It’s that exciting season once more — when the transfer window swings open, welcoming clubs to revamp their squads until September 1. This period promises a flurry of activity as teams aim to clinch major signings for the upcoming season.
Let’s delve into today’s top updates brought to you by Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Chelsea wait on Enzo bid and let Badiashile go
Chelsea are on edge, still waiting for offers on Enzo Fernandez as the clock ticks closer to their self-imposed deadline, now just hours away.
In the pursuit of new talent, Chelsea has joined other clubs in showing interest in Monaco’s promising player, Lamine Camara.
Monaco recently turned down a bid for the 22-year-old Camara from Crystal Palace, keeping the young talent on their roster, at least for now.
Chelsea have also agreed a deal with Napoli for defender Benoit Badiashile.
The Italian side will take the French centre-back on an initial loan for £2.6m with a further £800,000 in bonuses. There is an option to buy for £23m and Napoli will cover the 25-year-old’s salary in full.
Chelsea are yet to receive a bid from Enzo Fernandez after setting a deadline of 5pm on Friday
Leeds stay on Elvedi trail
Leeds United are continuing to work on a deal for Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi.
The Switzerland international, who can also play at right-back, emerged as an option prior to the World Cup when Leeds discussed a £7m offer and has given the go-ahead for a move to Elland Road.
The 29-year-old worked under Leeds boss Daniel Farke previously when he was in charge of Monchengladbach.
Elvedi has two years to run on his contract though it’s understood he could leave for £8.2m.
Bye-bye Reijnders
Tijjani Reijnders has agreed to join Al Qadsiah from Manchester City.
The Saudi Pro League club coached by former Celtic and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers agreed a £52million fee with City.
As Daily Mail Sport revealed, Nottingham Forest had made a proposal earlier this month for the 28-year-old Netherlands international and Galatasaray had made an approach in recent days.
Tijjani Reijnders missed City’s open training after Al Qadsiah made an offer for him
Spence set for Italian job
Djed Spence will travel to Italy ahead of his Inter Milan medical tomorrow.
Tottenham have agreed to sell the England international for £26million and his former club Middlesbrough hold a percentage sell-on of the profit.
Spurs paid £20m to buy Spence from Boro in 2022.
City reject fresh Rodri bid
Manchester City and Barcelona continue to discuss a fee for midfielder Rodri.
City have dismissed Barca’s latest offer of around £55m as they hold out for closer to £68m for the Spain captain.
Meanwhile, City forward Jeremy Doku has signed a new contract at the Etihad that will keep him at the club until 2031, with an option for a further year.
The Belgium international said : ‘This club means so much to me – I have developed as both a player and a person. I feel settled here, and I know I am improving every day because of the work the staff here do.
‘It’s hard to explain just how much this Club does to help players. I don’t take it for granted and it makes me better.
‘With Enzo here now I am really excited about the new season. His style of football is the kind we love, so that’s exciting for the players.
‘The City fans are also a huge reason I have signed this new contract. I feel their love and support, and it means the world to me. I want to focus of bringing them the success they deserve.’
Barcelona have had a fresh £55million bid for Rodri rejected by Manchester City
Galatasaray move for Martinelli
Galatasaray have made their move for Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli with a £38million offer.
However, the Brazilian is not inclined to leave for Turkey.
The 25-year-old is one of the players Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for with a valuation around £50m.
Roma have also shown interest and it is understood Martinelli will only consider options from the strongest leagues.
Arsenal are re-evaluating options to strengthen their left hand side, they are also continuing discussions with Aston Villa for centre back Ezri Konsa with their latest proposal understood to be around £40m for the centre back.
Besiktas in the frame for £18m Willock
Besiktas remain in the frame for Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock.
The 26-year-old has one year left on contract and is valued around £18m. Premier League sides have also shown interest while Besiktas had an offer rejected early this month.
Race for Nwaneri heats up
Interest is building in Arsenal winger Ethan Nwaneri who is considering his options and whether to depart this window.
A number of clubs, including RB Leipzig and other Premier League sides, have been looking to take the 19-year-old on loan or potentially a permanent basis after his disappointing spell with Marseille last season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the England U21 international after his return to pre-season training, saying: ‘Ethan has been really good, probably what happened on the field on his loan in Marseille wasn’t what was expected, and there was a lot of noise and change around the club.
‘But he looks different, a lot more mature, it’s incredible what six months and a different experience abroad can do to you – to be abroad on your own, to go through tough times and to witness that is a part of football you have to be good enough to cope with. I’m very happy with what Ethan has done in pre-season.’
Nwaneri joined Arsenal’s academy aged eight and made his Premier League debut against Brentford in September 2022, becoming the youngest player to appear in the English top flight, at 15 years and 181 days old.
He has made 34 appearances for Arsenal and though only made nine appearances at Marseille, still managed to score two goals.
