Following Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury blow, Liverpool have been handed a key boost in pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Leoni injury hands Liverpool centre-back problem
For all of Liverpool’s excellent spending in the summer, they are now just one injury away from having two senior centre-backs at their disposal. The Reds went all in on Marc Guehi at the end of the transfer window, only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug on his move at the last moment. Now, Leoni’s ACL injury has left Arne Slot short of defensive options.
For now, it’s a problem that Liverpool must solve internally. Whether that sees Wataro Endo become an emergency centre-back or the likes of defender Rhys Williams receive the most unexpected recall is a question that, in truth, Slot will not want to face before January arrives.
Meanwhile, when the January transfer window does swing open, it will be all eyes on Guehi. Slot has not tried to hide how close Liverpool were to signing the Crystal Palace defender and another attempt could yet be on the cards.
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The Dutchman told reporters: “It would be ridiculous if I were to deny we were close to signing him. That is so out in the open. These things happen in football. We would have liked to have signed him, of course. If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so.“
The injury to Leoni has potentially added more urgency to Liverpool’s position and Sky Sports have just shared an update on the Reds’ pursuit of Geuhi.
Sky Sports share "big news" about Guehi
Live on air, Sky Sports journalist Tom White shared “big news” that Crystal Palace have accepted that Guehi’s time at the club is coming to an end – be it in January or at the end of his contract next summer.
White revealed: “We’ve got some news just into us. This is big news regarding Marc Guehi, because we are told that Crystal Palace realistically accept that Marc Guehi’s time at the club is coming to an end.”
The ball is now arguably in Liverpool’s court. The Reds could look to solve their centre-back problem by attempting a cut-price deal to sign Guehi just six months before his contract comes to an end this January. Or, they could wait to land the ultimate bargain at the end of his deal next summer.
Manchester City are now readying a £147 million bid to sign a “special” star who is rated highly by Pep Guardiola, according to a recent report.
Man City chasing two goalkeepers as Ederson’s future is in doubt
The Blues have already been very active in this transfer window, with Sverre Nypan being their latest capture. But things could soon be about to heat up even more at the Etihad, as focus switches to the goalkeeper department and the future of Ederson.
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The Brazilian was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia even before the summer transfer window opened, but talk of that move has now gone quiet. But that doesn’t mean the goalkeeper is not going to leave City, as it’s emerged that Ederson wants to leave the Etihad to join Galatasaray this summer.
The Turkish giants are looking to sign Ederson and İlkay Gündoğan from the Premier League side, meaning the Blues are in the market for a new goalkeeper.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, City have already contacted Burnley about signing James Trafford. The Blues have a buyback price of £40 million, but they are trying to negotiate with the Clarets about lowering that fee.
James Trafford for Burnley.
As well as Trafford, City are willing to make a £52 million bid to sign Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid. The 26-year-old is said to be open to the idea of joining City, as he continues to be behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order. However, Real Madrid continue to see Lunin as a key part of their team, and they don’t want to lose the Ukraine star without a fight.
Man City plot £147m bid for Cole Palmer
As the Premier League side chase a new goalkeeper, according to a report from Spain, Man City are now set to submit a 170 million euros (£147 million) bid to sign Cole Palmer from Chelsea.
Chelsea'sColePalmercelebrates with the golden ball trophy
The Blues sold Palmer to Chelsea back in 2023 for a fee of £40 million, but now they are keen to reunite with the player, who Pep Guardiola admires and has praised for his “special quality” in front of goal.
Pep is said to be pushing City to bring Palmer back to the Etihad, and that is why the Premier League side are willing to spend nearly three times the amount they sold him for to get a deal done.
City are aware Palmer can make a huge difference to their attack, as the England international did at the Club World Cup this summer, but Chelsea do hold all the cards in this potential transfer tussle, as Palmer is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033.
Apps
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However, Palmer is represented by the agency CAA Base Limited, the same agency that looks after City defender Rico Lewis, and the Blues may see this as a good opportunity for them to use their contacts to tempt Palmer back to Manchester.
After welcoming veteran defender Ashley Young, Ipswich Town are now reportedly prioritising a summer swoop to sign a La Liga forward and welcome a much-needed replacement for Liam Delap.
