The summer transfer window is approaching, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Kounde, Koulibaly on Blues’ wishlist
Chelsea will need to rebuild their defence ahead of the 2022-23 season and have already drawn up a shortlist that includes Sevilla‘s Jules Kounde, Napoli‘s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester City‘s Wesley Fofana, according to the Telegraph.
Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger will leave Stamford Bridge this summer, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso could also follow them out the exit doors. Therefore, the club — which took another step toward finalising its sale to the Todd Boehly-led group on Tuesday — have started work on filling in those roster spots.
Chelsea’s interest in Kounde has long been reported, and the Frenchman continues to top the list after a previous attempt in January fell through.
Also in the mix are Villarreal‘s Pau Torres — who has been strongly linked with Manchester United — and Atletico Madrid‘s Jose Gimenez. RB Leipzig‘s Josko Gvardiol is another who has been linked, with it being felt that the Croatian could fill in for Rudiger in the left-centre-back position.
The Blues are also aiming to bring in a midfielder — although West Ham United‘s Declan Rice seems out of reach — while a move could be made for Manchester City‘s Raheem Sterling if he decides to look for a new challenge.
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20.55 BST: Sevilla have declined to permanently sign Anthony Martial from Manchester United after his disappointing loan spell in Andalusia, reports the Mail. The 26-year-old France forward will now return to Old Trafford, after managing just one goal in 12 appearances in an injury-plagued LaLiga campaign.
20.22 BST: Houssem Aouar has been given the green light to leave Lyon this summer, according to RMC Sport. With interest mounting from several European clubs and the 23-year-old entering the final year of his contract, the Ligue 1 side are willing to move on from the midfielder, subject to a suitable offer. Foot Mercato has previously reported interest from Real Betis, however, after an impressive Champions League campaign, the France international is waiting for interest from bigger clubs.
19.49 BST: Newcastle United have secured a new three-year deal with midfielder Sean Longstaff. Fabrizio Romano reports that Eddie Howe was determined to keep the 24-year-old at St. James’ Park after being recently linked to Manchester United, West Brom and Watford.
19.16 BST: Arsenal have made their final offer to keep Eddie Nketiah at the club, the Mail reports, with the 22-year-old’s contract expiring in just six weeks. The Gunners are confident that the striker will stay at the Emirates next season, despite West Ham United and Crystal Palace angling for a free transfer.
18.43 BST: Vincent Kompany has left his post as Anderlecht manager as talks progress over the vacancy at Burnley, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Clarets have been without a permanent manager since Sean Dyche was sacked in April and, after being relegated under caretaker manager Mike Jackson, the former Manchester City captain has been tipped as the favorite to fulfill the new managerial position at Turf Moor.
18.10 BST: Ryan Gravenberch has finalised a deal with Bayern Munich, reports De Telegraaf. The Bundesliga champions will pay Ajax a transfer fee of €19m plus €5.5m in add-ons in addition to a 7.5% sell-on clause for the 20-year-old Netherlands midfielder, who has just 12 months left on his contract in Amsterdam and was also pursued by Real Madrid and Manchester United.
17.37 BST: PSV Eindhoven are hopeful to retain Cody Gakpo for another season with a new deal that offers the forward a bonus on a transfer away next summer, according to Voetbal Primeur. The new contract reportedly would offer…
Read More: Jules Kounde still tops Chelsea’s wishlist with Kalidou Koulibaly, Pau Torres,