Manchester United and Chelsea finally look close to completing their first deals of the summer transfer window.
While the Red Devils have gone double Dutch by agreeing deals to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia, the Blues – who’re also targeting Raheem Sterling – have reportedly pipped Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Raphinha from Leeds.
But there’s still good news for the Gunners, as Gabriel Jesus has undergone a medical ahead of a £45 million move, with Manchester City offsetting his departure by bringing in Kalvin Phillips. For all of Wednesday’s live transfer news, keep it right here with Mirror Football.
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Good morning
Hello and welcome to today’s live transfer blog!
We’ve got plenty of news to get through this morning, so let’s not waste any time.
That’s all for tonight
It has been another busy day in the summer transfer window with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all active as they look to bring players through the door.
Stay tuned tomorrow for what is expected to be another busy day of transfer news.
Man City ‘set to sign Ortega’
Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Stefan Ortega from Arminia Bielefeld, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 29-year-old will sign a long-term contract to become City’s second choice goalkeeper with Zach Steffen set to sign for Middlesbrough on loan.
Jesus ‘having Arsenal medical’
Gabriel Jesus is having a medical at Arsenal before a £45million move from Manchester City.
The 25-year-old is expected to complete a deal to join Mikel Arteta’s side in the coming days and become their fourth summer signing after Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Viera made the switch to the Emirates.
Newcastle confirm Botman signing
Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Sven Botman from Lille.
The Magpies have fought off competition from a host of European sides to sign the highly-rated centre-back for an undisclosed fee.
Raphinha latest
Chelsea are now ‘close’ to agreeing a fee above £55m with Leeds United for Raphinha, according to reports.
Talks are ongoing to agree personal terms with the player but it is thought this should not be an issue.
Palace ‘close’ to signing Doucouré
Crystal Palace are close to completing the signing of Lens midfielder Cheick Doucouré.
That’s according to talkSPORT, who claim Palace are set to pay a total fee of £22m for the Senegal international.
Chelsea ‘remain well placed to sign Raphinha’
Chelsea are ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha, according to Nizaar Kinsella from GOAL.
The Blues have been in contact to sign him since January with the two north London clubs both keen on signing the attacker, who scored 11 Premier League goals last season.
Brighton starlet linked with Chelsea move
Brighton and Hove Albion starlet Zak Sturge has attracted interest from multiple clubs across the Premier League and Bundesliga ahead of an expected summer switch.
It has been reported by GOAL that Chelsea are keen, as are a host of Bundesliga clubs and other Premier League academies. Leeds and London counterparts Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford have also been linked with the defender elsewhere.
Henderson ‘to tie up’ Forest move in coming days
Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson will tie up his move to Nottingham Forest in the next 48 hours.
The 25-year-old has agreed a season-long loan deal with the newly promoted side and will sign after completing a medical.
Forest return to training on Friday and the deal for Henderson has been put in place for some time.
Man City’s Steffen is poised to join Boro
Manchester City goalkeeper Zach Steffen is poised to join Middlesbrough on loan.
That’s according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, who claims Chris Wilder’s side are close to sign the American international shot-stopper.
Fulham ‘want’ Shakhtar winger Soloman
Fulham want to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Ola Soloman this summer.
According to Sky Sports, the Whites are hoping to follow up a move for Joao Palhinha with a bid to lure Soloman away from the Ukrianian club. He is valued at around £7m.
Minamino joins Monaco
Liverpool have confirmed that Takumi Minamino has left the club to join Monaco after a two-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield.
The Japanese international scored some vital goals during his time at the Reds, including the equaliser in their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Leicester City last season.
“Without question, he is a person who helps set our standards,” Jurgen Klopp said on Minamino’s impact.
Man Utd ‘trying to hijack’ Malacia deal
Manchester United are trying to hijack Lyon’s pursuit of signing Tyrell Malacia, according to Fabrizio Romano.
A deal had been reached for the Feyernoord defender to join the French side for around £13million but United have reportedly shown an interest in the player and hope to convince him to re-think his options.
West Ham eye Tielemans, Danjuma
West Ham are set to make an ambitious entry into the race for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans. The Belgian playmaker, 25, has just a year left on his contract and had been eyed up by Arsenal.
But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has instead opted for attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto. The 22-year-old scored six goals and provided 14 assists in Portugal’s top division last season. With Arsenal’s interest in Tielemans – who plays in a deeper role than Vieira – apparently cooling, West Ham boss David Moyes is set to enter the fray.
But the east Londoners, semi-finalists in the Europa League last season, are well aware that they could be seen as a sideways move by the Leicester man. With a number of irons in the fire, the Hammers remain keen on Villarreal and former Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma and have started talks.
The Netherlands international, 25, scored 17 goals in 34 appearances last season and provided four assists. Danjuma, a revelation at a higher level in Spain, has four years left on his contract. He was a key factor in Villareal’s surge to the Champions League semi-finals.