McKenna: Young's "achievements speak for themselves"
At 39 years old, Young has made the latest move in a career that has seen him with the Premier League, Serie A, and become one of the most experienced players that English football has to offer. Dropping down to the Championship, the former Inter Milan man will be hoping to ensure that Ipswich complete an instant return to the Premier League.
Speaking to the club website after welcoming Young, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said: “Ashley has had a fantastic career and his achievements speak for themselves. He has maintained an extremely high level of professionalism and competitiveness through his career and he is still playing at a very good level.
“We feel his leadership and experience will be valuable to the group this season and he is very hungry to contribute on and off the pitch. It’s a very strong signing for the group and the club.”
The defender himself, meanwhile, also had plenty of praise for McKenna after putting pen to paper. He said: “He’s a winner and you see that on the training pitch.
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“On the sidelines at the games, I get to see that day in, day out. He was a massive pull. Obviously, I worked with him at [Manchester] United. I knew his beliefs, I knew what he wants to do with the club, I’ve seen what he’s done with this club as well.”
After adding crucial experience to their side, however, Ipswich’s summer business looks unlikely to end there. Reports are now suggesting that they’ve set their sights on a replacement for ex-star striker Delap.
Ipswich prioritising Romero move
According to reports in Spain, Ipswich are now prioritising a deal to sign Isaac Romero, who would be arriving to replace the departed Delap this summer. Sevilla are reportedly open to the forward’s departure, which should hand those at Portman Road the chance to come swooping in at the right price.
Romero Isaac in action for Sevilla.
The 25-year-old striker struggled to adapt to La Liga last season after scoring 11 goals in 15 games in Spain’s second tier in the campaign prior and could now be on his way out of the club.
If his agent’s eye for marketable talent is anything to go by he’s certainly got potential however – his AS1 group also represent £115m Chelsea star Moises Caicedo, Liverpool winger Luis Diaz and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
On paper, his arrival would be a risk for Ipswich but perhaps one worth taking. At his best, Romero starred in Spain’s second division and a return to a similar level may yet see him rediscover that clinical form.
Whilst Romero won’t steal the same headlines as Delap’s arrival did last summer, he could prove to be the clinical goalscorer that McKenna desperately needs in the Championship next season.
Everton are now reportedly closing in on a double deal to welcome two teenage talents to their academy.
Everton continuing summer business after Thierno Barry
Having already kicked off their summer business by welcoming Thierno Barry from Villarreal, Everton are reportedly set to continue their pursuit of incomings by signing Bournemouth’s Mark Travers. The shot-stopper looks set to arrive to provide Jordan Pickford with some much-needed backup following the departures of Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia.
The goalkeeper’s arrival will hand Everton their third signing of the summer after Moyes was left delighted by the signing of Barry last week to follow up the arrival of Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal earlier in the window.
The Everton boss told reporters: “We are delighted to have brought Thierno to the Club. We see lots of potential and we are hoping for good things from him.
“We will give him plenty of time to settle in and we are looking forward to getting started working with him as soon as possible. I’m hoping to make more additions in the coming weeks.”
Villarreal's Thierno Barry
It’s no surprise that the Toffees have turned towards Travers as well as the talented forward, either. Following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s decision to leave the club as a free agent, Moyes desperately needed a fresh goalscorer and Barry will provide exactly that.
It’s not just current gems that the veteran manager is thinking about, however, with reports now suggesting that Everton are closing in on signing two future stars this summer.
Everton closing in on Dodds and Gokah swoop
As reported by The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland, Everton are now closing in on deals to sign John Dodds and Reuben Gokah from Hearts and Charlton Athletic respectively. The double swoop follows Friedkin’s decision to add significant investment into improving their academy and adding former Manchester United chief Nick Cox to their ranks as a result.
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While Dodds and Gokah won’t steal the same headlines as Barry or Travers, they may prove to be just as important in years to come. Both defenders, the teenage duo will feature for Everton’s academy before potentially breaking into Moyes’ first-team when the time is right for all parties.
Given the path that Jarrad Branthwaite has taken since arriving in Merseyside as a youngster, there should be no concern over whether there will be an opportunity for Dodds and Gokah to thrive if they impress enough at youth level.
With the teenage duo and Travers, Everton will be taking their list of incomings up to five for the summer in what has so far been a productive transfer window.
After a snail-pace start to the summer transfer window, things are starting to move apace for Arsenal, whose first-team squad is shaping up ahead of pre-season.
