Cliff Notes – Transfer window weekly: Gyökeres to Man United? Onana replaced?
- Manchester United is monitoring Viktor Gyökeres but prioritising a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, with potential player sales to free up budget.
- André Onana expects to remain at United, despite interest from Saudi Arabia, while the club is keeping an eye on Emiliano Martínez’s situation at Aston Villa.
- Chelsea’s pursuit of Mike Maignan from AC Milan has stalled, but they plan to renew efforts post-Club World Cup, as the goalkeeper expresses a desire to join Stamford Bridge.
The Club World Cup transfer window may have closed, but the Premier League’s main window is open from Monday with the rest of Europe to follow shortly afterwards as business starts to get done. Here are the whispers and reporter we’re hearing about possible deals?
Every Friday until September, we’ll bring you the latest updates and insights on the biggest transfer news.
Are Man United really in contention for Gyökeres?
Nothing is advanced with Viktor Gyökeres, but Manchester United aren’t ruling it out. They will stay informed of developments throughout the summer and it will be up to them to make a firm move.
United’s priority is to get a deal over the line for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo. Once that’s done they will look at other deals.
Finding quick solutions to move on Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho will give United more budget room to bring in new players — Rob Dawson
Could Mbeumo turn his back on Man United to follow Frank to Tottenham?
Rob Dawson and Don Hutchison discuss Bryan Mbeumo’s potential transfer away from Brentford.
Will United stick or twist on Onana?
André Onana is under the impression that he will be at United next season. He’s got three years left on his contract and, so far, no firm offers have materialised from tentative interest from Saudi Arabia.
Boss Ruben Amorim has been clear that after such a disastrous season no player can be sure of his place, but he can’t churn the entire squad in one summer.
United have been alerted to Emiliano Martínez’s potential exit at Aston Villa, although for now they’re keeping a watching brief — Dawson
Will Chelsea’s go back for Maignan
Chelsea wanted Mike Maignan to join them this week so he could play in the Club World Cup. That’s why the Blues started negotiating with AC Milan super early.
But the Italian side, who are not involved in the competition, rejected their first offer of €15 million, as the Italians value him at €25m. So time ran out for the Londoners and to sign the France international in time to fly to the United States.
However, Maignan — who turns 30 in three weeks — only has one year left on his contract at San Siro and Chelsea have told the goalkeeper that they will try again to recruit him after the Club World Cup. Maignan, meanwhile, has informed the Milan hierarchy and their new manager, Max Allegri, that he is determined to play at Stamford Bridge next season. For that reason, Milan are actively looking for a new No. 1.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have not included Djordje Petrovic in their Club World Cup squad despite his excellent season on loan at Strasbourg. He’s set to leave permanently for first-team football, with Monaco rumoured to be considering a €30m deal, and those funds will go toward the budget for Maignan.– Julien Laurens
What’s going to happen with Jack Grealish?
Being left out of the squad for the Club World Cup is a pretty clear message from Pep Guardiola that Jack Grealish doesn’t have a future at Manchester City. The golden question, though, is where does he go?
There have been lots of enquiries from Premier League clubs and from abroad, but he’s got two years left on a lucrative contract. It may mean City have to sanction a season-long loan move, even though it’s not their ideal outcome – Dawson
Cherki: I’m joining the biggest club in Europe
New Manchester City signing Rayan Cherki believes he has joined the “biggest club in Europe” after recently signing from Lyon.
Will Zabarnyi be the next big-money Bournemouth departure, bound for PSG?
After Dean Huijsen moved to Real Madrid for €50m, and with Milos Kerkez set for a €52m move to Liverpool, Bournemouth could yet still go higher this summer in terms of fees received.
Indeed, in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain for the transfer of centre-back Illia Zabarnyi, Bournemouth made it clear that he would not leave for less than €70m.
PSG have had an offer of €50m rejected by the Cherries; the European champions don’t want to raise their bid just yet and Bournemouth are not budging either.
