Transfer news live, today! Latest updates on the summer window
We’re all set for a very summery transfer window as the latest transfer news keeps pouring in and many big names are expected to make the switch.
The summer 2023 transfer window opens for Premier League clubs on 14 June 2023 and ends on 1 September 2023 at 18:00 ET.
From in-demand superstars like Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to speculation about Lionel Messi’s future and big bucks to be spent by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, this is set to be an entertaining summer.
Below we round up the latest transfer news, deals done, reports and rumours, and give our analysis of what’s going on as Joe Prince-Wright (JPW), Nicholas Mendola (NM) and Andy Edwards (AE) guide you through the frantic last few days will result in weeks of the window.
Transfer news live today! So far the latest from the summer window…
Jun 3 – The sought-after $40m second player checks Liverpool
Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven has dreamed of playing at Anfield since attending a game there as a youngster. An excellent ball player, Van de Ven is considered a $40 million target. Jurgen Klopp is reportedly an admirer. So it’s a society of mutual respect.
“I was at Liverpool Stadium once with my father,” he told AZ WAZ. “That was over Christmas on Boxing Day. Liverpool vs Arsenal. That was madness. Then comes “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. [on] – It gives me goosebumps, it was very cool. It’s a dream to play there.”
The 1.90m tall Van de Ven turned 22 in April and captained the Netherlands U-21 national team. He joined Wolfsburg from Volendam in the summer of 2021 and became a full-time starter in his second season, occasionally switching to left-back. (NM)
Jun.2 – Man United hold “detailed talks” about young strikers
According to The Athletic, Manchester United are in “detailed talks” over the signings of Randal Kolo Muani and Rasmus Hojlund. The young forward duo are being hunted by the Red Devils as Erik ten Hag is keen to sign one of them and a more experienced striker. According to the report, John Murtaugh has discussed Kolo Muani and Hojlund respectively with both Eintracht Frankfurt and Atalanta on a number of occasions and United hope to continue pursuing their goals for the summer despite the uncertainty surrounding his ownership status while the Glazer family continue to pursue the Club option under consideration Full or partial sale of Premier League giants Both Kolo Muani and Hojlund fit exactly the type of player Erik ten Hag wants and if United can sign one of them and somehow pull off an unlikely move for Harry Kane (unlikely given Daniel Levy’s unwillingness to do business) , then it will be A great summer for the Red Devils. (JPW)
Jun 2 – Gvardiol is wanted by Manchester City
According to a report by The Times, Josko Gvardiol is at the top of Pep Guardiola’s wish list this summer. The 21-year-old Croatian defender is valued at $108m by RB Leipzig and while the German giants are reluctant to sell, Gvardiol is believed to be interested in a move to City. The report states that City are planning to sign at least one of their centre-backs and that John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are all set to stay with Aymeric Laporte, perhaps the most likely of them to move. Gvardiol has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and his aerial prowess, pace and ability on the ball are a perfect fit for the Premier League and City. Josko Gvardiol also got a good look at City this season when Leipzig were defeated by Erling Haaland and Co. in the UEFA Champions League. We’ve seen this season Guardiola’s side dominate the final months of the season, not only thanks to their incredible goal-scoring performances, but above all thanks to a solid defensive line-up. Key to their style of play is the use of mobile centre-backs who can play full-backs and move into midfield. Gvardiol can do that. (JPW)
Jun 1 – Manchester United move to the front of the queue for Mason Mount
According to a report by ESPN, Manchester United are the top priority when it comes to signing Mason Mount this summer. Mount, 24, has just one year left on his contract at Chelsea and is expected to leave this summer. Mount has been linked with moves to United and Liverpool, but according to the report, Mount is interested in joining United, although the Red Devils have some reservations about the $75m transfer fee Chelsea are asking for. According to the report, clubs are waiting to try to buy Mount later in the summer knowing Chelsea will have to move players due to the huge squad Mauricio Pochettino has inherited and needs to downsize. Does Mount to United make sense? It does. He can be used anywhere in Erik ten Hag’s midfield and is the perfect type of player to add to the squad and be a great 12th man or step in when key midfielders are injured or need a break. His time at Chelsea is clearly coming to an end and while Mount has struggled at Chelsea this season, he has shown his quality in recent years in the Premier League and on the international stage with England. (JPW)
