Hello and welcome to another edition of our transfer newsletter, brought exclusively to you.
My name is Simon Jones and, as well as writing regularly for the Daily Mail and MailOnline, I’m aiming to give you insight, news and the latest chat from across the globe on all the deals taking shape in this summer’s transfer window.
It promises to be busy once again in the Premier League as the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea look to splash further millions in a bid to close the gap on champions Manchester City while those teams who were relegated will be in fear of the proverbial vultures preparing to swoop for their best players.
Below, I bring you the latest news from across the globe.
Red Devils may face Onana hold-up
Manchester United will continue discussions over Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana this week but it may not be resolved as quickly as hoped.
Emails and verbal proposals have been back and forth to try and find a middle ground over a fee and a formal offer is anticipated for the Cameroon international. United would also likely need another back-up option such as Zion Suzuki at Urawa Reds following confirmation of David de Gea’s departure. Dean Henderson will look to wrap up his move to Nottingham Forest once fit next month.
United’s new signing Mason Mount had a surprise welcome from defender Lisandro Martinez when he arrived at Carrington last week.
Martinez had returned a week early in preparation for pre-season training after recovering from a broken metatarsal. He and Mount had clashed when United met Chelsea last season but the abrasive Argentine had a welcome hug for Mount when he turned up to sign last Monday.
Manchester United’s move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana (right) may not be resolved as quickly as hoped
West Ham target half-price Ward-Prowse deal
Southampton are expecting West Ham to make their move for James Ward-Prowse this week but not for their desired price.
After relegation Southampton had wanted to recoup around £100m in player sales and valued 28-year-old Ward-Prowse at around £40m. The reality is West Ham will look to close a deal for around half that price.
Ideally, Southampton would prefer not to sell both Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia in the same window but they represent the best route to revenue.
Ward-Prowse has had enquiries from around ten clubs this summer but age has played against a move to the elite ones. West Ham, armed with cash from Declan Rice’s sale to Arsenal, want him and a more physical holding midfielder – such as Denis Zakaria of Juventus or Leeds United’s Tyler Adams.
West Ham are expected to fall below Southampton’s asking price for James Ward-Prowse
Four clubs eye Lavia as Chelsea negotiate Caicedo deal
Lavia is valued at £45m but Southampton could land more as Liverpool and Chelsea hover while Arsenal and Manchester United remain in the wings, waiting on their own departures. Chelsea are negotiating with Brighton over a potential £100m deal for Moises Caicedo, if that becomes too difficult they would revert back to Lavia who they offered £50m for in January.
Liverpool are focusing on Lavia with his age, 19, and Premier League progression, key factors in their assessment as they build a younger side.
Southampton have already lined up replacements. As Confidential revealed last week, they opened talks with Manchester City for highly-rated midfielder Shea Charles. The Northern Ireland international will undergo his Southampton medical from 12noon today ahead of finalising a deal worth up to £15m with sell-on and buy-back clauses. Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury was another they discussed but that move looks unlikely at this stage.
Others likely to go include defender Armel Bella-Kotchap, who has attracted enquiries from Monaco and Bundesliga clubs. Towering 6ft 7ins striker Paul Onuachu has Augsburg, Stuttgart and Borussia Monchengladbach on his trail while Kyle Walker-Peters and Tino Livramento also expect to leave.
Livramento is the subject of offers from Newcastle United and Chelsea but wants to go where he will play.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal are all in the race to sign Romeo Lavia (left), while the Blues are also in talks over a potential £100m move for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo (right)
Bayern weigh up Kane strategy
Bayern Munich are assessing whether to play the long game in their pursuit of Tottenham captain Harry Kane.
Their latest offer of £70m plus bonuses will be dismissed by Tottenham, leaving Karlheinz Rummenigge and technical director Marco Neppe, the brains behind the operation, with a decision to make.
Neppe, who established contact with Kane’s family and entourage, has belief that there is a commitment on the Tottenham striker’s part to join Bayern. If the 29-year-old remains serious in that commitment, then they will consider leaving the bidding this summer and returning in January, when Kane is in the last few months of his contract.
Bayern have a line in terms of value that they do not wish to cross and that is not far off their current bid.
They believe that Manchester United are not in the poker game with Daniel Levy as it stands because they do not have the funds and Tottenham would prefer Kane to go abroad rather than lose him to a Premier League rival. So Bayern believe they are Tottenham’s best option. If Levy doesn’t sell now, they are prepared to wait and get a cheaper deal.
Bayern Munich are assessing whether to play the long game in their pursuit of Harry Kane
Bayern, managed by Thomas Tuchel (pictured), are desperate to bring Kane to Germany
A new contract at Tottenham, with a considerable hike on his £250,000 a week wages is there for Kane but this decision is not about the money. He returns to pre-season training on Wednesday and will want an indication of where his future lies.
Bayern are prepared to give him an incentive next year too if he remains committed to them. They recognise the most important part of the season for them is March, so returning with an offer in January is under consideration.
Meanwhile, Manor Solomon is undergoing his medical at Tottenham on Monday ahead of the winger’s switch from Shakhtar Donetsk. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg remains an option for Atletico Madrid, who are also in the market for Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and free agent Wilfried Zaha, but the Spanish side have minimal cash to bid with as they await Alvaro Morata’s sale to AC Milan.
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Wolves could hand Arthur second chance in England
Wolves are considering whether to give Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo another crack at the Premier League.