The problem for Bournemouth is that the Ukraine international wants to join PSG. The 22-year-old is already frustrated that he’s missed out on the Club World Cup when he’d already agreed personal terms 10 days ago.
Paris have other options and will move for another player if Bournemouth don’t lower their valuation.– Laurens
Why are Barcelona moving for 36-year-old Perisic?
Ivan Perisic has emerged as a surprise option to add depth on the wings at Barcelona next season as the club explore different price points. The options range from the more expensive in Luis Díaz (Liverpool), Nico Williams (Athletic Club) and Rafael Leão (AC Milan) to Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) down to free agent Perisic. Who, if anyone, they eventually sign will depend on how much money is available to spend.
Perisic played under Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich in 2019-20. The Barça coach values his versatility — he could also cover Alejandro Balde at left-back — and is not put off by his age given how young Barça’s squad is in general.
Perisic is also negotiating to extend his stay at PSV Eindhoven, who he helped win the Eredivisie last season, and wants to reach the World Cup with Croatia next summer — so that will be at the back of his mind in any decision. — Sam Marsden
Any other interesting deals in the works?
– Leeds United have had a €26m offer for midfielder Habib Diarra rejected by Strasbourg, sources have told ESPN. The Senegal international, who scored against England on Monday in a 3-1 win, is attracting a lot of interest from around Europe. The newly promoted Premier League side thought their offer would be enough for the box-to-box midfielder but they have been told that the 21-year-old is valued at €40m.– Laurens
– Atlético Madrid want to build a squad that will help them mount a proper title challenge next season, rather than falling away again. As well as Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis) and Álex Baena (Villarreal) – talks are ongoing for both — they’re also interested in Theo Hernández. But sources told ESPN that a deal for the AC Milan left-back might drags on until late in the summer. — Alex Kirkland
– Adrien Rabiot has decided to stay another year at Marseille, despite interest from Serie A clubs, sources have told us. The 30-yer-old was excellent after moving to Stade Vélodrome as a free agent 12 months ago after the end of his contract at Juventus. He was one of Ligue 1’s best midfielders and l’OM and their manager, Roberto De Zzerbi, are delighted that the France international will lead the team next season for their return to the Champions League. — Laurens
– Barça left-back Gerard Martín is attracting interest from Premier League clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, who transferred Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester City this week. Martín recently signed a new deal at Barça but, as backup to Balde, the club would consider any reasonable offers for him. — Marsden
– Noa Lang could make a transfer to Marseille. The Netherlands international missed out on a move to Napoli in January, which frustrated the winger, and now he could be headed for Ligue 1.
– Ajax need new goalkeepers with Liverpool’s Vitezslav Jaros among the names linked. Ajax’s new coach, John Heitinga, knows Jaros having been part of the coaching staff at Anfield. Robin Roefs of NEC Nijmegen is also under consideration.
– Aaron Ramsey is close to becoming Pumas’ first signing for the new season. Sources revealed to ESPN that the Mexican club is in very advanced talks with the 34-year-old and his agents to sign the former Cardiff City player. Manager Efraín Juárez has been a key factor in the transfer, as both are represented by the same agency.
– Richard Ledezma will sign for Chivas thanks to his dual nationality (Mexico and the U.S.). The Guadalajara club only sign Mexican players, but the 24-year-old meets this requirement. He arrives on a free transfer from PSV after playing five seasons with the Dutch side.
– Dutch midfielder Javairo Dilrosun leaves América to join LAFC to compete in the Club World Cup. The player was signed in the limited transfer window open to leagues with teams competing in the tournament. Javairo will become the only MLS reinforcement for the tournament, as Inter Miami CF and Seattle Sounders FC have not announced any new signings.
– Diego Valdés has a verbal agreement for leave the U.S. and sign with Vélez Sarsfield of Argentina. Agreement is still needed between the clubs, but there is optimism in Buenos Aires that the deal can be finalised. Sources confirmed the deal is making progress, with the Chile international no longer part of the club’s plans.
