- Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not keen on a move from Saudi Arabia
- Cash-strapped Manchester United must choose between a goalkeeper or striker
- To get Transfer Confidential sent directly as a newsletter to your inbox every Monday, go to mailplus.co.uk/transferconfidential
Hello and welcome to another edition of our transfer newsletter, brought exclusively to you.
My name is Simon Jones and as well as writing regularly for the Daily Mail and MailOnline, I aim to bring you insight, news and the latest chat from around the globe on all the deals taking shape in the summer transfer window.
It’s set to get busy again in the Premier League as the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea look set to splash further millions in a bid to close the gap on champions Manchester City, while the relegated teams will be in fear of the proverbial vultures preparing to win their best players.
Below I bring you the latest news from around the globe.
The Chelsea striker is not interested in moving Saudi Arabia
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is pushing to leave Chelsea on his terms.
Chelsea have an offer, understood to be worth £6million, from Saudi Arabia for the 34-year-old and are keen to accept as there is little chance of a better bid arriving in the current climate.
Aubameyang endured a tough spell at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Thomas Tuchel, who had explicitly called for the Gabon international’s £10m move from Barcelona. He was later cut from the Champions League squad and did well to finish with three goals in 21 bit-part games.
He had hoped Barcelona would return with an offer, but they have other priorities and Aubameyang now has interest from MLS. But to get the best move, a free transfer from Chelsea would be more beneficial for the striker and that is what his camp are hoping for.
Aubameyang is not alone in wanting a different football project than Saudi Arabia, Romelu Lukaku also wants to continue in Europe. Mauricio Pochettino has been told to try to work with the Belgian, which he is open to, however Lukaku would prefer to return to Inter Milan – but they have so far only offered another loan.
With Kai Havertz’s move to Arsenal expected to accelerate after the international break, Pochettino needs more attacking options. He may be surprised by Chelsea’s planned £30m deal for Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson, who was on his way to Bournemouth in January, but as Graham Potter and Tuchel will testify, life is full of surprises at Chelsea.
Talks about the sale of Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City are approaching, so discussions about Brighton’s Moises Caicedo have become more acute.
After seeing a £60m bid for Caicedo rejected earlier this month, Chelsea are resuming talks this week over a fee for the Ecuador international, who is keen to join.
Brighton, for their part, want to counter with a £40m bid for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill. So far he is not for sale, but he wants to play. Brighton have also checked Sao Paolo’s 19-year-old defender Lucas Beraldo as a precaution.
Should the Caicedo negotiations not come to fruition, Chelsea have a long list of alternatives which include Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, who is valued at £50m. As familiar readers will know, he is also highly regarded by Arsenal and Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher will still receive concrete offers in this window.
Saudi Arabia holds court in London
The Hyatt Regency Hotel in London’s Portman Square has been a hive of football activity in recent days.
Known as The Churchill, the luxurious five-star hotel where rooms can set you back over £770 a night. night, has hosted the likes of Barack Obama and this is where Saudi Arabia’s football elite have held court to attract Premier League footballers.
The Saudi Ministry of Sports announced earlier this month that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) would take control of four teams in the Saudi Pro League: Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
The latter are close to agreeing a deal for Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, Al Hilal are pushing for £20m Kalidou Koulibaly after agreeing £47m for Wolves Ruben Neves yesterday, while Al Ittihad have signed the 32-year-old N’Golo Kante on a four-year contract worth £86m.
To boost Chelsea’s coffers even more, Al Ahli believe they now have a deal in place to sign Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
That deal could see Chelsea ask for Mike Maignan at AC Milan. The coaching staff also like Brentford’s David Raya, but he is still expected to join Tottenham – if they can agree a price.
Walker willing to reject Bayern Munich
Kyle Walker is keen to stay at Manchester City and has opened talks over a contract extension.
Bayern Munich have discussed a £15million move to sign the 33-year-old, but Confidential understands he would prefer to extend his time at City if possible.
There had also been rumors of interest from Liverpool, but it would be difficult to see such a transaction taking place between the Premier League rivals.
Spurs open to selling Højbjerg
Tottenham may be ready to cut ties with midfielder Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg.
The Danish national team player has two years left on his contract and is uncertain about committing to a further agreement. New manager Ange Postecoglou is happy to move on, while 27-year-old Hojbjerg is attracting interest from Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, including Bayern Munich.
