Transfer news LIVE! Rice to Arsenal; Chelsea and Man Utd deals agreed
The summer transfer window opens next week, and the football season is yet to finish, but clubs are already making moves to strengthen their squads. Arsenal are desperate to go one better than last season after their title race collapse, while Chelsea and Tottenham simply must improve after dismal campaigns.
The Blues have already made big changes with the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, and he will not be wasting any time and also already earmarker six midfield targets. Manuel Ugarte has reportedly agreed to a six-year contract in a £52million switch from Sporting CP, though Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the mix. The future of Mason Mount needs to be resolved, while Christopher Nkunku will come in.
Big-name signings are expected in abundance with English football showing no sign of slowing down on the spending front. For Arsenal, a £200million plan could include deals for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo as Granit Xhaka nears a move away, though Bayern Munich have tabled a huge bid for Rice and PSG want Martine Odegaard. Manchester United look to have agreed their first summer signing in Kim Min-jae, and interest in Tottenham striker Harry Kane persists. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and updates with Standard Sport’s live blog!
Live updates
Sterling reacts to Pochettino appointment
Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling has reacted to the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as his new manager.
The former Tottenham manager has a job on his hands and Sterling insists the club will be winning trophies again “very soon”.
“From his time before at Tottenham, I heard a conversation about him and he’s the exact person that we need,” Sterling told Arab News.
“He will bring leadership, he will challenge players physically and mentally and I think he is going to come here and he is going to have the personality that everyone is going to respect. That’s what we need, someone in charge.”
PSG make Odegaard move
Paris Saint-Germain have made contact over a deal to sign Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
The Mail claim that the Les Parisiens sounded out a deal for the Gunners captain after his fantastic year leading the team to a Premier League title challenge.
But Arsenal are not interested in a selling their captain as they look to go one better in next season’s title race.
Man Utd agree £50m Kim Min-jae deal
Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Kim Min-jae from Napoli.
According to reports in Italy, a £50million deal has been accepted by the Serie A champions and personal terms with the player were agreed some time ago.
The centre-back is expected to become United’s first summer signing and will fly to Manchester next week to finalise the move.
Pochettino has SIX midfield targets
Mauricio Pochettino has six midfield targets after being new Chelsea manager.
Manuel Ugarte is a key target as the Blues look to beat PSG to his signature, with a new partner in the middle for British record signing Enzo Fernandez top of the agenda.
While Sporting Lisbon’s Ugarte is the main target, The Guardian claim that Chelsea also like Declan Rice, but expect him to go to Arsenal.
The Blues are also said to have watched Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, Youssouf Fofana of Monaco and Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.
A new goalkeeper and striker is also of interest.
Arsenal handed Rice boost
Arsenal and Chelsea have been handed a major boost in the race for Declan Rice.
Bayern Munich and Manchester United are also thought to want the West Ham midfielder, who is rated at £120m.
According to Football Insider, Rice wants to stay in English football and ideally the capital.
Talks over his future are set to begin after the Europa Conference League final but it’s reported that his representatives are already laying the groundwork for a mega summer transfer.
Ten Hag addresses Kane to Man United links
Erik ten Hag was also inevitably asked about Manchester United’s rumoured strong interest in Harry Kane.
Fresh reports tonight reiterate that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will not sanction the exit of the England captain this summer, despite him entering the final 12 months of his deal in north London.
“What we need besides Marcus Rashford is one extra player with scoring abilities,” Ten Hag admitted to The Times.
“We need it, whether it’s coming out of our own squad or we have to sign one.”
Ten Hag offers update on De Gea future
Erik ten Hag has also spoken again on the future of goalkeeper David De Gea.
The Premier League’s 2022-23 Golden Glove winner has been linked with an exit from Old Trafford after 12 years, with Manchester United eyeing a new long-term first-choice between the posts.
Others suggest that De Gea will pen a new contract on greatly reduced terms, with no guarantees that he will remain the No1.
Asked about the Spaniard’s future by The Times, Ten Hag said: “Yes [he will stay], but I will not say he will always be my number one because in a club like United there must be competition in all positions.”
Maguire could make Man United exit
Erik ten Hag has suggested that Harry Maguire could leave Manchester United this summer.
The England stalwart has struggled for regular minutes in recent months amid poor form and competition from the likes of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
And while Ten Hag has praised Maguire’s effort and captaincy, he admits the 30-year-old may have a decision to make over his future.
“No-one would be happy with this situation,” Ten Hag said in an interview with The Times. “He is not as well. He trains always on best levels, so with 100 per cent effort.
“So he handles that situation well and he’s in that manner and in his captaincy he’s important for the squad.
“But he has high competition there (at centre-back) with Raphael Varane, who’s fantastic.”
Ten Hag added: “Let’s say I’m happy he’s here and when we needed him he did his job. But it’s also a decision he has to make.”
Bayern Munich table £95m bid for Rice
The Declan Rice to Bayern Munich rumours are gathering pace tonight in a story that will concern Arsenal fans.
As mentioned earlier this evening, Sky in Germany claim that the West Ham talisman has held talks with Thomas Tuchel on the phone in recent days.
Those discussions are believed to have gone well, with Rice said to be open to joining the Bundesliga champions this summer.
Now the Daily Mirror report that Bayern have tabled a massive package for the England midfielder worth £95m.
How will Arsenal respond?
Chelsea eye Raya, Osimhen and Martinez
Chelsea’s rumoured goalkeeping and striker targets are also making transfer headlines this evening.
The Blues and new boss Mauricio Pochettino are believed to be in agreement that a new first-choice stopper is required this summer, with the respective Stamford Bridge futures of both Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga in doubt.
According to The Guardian, David Raya of Brentford, Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez and Inter Milan’s Andre Onana are all on the radar.
Up front, Napoli marksman Victor Osimhen and Onana’s Inter team-mate Lautaro Martinez are said to be top of the shortlist.