LIVE Transfer Talk: Romeo Lavia has admirers at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd
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: Top Premier League clubs battle for Lavia
Arsenal are facing competition from three Premier League sides in the race to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, according to the Independent.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool are all reported to be keen on the 19-year-old Belgium youngster, who impressed last season despite his side suffering relegation to the Championship. While the Saints had been looking for a transfer fee in the region of £45 million, they could now increase their demands as interest continues to grow in Lavia.
The Gunners have already begun negotiations with his representatives over a switch to the Emirates, with manager Mikel Arteta seeing him as a potential alternative to Brighton‘s Moises Caicedo, but the report suggests that they could now be forced to fend off interest for another one of their transfer priorities.
Lavia arrived at St. Mary’s Stadium for around £10.5m last summer from Manchester City, who inserted a clause into the deal that would allow them to re-sign for £40m in 2024 if he stays at Southampton.
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LIVE BLOG
11.31 BST: Neymar wants to return to Barcelona this summer and is willing to take a cut to his salary to force through a move, according to Sport.
However, Neymar’s chances of returning to the LaLiga champions are slim because of the club’s financial situation and their need to strengthen in other positions first.
Neymar, 31, left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a world-record transfer fee of €222m. However, he has been frequently linked with a return to the club since.
This summer is proving no different, with Sport reporting that the Brazil forward is insisting on re-joining Barca, who he helped win the treble as part of a front three with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in 2015.
Barca, though, are currently not in a position to be able to sign players and any deal would likely be dependent on PSG willing to let Neymar leave on loan. The player would then have to take a hit to his salary.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez said recently that signing Neymar is not a priority, as he wants to bring in a Sergio Busquets replacement, as well as more creativity and goals in midfield.
11.11 BST: Dani Ceballos posted a cryptic Instagram story on Tuesday suggesting his future is about to be resolved.
The Real Madrid midfielder, 26, has been considering the club’s contract extension offer, with his deal due to expire this month.
Ceballos posted three emojis — an hourglass, a football, and some eyes — suggesting there’ll be news on a resolution sooner rather than later.
The Spain midfielder played an increasingly important role for Madrid over the last campaign, but would face competition for his place next season from new €103m arrival Jude Bellingham.
10.46 BST: Bournemouth are set to land their first signing under new manager Andoni Iraola, with sources telling ESPN’s David Cartlidge that Justin Kluivert is close to a move from AS Roma.
The Netherlands winger spent the 2022-2033 season on loan at Valencia in LaLiga, where then Rayo Vallecano coach Iraola saw him up close.
Sources said that the Premier League side will pay an initial €10m transfer fee, followed by a further €1m in variables to sign the 24-year-old.
10.23 BST: Arsenal have submitted a second offer for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice but still remain short of the player’s £100m valuation, sources told ESPN’s James Olley.
The North London club had an opening bid rejected last week and have now returned with a revised bid totalling around £90m.
Although the overall package is a similar amount, sources suggest more of the initial £75m payment would be paid up front while the proposed £15m in add-ons are viewed as more attainable than previously indicated.
It remains to be seen if West Ham accept Arsenal’s bid or continue to hold out for a higher fee. Given they value Rice in excess of £100m, the expectation is it will be rejected.
09.50 BST: French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante has agreed to join Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad on a three-year contract when his Chelsea deal expires this summer, the club announced on Tuesday.
Kante, whose Chelsea deal officially expires June 30, will join Karim Benzema at the Jeddah-based club and becomes the latest big name to move to Saudi Arabia following Cristiano Ronaldo‘s transfer to Al Nassr in January.
09.41 BST: Leeds forward Rodrigo Moreno is edging closer to a move to Sevilla, according to COPE radio.
Rodrigo, 32, is under contract with Leeds until June 2024 but is expected to exercise a relegation release clause that would see him leave as a free agent this summer.
The Spain international, who joined Leeds from Valencia in the summer of 2020, scored 13 goals in 31 league appearances but it was not enough to help Leeds avoid the drop.
The arrival of former Leeds sporting director Victor Orta at Sevilla to replace the departed Monchi, has accelerated negotiations to bring Rodrigo.
