Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal launch new Havertz bid, Timber latest; Chelsea eye Gabri Veiga; Osimhen to Man Utd
The transfer window is in full swing and Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham are all chasing major early signings this summer. Arsenal have launched a new bid for Kai Havertz and have also swooped for Jurrien Timber at Ajax, while the Gunners also have Romeo Lavia and Ilkay Gundogan in their sights amid a high-profile pursuit of Declan Rice.
Nicolas Jackson is set to undergo a Chelsea medical this week as he finalises a £30million move from Villarreal and Mauricio Pochettino also wants to sign Gabri Veiga amid more links to Inter’s Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic. Tottenham could now face a battle with Arsenal over Harvey Barnes, though Leicester team-mate James Maddison is believed to want to join Spurs as they also target David Raya at Brentford.
However, Heung-min Son is the latest player to attract big-money interest from Saudi Arabia with an offer from Al-Ittihad in the works. Manchester United have been offered a fresh boost over Victor Osimhen as they also target the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Goncalo Ramos. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip below!
Live updates
Arsenal could strike £65m Kai Havertz deal
More now on the breaking news over Arsenal’s fresh bid for Kai Havertz.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the new £60m proposal made to Chelsea this morning.
Crucially, he says he believes that a deal could eventually be struck at around the £65m mark.
Romano says that more negotiations will take place and that Havertz has made his desire to join Arsenal clear.
Arsenal launch new £60m Kai Havertz bid
Arsenal have made a new offer for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz, according to the latest reports.
The Gunners have already seen one £50m bid for the German rebuffed amid a refusal to meet his £70m asking price.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have now made an improved verbal offer for Havertz worth £60m, including £55m up front and a further £5m in bonuses.
The 23-year-old will reportedly be offered a contract at the Emirates worth £210,000 per week.
Pochettino pushing for Chelsea to sign Gabri Veiga
Chelsea are said to have entered the race for Gabri Veiga.
Liverpool are known to be interested in the highly-rated young Spanish playmaker, who has enjoyed a breakout season in LaLiga with Celta Vigo.
Now Chelsea have fully joined the battle, with Relevo in Spain reporting that incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino is very keen on a deal and has communicated as much to Veiga’s camp.
The 21-year-old’s €40m release clause at Balaidos makes him a very affordable and attractive target indeed.
Arsenal plans for Jurrien Timber revealed
More detail is now emerging over Arsenal’s pursuit of Jurrien Timber.
The Gunners have made an opening £30m bid for the Ajax defender, who is said to have already agreed personal terms.
However, Ajax are said to value Timber at £50m, with negotiations continuing and apparent optimism that a deal can be struck.
Manchester United and Liverpool have also been interested in the Dutch international, who the Daily Mail claim Arsenal see as following in the footsteps of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
By which they mean a very versatile player who can operate at full-back initially before filling in further forward in midfield.
Arsenal battle Tottenham for Harvey Barnes
Arsenal have reportedly joined Tottenham in the race to sign Harvey Barnes this summer.
The 25-year-old is thought to be a key early transfer target for new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, alongside his star team-mate from relegated Leicester, James Maddison.
But according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal also have interest in Barnes, along with fellow London rivals West Ham.
Reports last week claimed that Tottenham had seen a combined £50m bid for Barnes and Maddison snubbed by Leicester.
Arsenal need to increase Jurrien Timber bid
Ajax will not accept Arsenal’s opening offer for Jurrien Timber, reports say.
It was reported late last night that the Gunners had tabled an initial £30m bid for the Dutch defender, having already agreed personal terms.
But Ajax are thought to value Timber – who was initially expected to join Manchester United last summer after Erik ten Hag’s move from Amsterdam to Old Trafford – at approximately £50m, with his current contract due to expire in 2025.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal’s initial offer is too low but talks will continue with Timber eager to move to the Emirates.
He apparently sits top of a wishlist of new defenders for Mikel Arteta, above Mo Simakan at RB Leipzig.
Man United get Osimhen encouragement
Manchester United may have been given some encouragement in a mixed update over Victor Osimhen.
Serie A’s top scorer is known to be among the alternative striker targets for Erik ten Hag, who seems to have admitted defeat in the club’s pursuit of Harry Kane.
Addressing Osimhen’s future again on Monday evening, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis insisted they have an agreement over a contract extension but insisted the player could still be sold for the right offer.
“I have said for a while that Osimhen has to stay. Then, if an offer came in that I could not refuse for the good of Napoli, then we would consider it, as is only natural,” he said, per Football Italia.
“We already talked to Osimhen before the Scudetto celebration, so we already have a basic agreement on a two-year extension of his contract. The other players, that is something we need to study with Rudi [Garcia], because I have for many years been convinced that pre-season training is fundamental.”
Spurs braced for Son offer from Saudi Arabia
Tottenham are braced for Heung-min Son to become the latest subject of an offer from Saudi Arabia.
Clubs in the Gulf state are ramping up their bids for multiple Premier League players this week, with a number of other Chelsea stars set to follow N’Golo Kante out to Saudi, as well as the likes of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
Now ESPN report that Al-Ittihad – who have signed both Kante and Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema already this summer – are ready to launch a £51m offer for Son, who is said to have been offered a four-year contract worth £25m per season.
Al-Ittihad apparently believe that Son could be tempted into the move, though the report states that Tottenham are absolutely not interested in listening to offers.
Arsenal handed new Kai Havertz boost
Arsenal look to have been handed another boost in their quest to sign Kai Havertz.
The Gunners are known to be extremely interested in raiding Stamford Bridge for the German forward, having already seen an opening bid rebuffed by Chelsea.
Arsenal do not want to meet the Blues’ current £70m valuation for Havertz, though seem hopeful that they can knock down the cost.
According to ESPN, Chelsea are now under pressure to lower their asking price after being told the player has no intention of extending his £220,000 per week contract that expires in 2025.
Arsenal are expected to make another bid for Havertz, with claims that personal terms will not be an issue.
Nicolas Jackson set for Chelsea medical
Nicolas Jackson is reportedly set to undergo a medical at Chelsea this week.
The Blues have stepped up their pursuit of the Villarreal forward, who is said to have an agreement over personal terms.
Reports yesterday said that Chelsea needed to hold further talks with their LaLiga counterparts over the exact structure of the deal, with Jackson possessing a £29.8m release clause in his current contract.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, the Senegal international will travel to London for a medical this week and sign a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge after also attracting interest from the likes of AC Milan and Everton.
