Transfer Talk: AC Milan eyeing Musah to replace Tonali

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: Milan eyeing Musah to replace Tonali

AC Milan are interested in signing Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah, reports Relevo.

The Rossoneri have reportedly deemed the 20-year-old an ideal replacement for Italy international Sandro Tonali, who is set to join Newcastle United for €70 million, and are in the early stages of negotiations over a deal.

Musah played 37 times last season across all competitions, contributing two assists, and was instrumental to Valencia’s survival in LaLiga. The Spanish club are reportedly looking for close to €30m to part ways with the United States international, while Inter Milan, Arsenal and West Ham have also been linked.

Milan have also agreed a €16m fee to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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21.19 BST: Tottenham Hotspur have announced the signing of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

The 26-year-old joins the north London outfit on a five-year deal from Empoli for €19m. The shot-stopper, who managed five clean sheets in 15 Serie A appearances last season, is the second signing under new manager Ange Postecoglou, after Dejan Kulusevski made his loan move from Juventus permanent, with club captain and current No.1 Hugo Lloris open to leaving Spurs this summer with just one year remaining on his contract.

20.38 BST: USMNT forward Ricardo Pepi is set to join PSV Eindhoven, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 20-year-old spent the last season on loan to FC Groningen from FC Augsburg, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in 29 Eredivisie appearances. The Bundesliga side have reportedly agreed a €10m transfer fee with the Dutch club, after personal terms were agreed with the player last week.

20.21 BST: Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Mateo Kovacic on a four-year deal.

The 29-year-old midfielder’s arrival from Chelsea for £25m plus add-ons makes him the treble winners’ first signing of the summer. He told the club: “This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City.”

The Croatia international leaves Stamford Bridge after over 220 appearances for the Blues. He will take the No.8 shirt previously worn by Ilkay Gundogan before his exit to Barcelona, which was announced yesterday.

“Anyone who has watched this team under Pep knows how good they are — for me, they are the best in the world. The trophies they have won are clear for all to see, but they are also the best footballing side out there. To be joining this squad really is a dream for any footballer. I still have plenty of learning and developing to do, and I know under Pep’s management I can become a better player, which is really exciting for me,” Kovacic said.

19.56 BST: Atletico Madrid are closing in on the signing of Javi Galan, according to Relevo.

The 28-year-old left-back will make the move from Celta Vigo for €3.5m. Manu Sanchez is expected to go the other way as part of an exchange deal between the two LaLiga clubs, as the 22-year-old left-back offers the Celestes a like-for-like replacement for their departing defender.

19.32 BST: Teemu Pukki has joined Minnesota United, the club officially announced today.

The 33-year-old striker, who scored 88 goals in 210 matches for Norwich City, was a free agent after his contract with the Canaries expired. The Finland international has signed a Designated Player contract with the Loons which will keep him at the club for two years.

18.54 BST: Manchester United have backed out of a new deal with David de Gea, The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper, whose contract expires on June 30, agreed to a lower salary only for the club to not sign the contract. It is reported that the Red Devils have now submitted a new offer to the Spain international, which includes even lower wages. The veteran shot-stopper is yet to reply to the proposal, and reportedly has interest from Saudi Arabia.

18.32 BST: Juan Cuadrado will leave Juventus as a free agent this summer, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The 35-year-old midfielder, who has made over 300 appearances for the Serie A side, scoring 26 goals and providing 65 assists, is out of contract on July 1. It is reported that many clubs are interested in a move for the Colombia international once his deal with the Bianconeri expires.

18.05 BST: Fulham are interested in AC Milan’s left-back Fode Ballo-Toure, according to Calciomercato.

The Cottagers have enquired about the 26-year-old defender, with Antonee Robinson expected to leave the west London club this summer. The Senegal international is reportedly looking to depart the San Siro in search of more playing time and eyes a move to the Premier League. The Rossoneri are willing to green light a transfer if they receive an offer of €5m.

17.25 BST: Leeds United are in pursuit of Liverpool’s Nat Phillips, according to The Athletic.

The 26-year-old defender is of interest to the Championship club, who are still in search for a manager to replace Sam Allardyce following their relegation from the Premier League. Daniel Farke is tipped to become the next head coach at Elland Road, and the German managers attempted to sign the Reds’ centre-back during his tenure at Norwich City. Phillips, who is out of contract in 2025, will reportedly be able to depart Anfield on a deal up £10m.

