LIVE Transfer Talk: Liverpool, Newcastle, PSG, Bayern eye Juventus star Chiesa
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!
Premier League sides Liverpool and Newcastle United are among the sides racing to sign Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
There is also interest in the 25-year-old’s signature from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
Chiesa returned to action for the Bianconeri in January after a year on the sidelines following an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and found bright form towards the end of the Serie A campaign with two goals and two assists in the last five games. He was also on target in Italy‘s 3-2 UEFA Nations League semifinal win over Netherlands earlier this month.
Juventus are open to listening to offers, but it would take a proposal of at least €60 million. Chiesa has two years remaining on his contract at the Allianz Stadium.
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09.49 BST: Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres in a move that would reunite Torres with former coach Unai Emery, according to El Periodico.
With Emery requesting Torres’ signing this summer, Villa made an improved bid of €40m, plus €5m in variables, that has been accepted by Villarreal. The Spain international is expected to sign a five-year contract with Villa.
Torres, 26, turned down a contract extension with the Yellow Submarine earlier this year, with his current contract ending in June 2024.
A target of Tottenham in recent transfer windows, Torres has made 173 appearances for Villarreal, 166 as a starter. The Villarreal native was part of Spain’s squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
09.07 BST: Arsenal forward Beth Mead has talked up the prospect of her England teammate Alessia Russo joining her at the club.
Russo’s departure from Manchester United was announced on June 16, and sources have told ESPN’s Mark Ogden that Arsenal are leading the race to sign the England striker. The move is close to being agreed ahead of the England squad leaving for the Women’s World Cup on July 5.
“I love playing with Alessia at England and I’d love to do so at Arsenal,” Mead, who will miss the tournament in Australia and New Zealand through injury told BBC London. “I know Alessia has spoken openly about how much [the speculation] has put on her shoulders right now.
As an England teammate you have got to respect what she wants and try not to put too much pressure on what is happening. She has a World Cup to look forward to and hopefully not have too much stress going into that.”
Mark Ogden explains why the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea will improve Manchester United.
08.30 BST: Manchester United have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Mason Mount, sources told ESPN on Thursday evening. United will pay an initial £55 million ($69.4m) with another £5m ($6.3m) in add-ons.
Sources told ESPN the bonuses due to Chelsea are “strongly dependent” on appearances and Mount’s success at Old Trafford. Sources added that, with Mount on holiday, his medical is set to take place next week.
The two clubs have reached a compromise after Chelsea originally demanded £70m for the England international. United had seen bids of £40m, £50m and £55m rejected by Chelsea.
– Real Madrid are interested in signing Fenerbahce attacking midfielder Arda Guler, according to Sport. Multiple clubs in Europe are keeping close tabs on the 18-year-old, with Gianluca Di Marzio also reporting that Barcelona sporting director Deco traveled to Turkey to discuss a move for him this week. It is believed that the highly rated prospect would prefer to move to a club where he would be guaranteed first-team football.
– An agreement has been reached between Arsenal and Ajax Amsterdam for defender Jurrien Timber, reports the Daily Mail. Timber has emerged as a transfer priority at centre-back for manager Mikel Arteta, and the Gunners have seen their offer of £40.5m accepted. Timber, 22, made 39 appearances for the Eredivisie side last season, while also starring in four matches for Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
– Barcelona are willing to offer United States defender Sergino Dest to Atletico Madrid as part of a player-exchange deal for winger Yannick Carrasco, according to Sport. The Blaugrana won’t activate the €19m release clause to sign the 29-year-old Carrasco, but are looking at different possible ways to secure his signature. That could include sending Dest, 23, to the Spanish capital following his lacklustre spell on loan at AC Milan.
– Liverpool and Lazio are interested in signing Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, according to journalist Ekrem Konur. The Serie A champions are believed to be aware of interest in the 29-year-old Poland international, and are working on offering him an improved contract to keep him at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
– Internazionale midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has agreed a deal to join Al Nassr, reveals journalist Fabrizio Romano. The 30-year-old has agreed a three-year contract worth €100m, which will see him join up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. Brozovic had previously been on the radar of Barcelona, but after Al Nassr moved quickly to meet the Croatia international’s demands, it looks as though he is now set to be the next star from Europe to head to Saudi Arabia.