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are working hard to identify and sign a new centre-forward, but there are variables at play, and we must wait for concrete advancements over the coming weeks.
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, who has emerged as a top talent at RB Leipzig, appear to be the biggest priorities, having been earmarked and tracked for several months now.
The Gunners have a longer-standing interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but Isak is the cream of the striker crop, and he’s been priced at an exorbitant £200m.
Berta may yet turn to a left-field option. Indeed, interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been revisited.
The latest on Ollie Watkins to Arsenal
Watkins is a long-time target at the Emirates, with a £40m bid even being tabled for the Aston Villa striker back in January, but for Unai Emery’s side to emphatically reject it.
Arsenal fans might want a striker with a bit more panache and fanfare surrounding their name, but the England international, 29, is proven in the Premier League and dynamic in his performances, both prolific and creative.
How Arsenal's striker targets compare in 2024/25.
Furthermore, he’s been the focus of extensive profiling by the Gunners data analysts, also hailed by podcaster Rohan Jivan as “one of the best CFs in Europe”.
What, then, is Arteta to do? Watkins is valued at £60m, which puts him in a similar bracket to Gyokeres; Sesko would cost more, and Isak is indeed more expensive still.
Having scored 35 goals and supplied 23 assists across the past two Premier League seasons, it’s clear that Arsenal would bag themselves an upgrade in number nine with this man.
However, for all Watkins’ quality, and the shrewdness that his signing would be laced with, Arsenal are also targeting another forward who would represent a far more exciting deal, even though he’s not really a number nine.
Arsenal ready to pay for superstar
According to Spanish publication AS, Arsenal are ready to pay a significant figure to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who has started the Xabi Alonso era on the backbenches.
The Spanish giants would be open to cashing in on the 24-year-old this summer, and AS claim that Arsenal could secure his signature with a bid worth €90m (£77m).
With contacts between Arsenal and the player’s entourage having taken place since the end of the 2024/25 season, there’s a real feeling that developments could soon take place, should Rodrygo continue to drift on the periphery with Los Blancos.
Why Arsenal want Rodrygo
Hailed as a “world-class superstar” by Luka Modric, Rodrygo is one of the most talented players in the world but has been routinely ferried over to the right flank to accommodate the likes of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
At Arsenal, he would have no such issues. Bukayo Saka holds down the fort quite well in that area, and with Gabriel Martinelli’s future up in the air, Rodrygo could prove a stunning upgrade.
Right winger
31
8
5
Left winger
12
6
6
Centre-forward
9
0
0
Remarkably, the Brazil international far outstrips his performances on the right when fielded as a left winger. The issue, of course, is that his opportunities in his favoured position have been few and far between.
His fascinating blend of creative quality, link-up play, and indeed a natural eye for goal, make the £207k-per-week winger the perfect player to slot in alongside Saka, with such remarkable talent sure to leave fans more excited than a deal for Watkins, as crucial as bringing such a striker in may be.
Indeed, while Rodrygo only scored six times in La Liga last season, he missed just one big chance, as per Sofascore. It was hardly a year which demonstrated the full scope of his skill set, but it did succeed in showing a deep-rooted aptitude in the final third.
Arsenal need this. They need goals across the park, not just from a centre-forward such as Watkins. Moreover, they need a player like Rodrygo who can balance his contribution. And as per FBref, the South American star ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.
Thus, we have a forward who could dynamise Arteta’s frontline, promoting possession-focused control and driving play forward himself.
If Arsenal are to raise their level next season and bring home some silverware, they need not just the goalscoring quality that someone like Watkins would bring but also the big-game ability of a serial winner such as Rodrygo.
His Champions League record speaks for itself, more still his rise at perhaps football’s most gargantuan outfit in Real Madrid.
Watkins, as discussed earlier, is more than just a goalscorer. Mobile and rounded, he ranked among the top 3% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last term for assists per 90. Given Rodrygo’s prevailing clinical edge, you can only imagine the kind of partnership which could be struck.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring their first goal withLeonBailey
But such a duo would be charged by Rodrygo’s skills, his passion and capacity to become one of the best wingers in the Premier League.
Sure, Watkins is talented, and has big-game experience of his own, but could anyone honestly say he matches Rodrygo, a true ‘superstar’ indeed who would lead Arsenal to heights previously unimaginable.