Danjuma, who has a £45m release clause in his contract, would represent an upgrade on West Ham’s current attacking midfield talents. Algerian midfielder Said Benrahma, 26, is understood to be available for transfer with Moyes looking for more consistency, particularly in matches against the bigger clubs.
Blues eye 3 City stars
The Daily Mail claim Chelsea could make a treble swoop for City players with Oleksandr Zinchenko on their radar.
Tuchel is trying to strengthen his defensive backline with a number of defensive departures from Stamford Bridge and already has his sights set on Nathan Ake as well as forward Raheem Sterling.
Gunners wait for Ajax response on Martinez
Arsenal have submitted a second bid for Lisandro Martinez which Ajax are currently mulling over, according to reports.
It comes after the Gunners had an initial offer for the centre-half immediately rejected as they continue to go after defensive reinforcements this summer. Martinez is one of several Ajax stars to be on the radar of Premier League clubs as Manchester United are also keen.
So far the north London outfit have seen a £29m bid turned down out of hand, but have returned with an increased offer which is at least being discussed by Ajax bosses, reports Goal. The 24-year-old is appreciative of the foundation that has been afforded to him in Amsterdam but would like a switch to England’s top flight if an agreement can be struck.
Read more here.
Villa set Luiz price tag
Aston Villa are reportedly holding out for £30million for Brazilian playmaker Douglas Luiz who has made it clear he wants to quit according to fresh claims. Luiz could be heading for the Villa Park exit with Serie A duo AC Milan and Roma keeping tabs on his situation.
The 24-year-old is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract with Villa and a new deal is yet to be agreed. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claims Luiz has ‘practically broken up’ with Villa and wants to seal a move this summer. They reckon if Luiz won’t sign a new deal, Villa will cash in this summer rather than risk losing him for free next year.
Chelsea to join Bellingham race
Chelsea are ready to rival Liverpool in the race for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, claims AS.
Real Madrid too are eyeing the highly-rated midfielder, who is expected to move next summer as his stock continues to rise.
Barca push for Lenglet answer
Barcelona have told Clement Lenglet to decide within the next 48 hours if he wants to join Tottenham, as per SPORT.
The defender is being put under pressure to decide on his next move with north London among his potential destinations.
Blues turn to Skriniar
Chelsea are ready to turn their attention to Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar as they continue to target new defenders.
Sevilla star Jules Kounde has long been on their radar and Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt is a recent target, but the Dutchman is deemed too expensive at £102m, reports the Daily Mail.
A bid of around £64m is needed to sure up their interest.
Raphinha fears over Barca move
Raphinha and his representatives are having to accept that a move to Barcelona may not materialise in this transfer window, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish club are still trying to balance the books as Leeds United’s demand of £56m may prove to be beyond them.
Origi closes on Milan move
Divock Origi has arrived in Italy to complete his move to AC Milan‼ pic.twitter.com/UE4qveehvn
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 28, 2022
Gunners increase Martinez offer
Arsenal have upped their offer for Lisandro Martinez after seeing an initial bid of £21.5m turned down last week.
De Telegraaf is now reporting they have tabled a second bid in the region of £34.4m as they look to add the centre-half.
Fernandinho joins boyhood club Athletico Paranaense
Eu não falei que ia voltar? pic.twitter.com/Ke7caVGhT8
— Fernandinho (@fernandinho) June 27, 2022
Jesus medical due
Gabriel Jesus is due to undergo his Arsenal medical today.
The Manchester City forward is edging closer to a £45m switch to the Emirates with the finer details on the deal needing to be ironed out.
Dembele closes on Barca exit
Ousmane Dembele’s Barcelona exit is edging closer after no agreement could be found in contract talks.
Dembele’s agent Moussa Sissoko travelled to Catalunya for further discussions on Monday, but no progress was made despite Xavi cutting short his holiday to be there, reports the Daily Mail.
Wage demands remain the core issue with the Spanish side still struggling financially.
CR and Jose to reunite?
Cristiano Ronaldo could make a sensational move back to Italy as he remains open to a reunion with Roma boss Jose Mourinho, according to Gazetta dello Sport.
The Man Utd forward faces an uncertain future and has worked under the Special One at Real Madrid.
Real to rival Liverpool for target
Real Madrid are set to rival Liverpool next summer in the race to secure the signature of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
As we previously revealed, Jurgen Klopp has decided not to sign a midfielder this summer in favour of targeting Bellingham in 2023. However, AS has reported that Real Madrid also have the same plans and feel that he would be the final piece to their midfield puzzle in the long term.
Read more here.
Chelsea enter Asensio race
Chelsea are ready to battle it out with Man Utd in the race for Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio, claims Sport.
The Spaniard, who is also on AC Milan’s radar, is struggling for minutes in the Spanish capital and could move on this summer with his contract winding down.