May 31 – Liverpool are eyeing a Bundesliga midfielder
Picture says the Reds are turning to the Bundesliga to improve their midfield. Jurgen Klopp is set to reach out to Borussia Monchengladbach’s Kouadio ‘Manu’ Kone this summer as Liverpool have reportedly told the player they are approaching Gladbach. Kone, 22, has been linked with several big clubs, including a report in late March of interest from Manchester United. Kone is a ball progressor who understands the game very well and is said to be worth more than $40 million. (NM)
May 30 – Chelsea goes all-in against Ugarte
Chelsea are in talks to sign Manuel Ugarte, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Uruguayan and Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder is admired by new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. According to Romano, PSG are also in the running for Ugarte. The 22-year-old Ugarte is exactly the kind of player Pochettino loves as he meddles, captures the ball and makes it available to others. Alongside Enzo Fernandez, Ugarte will add extra defensive stability to Chelsea’s midfield and improve the balance of their squad. Our UK partner at Sky Sports says Ugarte has a $65m release clause in his contract. (JPW)
May 30 – Declan Rice is linked with Bayern Munich
Our partners at Sky Deutschland say Bayern Munich are keen to sign Declan Rice from West Ham. Bayern, who lifted the Bundesliga title 11 times in a row last matchday, have made 24-year-old Rice their top target as Thomas Tuchel is a big fan of the England international.
Here’s more from Sky Germany Reporter Uli Kohler: “Tuchel spoke to Rice on the phone. I don’t know what they talked about – maybe money, maybe what to expect for him here [in Munich]. Bayern are keen on him. They need a strong defensive midfielder but everyone knows many other clubs are interested in him. Bayern could afford it. They want to keep it under 100 million euros [£86.4m]. They have to check their accounts very carefully, but I think they can afford it.”
Rice has long been linked with a move to Arsenal or Manchester United, but it’s understood the price West Ham are asking for their captain and central midfielder (who is due to expire next summer) is Premier League – to commit clubs. Bayern appear ready to pay almost the $120m West Ham are asking for Rice. Is he worth it? He is. There is perhaps no better two-way midfielder under the age of 25 in Europe and Rice’s cap is extremely high. (JPW)
May 25 – Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Mason Mount are summertime targets for Man United
According to a report from our UK partners at Sky Sports, Manchester United are looking to sign a trio of England internationals: Harry Kane, Mason Mount and Declan Rice.
“Manchester United will be looking to sign Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Mason Mount this summer. Your #1 target is Kane. He is the player Erik ten Hag wants the most. They are unlikely to sign all three players and it all depends on what happens with the acquisition. Kane, Rice and Mount are exactly the characters that Ten Hag wants in his dressing room.”
It’s clear Kane will be United’s main target as Erik ten Hag has spoken about signing a new striker and that is their biggest transfer need. It’s hard to imagine Tottenham selling Kane to direct top-four rivals Manchester United for less than $130m, even if Kane’s contract expires. Will you take the money this summer and use it to rebuild? Or let him go on a free transfer in the summer of 2024?
Next up, Declan Rice will surely be their next main target as all three of these players only have one year left on their contracts. Rice, 24, is exactly the type of player United need alongside Casemiro in central midfield and the England international has developed into one of Europe’s best two-way midfielders under 25. Rice’s close friend is Mason Mount and the latter clearly doesn’t want to sign a new contract at Chelsea so could be the cheaper option of the three. All of this is dependent on the Manchester United takeover but if they qualify for the Champions League as expected, signing two of those three players would be a huge improvement on their current options and would give them quality, depth and experience in midfield and attack to lend. First choice would be Kane and Rice, but Kane and Mount would still be pretty decent. (JPW)