And that, naturally, is without even imagining how Saka’s world-class talents could elevate both players, and vice versa.
Arsenal are on the verge of making a flurry of brilliant signings which truly could bring Arteta’s project into a new sphere, one geared for an abundance of silverware that is befitting his elite-class unit.
Watkins would provide the Londoners with the focal presence they crave, but in Rodrygo, Arsenal would land a player capable of laying down the gauntlet against any of the finest players across the globe.
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Crystal Palace have made an approach to sign a “powerful” £20m star alongside their talks for Ousmane Diomande, according to a recent report.
Crystal Palace receive Europa League boost as John Textor sells stake
Since Palace won the FA Cup back in May, there has been lots of talk about whether the Eagles would be able to play in the Europa League or not next season, given John Textor was a shareholder at Selhurst Park as well as at Lyon, who are also participating in the same competition next season.
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Palace’s chances of being in the competition have just received a major boost, as Textor has now sold his shares in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. Textor had a 43 percent stake, but he has now sold all of that to Johnson in a deal worth more than £109 million.
Textor’s sale to Johnson needs the Premier League’s approval, but if all goes well, Palace supporters could now find themselves following their team in Europe next season. As well as being owner of the New York Jets, Johnson was also a former US ambassador to the UK, and his interest in the Premier League is not new, as he’s tried to buy a football club before now, holding interests in West Ham and Chelsea.
As Palace could now be set for a season in the Europa League, they can now turn their focus to summer transfers, and while they work on a deal for Diomande, they have another player on their radar.
Crystal Palace make approach to sign Andy Diouf
According to Alan Nixon, relayed by TBR Football, Crystal Palace have approached RC Lens over a deal to sign Andy Diouf, who they see as their next signing if they can wrap up a deal for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.
The report states that the Eagles are aware they could potentially lose midfielder Adam Wharton this summer, given his impressive performances last season in the Premier League, and they are now putting plans in place to have a replacement for the Englishman. It is stated that Lens are willing to sell Diouf this summer, as long as they receive a bid worth £20 million.
Diouf, who has been described as a “powerful ball-carrier” in the past, played 34 times in Ligue 1 last season, scoring one goal in the process. Diouf’s versatility will make him a very useful addition at Selhurst Park, as he can operate anywhere through the spine of midfield, as a number six, eight or ten.
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Assists
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A concrete move for Diouf will likely come once the Eagles have completed the transfer of Diomande. It’s been reported that Palace are in negotiations with Sporting CP over a deal to sign the defender, as he is seen as a replacement for Marc Guehi. It could cost Palace as much as £40 million to get a deal over the line for the Ivory Coast international.
Already closing in on signing Zepiqueno Redmond on a free transfer, Aston Villa have now reportedly followed that by opening talks to sign another teenage talent this summer.
Redmond completes Aston Villa medical
Welcoming their first striker since losing Jhon Duran in the January transfer window, Villa are set to officially sign Redmond at the start of next month after he passed a medical at the club. The 18-year-old will leave Feyenoord at the end of his current deal this summer, before becoming a free agent and arriving in the Midlands in a bargain deal.
Despite his place as a rising star rather than an established mainstay at the top level, Redmond has already earned impressive praise.
Speaking to reporters, the forward’s former coach at Zwervers, Ricardo Veerman, revealed how talented Redmond was at a young age, saying: “What stood out was that he was younger than the other boys around him. You can tell pretty quickly if a kid has something, but he had something truly special.
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“He could dribble past defenders with ease and scored a lot — often three times per match, sometimes even more. He was one of the key players, although that’s a funny thing to say about someone that age. Coaches around us were always asking who he was and how old he was.”
Since then, Redmond has risen through the ranks at PSV to earn opportunities in the Eredivisie and Champions League. Now set to become an Aston Villa player, the young forward could be joined by another emerging attacking talent as the Villans look to go two for two in this summer’s transfer window.
Aston Villa open talks to sign Jesus Rodriguez
According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have now opened talks to sign Jesus Rodriguez from Real Betis this summer. The 19-year-old winger impressed many in Spain last season and even managed to get on the scoresheet twice to only add to a growing reputation.