Sevilla are looking to reach an agreement with Rodrigo, with his current wages, €3.5m per season, considered too high for the Europa League winners.
09.03 BST: Angel Di Maria is in advanced talks to return to Benfica, who have offered the veteran winger a one-year contract, O Jogo reports.
A World Cup winner with Argentina, Di Maria will leave Juventus as a free agent this summer after just one season in Turin.
The 35-year-old is considering his options and has an offer from Inter Miami that would see him play alongside Argentina teammate Lionel Messi. However, Di Maria’s priority is to remain in Europe.
Benfica are among the European clubs keen to land Di Maria, who spent three seasons at Benfica before joining Real Madrid for a €33m transfer in July 2010.
08.39 BST: One player who won’t be going to Al Ittihad is Son Heung-Min, who has announced his intention to stay at Tottenham despite receiving a lucrative offer to join the Saudi club.
ESPN revealed on Monday that the 30-year-old had become the latest high-profile player to be targeted by Saudi clubs with Al Ittihad offering the forward a four-year deal worth €30m per season.
A source close to negotiations suggested the Saudi side were preparing an opening bid of €60m ($65.4m) plus bonuses, but Tottenham indicated they were unwilling to listen to offers for the South Korea forward. Speaking on Tuesday, Son moved to dampen speculation over a transfer by reiterating his commitment to Spurs.
Son said: “I have many things to do in the Premier League. Money doesn’t matter to me now, and the pride of playing football, to play in my favourite league is important. I want to play more for Tottenham in the Premier League. I’ll prepare well when I’m back to Spurs.”
– Saudi Arabia transfer tracker: Done deals, players linked and failed talks
08.00 BST: N’Golo Kante has agreed to join Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad on a three-year contract when his Chelsea deal expires this summer, the club announced on Tuesday.
Kante, whose Chelsea deal officially expires June 30, will join Karim Benzema at the Jeddah-based club and becomes the latest big name to move to Saudi Arabia following Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Al Nassr in January.
Best players in the best team 👊🤩#WelcomeBox2Box
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 20, 2023
The 32-year-old’s deal will see him paid around €86m ($109.78m) per year, according to reports.
ESPN reported in February that Kante was close to signing a new contract with Chelsea, but no deal was finalised and the midfielder has now decided to end his seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
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PAPER GOSSIP (Adam Brown)
– Barcelona are closing in on completing a move for Athletico Paranaense forward Vitor Roque, according to Sport. Barça club president Joan Laporta is set to meet with the Camp Nou hierarchy to finalise their approach for the 18-year-old Brazil international this week, with a deal believed to be worth €35m, plus €10m in bonuses. Sources told ESPN earlier this week that talks had progressed well.
– Talks are ongoing between Fulham and Manchester United over a move for midfielder Fred, writes the Telegraph. The 30-year-old has just one year left on his contract at Old Trafford, and it is reported that an offer of £20m would be enough to convince the Red Devils to part ways with him. The Brazilian played a key role for Erik ten Hag last season, playing 56 times across all competitions.
– Manchester City have identified RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol as their next transfer priority, according to Fabrizio Romano. The treble-holders are looking to complete a €40m move for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic and will switch gears to sign the 21-year-old Croatia international, who is their top reinforcement option at centre-back, once that is done. It is reported that an offer worth “much more” than €80m will be required to land Gvardiol.
– Barcelona are leading the race for Manchester City wing-back Joao Cancelo, reports Fabrizio Romano. Manager Xavi Hernandez is continuing his search for a right-sided defender, but that could prove difficult as the Blaugrana look to remain within Financial Fair Play regulations. Cancelo, 29, is set to return to the Etihad after a loan spell at Bayern Munich, but the report indicates that manager Pep Guardiola is open to moving him on.
– Al Nassr have made an approach for Internazionale midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, reports Gianluca Di Marzio. The Saudi Pro League club are keen to sign the 30-year-old this summer, and have made an offer worth €18m to secure his signature. Barcelona are also interested in him and they would be willing to match their proposal with a salary worth €7m-per-season.
