Arsenal are ready to fight Chelsea to sign Jules Koundé from Barcelona, while Manchester United have made an approach for Bayer Leverkusen forward Patrik Schick. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
– Australia international Kuol wants summer exit from Newcastle
– Barcelona GK dilemma: Szczesny open to No. 2 role
– Modric buys stake in Championship side Swansea City
TRENDING RUMORS
– Arsenal are the latest club to show firm interest in signing Barcelona defender Jules Koundé, reports Diario Sport. Chelsea have already been linked with the 26-year-old, but the arrival of Andrea Berta as Arsenal’s new sporting director could prove key. Berta has close contacts at Barcelona, having agreed a series of deals during his time at Atlético Madrid. The report adds that Arsenal sounded out Koundé “a few months ago,” and the France international indicated he would be open to a move. However, Barça boss Hansi Flick sees Koundé as an important player; a deal would likely cost €75m, which could yet prove to be prohibitive. At the same time, Barça remain in a tricky financial position and any offer would be considered.
– Manchester United have made contact with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential move for Patrik Schick, according to Sky Sport Deutschland’s Patrick Berger. The Red Devils are “monitoring the situation” of the 29-year-old, and an offer of around €30 million could be enough to land the Czechia international. Schick, who has scored 17 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances this season, is also on the radar of clubs in Saudi Arabia, although his preference is to make the switch to the Premier League.
– Talks are ongoing between Arsenal and the representatives of Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, reports Sky Sport Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. The Gunners are reported to have informed the 28-year-old of their interest, with Coman expected to leave the Allianz Arena in the summer. Clubs in the Saudi Pro League are seen as a “very appealing” option, but the Premier League side are keen to ensure that they are in the race to secure his signature.
– Manchester United are considering a move for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, according to The Sun. With André Onana dropped after a series of errors, and his replacement, Altay Bayindir, also making mistakes against Newcastle United on Sunday, United are considering entering the transfer market. England international Ramsdale is expected to leave relegated Southampton at the end of the season, with a number of clubs linked. West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the former Arsenal and Sheffield United player, but a move to Old Trafford could also happen. The Sun also reports that Onana could move to Saudi Arabia.
– Athletic Club winger Nico Williams wants his future resolved no later than July 15 so he can enjoy a full preseason, according to Diario Sport. The 21-year-old seems certain to move on in the summer when his €60m release clause will get activated. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all keeping a close eye on the situation, with Barcelona also linked. However, a transfer to the Premier League appears more likely with Barca preferring to sign Luis Díaz from Anfield.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Sam Marsden on the possibility of Jules Koundé leaving Barcelona.
On the face of it, Barcelona are unlikely to allow Jules Koundé to leave this summer. The French defender has featured in every match this season and he appears to finally be happy playing as a right-back, having previously expressed a desire to return to the middle of the back four eventually.
If anything, the full-back position is an area Barça will look to strengthen this summer. There is a lack of competition for Koundé on the right and Alejandro Balde on the left, with youngsters Hector Fort and Gerard Martín currently the only alternatives.
However, Barça’s weak financial situation is well documented, and they would at least listen to offers for a large part of the squad. Koundé may well fall into that group, although it would take a lot given Barça paid €55m for him in 2022. Sporting director Deco has been profiling possible full-back signings for months and if a replacement is readily available, it may be something the club would entertain.
Another issue is whether Koundé would push to leave a young team that is finally flourishing again under Hansi Flick. And where would Chelsea and Arsenal want to play him? As a right-back or a centre-back?
It’s certainly not something that can be completely written off. Koundé is not indispensable to Barça, but he is important and the club have even sounded out a possible contract extension in recent months. His current deal expires in 2027.
OTHER RUMORS
– Fresh talks have been held between Chelsea and Sporting CP over a move for striker Viktor Gyökeres. The Blues are reported to have informed the 26-year-old’s representatives of their interest as manager Enzo Maresca looks to add a forward to compete for minutes with Nicolas Jackson. (TEAMtalk)
– Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg is the subject of a transfer battle between Everton and Liverpool. The 17-year-old — who has also been watched by Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United — is valued at more than £30m. (The i Paper)
– Chelsea have added Brighton attacker Georginio Rutter to their list of summer transfer targets. The 22-year-old, who joined Brighton from Leeds United last year, has a contract through to 2028. (Florian Plettenberg)
– Newcastle have beaten off competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign winger Antonio Cordero from Malaga. The 18-year-old, capped by Spain up to under-19 level, will move to St James’ Park on a free transfer when his contract expires in July. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Lecce centre-forward Nikola Krstovic, 25, is being linked with a move to Juventus in the summer. If the deal were to happen, Lecce would ask to take 18-year-old striker Vasilije Adzic on loan for the 2025-26 season as part of the deal. (Tuttosport)
– Aston Villa are looking to beat Arsenal in the race to sign Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan. The Villans are optimistic of winning the race for the 18-year-old, with talks set to take place over a transfer fee and personal terms. Nypan, a Norway under-21 international, has also been on the radar of LaLiga side Girona. (The Athletic)
– Man United could try to sign new clubs for up to 10 players as part of a major summer rebuild. Anthony, Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho will not return after loan spells, while Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof will leave when their deals expire. (Football Insider)
– Manchester City midfielder James McAtee is open to a move to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. The Bundesliga club tried to sign the 22-year-old on loan with a €25m option in January, but the offer was rejected. Leverkusen are preparing a fresh proposal for the summer. (Sky Sport Deutschland)
– AC Milan are having second thoughts about making Kyle Walker‘s loan a permanent switch after he suffered a fractured right elbow in training. The England international moved to San Siro from Manchester City in the January, on a temporary move until the end of the season. (The Sun)
– AC Milan and AS Roma will honor a verbal agreement which will see Tammy Abraham and Alexis Saelemaekers make loans to the respective clubs permanent at the end of the season. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney was offered a deal by Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, Juventus and Sevilla before he opted to sign a precontract agreement to return to former club Celtic. The 27-year-old is a free agent in the summer. (The Herald)
– Simone Inzaghi is set to sign a two-year contract extension at Inter Milan, keeping him in charge at San Siro until the summer of 2028. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Barcelona forward Ansu Fati has instructed his agent to find a new club after he failed to make an impression this season. The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, has been linked with Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Girona, Real Betis, Sevilla and the Saudi Pro League. (Diario Sport)
– Schalke have held talks with former Real Madrid striker Raúl and hope to appoint him as their coach for next season. (Bild)
