The summer transfer window is approaching, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Xavi tells Pique his time with Barcelona is done
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has reportedly met with centre-back Gerard Pique to tell him that he will not be called upon next season, according to a report by Diario Sport.
While Pique’s ability is not in question, Xavi cited physical issues and unprofessional behaviour as reasons for the decision being made, the report says. The main issue is reportedly that Pique isn’t fully focused on football due to his multiple businesses and off-pitch controversies.
Pique was reportedly told that the best solution would be to leave Camp Nou in the most dignified way possible, which would include renouncing a large amount of the €40 million that the club owes him, given his contract expires in 2024.
However, the 35-year-old is said to have refused to leave and insisted that he will train more than ever, a plan that includes abandoning his commitments outside of football.
The Diario Sport report also mentions that Xavi sees Sevilla‘s Jules Kounde as the man to replace Pique. Chelsea are also interested in the France international, whose transfer fee could be worth up to €60m, but Barcelona hope to be able to afford to bring him in once they have reduced their wage bill.
Despite Andreas Christensen coming in on a free transfer from Chelsea this summer, and Eric Garcia also being in the squad, Xavi reportedly dreams of a defensive partnership consisting of Kounde and Ronald Araujo.
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18.09 BST: Eintracht Frankfurt are showing interest in Besiktas left-back Ridvan Yilmaz as they search for a possible replacement for Filip Kostic, with the Serbia international reportedly having reached an agreement in principle to join Juventus, according to Sky Sport Germany. They are also looking at Burnley striker Wout Weghorst and Lucas Alarioof Bayer Leverkusen while they also want Newell’s Old Boys attacking midfielder Nicolas Castro.
17.36 BST: The agents of Luis Suarez have offered the striker to Juventus as he prepares to leave Atletico Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the month, reports Calciomercato, with the Uruguay international wanting to wait another year before moving to MLS. However, the Serie A outfit don’t see the 35-year-old as a priority and will only move to sign him if they are unable to bring in the names higher up their wanted list.
17.03 BST: Hertha Berlin have completed the signing of Jonjoe Kenny from Everton, the German capital club announced on Tuesday. The 25-year-old right-back has signed on a deal that will keep him in Berlin until 2025, having helped the Toffees avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Welcome to Hertha, Jonjoe Kenny! 👋
The right-back joins on a free transfer from @Everton 🔵⚪https://t.co/WqwND4q80A ⬅️#GemeinsamHertha #HaHoHe pic.twitter.com/VwaC9Nmoa8
— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) June 14, 2022
16.30 BST: Chelsea are leading the race to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, says Corriere dello Sport.
De Ligt, 22, has a contract that expires in 2024, with a reported release clause of €125m, but Juve want the Netherlands international to sign new terms until 2026.
However, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona are all watching the situation, as De Ligt wants to bring that clause down to a more realistic figure of around €80m so he could move in the future.
Chelsea are reported to be at the front of the queue as they have new owners and must replace centre-back Antonio Rudiger, who left for Real Madrid, with a world-class name.
15.56 BST: Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have targeted Leeds United winger Raphinha, putting Barcelona’s move for the forward in doubt, according to a report by The Athletic.
Raphinha, 25, has scored 17 goals in 65 matches since his move to Elland Road, and his fine form has set him on the shortlist of many potential suitors this summer, including Chelsea, but Ousmane Dembele remains a key target for the Blues if he leaves Barca on a free transfer.
Leeds are open to letting Raphinha leave if their £40m valuation is met.
15.24 BST: U.S. youth international defender Kobi Henry has been transferred to Stade de Reims of Ligue 1 from USL Championship side Orange County SC, sources told ESPN.
A source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN that the transfer fee is around $700,000, which would make it the largest fee in USL history. The previous record for an initial transfer fee was set earlier this month when Locomotive FC midfielder Diego Luna was moved to Real Salt Lake for $250,000.
The sources added that Orange County will receive a percentage of any future transfer fee should Reims move Henry at a later date, which could push the total fee past $1m.