16.50 BST: Adrien Rabiot has renewed his contract with Juventus, the club has officially announced today. The 28-year-old midfielder has signed a one-year extension with the Bianconeri, and, despite talks with Manchester United over a free transfer, the France international will remain in Turin for next season.

16.25 BST: Dani Parejo and Oriol Romeu have emerged as targets for Barcelona as the club continue to scour the market for a replacement for Sergio Busquets, according to various reports in Spain.

Barca coach Xavi Hernandez wanted Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi or Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, but the club’s financial situation has forced them to seek cheaper alternatives.

Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic was also singled out as an option, but with the Croatia midfielder seemingly close to joining Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, Barca are looking elsewhere.

Parejo, 34, is being strongly linked by different media outlets, including Diario Sport. The Villarreal midfielder has a contract until 2024 but a clause could allow him to leave this summer.

Girona’s Romeu has also been contacted, according to Mundo Deportivo. The former Chelsea and Southampton midfielder began his career at Barca in the club’s academy and could now return 12 years after leaving for England.

15.55 BST: Athletico Paranaense striker Vitor Roque is aware he may not be able to complete his move to Barcelona this summer, according to Diario Sport.

ESPN reported this month that talks are progressing well over a €40m transfer, but Barca’s financial situation could prevent them from finalising the deal in the current transfer window.

The Catalan club are in excess of their LaLiga spending limit and can only spend 40% of what they raise, making it difficult to offer Roque guarantees he will be registered for league action next season.

Therefore, a plan is in place for the Brazil international to join the club at a later date — in January or next summer — but to finalise the agreement with Athletico this summer.

Roque, 18, is Barca’s top target as the look for a striker to help take the load off Robert Lewandowski in attack.

15.19 BST: Tottenham Hotspur are in advanced talks with Leicester City over the transfer of midfielder James Maddison, sources told ESPN.

Spurs have tracked Maddison, 26, for several seasons, and new manager Ange Postecoglou is thought to be keen on the move. Sources told ESPN that negotiations are ongoing, with the two sides are still trying to find mutual ground on the transfer fee.

Maddison and his Leicester teammates were relegated from the Premier League last season, during which the midfielder registered 10 goals and nine assists from 30 league appearances.

15.00 BST: Where could West Ham midfielder Declan Rice end up?

14.13 BST: Manchester United have money to spend this summer but their transfer budget has been squeezed by Financial Fair Play restrictions, sources told ESPN.

United posted positive financial results on Tuesday with revenue up 11% to £170m for the three months ending March 31.

The third-quarter results also included a projection that full year revenues will hit a record £630m to £640m.

Sources told ESPN that despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership, Erik ten Hag will be able to invest in his squad this summer. However, the budget will be limited by UEFA’s FFP rules because of the club’s historic spending.

14.05 BST: Barcelona are “annoyed” with Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres‘ refusal to leave the club this summer as they try to raise money to strengthen in other positions, according to Diario AS.

Barca announced the signing of Ilkay Gundogan as a free agent from Manchester City this week but need to move players out before being able to attend to coach Xavi Hernandez’s needs elsewhere.

Forwards Ansu and Ferran are two players who have been deemed surplus to requirements, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele all ahead of them in the pecking order, but neither of them want to leave.

“The club are very disappointed by the attitude of both players who, despite being aware that they will not get regular playing time, are still determined to stay,” AS says.

The report adds that midfielder Franck Kessie would be open to leaving for the right offer, while Frenkie de Jong‘s name is also being mentioned as a possible departure again.

De Jong resisted the Barca’s attempts to send him to Manchester United last summer, with journalist Achraf Ben Ayad saying the Catalan club could once again make the Dutchman available for transfer due to the difficulty in moving others on.

The former Ajax midfielder has been a regular under Xavi, but Barca’s financial situation, coupled with De Jong’s high salary, could force the club to listen to “big offers” for him.

13.12 BST: USMNT star Timothy Weah is on the verge of becoming Juventus’ first summer signing in a €12m transfer.

The Lille winger will reportedly arrive in Turin on Wednesday to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Turin giants.

Weah, 23, is currently on holiday in New York. He made 32 appearances for Lille last season and is under contract until June 2024.