The chatter around the England camp in the past week is that Leicester City’s James Maddison is keen to join Tottenham over rival clubs. The Confidential reported Spurs’ eagerness to sign the 26-year-old in April and they would like to add his Leicester team-mate Harvey Barnes as well.
However, Barnes also has interest from Arsenal and West Ham and could wait until later in the window for his future to be resolved while Leicester decide his price.
Juventus want Leicester’s Timothy Castagne, Celtic are interested in Wilfried Ndidi, while the Foxes’ talented teenage midfielder Tyrese Noubissie could be on his way to Manchester City.
United look set to land Fletcher twins
Manchester United hope to reach a cordial agreement on the fee demanded with neighbors Manchester City for Darren Fletcher’s twin sons Jack and Tyler.
Negotiations on the figures have not yet begun, but all parties hope that a solution can be reached without the need for arbitration and compensation.
Fletcher is United’s technical director and the fact that his sons have turned up at City’s academy has often given rise to questions.
Fletcher was not alone, however, as the sons of Wayne Rooney, Andy Cole, Robin van Persie and Phil Neville all also trained at City – which may have said more about the standard of United’s academy at the time.
Since then, however, United have made strides to improve. Yes, Kai Rooney signed for United in 2020 and has earned rave reviews, especially after scoring against City in the U13 National Cup North Final back in March.
The Fletchers have been capped by Scotland at Under-16 level but faced each other in February this year when Jack was called up to represent England instead of a friendly in Cyprus.
Dykes attracts interest after Scotland’s heroics
Scotland hero Lyndon Dykes has attracted interest from Millwall after his goal against Norway on Saturday.
Dykes grabbed a late equalizer against Norway in Saturday’s European Championship qualifier before laying on Kenny McLean’s winner in their 2-1 victory.
Rangers have joined the likes of Burnley in tracking the QPR striker, but Confidential understands that Millwall, who bid to sign Dykes in January, are back in the frame for the 27-year-old.
Brighton are considering a move for Leeds star Adams
Brighton have joined the list of clubs weighing a £25million bid for Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams.
Aston Villa, Everton and Nottingham Forest have all made inquiries for the 24-year-old amid rumors that the US international has a relegation clause. However, Brighton, who are set to lose Moises Caicedo, are looking at options in midfield.
Brighton are also closing in on a deal for Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who was wanted by Burnley and Manchester United.
Leeds are currently working on appointing a new manager and want a candidate who has Premier League and Championship experience and ideally without compensation.
That would rule out former coach Carlos Corberan. The West Brom manager, although known in Leeds from his time as a coach, has a release clause of around £2m. and has yet to make it in the top flight. Scott Parker, Daniel Farke and Patrick Vieira remain among the contenders.
Leeds winger Tyler Roberts will undergo a medical at Birmingham City today after the clubs agreed a £500,000 fee with additions to the Wales international.
No United inquiry for Pickford
Jordan Pickford is happy at Everton and has not received any inquiries from Manchester United.
The England goalkeeper would have had to consider his options if Everton had gone down, but he is happy to play regularly and, despite recent links, United have yet to approach.
United’s current budget means they cannot buy a top-level striker as well as a top goalkeeper, especially as they look set to commit £50m-plus to a deal for Chelsea’s Mason Mount.
Erik ten Hag likes Inter Milan’s Andre Onana as a goalkeeper who could play from the back to better effect than David de Gea, but he would cost around £45m. One possibility is that Inter like some of United’s fringe players and a player swap could reduce the fee.
Meanwhile, United want £2m for defender Eric Bailly amid interest from Real Betis. The 29-year-old, who cost United £30m from Villarreal in 2016, had a poor campaign on loan at Marseille last season and has been hampered by minor injuries.
Stephens is wanted permanently by Bournemouth
Bournemouth are working on a permanent deal for Southampton defender Jack Stephens.
The 29-year-old made 17 appearances for Bournemouth while on loan from Southampton last season.
Forest eye up free agent for left back spot
Nottingham Forest are eyeing free agent Aaron Martin for their left-back spot if they fail to prize Carlos Augusto from Monza.
Inter Milan’s interest has clouded their efforts to sign Augusto, but Martin, 26, is available on a free transfer and his contract at Mainz expires.