Latest transfer news (2024)

Transfer news

• Chelsea set to sign Guiu from Barcelona
• Ndiaye set for Everton medical ahead of £15m move from Marseille
• Van Nistelrooy in talks over coaching role at Man United

Euro 2024

• Foden temporarily leaves England’s Euro 2024 camp
• Five England fans arrested during Slovenia draw at Euro 2024
• Hungary’s Varga released from hospital after fractured cheekbone

Copa America

• Messi to ‘see how it goes’ after hamstring discomfort in Argentina win
• How Puma is taking on Nike and Adidas at Copa America
• Four days, four games and a 1,000-mile road trip in Texas

Arsenal’s recruitment strategy this summer, after they finished just two points behind Manchester City, is not set in stone.

Midfield and attack have been the two areas where they look most likely to reinforce.

Benjamin Sesko, 21, was their first choice in attack, but he signed a new contract with RB Leipzig.

They have since shifted priorities to strengthening in midfield. At the start of the month,

The Athletic reported Arsenal’s interest in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, 25, and Benfica’s Joao Neves, 19.

An attacking option would still appeal to Arsenal, but primary targets have not surfaced. In midfield, they are looking for a player to complement Declan Rice, with Arsenal viewing the No 6 options as more attractive than those at No 8 in the current market.

Using a mix of video and data analysis, let’s assess how Zubimendi and Neves would suit Arsenal.

Everton have received a bid worth €10million from Atalanta to sign defender Ben Godfrey.

The verbal proposal fell below Everton’s asking price of £15m, which is the figure offered by another club for the 26-year-old.

Godfrey is thought to be keen on joining Atalanta but the Serie A team must get closer to Everton’s valuation if they are to prevent him moving elsewhere or staying at Goodison Park.

The twice-capped England international is entering the final 12 months of his contract but Everton would rather let him go as a free agent in 2025 than sell for below the price they want.

Ipswich Town and Hull City are now engaged in active negotiations over the transfer of Jacob Greaves, although an agreement is yet to be reached.

Ipswich started discussions on a potential fee around the £10million mark but that is known to be significantly below Hull’s expectations at this stage.

Senior sources at Hull — who didn’t want to be named to protect relationships — have highlighted to The Athletic that talks are continuing with Ipswich, that there are other interested clubs and they have not capped their valuation of the player.

Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto is negotiating with other clubs ahead of the expiration of his contract at the end of the month.

The 32-year-old has spent the entirety of his career at Barcelona and has played 373 first-team matches for the club since making his debut in November 2010.

This is the first summer that the versatile player is listening offers from other clubs, with Barcelona’s Catalan rivals Girona among the clubs who have registered an interest.

More details below

Brighton & Hove Albion have submitted a bid for Paraguay and Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez, sources briefed on negotiations have told The Athletic.

Brighton are not the only club to table a bid to for the rising talent, sources add.

The 21-year-old has seven caps with the senior national team and led Paraguay's successful qualification campaign for this summer's Olympics, which he is expected to feature at.

The versatile midfielder was in the midst of a career year before his injury, with three goals and three assists in 13 matches in all competitions. Naturally a central midfielder, Gomez has excelled as a winger for Miami on the opposite flank to Lionel Messi.

Brighton are viewed among the best identifiers of talent in the world. They already have fellow rising Paraguayan international Julio Enciso at the club.

Watford have held talks with former France international Moussa Sissoko over a return to the club and are working on deals for two more signings.

Sissoko, 34, left Watford after they were relegated to the Championship in 2022 and has spent the last two seasons at French side Nantes.

The former Tottenham midfielder is reviewing various options but Watford would be keen to bring him back to Vicarage Road, where he would play under former team-mate Tom Cleverley,

Sissoko made 38 appearances for Watford during the 2021-22 season after leaving Tottenham where he spent five seasons, finishing runners-up in the Champions League in 2018-19.

Watford have also held talks over the signing of Celtic's Rocco Vata. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is out of contract but is currently considering his options, including extending his stay at Celtic Park.

