Transfer Talk: Man City's Silva rejects Saudi offer as Barca, PSG interested

The summer transfer window is open for some leagues in Europe and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Silva rejects big-money offer from Saudi Arabia; Barcelona, PSG show interest

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been approached with a lucrative opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League and talks have taken place, but he plans to reject the offer, according to The Athletic.

The Saudis aren’t expected to give up their attempts to sign the 28-year-old Portugal international as they hunt for further high-profile signings this summer. N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy are set to join SPL clubs from Chelsea, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo already having made the switch.

Silva is under contract with Man City until 2025, but has been strongly linked with a move away. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both reportedly interested and the midfielder would prefer to continue to ply his trade in Europe.

Barcelona were interested in signing Silva in January but couldn’t raise the €70 million needed, while Man City were reluctant to part ways while the season was ongoing. He played a vital role in Manchester City‘s treble-winning campaign last season, featuring 55 times across all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and eight assists.

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11.51 BST: Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber but may face competition from Bayern Munich for his signature, sources have told ESPN.

The north London club have made an opening offer in the region of £30m but that bid is expected to be rejected as Ajax value the 22-year-old’s transfer closer to £50m.

Arsenal are optimistic of securing a deal for Timber but Bayern are tracking the situation and it remains to be seen whether they will enter the running with a formal offer.

Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his centre-back options after the team struggled last season following a back injury to William Saliba.

11.27 BST: Joselu insisted he’s not at Real Madrid to replace Karim Benzema as the Spain forward was presented at the club’s training ground on Tuesday.

Joselu, 33, joins Madrid on a season-long loan with an option for the club to make the deal permanent, after scoring 16 league goals for relegated Espanyol last campaign.

“I’m not here to replace anyone,” Joselu said in a news conference, when asked how he felt about filling in for the Ballon d’Or winning Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad this month after 14 years at the Bernabeu. “I’m here to do my bit, to enjoy myself and to do what the coach asks me to do. We all know what Karim has done for this club but I’m here to do a different job.”

Joselu is now the only senior centre forward in the Madrid squad but will wear the No. 14 shirt next season, leaving Benzema’s No. 9 vacant for a potential further signing.

“Any number in the Real Madrid first team is important,” he said. “I’m proud to wear any number … For me the number is secondary, the important thing is to be here and enjoy the moment. It’s not for me to say if more players will come or not. I’m looking forward to getting started. It’s not for me to say. I’m here to help.”

11.14 BST: Manchester United are confident they are close to agreeing a new long-term contract with forward Marcus Rashford, sources have told ESPN.

Rashford will enter the final year of his deal this summer but, after talks were stepped up towards the end of last season, the England striker is edging towards extending his stay at Old Trafford.

Sources have told ESPN that Rashford is set to be rewarded for his performances last season with a financial package that will make him one of the club’s highest earners.

The 25-year-old excelled in his first season under Erik ten Hag, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and 17 in the Premier League.

Sources have told ESPN that progress made under Ten Hag has been a key factor in Rashford’s decision to stay.

10.58 BST: Spain forward Joselu could be Real Madrid’s last summer signing, Marca reports, with the newspaper claiming that “everything points to the the fact that [Joselu] could be the last reinforcement” this window.

Madrid have already strengthened their squad by bringing in England midfielder Jude Bellingham for €103m, playmaker Brahim Diaz (after his loan at Milan) and full-back Fran Garcia for €5m, and have now added Joselu, 33 — who will be presented at the club’s training ground on Tuesday — on loan from Espanyol.

Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz have both left the Bernabeu this month, meaning that Joselu’s only competition in the centre-forward role next season would be an out-of-position Rodrygo Goes, if Madrid decide to rule out a move for Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe.

Meanwhile, Diario AS reports that defender Jesus Vallejo, 26, is unwilling to leave Madrid this summer, despite receiving offers to depart.

Vallejo has given up his No. 5 shirt to new arrival Bellingham — and has Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez ahead of him in the centre-back pecking order — but according to AS, he hasn’t given up hope of making it at the Bernabeu.

10.31 BST: Chelsea have announced a deal for RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku.

Nkunku, 25, has agreed a six-year contract, which will begin on 1 July. The transfer will reportedly cost over €60m.

