Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal set Rice and Timber medicals; Caicedo to Chelsea boost; Man United eye Hojlund bid
The summer transfer window continues to heat up nicely as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all work to complete some huge early signings. Arsenal are set to finalise their record-breaking Ā£105million swoop for Declan Rice, with an official announcement coming soon, while Jurrien Timber has also now reportedly missed Ajax training as he looks to seal his own high-profile switch to the Emirates. Both players are expected to undergo medicals this week.
The Gunners could face a major fight with Liverpool for Romeo Lavia, while Chelsea are set to continue talks with Brighton over Moises Caicedo this week as they also target the likes of Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. Mason Mount, meanwhile, is due to undergo his medical today ahead of a Ā£60m move to Manchester United, who are still hot on the trail of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana as they also eye another bid for Rasmus Hojlund at Atalanta.
Tottenham are moving quickly to provide new manager Ange Postecoglou with plenty of fresh signings, with former Fulham winger Manor Solomon having now agreed a long-term contract in north London ahead of a medical on Tuesday. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
Live updates
Liverpool set to make Romeo Lavia bid
Liverpool are plotting their move for Romeo Lavia.
The Reds have identified Southamptonās Belgian international as the next part of their overdue midfield overhaul following the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Arsenal have also been linked with former Manchester City youngster Lavia along with Chelsea, but it is Liverpool who are moving to the front of the queue.
According to talkSPORT, they are now preparing an opening bid for the 19-year-old, for whom City have a 20 per cent sell-on clause.
Arsenal verbally agree Jurrien Timber deal
Jurrien Timber to Arsenal is all but agreed, reports suggest.
The Gunners appear to have had success with their second bid for the versatile Dutch defender valued at around Ā£40m after seeing an opening Ā£30m proposal rebuffed by Ajax last month.
According to CBS Sports, there is now a complete verbal agreement between the parties, with only the final paperwork left to be completed.
Timber, a former target for Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, is scheduled to undergo his Arsenal medical this week.
Andre Onana to Man United deal āstill on’
Going back to the Manchester United goalkeeper situation, a deal for Andre Onana is said to be āstill onā as things stand.
The Cameroon international seems to have become Erik ten Hagās preferred successor to David de Gea as his new long-term No1 after a fine season with Champions League finalists Inter Milan.
United are believed to have been in talks with Inter over Onana, though progress has been slow.
Fabrizio Romano now reports that while there has still been no official bid tabled yet, discussions are ongoing and the move remains on.
He also says that United have Feyenoordās Justin Bijlow listed as a potential alternative to Onana, with the future of De Gea set to be clarified soon.
Josko Gvardiol wants Man City move as talks continue
Manchester City target Josko Gvardiol has asked RB Leipzig to be sold to the treble winners, the German clubās sporting director has confirmed.
Talks are ongoing between the two teams over an Ā£86m deal, which would eclipse Harry Maguireās Ā£80m move to Manchester United in 2019 as a world-record fee for a defender.
āJosko and his advisors have submitted their wish to us for a transfer to Manchester City,” Eberl told Leipziger Volksnachrichten newspaper.
āWe are in talks with City. There is nothing more to say about it at this moment.ā
Read the story in full here
Man United target Bart Verbruggen joins Brighton
One player who wonāt be joining Manchester United this summer is Bart Verbruggen.
The Netherlands Under-21 international was said to be on an Old Trafford shortlist alongside the likes of Inter Milanās Andre Onana and Brentfordās David Raya as Erik ten Hag eyes a long-term successor for current No1 David de Gea, whose future in Manchester remains in considerable doubt.
But while Verbruggen is now heading to the Premier League, it isnāt United he is joining.
Instead, the 20-year-old has swapped Belgian giants Anderlecht for Brighton in a deal worth Ā£16.3m, signing a five-year contract at the Amex.
āI am very pleased to have signed Bart,ā said Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi.
āHe is used to playing a type of football similar to ours and he will have no problem fitting into our group.
āHe has the potential to become a very important player for the club in the coming years.ā
Declan Rice cuts short holiday for Arsenal medical
On the point of Declan Riceās medical, it looks like he is cutting short his post-season holiday to undergo those necessary checks.
The Daily Mirror report that the West Ham captain returned early from a post-England break in Dubai on Saturday in order to finalise his blockbuster Ā£105m switch to Arsenal.
After undergoing his medical, Rice will sign a long-term contract at the Emirates as the most expensive British player in football history.
Arsenal medicals set for Rice and Timber
Confirmation of Arsenalās moves for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber is getting closer.
The Daily Mail reports that the Gunners are set to complete both high-profile transfers by the end of this week, with a full agreement with West Ham over Ā£105m Rice expected in the next 24 hours and a Ā£40m deal in principle already secured with Ajax for Dutch defender Timber.
It is said that medicals for Rice and Timber have been scheduled to take place in the coming days.
Not much longer to wait then, Arsenal fans…
Baba Rahman close to exit as Chelsea overhaul continues
Chelsea will not stand in Baba Rahmanās way as he closes in on a move to Greek side PAOK, ending an injury-hit eight years at Stamford Bridge, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
The 29-year-old is in advanced talks to join PAOK on a free transfer.
Rahman joined Chelsea for Ā£22m from Augsburg in 2015 but has made just 23 appearances for the Blues and has repeatedly been sent out on loan to PAOK, Reading, Mallorca, Reims and Schalke.
Chelsea could earn money if Baba is successful at PAOK, with payments due if the Greeks qualify for any European competition.
Read the full article here
Roy Hodgson to stay on as Crystal Palace manager
Speaking of official confirmations, Crystal Palace have now announced that Roy Hodgson will continue as their manager next season.
The former England boss will remain at Selhurst Park for the 2023/24 campaign, with former caretaker manager Paddy McCarthy as his assistant. Coaches Ray Lewington and Dean Kiely are also staying on.
Hodgson returned to Palace on a short-term deal in March after the sacking of Patrick Vieira and steered the Eagles away from relegation danger and to an impressive 11th-place finish while playing some brilliant football that was in marked contrast to the end of his previous four-year spell at the helm that ended in 2021.
āI am immensely pleased and proud to be extending my time at Crystal Palace, and I would like to thank the chairman (Steve Parish) and sporting director (Dougie Freedman) for their continued faith in me,ā Hodgson said.
āI know what a fantastic squad we have here. Itās a great blend of youth and potential, alongside experienced players with Premier League and international pedigree.ā
Newcastle complete Sandro Tonali deal
The official confirmations are coming in thick and fast this morning.
Newcastle have now publicly announced the ā¬70m signing of midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan.
The Italian international has signed an initial five-year contract on Tyneside and will be a major addition to Eddie Howeās squad as the high-flying Magpies return to the Champions League next season after two decades.
āFirst of all, I want to thank Newcastle United because they are giving me a huge opportunity for my career,ā Tonali said.
āI want to repay the trust on the pitch, giving it my all, as I always have. Iām really excited about playing at St. Jamesā Park, I canāt wait to feel the warmth of the fans.ā
