the Daily Briefing: Wednesday 17th August - Man Utd's midfielder search, imminent Chelsea deal, ambitious Newcastle targets, and more
My exclusive transfer news round-up, featuring Adrien Rabiot, Casemiro, Conor Gallagher, Pedro Neto, and more.
Good morning guys :) Welcome to my latest Daily Briefing, I hope you enjoy my exclusive and ad-free round-up straight to your inbox. Here are today’s top stories:
Ajax
Perr Schuurs is leaving Ajax for a move to Torino that could end up costing €12m if certain add-ons and bonuses are reached. He’s flying to Italy today for his medical and to sign his contract.
Arsenal
There’s been talk of Arsenal being offered Wolves winger Pedro Neto - click here to find out the latest about this possible deal.
Mauro Icardi was offered to Arsenal earlier in the summer and PSG are still trying to offload him, with the Premier League a possible destination.
Barcelona
Chelsea are preparing to hold further talks over signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Xavi is keen to keep the former Arsenal striker at Barca. The plan has been not to lose both him and Memphis Depay in the same summer.
📰 In other news, Barcelona would not accept an offer for Diogo Dalot as part of any deal to sell Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United (Mundo Deportivo)
Brighton
Official. Brighton have signed Pervis Estupinan on a five-year deal. His move from Villarreal has been announced, with Graham Potter saying: “We’re excited by what Pervis brings us and he fills a position to which we’ve been looking to add depth.”
There could be bad news for Brighton as well, though, with Moises Caicedo emerging as a top target for Manchester United. He and others have been discussed internally at Old Trafford.
Chelsea
Here we go! Cesare Casadei is set to join Chelsea - click here to find out when the deal could be announced.
Chelsea are preparing for a fresh round of talks over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Todd Boehly wants a better understanding of the terms of the deal, and the player’s personal terms. Barcelona’s asking price is €30m and Xavi wants him to stay.
Wesley Fofana has agreed personal terms over a transfer to Chelsea. It’s still a difficult deal for both clubs to agree, however, with the Blues preparing a new bid.
There could also be major departures at Chelsea, with as many as FOUR players being targeted by Newcastle United following Amanda Staveley’s visit to Stamford Bridge for the Spurs game at the weekend.
📰 In other news, Todd Boehly has pleaded with Callum Hudson-Odoi not to push for a permanent transfer away (Evening Standard)
Everton
Everton are finally closing on the signing of Idrissa Gueye. They’ve been working on it for a long time with Paris Saint-Germain. Both clubs are now confident about getting the deal over the line this week.
Meanwhile, Dele Alli is a target for Besiktas. Not yet clear if a loan or permanent move is more likely, but Everton will let the player decide. His priority is to play more regularly.
Hellas Verona
Juan Cabal is set to join Hellas Verona on a permanent deal for €3.5m fee from Colombian side Atletico Nacional. He’ll be in Italy in the coming hours to finalise the move.
Juventus
Adrien Rabiot currently looks set to stay at Juventus. His wage demands were too high for Manchester United and there are no negotiations with any other clubs for the moment.
Manchester United
The Mauro Icardi situation continues to be complicated, but he’s been offered to Manchester United as PSG look for a solution over his future.
The Adrien Rabiot deal is off - but Man Utd have two other midfield targets in mind as they discuss new options internally.
By the way, if it were up to me, this is who I’d sign to strengthen the Red Devils’ midfield!
📰 In other news, Atletico Madrid would be prepared to offer Alvaro Morata or Antoine Griezmann to United as part of a move for Cristiano Ronaldo (Times)
Newcastle United
Newcastle would love to negotiate with four Chelsea players, including Christian Pulisic. Click here to find out more.
Newcastle are one of the clubs being offered the chance to sign PSG striker Mauro Icardi as the Ligue 1 giants look for a buyer.
Nice
Nice have submitted an opening proposal for Ben Brereton Diaz. The Blackburn star is their focus now, with no updates on Edinson Cavani, who prefers a move to La Liga.
PSG
Two departures are edging closer as Idrissa Gueye looks set to return to Everton, while Thilo Kehrer is in London to finalise his permanent transfer to West Ham.
Meanwhile, PSG are also looking for a solution for Mauro Icardi, who has been offered to Manchester United and Newcastle, while I can also reveal there has been contact from a club in Turkey.
Real Madrid
Casemiro is a dream midfield target for Manchester United - here is where Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti currently stands on a potential deal.
Sevilla
Tanguy Nianzou has arrived in Sevilla to sign his five year deal as full agreement has been reached with Bayern Munich.
Tottenham
Done deal, official - Destiny Udogie has joined Tottenham. He’s signed a five-year deal after moving for €18m plus add-ons. He’ll spend this season back on loan with Udinese, but said: “It’s a dream for me to join a top club like Tottenham. It was an easy choice as they’ve Antonio Conte, really top manager.”
West Ham
PSG defender Thilo Kehrer is in London to complete his move to West Ham, with a medical scheduled. I expect it could be a busy few days with other deals for the Hammers.
Wolves
Wolves want to complete their signing of Matheus Nunes before deciding on Pedro Neto, but this could be one to watch towards the end of the summer.