After receiving a callup to a training camp for the U.S. men’s national team in December, Henry went on trial at Reims the following month. He impressed during that spell, but he had to wait until his 18th birthday — which took place on April 26 — before signing a permanent deal.
15.05 BST: Manchester United have offered midfielder Christian Eriksen a contract, according to a report from The Athletic.
Eriksen, 30, made a big impact for Brentford last season after signing on a short-term contract in January, just seven months after suffering a cardiac arrest while competing for Denmark at Euro 2020.
The midfielder was released by Inter Milan after he was fitted with a heart-starting device, something that prevents him from playing in Italy. However, he joined Brentford and helped Thomas Frank’s side to a 13th-place finish in their debut Premier League campaign.
The Bees have now offered Eriksen a new deal, but the player is considering different offers and said that he’d “love to play Champions League football again.”
Man United only managed to quality for the Europa League, but Eriksen’s former club Tottenham are also reported to be interested in re-signing him.
14.45 BST: Aurelien Tchouameni said Kylian Mbappe tried to convince him to sign for Paris Saint-Germain but understood his decision to move to Real Madrid.
Madrid confirmed the acquisition of Tchouameni last week from AS Monaco in a deal worth an initial €80m, with sources confirming to ESPN the European champions saw off competition from PSG and Liverpool to land the midfielder.
Mbappe himself turned down interest from Madrid earlier in the summer to renew his contract with PSG, but he could not convince his France teammate to do the same.
“Kylian decided to stay at PSG and he knew I was leaving Monaco,” Tchouameni said at his presentation as a Madrid player on Tuesday. “He wanted to know if I would join him at PSG. But my first choice was Real Madrid and he understood that completely.”
14.23 BST: Manchester United fear Barcelona are trying to hike the fee for Frenkie de Jong in an effort to help solve their financial problems with one major departure, sources have told ESPN.
The two clubs are in talks over a deal for De Jong, who has given United enough encouragement that he would be willing to move to Old Trafford for Erik ten Hag to believe an agreement is possible.
But United have warned the Spanish side during negotiations that they are not willing to offer a large fee for the Netherlands midfielder.
Sources have told ESPN that the feeling within the club is that Barca are actively trying to offload De Jong in an effort to raise funds to facilitate their transfer plans for the summer and that it should be reflected in the cost.
14.12 BST: Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy has been linked with a move to Manchester United or Chelsea.
However, Defensa Central reports that Madrid would want €50m from any club looking to sign the 27-year-old.
Mendy played 35 times for the Champions League and LaLiga winners last season and will be key as Marcelo has left the club, though he may find competition from David Alaba for the left-back role now that centre-back Antonio Rudiger has arrived from Chelsea.
14.01 BST: AS Roma have signed former Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic on a free transfer.
🖊️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 | Nemanja Matic 👋
Welcome to the Giallorossi! 🐺#ASRoma | @NemanjaMatic pic.twitter.com/usnspSIHtW
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 14, 2022
13.30 BST: Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini is on his way to MLS with LAFC, but what impact will the 37-year-old centre-back have?
2:00
Gab & Juls discuss Giorgio Chiellini’s move to LAFC after ending his long Juventus career.
12.48 BST: USMNT star Sergino Dest could move to Chelsea as part of a deal to take Marcos Alonso to Barcelona, says 90min.
Alonso, 31, wants to move to Barca, where he would play as backup to Jordi Alba, while the 21-year-old Dest has struggled to assert himself in Spain and could be used in part-exchange.
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta is also keen on moving to Camp Nou this summer, having entered the final 12 months of his contract.
12.19 BST: Barcelona are interested in Leeds winger Raphinha, but his future depends on Ousmane Dembele, reports Sport.
Raphinha, 25, has caught the eye with some fine performances in the Premier League, but could depart for a bigger club if an offer arrives this summer.
Barca are keen, but only if Dembele decides to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires. The France international has yet to confirm his future plans, though reports have suggested he will depart as the new contract on offer isn’t good enough.
