Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal in Xavi Simons battle; Dovbyk latest; Chelsea £51m deal; Man Utd in De Ligt talks

17/06/2024

LIVE – Updated at 11:19

Transfer news LIVE!

The first full week of the summer window is upon us and plenty of big deals are being worked upon. Arsenal are keen to sign a new striker and, after missing out on Benjamin Sesko, new targets reportedly include Artem Dovbyk, Nico Williams, Joshua Zirkzee and Victor Osimhen. The Gunners are also being linked with a remarkable £100million move to rival Manchester United for Joao Neves and Xavi Simons.

United, meanwhile, are ready to move on from Jarrad Branthwaite, after Everton refused to drop their asking price, to Matthijs de Ligt, who could cost half the price and Bayern are keen to sell. Chelsea are growing confident of signing Michael Olise but are having second thoughts over Jhon Duran despite agreeing a £40m fee with Aston Villa. Atletico keeper Jan Oblak is a new target, while Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian is expected to finalise his move to the Blues this week.

Tottenham could pile the misery on Crystal Palace by taking Eberechi Eze off their hands for £60m, and are also keen on Ivan Toney but Dominic Solanke is not of interest. Talks with Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori have reportedly begun. Liverpool are working on new manager Arne Slot’s first signing, so keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, updates and gossip via Standard Sport’s live blog!

Latest transfer news and rumours

Arsenal and Man United keen on Xavi Simons deal
Arsenal ready to ambush Artem Dovbyk race
Chelsea face late competition from Bayern for Michael Olise
Man United begin talks over £42m Matthijs de Ligt
Tottenham very intererested in Leeds star Archie Gray
Chelsea weigh up summer move for Atletico star Jan Oblak

Raphael Varane eyes MLS switch after Man Utd exit

11:11 , Alex Young

Raphael Varane’s future is far from settled as he prepares to leave Manchester United.

Former club Lens has already been earmarked by the player as a destination to return to but FootMercato say they can’t afford the veteran defender.

Likewise Inter Miami, who are keen according to TyC Sports and have even held talks.

However, they have filled their three designated player spots which means, under MLS rules, Varane would have to settle for a relatively demure salary in the range of £15,000-a-week.

transfer news live! arsenal in xavi simons battle; dovbyk latest; chelsea £51m deal; man utd in de ligt talks

(Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Unai Emery eyes reunion with old Arsenal favourite

10:48 , Alex Young

Unai Emery wants to reunite with a former star of his Arsenal team.

Aston Villa are said by Football Insider to want Matteo Guendouzi, who is available to leave Lazio.

The Frenchman has already held talks with Emery and could prove one of the replacements for Douglas Luiz, who is tipped to join Juventus.

A deal worth around £15m has been agreed for the Brazilian including Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior heading to the Midlands.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Jhon Duran excited by Chelsea move... but there's a catch

10:30 , Alex Young

Jhon Duran is excited by the challenge of proving himself at Chelsea should the Blues progress their interest in the Aston Villa striker, writes Nick Purewal.

The Colombia forward is happy at Villa but is understood to be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are confident of agreeing a deal with Villa for the 20-year-old, if they settle on Duran as their striker signing for the summer.

Duran is understood to believe he would be a good fit at Chelsea, both under the club’s wider vision and the approach of new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Man United have 'no intention' of meeting Everton demands for Jarrad Branthwaite

10:11 , Alex Young

Manchester United have “no intention” of meeting Everton’s £70m asking price for Jarrad Branthwaite.

That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who says that the Toffees are eager to keep hold of the 21-year-old England defender this summer.

Again, he claims that Branthwaite himself does want to make the move to Old Trafford, but an agreement between the clubs looks very difficult indeed at this stage unless a significant compromise can be found somewhere.

(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Napoli and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia go public with explosive war of words

09:53 , Alex Young

Napoli and star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have entered a public war of words over the forward's future.

The Georgia international, who is currently at Euro 2024 with his country, is desperate to leave the club after a disastrous defence of their Serie A crown, finishing 10th.

Napoli have dug their heels in and demanded Kvaratskhelia stay, even going as far as reportedly rejecting a €100million bid from Paris Saint-Germain for the forward.

Kvaratskhelia’s agent, Mamuka Jugeli, on Sunday went public with the player's desire to leave, telling Sport Imedi: "We want to leave Napoli, but now we're all waiting for the Euro 2024.

"With [new manager Antonio] Conte, Napoli have big plans. I'm sure they will qualify to the Champions League again next season and fight for the Scudetto. But that doesn't mean that Kvaratskhelia wants to stay there.”

Read Napoli’s response here!

