Arsenal have sprung to life in this summer's transfer market, with the Gunners pushing to get some blockbuster deals over the line. Vinicius Junior is the big one for the reigning Premier League champions, but it looks as if they've reached a bump in the road.

The winger has been locked in contract negotiations with Real Madrid, having entered the final year of his contract in the Spanish capital. It isn't all bad news for Mikel Arteta, as it is expected a move for Bruno Guimaraes will be confirmed in the coming days.

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The midfielder is heading for north London, meanwhile, one player on his way out of the capital appears to be Cristian Romero, with Spurs said to be open to selling the defender. Elsewhere, Manchester United continue a busy summer, with the Red Devils having already had plenty of ins and outs in the transfer window so far.

Stick around as Express Sport keeps you up to date with all of the latest transfer news and updates!

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Real Madrid not giving up on Rodri pursuit

Real Madrid are reportedly not giving up on Rodri, despite the deal having stalled.

Manchester City are believed to be holding out for a fee in excess of £70million, but Los Blancos have no intention of paying that.

However, as per ESPN in Spain, Real Madrid will make one last attempt to lure the midfielder to the Spanish capital.

It comes after news emerged that Barcelona are tracking Rodri's situation and would view his signing as a great market opportunity.

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Liverpool considering joining race for Arsenal target

Liverpool are reportedly considering joining the race for Ezri Konsa.

The Reds are in desperate need of defensive additions, specifically in the centre-back department.

Konsa, of Aston Villa, has emerged as a potential target for the 2024/25 Premier League champions, as per The Guardian.

The England international is also being monitored by Arsenal though, with Konsa boasting two years left on his deal.

Iraola recently conceded: "With the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are, I think, very thin right now so I think it's a solution that we are trying to find, yes."

Roberto De Zerbi tells Tottenham star to 'f*** off' in furious text message

Submitted by daniel on Wed, 05/08/2026 - 13:44

Roberto De Zerbi has revealed he fired a foul-mouthed message to summer signing Jan Paul van Hecke, insisting the defender had no choice but to join Tottenham after nearly sending them down to the Championship. The defender helped Georginio Rutter score a 95th-minute equaliser for Brighton against Spurs back in April in a result which sparked fears the north Londoners could really be relegated.

Ultimately, the Italian manager saved them from despair. Since then, Spurs have splashed £237m in the transfer window thus far, with De Zerbi keen to bring in a further two or three players in the coming weeks. At least two of those targets will be forwards, and while some managers dread the transfer window, the Italian relishes the excitement of the chase, describing himself as a "shark" when pursuing a target.

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"I don't know why I love it, maybe because when you make a decision, you take the responsibility, but I think if the coach calls the player, you can build a special connection at the beginning with them," said the 47-year-old.

"The player knows you are the key for this transfer, and maybe this player feels they have to give you back something more than if, for example, Johan Lange calls the player."

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He added: "With Mateus Fernandes, I spoke with his parents. With JP [Van Hecke], after the Everton game, I sent the message 'F*** off, you wanted to send down Tottenham for Brighton when you made the assist to Georginio Rutter, now you have to come to me, yes or yes, you have no choice!'

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"It was straight after the game, right in my dressing room, my office in the Tottenham stadium, I sent a message to my daughter, and then JP."

De Zerbi relishes the moment a transfer plan falls into place, owing to the transformative impact it can have, particularly at a club like Tottenham that has endured a turbulent few years.

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"I am excited when we close the deal, yes, but not for the player, because we can play with JP, without JP, with Tonali, without Tonali, but I think it's a different relationship, it's a different atmosphere," he admitted.

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De Zerbi has been collaborating closely with Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Lange since mid-March throughout the negotiations to bring him to the north London club.

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"We are working very well, it's my best connection with the board. Also in the players we sold, because for [Luka] Vuskovic it was together," he recalled.

"The request of Vuskovic, we spoke with Vinai, with Johan together, because I consider my job? No, I consider Tottenham, or my club, the money of my club, I consider my money.

"It's like the owner is my father. You don't want to spend money, to ask your father to spend money or to lose money. And if we bring a player, if we sell a player, it's one family."

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World Cup star in middle of Donald Trump controversy could now join Tottenham

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 04/08/2026 - 14:45

Tottenham can now sign a player embroiled in a FIFA scandal involving Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino. Folarin Balogun, who also previously represented Arsenal, was sent off at the World Cup, only to have his red card rescinded when the US President called his FIFA counterpart.

Balogun was cleared to play as a result, a decision that caused plenty of controversy, as an exceptional decision was made for the United States striker. Now, he could get a move back to the Premier League via Spurs, who are searching for a striker after struggling for goals last year.

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The Sun claim that Balogun's future at current club Monaco is uncertain, with the player available for a 'competitive fee'. Balogun has been offered to Spurs by his representatives.

Balogun moved to the Principality club in 2023 after coming through the ranks at Arsenal. Should Tottenham reach an agreement with Monaco, they would find themselves benefiting their north London rivals through a 17.5 per cent sell-on clause.

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The striker appeared destined to be among the standout performers of the World Cup on home soil after netting three goals in four matches. However, his contributions were largely overshadowed by the storm surrounding his dismissal during the tournament.