The 26-year-old Brazilian endured a disappointing loan spell with Liverpool last season that was blighted by a thigh injury and he is eager to prove he can shine in England. He has a lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabia Pro League but is waiting to see if Wolves will firm up an initial enquiry. They need to strengthen in midfield and must be creative with a limited budget. Juventus may sanction another loan with obligation.
Wolves are considering whether to give Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo another crack at the Premier League after his unsuccessful loan spell at Liverpool last season
Celtic youngster wanted in Spain
He was born in England, plays in Scotland and is eligible for Denmark but cosmopolitan Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley could yet be plying his trade in Spain.
The 22-year-old has Real Betis, Valencia and Sevilla all monitoring developments over his future this summer. Born in Hounslow, O’Riley started out at Fulham before moving to MK Dons and was capped by England at youth level. However, his Danish mum ensures he qualifies for Denmark who have capped him four times at U21 level. Brighton have also taken a keen interest in his progress with the Celtic but Real Betis are discussing a potential offer over the coming days. The Spanish side have been working on a loan deal for Leeds United’s Marc Roca.
Celtic’s Matt O’Riley has Real Betis, Valencia and Sevilla keeping tabs on his future this summer
Newcastle struggling to meet Barnes valuation
Newcastle United still have work to do before finalising a deal for Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes.
Confidential revealed the 25-year-old was back on the agenda for Newcastle last week and the England international is keen on the move. However, Newcastle’s budget means a bid to match Leicester’s £40million valuation may not be so swift in the making. Manchester United and West Ham also like Barnes but Newcastle have done the groundwork. Ideally, they would offload players to help offset their spending. Allan Saint-Maximin has been discussed as a potential departure but the Frenchman has no firm move away in the pipeline as it stands.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have earmarked Lyon’s talented young right-back Sael Kumbedi as a back-up option to current transfer targets.
Eddie Howe’s side have been trying to find a middle ground with Southampton for Tino Livramento and retain an interest in Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.
The 18-year-old Kumbedi started out at Paris St Germain and can also fill in at left-back. Newcastle also want a centre-back, budget permitting and have spoken to Monaco’s Axel Disasi as well as considering Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen.
Newcastle are also looking to convince former West Ham prospect Divine Mukasa to join them ahead of Rangers. The 15-year-old made a big impact on West Ham’s U18s last season but has left after ten years in their academy.
Newcastle still have work to do before finalising a deal for Leicester winger Harvey Barnes
Seagulls set to sign Romanian wonderkid
Brighton are closing on a deal for 17-year-old winger Adrian Mazilu from Farul Constanta, managed by Romania midfield great Gheorghe Hagi
Mazilu, a Romania U21 international, played 71 minutes of Farul’s 1-0 Super Cup defeat to Sepsi on Saturday. He won the league in his first season scoring six goals in 19 appearances and Farul would like him back on loan as part of the deal.
Brighton have also been taking a look at young Rochdale striker Igor Tyjon but he is now poised to join Blackburn Rovers.
Everton surprise Almeria with loan offer
Almeria have expressed surprise that Everton offered a loan with obligation for speedy striker El Bilal Toure. The cash-conscious Goodison club are understood to have proposed a loan fee then full payment in four instalments. Atalanta also want El Bilal as they await a bid from Manchester United for Rasmus Hojlund.
Everton need to be creative in the market which led to them discussing a swap involving Ellis Simms, now at Coventry, and Tom Cannon for Blackburn midfielder Adam Wharton a few weeks back. They retain an interest in Leeds United striker Rodrigo and have spoken to veteran free agent Ashley Young.
Everton have submitted a loan offer for Almeria striker El Bilal Toure which includes an obligation to buy him outright
Slimane in talks with Blades
Sheffield United are hoping to wrap up a £2.2million deal for Anis Ben Slimane after he was pulled out of Brondby’s pre-season training camp to continue talks.
Though born in Copenhagen, Denmark, the 22-year-old midfielder made his World Cup finals debut for Tunisia against Denmark and played in their 1-0 win over France too.
Former Bournemouth centre-back Chris Francis is training with Sheffield United. The 20-year-old played in a friendly for Charlton last week and has interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Blackpool.
Bamford poised to lead mass exodus at Ellan Road
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is evaluating his squad with the likes of Patrick Bamford ready to leave the club.
Rodrigo, Jack Harrison, Tyler Adams and Marc Roca are also the subject of interest from several clubs.
Farke is looking to bring in some players he knows well and some he has worked with in the past.
Leeds need a striker and are discussing a number of targets from Europe and the South American market.
One option is Denmark international Yussuf Poulsen from Red Bull Leipzig. The 29-year-old is not prolific but has a reputation for being a worker.
Patrick Bamford is one of several Leeds players expected to depart the club this summer
Townsend training with Clarets after Everton departure
Free agent Andros Townsend is training with Burnley after leaving Everton following the expiry of his contract.
The 31-year-old missed last season as he recovered from a knee injury. Burnley are giving a medical to centre-back Soumaila Coulibaly today ahead of the 19-year-old joining from Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea striker David Fofana is closing on a loan move to Union Berlin, who will have Champions League football this season. Berlin signed Brenden Aaronson from Leeds on loan at the weekend.
Brentford are taking a look at a £4million deal for Swansea City’s England U21 international defender Nathan Wood. The 21-year-old has interest from a number of clubs.
Sheffield Wednesday are in talks with Troy Deeney over a player coach role. Deeney knows manager Xisco Munoz well from their brief time together at Watford.
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