(Getty Images)

Lazio eye cut-price deal for Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso

09:32 , Alex Young

Lazio are monitoring Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

Spurs would want just £8.5m to let the Argentine leave having failed to make an impact under Ange Postecoglou, and with just a year left on his contract.

La Repubblica report on Lazio preferring to sign younger players this summer, but Lo Celso is highly regarded enough to be an exception to this plan.

(Getty Images)

Arsenal to rival Tottenham for Eberechi Eze

09:20 , Alex Young

Michael Olise is not the only Crystal Palace winger wanted for a big-money move.

Eberechi Eze is catching the eye of several clubs, with Tottenham expected to make a move for one of their key transfer targets.

But, according to Sky Sports, Arsenal are also keen and could join the race.

England international Eze is reportedly ready to make the leap from Selhurst Park to a club competing in Europe.

(Getty Images)

Liverpool see first bid for Leny Yoro rejected

08:59 , Alex Young

Liverpool have had an opening bid with €50m (£42m) for Lille defender Leny Yoro rejected.

The 18-year-old defender will not sign a new contract ahead of his existing deal expiring in 2025, sparking an auction for his talents this summer.

Lille are happy to cash in and The Athletic report that Real Madrid are strongly expected to land him, either this summer or as a free agent next year.

But Liverpool, according to Mundo Deportivo, have made their move - but been immediately shot down.

Arsenal ready to ambush Artem Dovbyk race

08:45 , Alex Young

Arsenal have joined the race for Girona striker Artem Dovbyk.

Last season's top scorer in La Liga has already been the subject of bids from Atletico Madrid and Napoli but Girona are holding out for the player's release clause of €40m (£33m) to be paid in full.

So for Atleti and Napoli have fallen short of that figure, but the Gunners are prepared to end the race by coughing up, according to Diari de Girona.

(Getty Images)

David Moyes believes Arsenal should have paid £150m for Declan Rice

08:31 , Alex Young

David Moyes believes West Ham should have demanded £150m for Declan Rice.

The midfielder joined Arsenal last summer for £105m and enjoyed a stellar first season in north London, with his former manager not surprised with the level of performances.

“Sometimes you want to take credit but Mikel has done a great job with him,’ Moyes said on talkSPORT. “There were things that maybe Declan wasn’t as good at but I think he’s improved.

“He hasn’t really surprised me but I do laugh because a couple of years ago people were saying, “you’ll never get £100m for Declan”. I was saying, “no, we’ll get £150m for him”.

“I was telling West Ham to hold out for £150m and people were saying I was off my head. But I think if you look at some of the players who have come around that price, Dec’s surpassed them and looks above them.

(The FA via Getty Images)

Chelsea and Arsenal keen on Serhou Guirassy

08:18 , Alex Young

The 30 goals Serhou Guirassy scored for Stuttgart last season have made him a hot property in the transfer market.

And his bargain price of £17m makes him an absolute snip with German publication Bild naming four clubs as the most likely destinations for him this summer.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan are all pushing hard to sign Guirassy, it is said, with Bayern Munich out of the running due to Harry Kane’s status as their starting striker.

Giurassy reportedly wants a decision on his future by the end of the month with a move from Stuttgart seemingly inevitable.

(Getty Images)

Tottenham target £4m teenager Giovanni Leoni

08:02 , Alex Young

Tottenham are in the mix for Sampdoria defender Giovanni Leoni.

The 17-year-old Italy youth international is highly-rated in his home country and his club are considering making a quick profit on him.

La Repubblica say he has agreed to sign from Padova for just over £1m next month - but Torino, Juventus, Spurs and Napoli are all happy to stump up just over £4m for his signature.

It is claimed that Serie A side Torino are the current frontrunners for the deal.

(Getty Images)

Arsenal set Emile Smith Rowe price

07:37 , Alex Young

Arsenal want £30m for Emile Smith Rowe this summer.

The 23-year-old is one of the players who could be on their way out of north London, having struggled to regular minutes over the last couple of seasons.

Football Insider report that the Gunners are willing to sell, but have set a £30m asking price.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Spurs to send young star Luka Vuskovic on loan

07:25 , Alex Young

Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic is expected to join Belgian side Westerlo on loan.

The 17-year-old was signed by Spurs in a £12m deal last September from Hajduk Split, putting pen to paper on a deal through to 2030. FIFA rules mean the Croatian cannot arrive at Spurs until he turns 18 next year.

Vuskovic spent last term first at Hajduk before moving to Polish side Radomiak Radom on a six-month loan deal, and the centre-back is now set to spend next season in Belgium. The teenager has agreed to join Westerlo, who finished 11th in the Belgian Pro League.

