in talks to sign Roberto Firmino. Negotiations are ongoing, waiting for the player’s final decision. Al Ahli are preparing medicals in case they get the green light later this week.

Arsenal

• Mikel Arteta: “Why do we sign players from Man City? It’s easy — because they are very good, I know them and worked with them for four years. I wanted Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko for their amazing talent but also for their ‘human’ skills.”

• Arteta on Declan Rice deal: “Sorry but I can’t speak about players who’re not at the club. I prefer not to comment.” More info and updates on the Rice saga here.

• Arteta on an approach from PSG: “I can only say that I’m happy at Arsenal. I feel loved and also appreciated by the owners. I’ve lot of things to do for this club. I’m very happy and really, but trust me incredibly grateful for being Arsenal’s manager.”

• Eddie Nketiah’s future has been the subject of some speculation - my understanding of the situation here.

• What’s the latest on Arsenal’s pursuit of Jurrien Timber? Latest info here.

💬 Arsenal fans, are you confident on the Rice signing? And would you sell or keep Nketiah?

Bayer Leverkusen

• There’s been a significant update on Jeremie Frimpong’s future - full details here.

Bayern Munich

• Are Bayern set to join the race for Mason Mount? My info here.

• Paris Saint-Germain have struck a verbal agreement on personal terms with Lucas Hernandez. They now hope to advance in talks with Bayern next week. He’s no longer considered untouchable by the new Bayern board as the situation is very clear: extend the contract or leave now.

Brighton

• Could other clubs join Brighton in the race for Mohammed Kudus? Full details here.

Chelsea

• Mason Mount’s message to Chelsea is clear - full details here.

• My understanding is Nicolas Jackson’s contract at Chelsea will be valid until June 2031 — it’s an eight year deal! His medical was completed over two days. Chelsea will pay €37m to Villarreal, which is a bit more than his release clause but with better payment terms.

• After Kalidou Koulibaly’s departure was made official, Edouard Mendy will be the next Chelsea player to travel to Saudi for medicals today.

• Chelsea and Al Nassr are also confident to get documents signed for Hakim Ziyech between Monday and Tuesday. He is another Chelsea player expected to complete a move to Saudi Arabia.

• I understand Athletic Bilbao is not a concrete option for Cesar Azpilicueta. the Chelsea defender has agreed personal terms with Inter and has no intention to consider other proposals, as of now. A two year deal in place but it all depends on Chelsea’s green light to let him go as a free agent.

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Fulham

• Yerry Mina has not agreed terms with Fulham despite reports — nothing’s been done, the race remains open for the centre back as free agent. I’m told Besiktas also made an official proposal, while Lens, Granada and Bologna are also interested.

Inter Milan

• I understand Athletic Bilbao is not a concrete option for Cesar Azpilicueta. the Chelsea defender has agreed personal terms with Inter and has no intention to consider other proposals, as of now. A two year deal in place but it all depends on Chelsea’s green light to let him go as a free agent.

• Al Nassr remain confident on the Marcelo Brozovic deal. Talks will continue in the next hours, and Monday will be a crucial day for the deal to advance. It now largely depends on the player side, waiting for new round of talks.

• Inter want Davide Frattesi as their priority target to replace Brozovic. Talks are expected to advance with Sassuolo very soon.

Juventus

• Federico Chiesa’s agent Fali Ramadani: “Chiesa has never requested €8m net salary per season to sign new deal. This is not true, fake news.”

• Massimiliano Allegri has rejected an important, verbal proposal from Al Hilal worth €20m salary per year until June 2025. Allegri was never in contact with Al Nassr — the only club was Al Hilal with improved bid on Thursday. He has turned them down as he’s only focused on Juventus.

Liverpool

• Fabio Carvalho will play for RB Leipzig on loan next season. The agreement will be completed next week, and his medical will also take place if all goes to plan. Liverpool never wanted to accept any permanent bid proposal for Carvalho.

Manchester City

• Manchester City will keep working on the Josko Gvardiol deal next week. Talks will enter into advanced stages with RB Leipzig with a new verbal bid. Personal terms are 100% agreed, Gvardiol has said yes to City, but the issue remains with Leipzig, who want at least €100m.

• Will City join Arsenal in bidding for Declan Rice? All you need to know here.

• Mikel Arteta: “Why do we sign players from Man City? It’s easy — because they are very good, I know them and worked with them for four years. I wanted Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko for their amazing talent but also for their ‘human’ skills.”

💬 City fans - would you sell more players to Arsenal or were the Jesus and Zinchenko deals a mistake?

Manchester United

• The Mason Mount saga continues - latest exclusive info here.

• Man Utd have held talks over this full-back signing - more here.

• 📰 Erik ten Hag could allow as many as 11 players to leave Old Trafford this summer (Sun)

Nantes

• Nantes have sent a bid to Almeria for Largie Ramazani — I’m told it’s worth €6m fee. Almeria have already rejected the bid as they want more to let him go.

PSG

• Paris Saint-Germain have struck a verbal agreement on personal terms with Lucas Hernandez. They now hope to advance in talks with Bayern next week. He’s no longer considered untouchable by the new Bayern board as the situation is very clear: extend the contract or leave now.

• Mikel Arteta on an approach from PSG: “I can only say that I’m happy at Arsenal. I feel loved and also appreciated by the owners. I’ve lot of things to do for this club. I’m very happy and really, but trust me incredibly grateful for being Arsenal’s manager.”

Real Madrid

• Luka Modric has not changed his plans despite Saudi approaches. My info remains that Modric will be a Real Madrid player next season, as reported in May. New deal will be valid until June 2024.

Tottenham

• New Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario will fly to England in order to complete medical tests. Documents are ready for a five-year deal to the player, while Spurs will pay €19m to Empoli.

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