12.00 BST: Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been appointed manager of Burnley, the club announced on Tuesday.
The news comes after Kompany left Anderlecht last month after three years as head coach. The 36-year-old was initially appointed as player-manager in 2019 after his departure from City but, following a poor start, soon relinquished matchday managerial duties. He then retired from playing in the summer of 2020 in order to focus on being a full-time head coach.
“Burnley Football Club is a truly historic English side and it is an honour to be appointed first-team manager,” Kompany said in a statement. “I’m excited by the challenge ahead.”
12.00 BST: Manchester City have announced that striker Jess Park has signed a three-year contract extension.
Park, 20, will remain at the Academy Stadium until the summer of 2026.
“This is my Club and this is where I want to be,” she said. “I’m so excited to commit my future to City. It’s such a great Club – from the players and staff to the facilities and the environment, it’s just such an amazing place to be.
“I’ve supported City my entire life and I think my passion for the Club is definitely clear to see in everything I do, especially on the pitch. I’ve learnt so much from the players around me and the coaching staff over the last two seasons since I signed my first professional contract, and I’m looking forward to continuing that for the next four years.”
11.38 BST: Tottenham are close to finalising a £25m deal for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, sources have told ESPN.
The 25-year-old is expected to undergo a medical later this week as the finishing touches are put to a five-year contract.
Manager Antonio Conte wants at least six signings — after already landing Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster — and is also hopeful of completing a deal for 21-year-old Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence.
Although several other clubs are interested — including Brentford, West Ham United, Roma, Borussia Dortmund and Nottingham Forest, where he spent last season on loan — Spurs are considered favourites for Spence’s signature.
11.22 BST: Aurelien Tchouameni will wear the No. 18 shirt at Real Madrid, as the €80m midfielder was unveiled at the Bernabeu.
⚪👍 @atchouameni#WelcomeTchouameni | @sanitas pic.twitter.com/slFonSynRm
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 14, 2022
10.30 BST: Liverpool have landed themselves a top striker in Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.
1:47
Steve Nicol and Ian Darke detail why Darwin Nunez would be the perfect signing for Liverpool.
09.54 BST: Leeds are closing on a deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca, says Fabrizio Romano.
Roca, 25, has struggled for game time at Bayern, having moved from Espanyol in 2020, and is ready to leave the club this summer.
Leeds have reportedly agreed personal terms with the Spain international but are still negotiating over a possible €15m transfer fee.
09.28 BST: Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma is set to move to Tottenham for £25m, reports The Times.
Bissouma, 25, is out of contract in 2023 and has attracted attention from plenty of top sides, including Aston Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal. The Mali international will become the club’s third signing of the summer after Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster and Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.
In October, Bissouma was arrested under suspicion of sexual assault; he was released and remains under investigation.
09.15 BST: ICYMI – Arsenal have signed Marquinhos from Sao Paulo on a long-term contract.
Marquinhos, 19, a Brazil youth international, made 33 appearances for Sao Paulo and won the Compeonato Paulista in 2021.
“We’re delighted to have completed the transfer with Sao Paulo, as Marquinhos was a player we had been watching for a while,” Arsenal technical director Edu said. “At 19, he is still very young, so he is a player for the future. We look forward to Marquinhos now joining us for preseason, making his new home, and continuing to grow and develop with us.”
ESPN reported last month that the deal would be worth €3.5m and that the clubs agreed a fee after Marquinhos rejected multiple contract offers from the Brazilian club and sources suggest Arsenal moved quickly to secure a cut-price agreement.
08.43 BST: Gareth Bale has not ruled out the prospect of joining a club outside of Europe’s top divisions in order to gain playing time ahead of the World Cup.
The Wales international has been his national team’s star player over the past decade, and played a big part in helping them reach this winter’s finals in Qatar as well as their run to the semifinals of Euro 2016.
Bale is out of contract this summer after nine years at Real Madrid and has been linked with a move to Cardiff City, his hometown club, who play in the Championship.