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Balogun received his marching orders in the round of 32 clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina after inadvertently catching Tarik Muharemovic's leg with his studs. It was only following VAR review that the red card was issued, yet the drama was far from over.

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The forward was allowed to feature in the next round against Belgium after his anticipated suspension was deferred for a year. The decision followed considerable pressure from the host nation, including from Trump and his administration.

Despite Balogun's inclusion, the United States were unable to avoid an early exit from the tournament, and the ruling drew fierce condemnation.

"I think it's an absolute disgrace, I really do," declared Wayne Rooney during his punditry duties for the BBC.

"I know it's UEFA but I got a three-game ban before Euro 2012. I was due to miss the three group games and I got told if I went over to Switzerland and did a training session with a bunch of kids, my third game would get taken off. I agreed to do it because I didn't want a three-game ban but I thought that was wrong.

"For this to be suspended, they either take the red card away, which is probably the right decision, and then he can play. But to suspend it for a year? I think it's an absolute disgrace. Infantino should be ashamed of this.

"The sportsmanship of this game is in question here. If I'm USA's opponent, I'd be absolutely fuming. It's wrong in every way. If you're an England player tonight or a Mexican player, and you get a red card, do you expect to be playing the next game? Where does it stop?"

Following the tournament, Balogun took to social media to reflect on his nation's campaign and offer an apology to supporters across the United States. He chose not to address the controversy that had surrounded him, however.

He wrote: "My debut World Cup...It hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down.

"Soccer in America will only become bigger the belief, the talent, and the passion is continually growing and I know the best days are in front of us, the future belongs to those who never stop believing, this moment will fuel us. We will be back. Why not us? For the nation. For the flag."

Daily Express

Transfer news LIVE: Bruno G to Arsenal boost and Man Utd change plans

Submitted by daniel on Tue, 04/08/2026 - 11:38

Transfer news LIVE: Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal boost, Man Utd change plans, Spurs raid - Daily Express

Dominik Szoboszlai says the Liverpool squad will 'get on with it' if the club don't add more new players to the group.

The Reds have not made a signing since Victor Munoz on June 18 and have only signed two new players this summer, with Jeremy Jacquet the other.

That has led fans to fear Andoni Iraola will be left without proper resources to challenge for major honours in 2026-27.

But Szoboszlai said: "It's not my job to say who we have to sign or if we have to sign someone.

"But if the guys above and the manager decide to sign someone then we'll be very happy and welcome them well.

"If they decide not to (sign more players) then we get on with it and we have to do something special with this squad."

Another big move outside of the Premier League.

Yan Diomande, who Liverpool failed in their move for earlier this window, is edging closer to a move to Real Madrid.

Los Blancos are said to be going 'all out' for the Ivorian winger, say Sky Sport Germany.

Talks are back underway and Real Madrid want an agreement as quickly as possible, with a deal likely to cost significantly more than £100million.

Manchester United are not certain to sign another midfielder, despite not having recruited a ball-winning No.6 this summer.

Casemiro left as a free agent and while United have signed Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, neither are the same profile as the Brazilian.

But The Athletic say with Mason Mount having been utilised in a deeper midfielder role in pre-season, a third midfield signing is not guaranteed.

If Mount can stay fit, United have him, Kobbie Mainoo, Tielemans and Santos for two midfield roles.

Liverpool do not want to sell Cody Gakpo to Tottenham because they are mindful that Andoni Iraola hasn't yet worked with the forward.

The Athletic say Liverpool have yet to receive any contact from Spurs.

But the Londoners have been in contact with Gakpo's representatives to register their interest.

If he is sold, Liverpool would use two deals - Elliot Anderson to Man City and Morgan Rogers to Chelsea - to inform their transfer fee.

The fact Gakpo has not yet returned to training to work with new coach Iraola means the Reds are extra hesitant to sell.

They want to add to their attack rather than take away from it.

Manchester United see Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White as a potential replacement for Bruno Fernandes, it has been claimed.

The Daily Mail say, should the United captain leave the club, Gibbs-White would be a standout candidate to succeed him.

The midfielder grew up as a United fan and would relish the chance to play in the Champions League.

But skipper Fernandes looks to be going nowhere this summer, meaning a move is not on the cards in the short term.

Yet the Portuguese playmaker only has one year left on his current contract at Old Trafford.

United have the option to extend that agreement by a further 12 months but should he depart any time soon, Gibbs-White could get his dream move.

Arsenal have presented a weekly wage that is acceptable to Real Madrid winger Vini Jr - but there is still no complete agreement on personal terms.

The Gunners are in discussions with the Brazilian's representatives as they look to pull off a huge deal.

The 26-year-old is into the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and is willing to move to north London.

But the Daily Mail say a verbal agreement on a potential signing-on fee has not yet been reached.

Arsenal will hope to find common ground soon to put them in the strongest possible position to prise Vini Jr out of Madrid if he does not sign a new contract.

It remains unclear precisely how much Real Madrid would demand to sell Vini Jr though their position is weakened by the fact he would be a free agent in 12 months' time.

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