the Daily Briefing: Tuesday 2nd August - Frenkie de Jong, James Maddison, Timo Werner, and more
My exclusive round-up of the latest transfer news, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Frenkie de Jong, James Maddison, and more.
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Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
Club Brugge playmaker Charles de Ketelaere has recently arrived in Milan to undergo his medical at AC Milan.
An agreement worth €36m plus add-ons was agreed last week and medical pending, the young midfielder will be unveiled as a new Rossoneri player in next 24 hours. He will sign with Stefano Pioli’s side until 2027.
Arsenal
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno will undergo his medical at Fulham later this week after personal terms were agreed. Both clubs have now reached a full agreement with the German’s move across London set to be finalised soon.
Elsewhere, young striker Folarin Balogun is set to move to Ligue 1 to join Reims on a season-long loan. The striker will travel to France in the next couple of days to undergo his medical.
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira could be on his way to Galatasaray. The Turkish club have approached Arsenal with a permanent deal lined up. Arsenal are willing to get a deal sorted quickly.
🚨Exclusive: Edu Gaspar deserves credit for securing Arsenal signings.
Barcelona
Barcelona president Laporta on Bernardo Silva deal: “Now we are focused on registering players we have signed and resolve the futures of the players not in the plans. After this, we will see what we can do”
🚨Exclusive: When will Manchester United give up their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong?
Brentford
Brentford are closing in on the signing of Sampdoria midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard. The fee is expected to be around €15m with add-ons.
A deal is not yet complete, but Brentford are optimistic they will get it over the line.
Brighton
Chelsea have now entered the race to sign Marc Cucurella this summer, and are confident in securing a deal.
The London club are expected to offer young defender Levi Colwill in a potential swap deal for the Spaniard.
🚨Exclusive: How close is Marc Cucurella to joining Chelsea? Find out more!
Chelsea
Chelsea are close to confirming goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina from MLS club Chicago Fire in a deal worth around €15m plus add-ons. The 18-year-old will stay at Chicago Fire on loan until January 2023.
Elsewhere, the Blues are now trying to hijack Manchester City’s move for Brighton and Hove Albion full-back Marc Cucurella.
Todd Boehly is confident a deal around £50m can be completed with youth star Levi Colwill also being discussed to move the other way.
Boehly is also ready to let Timo Werner leave on loan this summer and has discussed using him in a swap deal. RB Leipzig are showing the most interest as it stands.
🚨Exclusive: Where do Chelsea plan on fitting Marc Cucurella into the Chelsea team? Click to find out.
Everton
Frank Lampard’s Everton are set to discuss the final details of Gana Gueye’s proposed move back to Goodison Park from PSG this week.
Gueye has accepted Everton’s terms and will travel to Merseyside for a medical.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan have reached an agreement to terminate the contract of Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international is attracting interest from Olympique Marseille.
Leeds
Leeds have reached full agreement to extend Crysencio Summerville’s contract until June 2026. An official announcement is expected soon.
Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood will also sign new contracts with the club.
Leicester City
Brendan Rodgers on James Maddison after recent interest from Newcastle: “He is really pivotal to us. There is no way I would want to sell him. £40m bid? I think it might just cover three-quarters of his left leg.”
🚨Exclusive: Newcastle not the only Premier League club that like James Maddison. Find out more.
Manchester City
Chelsea have been trying to hijack Manchester City’s move for Brighton and Hove Albion full-back Marc Cucurella. The Blues are confident they can beat the Citizens to the Spanish defender and have also been discussing Levi Colwill moving the other way.
Manchester United
Manchester United and Watford are close to completing a loan deal for full-back Ethan Laird. The deal could be completed later this week.
Elsewhere, fellow full-back Alex Telles is wanted by a handful of clubs, including Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla. Any potential deal will hinge on Manchester United’s willingness to pay part of the Brazilian’s salary.
🚨Exclusive: Is Cristiano Ronaldo still part of Manchester United’s plans ahead of the start of the season?
🚨Exclusive: The two alternatives Manchester United have to Frenkie de Jong. Click to find out.
Newcastle
Newcastle have submitted an improved offer to sign Leicester City midfielder James Maddison. The bid is believed to be £50m including add-ons.
🚨Exclusive: Does James Maddison want a move to Newcastle? Click to find out more.
OGC Nice
Aaron Ramsey has reached an agreement to sign for French club Nice on a free transfer. The Welsh midfielder recently left Juventus, and could sign for Nice this week.
PSG
Midfielder Gana Gueye is close to re-joining his former club, Everton. The Senegalese midfielder will travel to Liverpool to undergo a medical.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig are now pushing ahead of Juventus in the race to sign Timo Werner. The German international is Leipzig’s main target for this summer.
Real Madrid
Striker Borja Mayoral has left the Santiago Bernabeu and joined Getafe on a permanent deal worth €10m until 2027.
Tottenham
Rennes have officially announced the signing of Tottenham defender Joe Rodon, who will join the club on a season-long loan, with a €20m option to buy.
Watford
Watford are edging closer to loaning Manchester United full-back, Ethan Laird. Erik ten Hag considers Laird to have a lot of potential but recognises the need for him to play regularly, which is why Vicarage Road could be the perfect destination for him next season.
Superb stuff Fabrizio.
Do you have any info on the Marcelino Nunez deal to Norwich? Sounded as though his manager said goodbye at the weekend and rumour is he's due in Norwich today for a medical.