“I haven’t really thought too much about that at the moment,” he told a news conference ahead of Tuesday’s Nations League match against Netherlands. “It’s something I need to sit down and go through, not just with my family but with the manager here, the physios here that we use, to see what would give me the best chance of being fit come November and December.
“I don’t really know if the standard makes too much of a difference, to be honest. Football games are football games. I feel like I’ll never really lose my quality on the ball so I guess it’s a conversation to be had.”
However, he did admit that joining the right club, where he would get plenty of game time, was key.
“It’s going to be massively important,” he said. “I need to make sure I’m playing games and I’m as fit as possible. For example, coming into this camp now I wasn’t fit at all, I didn’t have much game time at all. Sometimes I’m able to get away with it, but ideally I want to be going into a World Cup playing games and being as fit as possible and being able to be as effective as I can for as long as I can.”
08.00 BST: Harry Kane has said the additions of Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez to the Premier League will spur him on to become a better player next season.
Manchester City officially announced the €60m signing of Haaland from Borussia Dortmund on Monday, just a few hours after Benfica announced a deal had been agreed with Liverpool to sign Nunez.
Kane had wanted to leave Spurs last summer to join eventual Premier League champions City, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy rebuffed all interest from Pep Guardiola’s side, who opted to not to match Spurs’ £150m (€175m) valuation. The 28-year-old is now expected to remain in north London as head coach Antonio Conte aims to turn Spurs into Premier League title challengers.
Kane has won the Golden Boot as the division’s top goal scorer in three of the past seven years, but last season he finished behind his Spurs teammate Heung-Min Son, who tied with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the award with 23 goals.
Asked on Monday whether Haaland and Nunez arriving in England would make it harder to lead the scoring charts, Kane told a news conference: “The battle for the Golden Boot is always tough. The Premier League has produced some top strikers from around the world for a number of years now.
“You expect the top strikers to want to play in the Premier League and with those two new signings, that is going to be the case. It helps. It helps me as a player to have good competition, it drives me to improve and get better. So for sure, I look forward to the challenge.
“I try and focus on myself to begin with. Going into any season, I have things I want to achieve and goals I want to reach. I try not to focus too much on other players in that aspect.
“I can’t control what they do but what I’ll do is continue to work hard, improve and after this game have a nice break. But then look forward to what will be a tough preseason, I’m sure, and get ready for the new season as I have done for the last seven, eight years now.”
1:26
Gab & Juls discuss how Pep Guardiola will develop Erling Haaland at Manchester City.
PAPER GOSSIP
– RB Leipzig want €120m for Christopher Nkunku‘s services as they aim to keep the Frenchman, reports The Independent, which adds that the 24-year-old midfielder wants to stay put for another season. This comes with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain all having looked into the possibility of signing him this summer.
– Along with Kalidou Koulibaly, Juventus are hoping to sign Fabian Ruiz from Napoli this summer, according to Tuttosport. The defender and midfielder both have contracts that end in the summer of 2023, though a move for Ruiz in this transfer window could depend on whether or not Arthur departs.
– With Marcos Alonso being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, The Sun have reported that Chelsea are considering a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri. It is felt that he would be able to provide good competition and cover for left-back Ben Chilwell, who missed a large amount of the 2021-22 season because of a cruciate ligament injury.
– Having secured the return of Alexandre Lacazette, Olympique Lyonnais are now looking to bring Corentin Tolisso back from Bayern Munich, and Foot Mercato have reported that things are progressing positively. The midfielder, who is available on a free transfer, is willing to listen to Lyon‘s propositions and could be tempted despite the absence of European football for the Ligue 1 outfit in the upcoming season.
– AZ Alkmaar‘s Owen Wijndal is Juventus’ priority in their search for a left-back in the summer transfer window, according to Calciomercato, who also mentioned Udinese‘s Destiny Udogie and Hoffenheim‘s David Raum as options. The Eredivisie side do not want to drop their valuation below €15m, while Juventus have so far offered just over €10m with add-ons included.