If he were to sign for Watford they would have to pay a six figure compensation sum. The link with Vata was previously highlighted in this week's Transfer DealSheet.

The Championship club — who have started pre-season training — are hopeful of completing the signing of Udinese centre back Antonio Tikvic.

The Croatia Under-21 defender is part of the training group at London Colney training ground. The 20-year-old was set to join Watford from their Italian sister club in January but the deal wasn't completed. It's not yet known whether it will be a permanent or loan signing.

One deal that is also near to completion is that of former goalkeeper Jonathan Bond. The former LA Galaxy keeper is set to sign a two year deal with the club where he started his career.

The 31-year-old — who also played for Reading and West Brom — is due to be understudy to Daniel Bachmann.

The Athletic has contacted Watford for comment.

Tottenham have completed the permanent signing of Amanda Nilden from Juventus.

The full-back has signed a three-year deal to keep her at the club until 2027.

Nilden, 25, spent the second half of last season on loan at Spurs, making 10 WSL appearances and helping the club reach the Women's FA Cup final for the first time.

The Sweden international previously spent two seasons in the WSL with Brighton.

Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle with Marc Guiu to sign the 18-year-old striker from Barcelona on a contract until June 2030.

The west London club are to activate a €6million release clause in Guiu’s existing deal at Camp Nou and schedule a medical in London.

Guiu is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, having been at the club since 2013.

Read more below

Manchester United have confirmed Lucia Garcia will depart the club following the conclusion of her contract at the end of this month.

The 25-year-old Spanish winger joined United in the summer of 2022 from Athletic Bilbao and made 60 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals. She scored twice in the 2024 FA Cup final victory over Tottenham Hotspur in May as United’s women’s team won their first major trophy.

Illiman Ndiaye is set to undergo a medical with Everton ahead of his £15million (€17.7m, $19m) transfer from Marseille.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that Everton were closing in on the signing of Ndiaye. The 24-year-old scored four goals in 29 starts and 15 substitute appearances for Marseille last season, having joined the Ligue 1 side from Sheffield United in August 2023.

Watford midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru has signed a three-year contract extension at the Championship club.

His previous deal was due to expire in 2025 but now runs until 2028.

Dele-Bashiru, 24, joined Watford in 2019 after his contract at Manchester City expired.

Injury had largely disrupted his time at Watford before last season where he was one of the club’s most consistent performers under first Valerien Ismael and then Tom Cleverley.

He made 38 appearances and scored three goals, which alongside a loan spell at Reading in 2021-22, where he played 39 and scored four goals, ranks as one of his most productive seasons to date.

He is now back in pre-season training at Watford, who will open the new season at Millwall on August 10.

Watford have been approached for comment.

Watford are also in the process of finalising a deal to sell Ismael Kone to Marseille. The Athletic reported a fee has been agreed in the region of £15million ($19m) including add-ons for the 22-year-old.

West Ham United have completed the signing of Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham on a two-year contract.

Foderingham, 33, joins on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Bramall Lane.

The Athletic reported in May that West Ham were close to agreeing a deal for Foderingham, who made over 100 league appearances during his four-year spell at Bramall Lane, having joined from Rangers in the summer of 2020.

Foderingham said: “As soon as I heard of the interest, it was something that I was keen to get sorted and get done and I’m just delighted to be here."

He added: "The club has had some really good success in Europe and in the Premier League as well. I think the club has gone from strength to strength and I think I'm joining at a very, very good time as it's a positive time for the club.”

“We’re really pleased to add a goalkeeper of Wes’ experience to our first team goalkeeping unit”, said West Ham technical director Tim Steidten.

“He’s had an esteemed career to date, including playing at the very highest level in the Premier League last year for Sheffield United – and I’m sure that under the guidance of Xavi Valero, both Alphonse (Areola) and Łukasz (Fabianski) will benefit greatly from having another established keeper working alongside them on a daily basis.”

Foderingham becomes new head coach Julen Lopetegui's second summer signing following the arrival of Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme.