Meanwhile, Juve are optimistic that midfielder Adrien Rabiot will continue at the club next season.

The France international becomes a free agent this summer and has been offered a one-year contract extension, with the same terms.

Rabiot, 28, is a target of Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. He was one of Juve’s best players this season, scoring eight goals and setting up four more in 32 league appearances.

12.44 BST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is convinced that midfielder Sandro Tonali will do well in the Premier League once he completes a €70m transfer to Newcastle from AC Milan.

Tonali, 23, is currently competing at the U21 European Championships but is expected to sign a six-year contract with the Magpies soon. He made 48 appearances for Milan in all competitions last season and started both legs of their Champions League semi-final defeat by city rivals Inter.

Ibrahimovic, 41, played the past two seasons with the Italy international at Milan before announcing his retirement from football earlier this month, and told Ansa: “Sandro Tonali’s future in the Premier [League]? He’ll make it.

“Is he ready? Yes, I think so. Of course, it depends on him, I’ve made him understand the right mentality he must have to win, and he won. He has grown a lot with Milan, he has a great responsibility and he still has to grow, but he will make it in England, and he will do it well.”

12.30 BST: Craig Burley shares his opinion on the future of Tottenham’s Harry Kane.

12.19 BST: Harry Kane has been told by Tottenham Hotspur that he is not available for transfer this summer, sources have told ESPN, despite Bayern Munich stepping up their interest in the England captain.

It has been reported that Bayern have submitted a €70m offer for the 29-year-old, but sources have told ESPN that Spurs have not received an official bid from the German champions.

Spurs are aware of Bayern’s interest in Kane, who has a year to run on his contract at the London club, but there are no plans to offload the forward during the transfer window.

Manchester United are also monitoring Kane’s situation, but sources have repeatedly told ESPN that a move to Old Trafford is unlikely unless the player actively forces a transfer by telling Spurs that he wants to leave this summer.

12.06 BST: Juventus are in talks with West Ham for the permanent transfer of Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria, Sky Italia reports

Zakaria, 26, spent last season on loan at Chelsea from Juventus and made just seven league appearances for the Blues.

Juve are reluctant to loan Zakaria for another season and will only let the player leave this summer on a permanent deal.

Zakaria joined Juve in January 2022 from Borussia Monchengladbach and is under contract with the Turin giants until June 2026.

11.32 BST: Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in Fenerbahce midfielder Arda Guler, but sources have told ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Rodrigo Faez that the amount of commission being demanded on top of the €17.5m transfer fee is complicating the operation.

Madrid have been tracking Guler, who scored a stunning goal in Turkey’s win over Wales last week, for a while. A €17.5m release clause makes the 18-year-old an “attractive option” and he fits the club’s strategy of investing heavily in the game’s best young talent.

In recent years, Los Blancos have signed Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Jude Bellingham arriving this summer and young Brazil striker Endrick to follow when he turns 18.

However, sources add that doubts have emerged at the Santiago Bernabeu because the commission being requested to complete the deal would make the fee “significantly” more than the €17.5m, which also includes a 20% cut of any future transfer fee for Fenerbahce. That has forced clubs including Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Liverpool to all take a step back from negotiations for now.

Madrid have not ruled out following through their interest because the reports they have on Guler are extremely positive, but sources point out that Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is currently well stocked in midfield.

10.49 BST: Roma are looking to sign Leeds United pair Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen on a season-long loan, ANSA reports.

Roma general manager Tiago Pinto is in London and will meet with Leeds executives to reach an agreement to sign Llorente and Kristensen temporarily.

Spanish centre-back Llorente spent the last six months on loan at Roma from Leeds and made nine league appearances for the Giallorossi.

Danish right-back Kristensen joined Leeds last summer from RB Salzburg and made 26 league appearances for the Elland Road club.

10.25 BST: Barcelona will release goalkeeper Arnau Tenas when his contract expires end of June.

Tenas, 22, is with Spain U21s at the European Championships in Georgia and will make a decision on his future after finals with several LaLiga sides showing an interest.

Barca had an option to extend Tenas’ deal by a further two years but decided against taking it up with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inaki Pena currently ahead of him in the first-team pecking order.

After progressing through the club’s academy, Tenas was the the third goalkeeper for Xavi Hernandez’s team last season and also the No.1 for the reserve team, who play in the Spanish third division.