Pape Sarr a target for Al Ahli
Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is emerging as a target for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
The 23-year-old will be allowed to leave if suitable offers arrive and has been the subject of interest from Brentford and Aston Villa as well as other European sides.
Spurs beat off strong competition to sign Sarr from Metz in 2021 and, while he has shown glimpses of what he is capable of, the Senegal international has been inconsistent overall, as have the majority of the squad in recent seasons.
The arrival of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali mean his starting opportunities will be limited and he is open to exploring a move away.
Spurs are looking to wrap up the sales of Cristian Romero to Atletico and Djed Spence to Inter today.
They remain keen on Manchester City’s Savinho and Cody Gakpo of Liverpool. City’s Omar Marmoush is also on their list.
Villa expected to reject Arsenal offer for Konsa
Aston Villa were expected to turn down Arsenal’s initial proposal of £40million for Ezri Konsa, who is thought to be open to the move.
Villa are also looking to close deals for midfielder Joao Palhinha and left-back Matteo Ruggeri.
TOM COLLOMOSSE
Ezri Konsa is said to be open to a move to the Premier League champions Arsenal
United youngster Williams joins Peterborough
Manchester United winger Ethan Williams has joined Peterborough United for a ‘sizeable’ undisclosed fee.
The 20-year-old, who was part of United’s pre-season tour of Finland, Norway and Sweden, has signed a long-term deal.
Williams had spent time on loan at League Two Cheltenham Town and Scottish Premiership outfit Falkirk.
He said: ‘I have enjoyed my time at [Manchester] United and it’s always tough to leave a place like that, but there comes a time in your career where you have to make tough decisions to develop yourself and Peterborough is renowned for helping younger players.’
United’s deal also includes add-ons, a 50percent sell-on clause, a buy-back option and matching rights.
Tigers making moves in the market
Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt has completed his medical at Hull City ahead of his £4.5million move.
He has agreed a four year contract with option for a further year. Wrexham and Rangers had also made efforts to sign the 24-year-old.
Meanwhile, Hull have formalised their interest in Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam with an offer understood to be in excess of £15million.
The 23-year-old has a year left on contract.
If it ain’t So?
Brazilian side Palmeiras have signed Fabio So from Burnley.
The 18-year-old made 15 appearances in the U18 Premier League for Burnley, as well as a couple of appearances for the U21s. He left on a free transfer and has signed a contract until the end of January. The contract includes the possibility of an automatic renewal.
Portuguese midfielder So joined Burnley after being at Newcastle’s academy.
Amorim’s Milan exodus
AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim has decided Fikayo Tomori and Christopher Nkunku do not figure in his plans this season.
The former Chelsea players are available for sale along with midfielder Youssouf Fofana.
David Odogu, Pervis Estupinan, Santiago Gimenez and Philip Terracciano are also expected to leave.
Fikayo Tomori is one of eight AC Milan players who have been put up for sale by Ruben Amorim
Ge-Evan-noa
Brighton striker Evan Ferguson is a target for Genoa.
The Republic of Ireland international was on loan in Serie A at Roma last season, where he scored five goals in 22 appearances, and rivals Genoa would like him to return.
The 21-year-old has been hindered by niggling injuries and damaged his ankle in March but he is also attracting Premier League interest.
Reds youngsters on the move
Liverpool left-back Calum Scanlon is closing on a loan to Cardiff City.
The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Cardiff and they have been working hard to bring him back.
Scanlon has impressed on Liverpool’s pre-season and attracted a number of enquiries.
League One Sheffield Wednesday, notably, made concerted effort to take the England U20 international to Hillsborough.
Liverpool midfielder James McConnell is a loan target for Championship side Preston North End.
A number of other Championship teams have enquired for the 21-year-old plus League One Leicester City.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are closing in agreement for 16-year-old striker Vincent Joseph who had decided to leave Liverpool last month.
Liverpool offered the teenager a scholarship but he declined and talks are ongoing over compensation.
The last teenager to leave Liverpool for another Premier League club was Isaac Moran. He left for Newcastle United earlier this year and a subsequent tribunal resulted in a seven-figure fee being payable to Liverpool with the settlement having the potential to reach £5m.
Click below for all the transfer developments over the last few days…
WEDNESDAY: Man United target Carlos Baleba on Newcastle’s radar
TUESDAY: Roy Keane’s son-in-law linked with move to Portugal
MONDAY: West Ham interested in free agent Jamie Vardy
SUNDAY: Everton and Crystal Palace in advanced talks over McNeil-Johnson swap
SATURDAY: West Ham and Tottenham agree £5m fee for Manor Solomon
FRIDAY: Rodri tells Real Madrid he wishes to join Barcelona
THURSDAY: Man City target new goalkeeper after James Trafford sale