Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd close in on Zirkzee, Arsenal facing Calafiori delay, Olise to Bayern confirmed
Manchester United are advancing in their £34million pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee, whose team-mate at Bologna, Ricciardo Calafiori, is being heavily tipped to join Arsenal
Manchester United are closing in on completing the Premier League's biggest deal of the summer transfer window so far.
Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, who boasts a £34million release clause, is in line to become the first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Old Trafford after the two clubs edge reached a broad agreement. Zirkzee, 23, isn't the only player who Bologna could sell either, as Ricciardo Calafiori - who starred for Italy at Euro 2024 - is being linked with a move to Arsenal.
There's also been a major outgoing from the Premier League, with Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise completing his £51million move to Bayern Munich after interest from United, Chelsea and others. Meanwhile, Liverpool are gearing up to make their first signing under Arne Slot after their new manager confirmed the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
21:31Jacob Leeks
Emi Martinez's agent has left the door open for the Argentine star to leave Aston Villa this summer.
“Today he is in one of the best projects, he has one of the best sporting directors in the world, one of the most prestigious coaches in the world, they have qualified for the Champions League, when nobody thought it was possible,” Gonzalo Goñi told ESPN.
“Surely, they will compete in the Champions League and, with a goalkeeper like Emiliano, who turns everything into a box of surprises, they’ll end up competing on a grand scale.
“But it’s never all said and done: we are having conversations, listening, watching and we’ll see… But perhaps, he puts Aston Villa at the level of the greats of Europe.”
20:23Daniel Orme
Every Premier League team has announced at least one transfer this summer.
Arsenal have confirmed the £30m arrival of David Raya, while Chelsea have been busy.
Meanwhile, the Premier League's new boys Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton have all dipped into the market as they attempt to retain their top-flight status.
19:04KEY EVENT
Bayern Munich have confirmed they have sealed the signing of Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
The Frenchman moves to Germany for around £50m.
Palace Chairman Steve Parish said: “We are hugely proud of what Michael has achieved at Crystal Palace, a club where he has developed greatly as a player.
“We respect his desire to further test himself at the highest level of world football, and I would like to personally wish him the very best for his next adventure with Bayern Munich in Germany which I’m sure we will all follow closely.”
18:29Daniel Orme
Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.
That is according to the Shropshire Star, who claims that the Gunners are keen to add him to their goalkeeping addition.
Any move could see Aaron Ramsdale leave the club with David Raya having also been signed on a permanent deal.
18:02KEY EVENT
Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold will all be staying at Anfield this summer.
The trio are out of contract next year, with this summer representing the Reds' final chance to secure significant fees for their services.
But Liverpool have ruled out sales. Speaking about the trio in his introductory press conference, new sporting director Richard Hughes said: “On contractual situations, I don’t think it would be fair for me to talk about these. These are private matters between club and players.
“The only concern I and Arne have about situations is total commitment from the players to the cause for next season and we’re absolutely convinced that will be the case.”
17:32KEY EVENT
Bayern Munich are rubbing their hands together at the prospect of Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee.
The German giants wrote a sell-on clause into the deal that originally took him to Bologna. And that would be worth around £17m to Bayern should a move go through.
Bologna signed Zirkzee on a permanent deal just two years ago.
17:00Daniel Orme
Brighton have announced that they have signed Amario Cozier-Duberry on a free transfer.
He has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Seagulls after leaving Arsenal at the end of his contract.
Brighton technical director David Weir said: “We’re really pleased to be able to bring Amario to the club. He’s got attributes we like and we believe he is a player who can flourish in our environment. We’re looking forward to working with him and helping his career to progress.”
16:32Daniel Orme
The agent of Rangers star Ianis Hagi has revealed he would be willing to dig into his own pocket to find his client a new club.
Speaking to Digi Sport, Giovanni Becali said: "I would be more than happy to help him find a team.
"I would spend money from me and my brother to find something for Ianis. He has an impresario who is very good to me.
"He has a contract with Rangers and I think he will start training with them. I hope that the coach will continue to consider him (as part of first team squad)."