He remains highly rated within the club due to his leadership abilities and footwork, but with the need to strengthen elsewhere, his salary was deemed too expensive for a third-choice goalkeeper.

09.58 BST: Brazilian winger Giovani is set to join Qatari club Al Sadd on a permanent transfer from Palmeiras, according to Globo.

Palmeiras have agreed to transfer half of the player’s sporting rights to the Qatari club for €9m.

Giovani, 19, will arrive to Qatar later this week and undergo a medical before signing a contract with Al Sadd.

Giovani, who competed earlier this year in the U20 World Cup with Brazil, made 35 appearances across all competitions for Palmeiras since being promoted to the first team in January 2022.

– Saudi Arabia transfer tracker: Done deals and players linked

09.21 BST: Manchester City have had their first bid for Declan Rice rejected by West Ham, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.

City stepped up their pursuit of the England midfielder on Monday with an offer of £80m plus another £10m in add-ons. However, sources have told ESPN that West Ham have knocked back the bid and are holding out for at least £100m in guaranteed payments.

Arsenal had a bid of £75m plus £15m in add-ons rejected last week. Manchester United have also shown an interest in Rice but there are doubts about whether they can get anywhere near West Ham’s valuation.

City have firmed up their interest in Rice following Ilkay Gundogan’s decision to join Barcelona on a free transfer.

The Premier League champions were keen for Gundogan to stay but were only willing to offer a two-year contract — Barca offered a two-year deal with the option of a third — and were also reluctant to meet the Germany international’s wage demand given he will turn 33 years old in October.

08.39 BST: Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson has completed his medical at Chelsea ahead of his proposed €35m transfer to Stamford Bridge, Sky Sports reports.

Jackson had been on the verge of a move to Bournemouth in January, but a hamstring problem led to him failing his medical.

However, he has been deemed fit to sign by Chelsea, who are finalising a deal to sign the Senegal international on an eight-year contract.

Jackson, 22, enjoyed a breakout season at Villarreal last term. He scored 13 goals and registered five assists, including 10 goals in his final 10 games of the campaign.

08.00 BST: Real Madrid remain cautious over the possible signing of Kylian Mbappe, sources have told ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez, but the club are also hopeful that a deal could finally be done to land the Paris Saint-Germain forward this summer.

There is a reluctance to talk openly about the arrival of Mbappe at the Bernabeu after last summer’s abrupt U-turn that saw the France international agree a new contract with PSG when he had been on the verge of a move to Madrid.

The club’s public position is that their transfer market activity has been completed after the signings of Jude Bellingham, Joselu, Fran Garcia and Brahim Diaz. However, the reality is that the club has left vacant the No. 9 shirt that belonged to Karim Benzema before his departure for Al Ittihad because there is also hope that Mbappé could become available.

Sources have told ESPN there has been no notable progress since Mbappe announced on June 12 that he had informed PSG that he would not be exercising an option to extend his contract beyond 2024.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Abbie Ingham)

– Kyle Walker is expected to make a decision on his future soon, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 33-year-old right-back, who is out of contract in summer 2024, is in talks with Bayern Munich over a move to Germany but also in discussions with Manchester City over a renewed deal. It is reported that the treble winners offered him a new contract last week, with a decision from the England international imminent.

– Tottenham are set to make an opening offer to Leicester City for James Maddison, reports the Telegraph. The Foxes are demanding up £60m for the 26-year-old midfielder, but Spurs will reportedly propose an initial £40m with add-ons and further installments as a compromise. The England international is reportedly a priority target for new manager Ange Postecoglou.

– Al Nassr are closing in on Internazionale‘s Marcelo Brozovic, according to Sky Sports Italia. It is reported that the Saudi Pro League club has reached a full agreement with the Nerazzurri for the 30-year-old midfielder in a three-year deal reported to be around €23m. However, the Croatia international is yet to green light the move, which would see him depart San Siro after eight years and 330 appearances.

– Newcastle are in talks with Southampton over a move for Tino Livramento, reports the Telegraph. The England under-21 international made his Premier League return in May after 13 months out because of an ACL injury. Despite just two top-flight appearances for the Saints last season, Eddie Howe views the young right-back as a welcome addition, with the Magpies boss eager to bring in reinforcements in the full-back areas this summer.