Liverpool deal could secure Mason Greenwood transfer

07:15 , Alex Young

Mason Greenwood’s move to Juventus could depend on the future of Federico Chiesa.

The Italian winger has been linked with Liverpool and is said by Corriere di Torino to be available for £21m ahead of his contract expiring in 2025.

Chiesa’s exit would give Juve the green light to swoop for Mason Greenwood, who Manchester United want to cash in on this summer.

United want over £40m for Greenwood but Juve want to pay a maximum £25m.

(Isabel Infantes/PA Wire)

Erik ten Hag says no agreement yet over new Man United contract

07:05 , Alex Young

Erik ten Hag has lifted the lid on how Manchester United chiefs “turned up on my doorstep in Ibiza” to confirm they wanted him to continue as manager.

"The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza," Ten Hag said on Dutch TV channel NOS. "They suddenly showed up on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me.

"In any organisation it is wise that you evaluate and that you draw your conclusions from that. Manchester United has that. The new leadership then decided on this.

"Ineos took their time. They are new in football, it's normal to reflect on the season. It's no secret that they talked with multiple candidates.

"In the Netherlands, something like that is not possible and it is not even allowed. You are not allowed to just talk to another club if there is a current head coach. In England it is different

"Manchester United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager."

He added: "We have spoken well and various topics have been on the table. The conclusion is that we are going to sit down to extend the contract. Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement for the new contract. This isn't easily done - we are still going to have to talk about this."

(AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea alerted to Jan Oblak availability

06:53 , Alex Young

Chelsea have been alerted to the availability of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, and are keen to make a move.

According to AS, the 31-year-old, still considered among the best keepers in the world, is up for grabs this summer as Atleti look to replace him with a younger model.

There is no talk of a possible asking price in the report, but it is claimed Chelsea have been underwhelmed by Robert Sanchez, who had an injury-hit debut season with the Blues, and want to upgrade him.

Oblak would come in and immediately take the starting spot ahead of Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic.

(NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

Tottenham hold strong interest in Leeds teenager Archie Gray

06:38 , Alex Young

Tottenham are very interested in Leeds teenager Archie Gray after watching the versatile defender a number of times last season.

The 18-year-old made 52 appearances as Leeds failed to earn promotion back to the Premier League, predominantly at right-back, with 30, but also 10 times in defensive midfield and a handful in central and attacking midfield roles.

Football.London report that Ange Postecoglou has been impressed and has earmarked Gray as possible competition for right-back Pedro Porro, who plays an inverted role.

With Emerson Royal likely expected to join AC Milan, Spurs will need a new right-back and Gray is a target. Monaco's Vanderson has also been linked.

(Getty Images)

Man United begin talks over £42m Matthijs de Ligt

06:29 , Alex Young

Manchester United are ready to look at alternatives to Jarrad Branthwaite, and have begun talks over signing Matthijs de Ligt.

Talks according to Sky Germany, who report that Bayern are ready to cut their losses on the Dutch centre-back and would accept a deal woth around £42million for the player they signed for £65m just two seasons ago.

That asking price is significantly lower than the £70-80m Everton want for Branthwaite.

De Ligt may have lost his way somewhat at Juventus and then Bayern, and has lost his place with the Netherlands, but his best form came under Erik ten Hag at Ajax.

One to watch.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea face late competition from Bayern for Michael Olise

06:20 , Alex Young

Not many clubs who are not keen on Michael Olise, it would seem.

Chelsea and Manchester United are both pushing to sign the Crystal Palace star, who is valued at £60m, and they could now face competition from Bayern Munich.

Sky Germany report that Olise is on Bayern’s shortlist of targets, and a late swoop is in the offing despite Chelsea agreeing personal terms with the young French star.

It’s suggested that the Bundesliga side are willing to sell Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, which could lead to them eyeing Olise.

(Getty Images)

Arsenal and Man United join race for Xavi Simons

06:14 , Alex Young

Arsenal and Manchester United appear to have the same list of transfer targets as Xavi Simons is also reportedly of interest to both teams.

The young PSG star, who spent last season on loan at RB Leipzig and is currently with the Netherlands at Euro 2024, is attracting plenty of interest.

He scored 10 goals and provided 15 assists last season.

According to L’Equipe, PSG will send the youngster out on another loan and both Arsenal and United, along with Man City and Bayern, have all thrown their hat into the ring.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal, Man United and Liverpool in £102m Joao Neves battle

06:07 , Alex Young

PSG are looking to crash the three-way Premier League battle for Benfica star Joao Neves.

The midfielder is believed to have a release clause of £102m, and Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are among the clubs keen on signing the in-demand 19-year-old this summer.

However, A Bola report that PSG are also now interested, and have held initial talks with Neves over a move.