Described as “fearless” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Rodriguez could become an unexpected replacement for Marcus Rashford if he hits the ground running. The latter is set to return to Manchester United now that his loan spell is over and it remains to be seen whether Aston Villa attempt to secure his signature on a permanent deal.
Rodriguez, at just 19 years old, could offer Unai Emery to perfect solution. Having already signed Redmond, it looks as though Villa’s current focus is on welcoming young talent and the Real Betis star is seemingly next on the list.
A talented winger who has already made his mark on senior football, it’s clear to see why the Midlands club are so interested in Rodriguez.
Leeds United fans will soon be welcoming back a whole horde of familiar faces to Elland Road when Premier League football gets officially underway.
The likes of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray will all likely line up for their new sides in West Yorkshire, with Daniel Farke no doubt one to catch up with his past Whites servants before any niceties then go out the window on the pitch, considering their impressive spells donning Leeds white in the first place.
The German could even be about to win his next version of Gray this summer if all goes to plan, with Leeds reportedly having to spend big to land this new, versatile target.
Leeds interested in £30m star
It had been a relatively quiet window as far as incomings were concerned at Elland Road until Sunday when, out of the blue, Leeds managed to seal the signing of Felix Nmecha.
The striker arrived from Wolfsburg on a free transfer following the conclusion of his contract with the German club. So, who’s next on the radar?
Well, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness) Leeds are now keen on adding standout Southampton gem Matheus Fernandes to their ranks.
Previously, Fernandes has been valued at around the £30m mark, but Sport Witness goes on to elaborate that a heftier asking price could now be in the offing if Leeds, Nottingham Forest or Crystal Palace want to win their desired man.
It remains to be seen whether the newly promoted side would entertain a fee that’s higher than the already outlined £30m, but the daring capture of Fernandes could prove to be worthwhile down the line, particularly if the 20-year-old blossoms into Farke’s next iteration of Gray on his potential move to West Yorkshire.
How Fernandes could be Leeds' next Gray
Much like Gray was thrust into the spotlight under Farke during the 2023/24 season at Elland Road, Fernandes has been in and around the daunting environments of senior football for some time now without ever appearing to be fazed.
Indeed, the Portugal U21 international was gifted his senior Sporting debut under the tenure of Ruben Amorim when he was only the tender age of 18, with just ten senior appearances coming his way in the Portuguese capital before Southampton came calling.
Gray only experienced one season himself in the senior ranks at Leeds before his adventure in the big time also occurred, but whilst the 19-year-old did impress in flashes for Tottenham Hotspur last season when infrequently utilised, Fernandes was a constant bright spark for the Saints, even as they unfortunately succumbed to relegation.
In total, the 5 foot 10 starlet collected three goals and six assists at St. Mary’s in all competitions, with his Premier League journey rightfully not grinding to a halt if one of the aforementioned three top-flight suitors soon picks him up.
CM
68
7
9
AM
33
3
7
DM
6
0
0
RW
4
1
1
LM
3
0
1
LW
2
0
0
CF
1
0
0
RM
1
0
0
For Leeds’ sake, if the similarities between the pair weren’t already obvious, his flexible nature to perform all across the pitch when glancing at the table above will make him even more of a desirable target in their attempts to land their next Gray.
Indeed, the new Spurs number 14 routinely slotted into the full-back positions under Farke’s wing in the Championship to prove his worth to the Elland Road cause.
The “complete” Fernandes – as he has been labelled by football analyst Ben Mattinson – is willing to line up as an option down the flank too, away from feeling more comfortable slotting into a lineup as a number ten or into a more traditional central role.
The in-demand 20-year-old will also surely view Leeds as a worthwhile next destination, having seen what the club did for Gray, on top of the fact that the list of other promising young midfielders who have shone in West Yorkshire includes Kalvin Phillips.
Previously hailed as a “big talent” too by scout Jacek Kulig, it will be intriguing to see if Leeds are prepared to fork out a sum around the £30m mark to land such a hyped up star.
Mateus Fernandes for Southampton.
Their boldness could pay off if Fernandes goes on to be a similar success story to Gray’s, with the Saints’ number 18 just hopeful he can steer his potential new side to safety if he does join, over another relegation stain blotting his CV.
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Arsenal have many items on the agenda this summer as new sporting director Andrea Berta looks to back Mikel Arteta with new signings, and one of their key aims is to bring in multiple attacking players.