“I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,” Nkunku said. “A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.

“Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.”

10.20 BST: Alvaro Morata wants to stay at Atletico Madrid next season, Cadena COPE reports, despite taking a wage cut and having received attractive offers from elsewhere, including one from Saudi Arabia which would see him earn €120m over three years.

Morata’s new Atletico contract has seen his salary reduced to €2m a year after tax, according to the radio station.

Atletico’s plan for next season is to see Morata — who scored 13 league goals last campaign — and Memphis Depay battle it out for the centre-forward position in the team.

Morata’s teammate Saul Niguez could be about to depart the Metropolitano, AS reports, after receiving an offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr where he would link up with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saul, 28, has a long-term contract at Atletico until 2026 but has barely featured over the last two seasons, spending 2021-22 on loan at Chelsea.

09.44 BST: Chelsea are considering signing FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to replace Edouard Mendy, Record reports.

Mendy, 31, has reportedly agreed terms to join Saudi side Al Ahli and is set to leave this summer on a permanent deal.

Costa, 23, has been monitored by several Premier League clubs including Manchester United. The Portugal international has a €75m release clause.

09.09 BST: Portugal winger Goncalo Guedes will stay on loan at Benfica next season from Wolves, according to Record.

Guedes, 26, joined Benfica on a six-month loan from Wolves in January and scored one goal in 12 league appearances. He is under contract until June 2027 but wants to remain in Lisbon. The agreement between the two clubs is all but done.

08.40 BST: The Daily Mail reports that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice expects to become an Arsenal player when he returns from holiday at the end of the month.

With the 24-year-old’s season now over after helping England to a 7-0 win over North Macedonia in qualifying for Euro 2024, the Europa Conference League winner will now take a short break before sorting out his club future.

ESPN sources confirmed last week that West Ham had already turned down an offer of £90m from Arsenal, with boss David Moyes insisting Rice is worth more than £100m. The Mail report says that Arsenal are expected to match that valuation with their next offer.

08.00 BST: Al Ittihad are ready to move for Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min with an opening bid in the region of €60m ($65m) plus bonuses, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN.

Top clubs from Saudi Arabia are interested in a number of Premier League stars this summer, and Son has become the latest high-profile name to be approached over a move.

The source said Son has been offered a four-year contract worth €30m per season. There is some optimism within the Saudi Pro League side that the 30-year-old could be tempted to join Al Ittihad, who are on the brink of agreeing to a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and have already signed former Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has agreed personal terms with Al Ahil, reports Fabrizio Romano. The 31-year-old is set to sign a three-year contract with the Saudi outfit as negotiations reach the final stages. Mendy fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge last season and it is reported that manager Mauricio Pochettino will look to sign a new first-team goalkeeper this summer, paving the way for Mendy’s exit, three years after he joined the west London club.

– Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is set to sign a new long-term contract with the club, according to the Daily Mail. The report reveals that the England international will earn £375,000 per week, making him one of the highest paid players at the club. The Red Devils are in the market for a striker this summer, having been linked with Napoli‘s Victor Osimhen and Tottenham’s Harry Kane, however, they are keen to retain Rashford, who netted 30 goals, alongside 11 assists across all competitions last season.

– Manchester City are attempting to bridge the gap in negotiations with Chelsea for midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to journalist Rudy Galetti, Both clubs are eager to make the deal happen, with City already agreeing terms with Kovacic, who would sign a four-year contract with the Premier League champions. Galetti reveals that the deal should amount to £30m-£35m, with discussions continuing over the fee.

– Manchester City are set to discuss a new contract with defender Kyle Walker amid Bayern Munich interest, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Bavarian club have earmarked Walker as a potential signing this summer, with the England international reportedly open to a move away from the Etihad, following a season when he sometimes found himself on the bench.

– Brighton are eyeing a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to Football Insider. The report reveals that the Seagulls view the 23-year-old as an ideal replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, as well as being a financially viable option. Chelsea value Gallagher’s transfer at £30m, and with Brighton offloading Mac Allister to Liverpool for £35m, as well as potentially landing a fee of £80m for Moises Caicedo, they would be in a strong position to sign Gallagher.