Today, Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool remain the talk of the rumour mill as the international transfer window creeps into view.
Yesterday, Real Madrid finally announced the signing of Eden Hazard for a fee that could come to exceed £150m. Elsewhere, Daniel James completed his medical at United with his £18m signing and has been confirmed.
The future of Matthijs de Ligt meanwhile remains uncertain, with the 19-year-old defender currently linked to a host of clubs eager to land his signature. Recap all of the news below:
Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of all of today's transfer news and rumours.
There is only one place to start, isn't there?
Eden Hazard hopes Chelsea fans understand why he is making his "dream" move to Real Madrid that could net the Blues an English record fee.
Hazard has signed a five-year contract to join Real in a deal that could rise as high as £150million once all bonus payments come into play.
The flat fee will hit £100m, with Chelsea happy to allow Hazard his big switch for that price given he had just one year left on his Stamford Bridge deal.
The 28-year-old Belgium captain grew up with posters of Real boss Zinedine Zidane on his bedroom wall, and insisted he would only have left Chelsea for Madrid.
"It's no secret that it was my dream to play for them since I was a young boy just scoring my first goal," said Hazard in a Facebook post.
"Now the clubs have reached an agreement I hope you understand I had to pursue my next chapter, just as each and every one of you should when you have the chance to pursue your dreams.
"Leaving Chelsea is the biggest and toughest decision in my career to date.
"I have loved every moment at Chelsea and not once did I ever consider, nor would I have left for, any other club."
Hazard, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Lille in 2012, leaves Chelsea having bagged six major trophies in seven years, with 110
goals in 352 appearances.
His final act in Chelsea blue was to score twice and assist once in the 4-1 Europa League final thrashing of Arsenal in Baku.
Hazard will double his wages to £400,000 in his five-year deal at Madrid, becoming the club's second major signing of the summer after Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic.
"Although it is with sadness we say goodbye to Eden and we made it absolutely clear to him the club wished him to stay, we respect the decision he has made to take on a new challenge in a different country and follow his childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid," said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.
"The memories he leaves us with will not fade. He provided all who watched Chelsea play with great entertainment and many match-winning contributions, and for that we thank Eden enormously.
"He has been a model professional throughout his time at the club, a wonderful individual to have around and a joy to work with.
"We look forward to welcoming him back to Stamford Bridge in the future."
Real said Hazard would be presented at the Bernabeu on Thursday after undergoing a medical in Madrid.
United's De Ligt boost
There’s some good news for Manchester United supporters this morning in the Spanish press.
Spanish outlet SPORT has this morning published a story suggesting that Barcelona are on the verge of being priced out of a move for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.
The story claims that Barca fear they cannot offer De Ligt anywhere near the money Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to stump up for the teenager.
PSG are reportedly considering offering £85m for the 19-year-old as well as wages of 15m euros a season for five years – a hefty price that only United would be able to rival.
De Ligt is meanwhile considering his options and now appears to face a straight choice between Barca, PSG and United.
The most expensive transfers, ever
Eden Hazard has moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid on a five-year contract for a fee that could reportedly rise to £130million.
The deal is the second-most expensive in football history – so why not round up the top ten?
- Neymar, Barcelona to Paris St Germain, 2017, £200.6million
- Eden Hazard, Chelsea to Real Madrid, 2019, £130m
- Kylian Mbappe, Monaco to Paris St Germain, 2017, £128m
- Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool to Barcelona, 2018, £106.4m
- Ousmane Dembele, Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, 2017, £96.8m
- Paul Pogba, Juventus to Manchester United, 2016, £89m
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid to Juventus, 2018, £88.7m
- Gareth Bale, Tottenham to Real Madrid, 2013, £85.3m
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United to Real Madrid, 2009, £80m
- Gonzalo Higuain, Napoli to Juventus, 2016, £75.3m
Arsenal to bid for Carrasco?
Arsenal have reportedly made a bid for Belgium star Yannick Carrasco, according to Spanish publication SPORT.
The long-term Arsenal target revealed this week that Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang had received an offer for his services.
To the delight of transfer news and rumour blogs the world over, Carrasco declined to mention the identity of the club wanting to sign him, but SPORT believe they know.
They have this morning claimed Arsenal are desperate to sign the 25-year-old, particularly after Denis Suarez’s loan move fell flat.
Speaking to Belgian website Nieuwsblad, Carrasco said: "There is now an offer on the table and the negotiations with my agent are progressing well.
"I am the most important player in the club, but I hope the chairman understands me."
Everything you need to know...
... about Eden Hazard's big money move to Real Madrid.
Hello, old friend
Thibaut Courtois is understandably delighted to see his compatriot Eden Hazard join him at Real Madrid, and has welcomed his new team-mate to 'the best club in the world' on Twitter.
Tottenham's transfer boost
Ryan Sessegnon has told Fulham he will not sign a new contract and wants to move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Sky Sports.
Sessegnon, 19, decided against joining Mauricio Pochettino’s side last summer but now feels as though he is ready to move on.
Sky Sports report the winger has now informed the Cottagers of his decision but is waiting nervously as the two clubs attempt to agree a fee.