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The transfer window is officially open for business, at least until June 10, with a short break then following before it reopens on June 16 right the way through till September 1.
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This current mini-window was introduced to allow sides competing in the Club World Cup to register new players before the tournament kicks off, but it applies to all Premier League sides, including Arsenal.
Arsenal are expected to complete a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi with a medical scheduled for the Spain international (BBC), so there is every chance that they could officially sign him before June 10, considering how advanced that deal is.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
After Zubimendi, much has been made of the Gunners’ pursuit of a top striker, with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko both top of Arsenal’s list of striker targets.
Supporters are especially keen for Berta to acquire a prolific goalscorer – which has long been viewed as the missing piece of Arteta’s jigsaw – following a campaign where they struggled to score many compared to their previous standards.
However, a number nine isn’t the sole focus going forward.
Bukayo Saka’s injury lay-off midway through 2024/2025 brought attention to Arsenal’s need for an alternative on the right-hand side, while there are some questions about the long-term future of Leandro Trossard, who’s about to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
Interestingly, Berta could turn to one of Arteta’s former stars at Man City – £242,000-per-week Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.
Arsenal are reliably believed to hold a genuine interest in Sane with his Bayern contract just weeks away from expiring as things stand. The German also recently employed super-agent Pini Zahavi to assist in new contract talks, or find him a new club if needs be.
Arsenal open talks with Leroy Sane's camp over joining
Now, as per Bayern Munich insider Christian Falk, it is believed Arsenal have “started talks” with Zahavi over signing Sane.
Bayern Munich's LeroySanescores their third goa
The 29-year-old, who bagged 13 goals and six assists in total for Vincent Kompany last season, playing more of a key role towards the back end of 2024/2025, is tempted by the prospect of a move to London.
His family reside in the English capital, so a permanent switch there is appealing to him, with Falk adding that Tottenham are likely to battle with Arsenal for Sane’s services as well.
Sane’s top-level experience, and the fact he could be obtained for no transfer fee, make him a very enticing potential signing for Arsenal.
However, Sane wants a £192,000-per-week base salary, on top of £2.5 million in bonuses and a signing-on fee (Sky and Sport Bild). These were his most recently rumoured demands to stay in Bavaria, so he’ll likely request similar numbers to join Arsenal.
There has been a development in Liverpool’s pursuit of a new playmaker, with a report revealing he is now keen on a move to the Premier League this summer.
Attacking midfielders Liverpool could sign
Manchester United’s loss against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night means the 2024-25 campaign is set to be their worst of the modern era, which makes Gary Neville’s previous comments about Arne Slot’s midfield even more laughable.
Early in the campaign, Neville suggested the Reds would swap their Premier League title-winning midfield for United’s, much to the bemusement of Jamie Carragher.
It would be interesting to find out if Neville still thinks the Red Devils’ midfield is on a similar level, but one thing that is clear is that Slot is looking to add another, more attacking player to his already solid options in the engine room.
Florian Wirtz has emerged as one of the more ambitious targets, but with a total package of over £250m potentially needed to sign the German, Slot’s side could opt to bring in a much cheaper alternative.
According to a report from The Boot Room, a deal for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki would amount to just over £20m, and Liverpool have now received a boost in their pursuit of the attacking midfielder, as he is now believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League.
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Cherki has his heart set on a move to England, following talks with the Reds and a whole host of other Premier League clubs, and the low asking price could make him an attractive option.
Lyon's Rayan Cherki competes against Manchester United's Harry Maguire.
Cherki showing serious signs of development
The Frenchman has been a first-team regular for Lyon over the course of a number of years, but the 2024-25 campaign was by far his best in terms of attacking contributions, which suggests he could now be ready for a move to a top club.
Season
Ligue 1 appearances
Goals
Assists
2021-22
16
0
1
2022-23
34
4
6
2023-24
33
1
6
2024-25
30
8
11
The starlet ranks in the 99th percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, when compared to other attacking midfielders, while he has also received plaudits from ESPN’s Julien Laurens in the past.
It is clear to see why Wirtz is Liverpool’s “absolute dream target”, having amassed 31 goal contributions in all competitions last season, but Manchester City dropping out of the race for the 22-year-old due to his price suggests he may be unattainable, and Cherki could be a fantastic signing.