The Premier League’s summer transfer window is open with Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal set to be busier than ever.
Liverpool enjoyed success in the Champions League this year and their quest to end their league title drought in 2019 will be bolstered by the arrival of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig. He will not be the last new face on Merseyside, however, with Monaco’s Fabinho already in. Lyon’s Nabil Fekir is next on Jurgen Klopp‘s hitlist. At United Jose Mourinho looks set to spend big again as he targets reinforcements in his bid to haul in record-breaking Manchester City next season. A new left-back and central midfield player are high on his list with a big money move for Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale not out the question. Could Cristiano Ronaldo join him?
For the first time in over two decades Arsenal head into the offseason with a new manager at the helm. That man is former PSG boss Unai Emery after a stunning 11th hour change of heart at the Emirates and he already has a new signing in his sights. Chelsea could well be looking for a new manager themselves but across London Mauricio Pochettino won’t be leaving Tottenham Hotspur after signing a new five-year deal.
We will have all the latest news, views, rumours, gossip and done deals right here so don’t touch that dial.
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The France international has been outstanding since signing from Lyon in 2016, establishing himself alongside Gerard Pique as a key pillar of Barca's league-winning team, and sealing an extension to his deal had been a priority for the club this summer.
But with Umtiti's release clause set at just north of £50m when he signed for the Spanish giants, the talented defender was suddenly very affordable for a number of Premier League teams.
Manchester United were alerted to his potential availability as Barca negotiated his new deal, with Jose Mourinho intent on remodelling his back four this summer.
The 24-year-old central defender decided against a move, however, and signs on with Barcelona with a view to becoming a part of their spine for years to come.
"I'm very happy and proud to be able to renew with Barcelona. My dream was to be with the best. Since the first day, I've felt at home at the club and I want to stay here," Umtiti told a press conference after extending his deal until 2023.
"My priority was always to renew with Barca. I never saw myself in another team.
"This club has been in my heart since I was a kid, and it is a dream to play here with players like (Lionel) Messi."
The Croatian midfielder was signed as a project for the future but injuries and a stellar squad have prevented him from establishing himself as a first-team player in Madrid.
Still just 24, all-action midfielder has his best years ahead of him but with frustration growing at the Spanish giants, he may look for a clean break after the World Cup. Schalke are keenest, with Kovacic earmarked as Leon Goretzka's replacement, but Juventus are also keen to bring the three-time Champions League winner back to Serie A.
Lyon are understood to want close to €70m (£61m) for the 24-year-old who has had an outstanding season for the Ligue 1 club, scoring 23 goals and providing eight assists in 40 appearances in all competitions, while Liverpool’s valuation is around £50m.
Liverpool have marked Fekir as a key target ever since the sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in January for a fee which could reach £140m. That well-publicised figure, coupled with Fekir’s impressive form, has strengthened Lyon’s resolve in negotiations.
The transfer is still expected to be completed before the France international travels to Russia for the World Cup, but on Sunday Liverpool insisted Fekir would not yet be undergoing a medical and that several details are yet to be finalised.
According to The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea are all tracking the star, but it is United who will make a £50 million move for him this summer.
Despite United's strong interest, Sessegnon is thought to favour Liverpool having supported the side as a youngster.
Even so, the 18-year-old is known to have a strong affiliation to Fulham and reports suggest the youngster may stay at the club for another season having secured Premier League football earlier this month.
Let's start with the biggest story of the window so far.
Mauricio Pochettino has opened the door to leaving Tottenham by suggesting that "when Real Madrid call you, you have to listen".
Madrid president Florentino Perez has made Pochettino his number one choice to replace Zinedine Zidane after the three-time Champions League winner announced his shock resignation on Thursday.
Perez has admired Pochettino for some time but this summer is readying a serious push to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu,and is not thought to be considering any other choices for the role.
It is understood any advance from Real would be firmly rejected by Tottenham but despite insisting he is "happy" in north London Pochettino appears to be open to a move to the Spanish capital.
What the papers say:
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles is in the sights of new Everton manager Marco Silva, with the boss keen to signal a break from the type of football played under Sam Allardyce reports the Sun. Everton are said to be preparing a £30million bid for the 24-year-old who may be looking for a new home as talks over Rafa Benitez's future at St James' Park continue.
Real Madrid have moved to Plan B after accepting defeat in their bid to bring in Mauricio Pochettino, according to the Daily Mail. The Spurs boss was the main target after the resignation of Zinedine Zidane with former Real player Guti among those the club have spoken to, the paper said.
Watford are looking to bolster their defence with the signing of Adam Masina from Bologna, reports the Daily Mirror. A deal for the 24-year-old left-back is still "some way off completion" as Masina is looking at interest from elsewhere, the paper said.
The World Cup will provide an opportunity for Bayern Munich to get a closer look at England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, reports the Sun. Pickford, who signed for Everton from Sunderland, is wanted by the Bundesliga side as a potential replacement for Manuel Neuer, the paper said.
A potential arrival at Goodison Park comes in the form of Charlton defender Ezri Konsa, who has been on the radar of Everton since the turn of the year, the Daily Mirror reports. The club will be challenged to the signature of the England under-20 international by Brighton, the paper adds.
Players to watch:
Felipe Anderson: The Lazio winger is wanted by a trio of Premier League clubs with West Ham looking to fight off competition from Leicester and Southampton, reports Tuttosport.
Xherdan Shaqiri: The Swiss winger will leave Stoke this summer and is looking to play in the Premier League next season, Aargauer Zeitung says.
Alisson: The Roma goalkeeper will turn down a potential move to Liverpool and will wait for Real Madrid to come knocking, Marca says.
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