Spurs do not want to pay more than £25m for the teenager, but Fulham value the player closer to £40m.
Longstaff snubs United move
Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff this morning.
The 21-year-old is one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s primary transfer targets, but in a new interview Longstaff has said that he wishes to continue his development at St James’ Park.
Speaking to NUFC TV, he said: "It just shows how far I’ve come.
"If someone told us at the start of the season that by the end of it you’d be linked with these teams I’d have laughed at them but it’s nice, it’s flattering.
"I’m massively flattered to have my name even mentioned in those conversations but like I said, I’m 100% focused on Newcastle and trying to get fit and get back in the team here.
"For me it’s nice to be have said about you and be linked with top clubs but for me, this is what I’ve always wanted to do.
"I’ve always wanted to play for Newcastle and I’ve only had a little taste of that so for me, it’s about getting fit as soon as I can and getting back on the pitch for Newcastle and making more memories of the future."
Ranked and rated
This might cheer Manchester United supporters up a bit after that latest news: their 50 summer transfer targets identified and evaluated:
Sarri to go?
Here is the latest on Maurizio Sarri's situation at Chelsea, courtesy of esteemed transfer scuffler Lawrence Ostlere:
James handed his chance against Croatia
Manchester United-bound Daniel James started for Wales in their Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia in Osijek.
Swansea winger James scored the winner on his competitive debut against Slovakia in March, and Wales made one change from that game with Will Vaulks replacing David Brooks.
Croatia made three from the 2-1 defeat to Hungary in March as injured pair Ivan Rakitic and Ante Rebic and Aston Villa goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic dropped out, with Dominik Livakovic, Mateo Kovacic and Josip Brekalo coming into the starting line-up.
Bale digs in
Gareth Bale has told Real Madrid he has no plans to quit the club this summer, according to AS.
Los Blancos are desperate to sell the Welshman this summer, to free up some funds ahead of their comprehensive squad rebuild.
But Bale has reportedly told the club not to listen to any bids for his signature.
Will there even be any … ?
What next for De Ligt?
Our man in Portugal Miguel Delaney was blown away by the performances of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt against England on Thursday night, and wonders what will come next for the latter in this intriguing piece:
Kovacic to return to Italy?
Inter Milan are in talks with Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to reports in Italy.
Kovacic, 25, spent last season on loan at Chelsea where he became an influential first-team player, making 51 appearances in all competitions.
However Chelsea do not have an option to buy him outright this summer meaning the Croatia international is fair game.
And La Repubblica have today reported that Inter are keen to resign the midfielder. Kovacic spent three seasons at the San Siro before signing for Madrid in 2015.
'Enjoy your new challenge amigo'
Cesc Fabregas has just wished Eden Hazard luck in Madrid...
Draxler to Spurs?
Tottenham have reportedly been offered Julian Draxler as a potential Christian Eriksen replacement - should the Dane leave the club this summer.
Eriksen went public on his wish to leave Spurs this week, with Inter Milan weighing up whether to rival Real Madrid for his signature.
And according to the Daily Star, PSG are ready to make the most of the situation in offloading Draxler - who is surplus to requirements in Paris - for an expected £35m.
City to enter the market?
Manchester City are looking to make a move for Juventus' Joao Cancelo, according to reports.
The Premier League champions are allegedly in talks with the Serie A side over a £44m for the Brazilian, who Goal say is keen to make the switch.
Juve have started looking for replacements for Cancelo, identifying Tottenham's Kieran Trippier and Napoli's Elseid Hysaj as possible alternatives.
Danilo could also be an option. The full-back came close to moving to Turin from Real Madrid before eventually settling upon Manchester in 2017.
Bad news for Arsenal and Spurs fans...
Statistics from the past ten transfer windows show that north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are the quietest clubs when it comes to pushing deals over the line.
Having only completed 55 permanent deals in the last 10 windows, Arsenal are bottom of bettingexpert’s Premier League transfer table.
The Gunners also have a deficit of seven players, having completed just 24 signings and 31 sales since summer.
Tottenham, who have not signed a player since January 2018, sit 19th in the Premier League’s transfer table with just 63 deals done, one player below Bournemouth and two inferior to Manchester United.
Watford have sealed more deals than any other current Premier League side on 107, while they also have the highest surplus of players on +19.
Man United (-19), Tottenham (-17) and Chelsea (-10) are the three sides with the most negative trade figures.
Spurs in for Bruno?
Portuguese outlet Diario Record have this weekend reported that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to move forward with a concrete proposal worth over €70m to sign Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno and Sporting are set for talks upon the conclusion of Portugal’s Nations League campaign with a decision on the player’s future to be made soon.
Bruno has made 106 appearances for Sporting having signed for the club from Sampdoria in 2017.
Arsenal are meanwhile set to push on with their first signing of the summer with a bid for Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser set to be lodged. A new centre-back is high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority list at United with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester’s Harry Maguire both options. Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another on the Norwegian’s radar.
It won’t just be incomings at Old Trafford, however, with Paul Pogba a high-profile target for Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez on his way out with Inter Milan and Juventus fighting it out for his signature – if he drops his wage demands. And Liverpool could be active too as they look to go one better after failing to win the Premier League title by just a single point.
