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Transfer news live: Arsenal get Sesko boost, Man United target new striker, Spurs in talks with ‘Swedish Messi’
Follow all the latest transfer news as the rumour mill whirs with the summer’s second transfer window open for business
The transfer window is now open once more following a short closure after its initial mini-opening ahead of the summer’s Club World Cup. The window has officially re-opened today, Monday 16 June, with clubs able to accelerate deals ahead of the new season.
Liverpool are making plans for a Florian Wirtz medical later this week after agreeing a record £116.5m deal for the German superstar. The Premier League champions, who have already brought in Jeremie Frimpong, will make Wirtz their club-record signing after agreeing a deal with Bayer Leverkusen. However, they may well lose left-back stalwart Andy Robertson, with Atletico Madrid circling.
Manchester United, who have secured Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, are negotiating with Brentford about Bryan Mbeumo, who would prefer a move to Old Trafford over Tottenham Hotspur even as Thomas Frank takes charges in north London – though Spurs want Mbeumo and teammate Yoane Wissa.
Arsenal hope to bring in Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Arteta has made RB Leipzig striker, Benjamin Sesko, their No 1 target for a striker. However, the Gunners have reportedly submitted an initial offer for another forward option – Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free, while all the latest updates, rumours and done deals from what promises to be a chaotic transfer window will be covered in the blog below:
Chelsea transfer round-up
Chelsea may be in the United States competing in the Fifa Club World Cup, but their transfer business has not slowed down.
Enzo Maresca’s side are preparing for a jaunt into the Champions League next season after finishing fourth in the English top-flight and winning the Conference League in a busy term.
They have work to do in the summer with Jadon Sancho returning to Old Trafford and a bulking of the squad needed in some areas to provide the quality demanded by Europe’s elite club competition.
There is no shortage of funds at Stamford Bridge, with big-money moves a constant fixture of recent transfer windows, and this summer is set to be no different.
Here’s everything you need to know about Chelsea’s summer transfer plans:
Chelsea transfer news: Malik Fofana, Jamie Gittens, Mike Maignan and more
Chelsea’s summer business is not slowing down despite their ongoing Club World Cup campaign in the US
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 14:01
Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea handed ultimatum over Ekitike
Man United could be in for the £85m-rated Hugo Ekitke from Eintracht Frankfurt and they have now entered talks with the club about signing him.
There has been no formal bid yet, according to Sky Sports, but United are exploring the conditions of a deal and personal terms are not expected to be a problem.
Ruben Amorim’s side are in the market for a striker regardless of what happens with the Rasmus Hojlund situation - with Serie A sides in for him but the Dane keen to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
Chelsea and Liverpool also want Ekitke, but Frankfurt insist the asking price is €100m, if it’s not met, then the 22-year-old will stay in Germany, reports Sport Bild.
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 12:48
Gyokeres receives huge offer as new team enters fray for Arsenal and Man Utd target
A twist in the Viktor Gyokeres transfer saga? All our focus has been on Arsenal and Man Utd vying for the Sporting striker’s signature but now a third party have thrown their hat into the ring.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Serie A giants Juventus want to muscle in on Gyokeres and have already indicated to the striker's representatives that they are willing to meet his £11m-a-year wage demands.
That would be a blow for the English clubs.
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 11:54
Arsenal handed potential Sesko boost
Arsenal may be moving closer to signing Benjamin Sesko after RB Leipzig stepped up their efforts to sign Brazilian striker Romulo, who scored 17 goals and made 10 assists this season for Turkish side Goztepe.
Sesko is Arsenal’s top priority as a new No 9, having scored 39 goals in 87 games for RB Leipzig. But the German club want around £60m and the Gunners are still considering their next move, with Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres another option.
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 11:51
Spurs open talks for 'Swedish Messi'
Tottenham have opened talks over a deal to sign the ‘Swedish Messi’ (every country has one), Roony Bardghji.
The ‘Swedish Rooney’ might have flowed better, but it fairness Bardghji has got that low dribbling style and lethal left foot that immediately conjures thoughts of the Argentine. And if the comparison might seem lofty, his career so far is certainly impressive.
Bardghji crossed the Oresund Bridge as a youth player, leaving Malmo to sign for Copenhagen who promised a fasttrack to the first team. He has made regular appearances in the Danish Superliga, scoring 15 goals in 74 games so far at only 19 years old.
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 11:18
Chelsea want new winger after no Sancho deal
We already knew that Jadon Sancho had returned to Man United after the conclusion of his loan with Chelsea and Enzo Maresca has confirmed the Blues won’t be signing him as they instead focus on other wing targets.
“Jadon is not with us, so for sure that is a position that probably we need to do something,” said Maresca ahead of Chelsea’s Club World Cup opener against LAFC on Monday.
“Also, because as you already know, Misha (Mykhailo Mudryk) is not with us. So in this moment we have Noni [Madueke], Pedro [Neto] and Ty [Tyrique George] as proper wingers.
“So, for sure, something is going to happen. We said many times, when the transfer window is open, anything can happen - to bring players or to sell players. We will see.”
You can sign up to DAZN to watch every Club World Cup game for free
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 11:02
Done deal! Brighton sign Italian defender Coppola
Brighton have captured Italian centre-back Diego Coppola for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old defender is already an Italy international, and is currently competing at the European U21 Championship.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said: “Diego is an exciting addition for the club. Although he is still young, he is tall, strong and mobile and he will give us a real physical presence.
“He has made impressive progress in Serie A and deserved his call-up to the Italian national team. We look forward to helping him develop even more.”
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 10:38
Chelsea-target Maignan to have contract talks
Chelsea have been consistently linked with AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, although only at the right price with the club insisting they’re happy with their current goalkeeping options.
Maignan is now set to hold talks with Milan over a new contract, with the Frenchman said to be still considering a future at the club and potentially extending his deal, according to Italian outlet CalcioMercato.
The Blues had real interest in the 29-year-old during the last transfer window but the deal collapsed.
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 10:14
Why Florian Wirtz is worth the money for Liverpool
Florian Wirtz looks set to join Liverpool for a record fee from Bayer Leverkusen.
He has played brilliantly for the German side under Xabi Alonso and Adam Clery believes he’s worth the significant outlay for the Reds:
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 09:53
Calafiori to stay at Arsenal but Zinchenko to leave?
It could be a tale of two full-backs at Arsenal this summer with Riccardo Calafiori set to stay at the club but Oleksandr Zinchenko potentially leaving.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Gunners don’t want to cash in on Calafiori but will sanction a move for Zinchenko with AC Milan courting the Ukrainian. The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly last season limited the playing time of both men at the Emirates.
Milan were also said to be interested in Calafiori but he has only been at Arsenal a short time since joining from Bologna and the player himself told told Gianluca di Marzio he has no desire to leave.
"At Arsenal, I'm very happy,” said the Italian. “I always feel good in any position I play in order to help the team. What was missing last season was consistency and I'll look to find that consistency next season.
"When I felt good, I always played and made a difference in the team. So the goal next season is to be in form for the whole season."
Lawrence Ostlere17 June 2025 09:41