15:53Daniel Orme
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi will spurn any Premier League interest this summer to stay woth Real Sociedad.
Speaking to El Diario Vasco, via ED, he said: “Where am I going to play next season? I’m going to be at Real Sociedad. I have a contract with Real Sociedad and that’s where I’m most comfortable.”
Zubimendi has been linked with Arsenal on a number of occasions in the past, while Barcelona are also admirers.
15:31KEY EVENT
Former Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara has decided to retire from football following his Anfield exit.
The 33-year-old left the club in May following the expiry of his contract. It was suggested that Saudi clubs were interested but he has decided to spurn interest according to reports in Italy.
He has reportedly been planning to retire for the past couple of months.
15:05KEY EVENT
Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has been spotted training alongside one of his former teammates.
Greenwood was at a Manchester pitch with Shola Shoretire, who has been released.
The forward's own future is uncertain with a clutch of clubs chasing his services.
14:31Daniel Orme
Atletico Madrid want to find a resolution for Joao Felix's future so that he does NOT return for pre-season.
The Portuguese forward spent last season on loan with Barcelona. And it appears that he has little future in Madrid.
According to Marca, Atleti want to finalise a departure over the next three weeks. The club return to pre-season training on July 27.
Felix, 24, still has five years left to run on his current deal at the Wanda Metropolitano.
14:01KEY EVENT
Leicester City have sealed their second signing of the summer with the arrival of Chelsea's Michael Golding.
The 18-year-old has penned a four-year deal with the Foxes. He said: “I’m really looking forward to making leaps and bounds in my career here at Leicester and working hard to help the team as much as I can.
“Obviously the history of the Club speaks for itself; there are great players here and I’m looking to soak up as much information as I can from the senior players, to learn from the staff and hopefully have a great season.”
Former Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall went in the opposite direction earlier this month.
13:33Daniel Orme
Sticking with strikers, Alvaro Morata could potentially be on the move this summer.
According to Di Marzio, Italian giants AC Milan are interested in signing the Spain captain. It is reported that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has called him personally to convince him of a move to the San Siro.
Morata has yet to give a definitive answer either way. AC Milan were reportedly interested in Zirkzee, but he now appears set for a move to Man United.
13:03KEY EVENT
Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
According to The Athletic, the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with the forward. Agent commisions are also in place.
Club-to-club talks are still taking place but a deal is thought to be close. Zirkzee would become Man United's first signing of the summer.
12:50Nathan Ridley
Real Madrid are planning to open fresh talks with Bayern Munich about signing left-back Alphonso Davies.
Currently in the Copa America semi-finals with Canada, Davies has entered the final year of his contract at Bayern and remains a long-term target for Madrid.
Spanish outlet Diario AS report that Los Blancos are preparing to begin another round of talks in an effort to sign the 23-year-old.
12:39Nathan Ridley
AC Milan are preparing a second bid for Tottenham full-back Emerson Royal, who's already agreed to join the Serie A giants.
Emerson, 25, is ready to sign a five-year contract but first Milan need to be successful in their follow-up offer.
Reports from Italy claim that Tottenham are demanding roughly £21million to sell the Brazilian.
Emerson still has two years left on his contract with Spurs.
11:59Nathan Ridley
Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise has arrived at Bayern Munich's headquarters ahead of his medical.
The London-born France youth international, 22, is on the verge of completing his £51million move to the Bundesliga giants.
Sky Germany have pictured Olise preparing to be assessed by Bayern's medical staff.
News #Bayern: Michael #Olise arrived in Munich. Next step: Medical ⚪️@SkySportDE pic.twitter.com/zxXfYJ9tgO
— BenHeckner (@SkySport_Ben) July 7, 2024
11:35Nathan Ridley
Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer has admitted that he's 'flattered' by links of a move to Manchester United.
Brazil international Bremer, whose side were dumped out of the Copa America overnight with a defeat to Uruguay on penalties, is reportedly on United's shortlist of centre-back targets.
"I am flattered by the interest of some top clubs but I am already in a great team like Juventus," the 27-year-old declared on Friday.
