LIVE Transfer Talk: Man City’s Silva rejects Saudi offer; Barca and PSG interested
Who is Man City’s biggest prankster? What is his worst nightmare? Bernardo Silva answers all! (5:07)
The summer transfer window is open for some leagues in Europe and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been approached with a lucrative opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League and talks have taken place, but he plans to reject the offer, according to The Athletic.
The Saudis aren’t expected to give up their attempts to sign the 28-year-old Portugal international as they hunt for further high-profile signings this summer. N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy are set to join SPL clubs from Chelsea, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo already having made the switch.
Silva is under contract with Man City until 2025, but has been strongly linked with a move away. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both reportedly interested and the midfielder would prefer to continue to ply his trade in Europe.
Barcelona were interested in signing Silva in January but couldn’t raise the €70 million needed, while Man City were reluctant to part ways while the season was ongoing. He played a vital role in Manchester City‘s treble-winning campaign last season, featuring 55 times across all competitions, chipping in with seven goals and eight assists.
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09.44 BST: Chelsea are considering signing FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to replace Edouard Mendy, Record reports.
Mendy, 31, has reportedly agreed terms to join Saudi side Al Ahli and is set to leave this summer on a permanent deal.
Costa, 23, has been monitored by several Premier League clubs including Manchester United. The Portugal international has a €75m release clause.
09.09 BST: Portugal winger Goncalo Guedes will stay on loan at Benfica next season from Wolves, according to Record.
Guedes, 26, joined Benfica on a six-month loan from Wolves in January and scored one goal in 12 league appearances. He is under contract until June 2027 but wants to remain in Lisbon. The agreement between the two clubs is all but done.
08.40 BST: The Daily Mail reports that West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice expects to become an Arsenal player when he returns from holiday at the end of the month.
With the 24-year-old’s season now over after helping England to a 7-0 win over North Macedonia in qualifying for Euro 2024, the Europa Conference League winner will now take a short break before sorting out his club future.
ESPN sources confirmed last week that West Ham had already turned down an offer of £90m from Arsenal, with boss David Moyes insisting Rice is worth more than £100m. The Mail report says that Arsenal are expected to match that valuation with their next offer.
08.00 BST: Al Ittihad are ready to move for Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min with an opening bid in the region of €60m ($65m) plus bonuses, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN.
Top clubs from Saudi Arabia are interested in a number of Premier League stars this summer, and Son has become the latest high-profile name to be approached over a move.
The source said Son has been offered a four-year contract worth €30m per season. There is some optimism within the Saudi Pro League side that the 30-year-old could be tempted to join Al Ittihad, who are on the brink of agreeing to a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and have already signed former Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema.
James Olley explains Chelsea’s interest in Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson.
– Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has agreed personal terms with Al Ahil, reports Fabrizio Romano. The 31-year-old is set to sign a three-year contract with the Saudi outfit as negotiations reach the final stages. Mendy fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge last season and it is reported that manager Mauricio Pochettino will look to sign a new first-team goalkeeper this summer, paving the way for Mendy’s exit, three years after he joined the west London club.
– Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is set to sign a new long-term contract with the club, according to the Daily Mail. The report reveals that the England international will earn £375,000 per week, making him one of the highest paid players at the club. The Red Devils are in the market for a striker this summer, having been linked with Napoli‘s Victor Osimhen and Tottenham’s Harry Kane, however, they are keen to retain Rashford, who netted 30 goals, alongside 11 assists across all competitions last season.
– Manchester City are attempting to bridge the gap in negotiations with Chelsea for midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to journalist Rudy Galetti, Both clubs are eager to make the deal happen, with City already agreeing terms with Kovacic, who would sign a four-year contract with the Premier League champions. Galetti reveals that the deal should amount to £30m-£35m, with discussions continuing over the fee.
– Manchester City are set to discuss a new contract with defender Kyle Walker amid Bayern Munich interest, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Bavarian club have earmarked Walker as a potential signing this summer, with the England international reportedly open to a move away from the Etihad, following a season when he sometimes found himself on the bench.
– Brighton are eyeing a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to Football Insider. The report reveals that the Seagulls view the 23-year-old as an ideal replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, as well as being a financially viable option. Chelsea value Gallagher’s transfer at £30m, and with Brighton offloading Mac Allister to Liverpool for £35m, as well as potentially landing a fee of £80m for Moises Caicedo, they would be in a strong position to sign Gallagher.