LIVE Transfer Talk: Man United start talks for Fiorentina’s Amrabat
The summer transfer window is now open 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 United are closely monitoring Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, according to Florian Plettenberg.
There has been plenty of discussion around the 26-year-old’s future as his contract with La Viola ends in the summer of 2024, and that talk intensified after his impressive contributions to Morocco‘s historic World Cup campaign.
The Red Devils are now looking at Amrabat, who helped Fiorentina reach the Conference League and Coppa Italia finals this season, after already strengthening their midfield with the addition of Mason Mount from Chelsea.
Negotiations are not advanced at this stage, but Plettenberg said that talks have taken place and Man United remain interested.
This could become a hot topic for the Red Devils later in this window, likely due to the club largely focusing on bringing a goalkeeper to Old Trafford following David de Gea‘s departure after the culmination of his contract, while also looking for a striker.
Amrabat is also reported to be on the list of players Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are monitoring, but there has been nothing concrete at this stage.
Like United, the Bavarians also have priorities elsewhere, and their search for a striker has been widely reported, with Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane the main player being discussed at this time, while Eintracht Frankfurt‘s Randal Kolo Muani has also been linked.
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09.48 BST: Al Nassr coach Luis Castro says FC Porto attacking midfielder Otavio is among the many players that his club are looking at in this transfer window.
Otavio is under contract with Porto until June 2025. The 28-year-old has been strongly linked with the Saudi Pro League club, where his fellow Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo plays.
“Is Otavio [deal] is on the table? There are many players, it’s not just Otavio,” Castro said. “If I have to talk about one, I have to talk about all the others. I won’t do it; I’ll just say that there are many players with possibilities to fill several positions that Al Nassr needs at the moment.”
09.11 BST: Barcelona winger Alex Collado will join Real Betis this summer as a free agent, Mundo Deportivo reports.
Collado, who made 15 league appearances while on loan at Elche last season, had one year left on his contract with Barca but has reached an agreement to terminate his contract.
The 24-year-old Spaniard will put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Betis. Barca will keep a percentage of a future transfer.
08.36 BST: Ashley Young is set to undergo a medical at Everton after agreeing a deal to move to Goodison Park as a free agent, BBC Sport reports.
Young, 37, spent nine seasons at Manchester United and won the Serie A title at Inter Milan before returning to former club Aston Villa in 2021.
His contract at Villa Park has now expired after making 57 appearances in two seasons, and he has spoken to Premier League clubs over a free transfer this summer.
Newly promoted Luton Town also held talks with the former England international, but he is now set to become Sean Dyche’s first signing as Everton manager.
08.00 BST: Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou said he wants Harry Kane to stay at the club, but admitted he has not received “any assurances” about the player’s future amid reports of interest from Bayern Munich in the striker.
Sources have told ESPN’s Mark Ogden that Kane, who is entering the final year of his Tottenham contract, has been told that he is unavailable for transfer this summer and there are no plans by the club to offload their record scorer. The Daily Telegraph reports that Spurs have offered the England captain a new deal worth up to £400,000 a week to stay at the club,
Postecoglou, speaking Monday in his first news conference since being appointed as manager of the north London club, said: “I don’t think it’s my role to sit there and treat people in a manner because of their circumstances. I treat everyone the same.
“Harry is already an important figure in the history of this football club. He’s one of the premier players in the world. I want him here and I want to make this club successful. I’m certain he wants that as well.”
Kane is expected back at the club for preseason training on Wednesday and Postecoglou said he is keen to speak to the forward.
“It’s not going to be a conversation where we come out with some kind of understanding,” Postecoglou said. “I just want to introduce myself and I want to know what he wants to happen to make this football club successful then we’ll go out there on the training ground and make it happen.
“I haven’t had any assurances and I wouldn’t expect any. With these type of situations you’re never dealing with certainties. I can only go with what I know right now. Harry is part of the squad and looking forward to being back and part of the players.”
– Borussia Monchengladbach are considering a move for FC Cincinnati and United States striker Brandon Vazquez, reports Florian Plettenberg, who adds that talks are ongoing but difficult. Any deal would be worth around €8 million to €10 million, with Gladbach director of sport Roland Virkus having watched the 24-year-old for a long time now.
– Liverpool and Newcastle United are both looking at Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport, with the Bianconeri waiting for proposals and wanting at least €50m for the 25-year-old. However, the Reds will make a move only if Mohamed Salah leaves, while the Magpies are prioritising Leicester City‘s Harvey Barnes. Newcastle would then look at Chiesa if Allan Saint-Maximin departs the club.
– Napoli are keen to bring in AZ Alkmaar winger Jesper Karlsson after holding a long-term interest in the 24-year-old, according to Sky Sports Italia, which adds that a move would become even more likely if Hirving Lozano or any other winger left. Lazio are also interested but haven’t had serious discussions with the Eredivisie club.
– Tottenham still consider Bayer Leverkusen‘s Edmond Tapsoba as their top centre-back option but haven’t yet made an official offer for the 24-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano. The transfer specialist adds that talks will continue for both him and Wolfsburg‘s Mickey van de Ven.
– Fulham and West Ham United are both looking at Manchester City‘s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, reports The Daily Mail, with the centre-back fresh from captaining England to victory in the U21 Euros. Having spent last season on loan at Burnley, the 21-year-old has one year left on his contract and City want around £15m for him.
– Alex Collado will leave Barcelona to join Real Betis on a four-year contract with the option for another year, reports Mundo Deportivo. The 24-year-old winger’s arrival will not yet be made official because Betis are waiting announce other signings, including Hector Bellerin, Marc Roca and Marc Bartra.