"I am very focused on the Copa America. I have many goals. I want to play one or two World Cups and I want to continue fighting for important titles in Europe."
10:54Nathan Ridley
Borussia Dortmund have now reached a full agreement to sign Germany international Pascal Gross from Brighton.
Gross, 33, joined the Seagulls six years ago and has been among the Premier League's most consistent creators ever since.
Sky Germany are reporting that the midfielder's move is cose.
Dortmund are also on the verge of signing striker Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart.
10:14Nathan Ridley
Inter Milan centre-back Stefan de Vrij has poured cold water on links of a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
"I'm under contract until June 2025 plus option and I'm very happy at Inter," De Vrij said after scoring in the Netherlands' 2-1 win against Turkey last night. "I see my future there."
09:29Nathan Ridley
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is set to join Spanish side Girona for an initial £423,000.
Relevo report that a deal between the La Liga outfit - who finished third last season, qualifying for the Champions League - and United is close.
Van De Beek joined the Red Devils from Ajax for £35million in 2020 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt.
08:29Nathan Ridley
Arsenal are yet to reach a full agreement with Bologna over the signing of talented defender Ricciardo Calafiori, it has emerged.
Corriere dello Sport say that the two clubs remain in negotiations over the details of the fee, although personal terms are already in place.
The 22-year-old centre-back would sign a five-year contract with Arsenal and earn £3.8million per season.
07:59Nathan Ridley
Liverpool have announced the sale of defender Anderson Arroyo, who joined the Reds in 2018 but failed to make a single appearance for them.
The Colombian centre-back, 24, rejoins second-tier Spanish side Burgos on a permanent basis, having been on loan there last season.
"Anderson Arroyo has completed a permanent transfer from Liverpool to Burgos CF, subject to international clearance," Liverpool confirmed in a statement on Saturday.
"The Colombian departs the Reds six-and-a-half years after arriving from Fortaleza CEIF in his home country. Arroyo spent the majority of his time with the club out on loan, at Real Mallorca, KAA Gent, FK Mlada Boleslav, Salamanca CF UDS, Mirandes, Alaves, FC Andorra and Burgos."
07:25Nathan Ridley
Hello and welcome to Sunday's live transfer blog!
We'll be bring you all of the latest quotes, gossip and done deals from around Europe, so stay stuned.
23:05Daniel Orme
That's all we've got time for tonight.
Make sure you join us bright and early tomorrow for more of the latest transfer news and rumours.
22:33Daniel Orme
After signing Bobby Decordova-Reid on a free transfer, Leicester look set to add another THREE new faces to their squad.
According to The Athletic, the Foxes will activate a permanent deal for winger Abdul Fatawu. The Ghanaian spent last season on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
Caleb Okoli and Michael Golding are also close to joining Leicester from Atalanta and Chelsea respectively.
22:07KEY EVENT
Sofyan Amrabat is still dreaming of a return to Manchester United following his loan spell.
The Moroccan midfielder spent last season on loan at Old Trafford. The Red Devils had an option to buy but decided not to activate it.
But according to Corriere dello Sport, he has ambitions of returning to the club in the summer. He also apparently has interest from Turkey.
21:29Daniel Orme
Mainz star Brajan Gruda is reportedly plotting a move to the Premier League this summer.
That is according to Sport Bild, who claim that Aston Villa and Liverpool are in the mix for his services.
Gruda made 24 appearances for Mainz this season, scoring four goals.
21:03KEY EVENT
Manchester United are confident of signing Matthijs de Ligt in a deal worth around £43million after manager Erik ten Hag stepped up his charm offensive to take the Bayern Munich defender to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has spoken to the Dutch centre-back to outline his plans for United following the club’s decision to trigger a one-year contract extension clause that means the 54-year-old will be in charge for the next two seasons. It’s hardly a ringing endorsement for Ten Hag by new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe following a prolonged search for a potential successor.
But Ten Hag had already told De Ligt that his job was safe when they discussed how the 24-year-old will be the defensive rock on which he will continue to develop his United team - and the former Ajax star is now determined to force through the move after the Euros.