Manchester United have confirmed Lucia Garcia will depart the club following the conclusion of her contract at the end of this month.

The 25-year-old Spanish winger joined United in the summer of 2022 from Athletic Bilbao and made 60 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals.

“For me, it has been two incredible seasons,” Garcia said. “I was so happy to have been a part of this team and to have helped the team. We are like a family.

“I am going to miss every single piece of Manchester United. All my friends, all the team, all the staff, all the workers here.

“But at the end of the day, I have to say goodbye. That’s so hard for me, and the only thing I can say to you all is I love you (from) the bottom of my heart.”

Watford have agreed a deal in principle with Marseille for the sale of Canada midfielder Ismael Kone.

A fee has been agreed in the region of £15million ($19m) including add-ons for the 22-year-old.

Kone is currently at the Copa America with Canada but has indicated to Watford he that he is keen to move on, with formalities to be completed once the tournament is over.

Other clubs have registered an interest in the midfielder but the situation with Marseille is now at advanced stage, with only final details to be completed.

Full story below

Manchester United expect Mary Earps to leave with the goalkeeper considering an attractive offer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Earps is out of contract at United at the end of this month and the Women’s Super League side have offered the 31-year-old improved terms in a bid to keep her.

United’s offer represents a better package overall for Earps but finances are not a priority for the England international, who wants to compete for trophies at this stage in her career.

United believe theirs is a strong offer but still expect Earps to leave at the end of this month.

Full story below

Joselu is close to leaving Real Madrid after receiving an offer to play for Al Gharafa in Qatar.

The 34-year-old looked set to extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu after The Athletic reported that the club decided to exercise their option to sign the striker on a permanent deal from Espanyol.

However, Madrid are working with Espanyol to activate the €1.5million purchase option for Joselu and then sell him for the same amount.

Alternatively, they may allow Espanyol to handle the sale directly. The club’s directors are keen to help facilitate his departure following his impressive season.

More below

Manchester United remain in talks with Joshua Zirkzee’s representatives and the club’s interest is advanced.

The 23-year-old forward is one of several candidates as the club seek to sign someone who can provide competition to Rasmus Hojlund.

Zirkzee, who plays for Serie A club Bologna, has a €40million release clause that should make any club-to-club talks more straightforward. Discussions with Bologna would still be needed, while his salary and agent commissions are other factors United are considering.

Zirkzee, who was a late call-up for the Netherlands’ European Championship squad, is wanted by several clubs. He has options, including staying in Italy, with AC Milan also trailing him.

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Eric da Silva Moreira from St Pauli in a deal worth around £1.25million ($1.57m) with potential add-ons.

The Athletic previously reported that the 18-year-old right-back, who can also play as a right winger and as a wing-back, was scheduled to fly into England to complete his move to the Premier League club.

Da Silva Moreira has signed a four-year contract that will keep him at the City Ground until at least 2028.

He said: “I’m really happy to be here. I’ve heard a lot about the Premier League and a lot about many clubs, so I’m very happy to be at Nottingham Forest, especially at a club that has a lot of tradition just like my old club.

“Me and my family are really happy about this new challenge. I can’t wait to get started and get to know the city, the people and everything about the club.”

More below

It is the final week before the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) window closes.

One team with PSR issues to resolve are Everton. As previously reported, word from Goodison Park is that their PSR hole is relatively small, but it still needs to be filled before Sunday. Not doing so would put them at risk of a further breach.

Selling Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has struggled for consistency in front of goal (below), would address their problem and Newcastle United have been in talks, but the proposed deal is now in doubt.

Calvert-Lewin closed the 2023-24 season well, scoring four times in seven matches. He made 32 Premier League appearances last season, his most in the competition since 2020-21.

Calvert-Lewin’s biggest strength has been his success in the air, with the 27-year-old winning 41 per cent of his 12.8 aerial duels per 90 minutes in his eight seasons in the top flight. He has a catalogue of great headed goals across his 213 league appearances.