Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham remain amongst the busiest clubs in the summer market, despite all three already being incredibly active in the window. At Stamford Bridge, target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks closer than ever on a move to re-join Thomas Tuchel, with the Blues said to have held positive talks with the Barcelona striker. Indeed, the Gabon international could arrive as a stop-gap option before Chelsea attempt to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig.
In north London, meanwhile, Mikel Arteta is eager to add to his current options and holds an interest in PSV’s Cody Gakpo. Nicolas Pepe looks increasingly likely to join Nice on loan, potentially enabling the Gunners to sign a winger before the window shuts.
At Tottenham, Antonio Conte still wants to sign Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo despite the Italian club’s desire to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico and is reportedly ready to pressure Fabio Paratici into bringing him to Spurs. Follow all of the latest news, gossip and rumours below!
Live updates
Chelsea make Aubameyang offer
Chelsea have reportedly officially submitted an offer for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Athletic claim that the Blues have made a £15m bid that will also see Marcos Alonso join Barcelona, with the Spanish side yet to respond.
It’s suggested that Chelsea are confident personal terms will not be an issue at all should that be accepted.
Skriniar going nowhere
Inter Milan have decided they will not sell Milan Skriniar this summer.
Chelsea, Tottenham and PSG are among the clubs who have been linked with the centre-back in recent months, with it claimed that Inter could be open to selling at the right place.
However, Fabrizio Romano reports that the Italian club have now decided Skriniar is not for sale and are ready to offer him a new contract.
Chelsea plan Nkunku bid next summer
RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku may have signed a new contract this summer but he tops Chelsea’s shortlist of targets to bolster their attack in 2023.
Valued at £100million by the German club before his renewal, a report from the Telegraph names the Frenchman as the Blues’ priority ahead of AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Stuttgart forward Sasa Kalajdzic.
While Chelsea are pushing to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he would be a stop-gap for the 2022-23 season before a major move for Nkunku next summer.
Fulham in advanced Maupay talks
Fulham are closing in on the signing of Neal Maupay.
The striker has looked likely to leave Brighton for a number of weeks and The Athletic report that Fulham are in advance talks as they look to seal a £15m deal.
Nottingham Forest and Everton have also shown interest in Maupay, but Fulham are very much leading the race.
Nice push for Pepe
Arsenal are in talks with Nice over a potential loan move for Nicolas Pepe.
Three years after the winger signed for the Gunners for £72million from Lille, Arsenal are keen to move Pepe on with it clear that he is not a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
It’s reported the Gunners will still have to contribute towards Pepe’s £140,000-a-week wages should he join Nice on loan, who have already signed Aaron Ramsey and Kasper Schmeichel this summer.
With Arsenal waiting to get unwanted players off the wage bill before making further signings, a loan move for Pepe could be a major boost in enabling them to target a winger in the next couple of weeks.
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Done deal!
Tanguy Ndombele has signed for Napoli on loan as Antonio Conte’s clear-out of the Spurs squad continues.
After the departures of Steven Bergwijn, Giovani Lo Celso and Joe Rodon, the French midfielder is the fourth senior player to leave with Harry Winks and Sergio Reguilon also touted for exits.
Serie A side Napoli have signed Ndombele on a season-long loan with reports in Italy suggesting Spurs will continue to pay the bulk of his wages.
The move can be made permanent for a fee of £25million, which would represent a heavy loss on the £65m Tottenham agreed to pay Lyon for the player when he signed in 2019.
Real turn to Hojbjerg
Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as a replacement for Casemiro.
With Casemiro set to join Manchester United, the La Liga side are on the hunt for his successor and The Telegraph report that Hojbjerg is the man being considered.
It’s claimed that Antonio Conte would demand a replacement if he leaves, but it remains to be seen if Spurs will sell.
Dortmund not in for Ronaldo
Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has insisted the German club are not looking to bring Cristiano Ronaldo in this summer.
He said: “I love this player, it’s certainly a charming idea – to see Cristiano play at Signal Iduna Park.
“But there is no contact at all between the parties involved. From that point of view, we should stop talking about it.”
Fofana left out of Chelsea squad
Leicester are set to leave Wesley Fofana out of their squad to face Southampton this weekend amid ongoing transfer interest from Chelsea, writes Nizaar Kinsella.
Brendan Rodgers has decided he will not use the defender, who is believed to have had his head turned by a potential switch to west London.
The Leicester boss was asked whether he would consider leaving out Fofana during his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“Yes, 100 per cent,” Rodgers said ahead of Southampton’s visit to the King Power Stadium on Saturday. “If the players aren’t totally focused and committed to the club and being here, or for whatever reason just aren’t in the right mindset, that won’t help us.
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Potter on Caicedo speculation
Graham Potter insists Manchester United and Arsenal target Moises Caicedo is happy at Brighton, despite the midfielder being linked with a move away this window.
“I would say is really low maintenance as a player, and just wants to join in football with his team-mates,” Potter said.
“He is really enjoying his football as you can imagine. He is only young, but he has got such a high possibility I think. We love him here
“As for speculation, it is what it is. When the transfer window is open, you always get that stuff but he is really enjoying his football here and we are really enjoying having him.”
