Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal make shock move; Man Utd get £50m goalkeeper boost – London Evening Standard

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Arsenal are continuing their pursuit of a striker, but could opt to move on from Benjamin Sesko as they grow frustrated over his wage demands. Viktor Gyokeres is still pushing to make the move the north London. The Gunners are said to have made an approach for PSG star Bradley Barcola, while Rodrygo has also been linked and Leicester midfielder Bilal El Khannouss is on the radar too.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Jamie Gittens, while Joao Pedro, Mohammed Kudus and Malick Fofana are on the shortlist too. The Blues are weighing up whether to go back in for Mike Maignan and have interest in Ousmane Diomande and Murillo as they bid to boost their defence. A shock swap deal with Manchester United could be on the cards involving Christopher Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho. United, meanwhile, have submitted an improved bid of more than £60m for Bryan Mbeumo and have received encouragement in their pursuit of Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Liverpool are set to finally announce Florian Wirtz, have booked a medical for Milos Kerkez and are now plotting a move for Marc Guehi. Tottenham are targeting Eberechi Eze as a major signing to kickstart the Thomas Frank era. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
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Nat Phillips has bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool after leaving the club on a permanent transfer.
The versatile defender’s departure from Anfield was confirmed on Monday as he joined Championship side West Brom for an undisclosed fee believed to be £3million including add-ons, signing a three-year contract at The Hawthorns.
That move officially ended Phillips’ nine-year association with Liverpool, whom he joined from Bolton in 2016 and went on to represent 29 times at senior level across all competitions, though not since January 2023.
Despite not featuring regularly during his near-decade at Liverpool, the club clearly had a huge impact on Phillips as he paid heartfelt tribute on social media following confirmation of his switch to West Brom.
More on that here!
Kevin De Bruyne held talks about a surprise move to Liverpool before opting to sign for Napoli this summer.
There had been some doubt over where De Bruyne would end up, with Inter Miami initially raised as a possibility as well as a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia.
The Athletic report that even Liverpool had a conversation with De Bruyne over a shock switch to Anfield, but those did not materialise into anything serious.
Liverpool were at that point already lining up a move for Florian Wirtz, who they have now signed in a £116m deal.
They were also considering Rayan Cherki, since signed by City from Lyon as they look to fill the void left by De Bruyne.
Reports claim that De Bruyne did not have any interest in a squad role and so Liverpool were unlikely to be an appealing option.
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Manchester United are said to have little interest in pursuing a move for Christopher Nkunku.
Recent reports have suggested that United and Chelsea could consider a swap deal involving Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho.
However, the Manchester Evening News report that United have no desire to bring Nkunku to the club and are pursuing other targets instead.
Chelsea, though, are said to remain keen on Garnacho.
Manchester United could make a move for Diogo Costa, who has told Porto he wants to leave.
The Portugal goalkeeper is ready for a new challenge, according to A Bola, and United and Manchester City both have real interest.
It’s claimed that Costa has a £64m release clause but Porto could accept around £50m.
However, reports suggest that even that could be too much for United unless they make significant sales first.
Chelsea and Manchester United are considering a potential swap deal involving Christopher Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho.
Both players are expected to leave their respective clubs in the current transfer window and Standard Sport understands that Chelsea and United are currently exploring the logistics of a possible move that would see them head in opposite directions this summer.
Nkunku’s future at Stamford Bridge has long been subject to doubt after he started only nine Premier League matches under Enzo Maresca this season, scoring three goals.
The French international was a regular for Chelsea in the domestic cups and Conference League, notching 14 times in 43 total appearances across all competitions, though missed the semi-finals of the Conference League through injury and was an unused substitute in the final.
Bayern Munich were believed to be long-term suitors for Nkunku, with Juventus among the many other clubs linked with his signature to date.
United were also said to be considering an approach for the former RB Leipzig forward last summer, though are not believed to have formalised their interest at that stage.
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Nottingham Forest are considering a move for Jordan Henderson, who could be available on a free transfer this summer.
The 35-year-old is currently at Ajax but the Daily Mail report that Henderson has the option to trigger a clause in his contract before mid-July that would make him a free agent.
Forest are monitoring the situation and would be keen to bring Henderson back to the Premier League, though could face competition from Marseille.
Henderson’s priority is said to be on ensuring he is in England’s World Cup squad next summer.
Real Madrid have set their price for Rodrygo.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move away from the club, with it suggested that he does not fit into the system Xabi Alonso has planned.
Arsenal have interest in Rodrygo but that has been put on hold until after the Club World Cup.
Spanish outlet Cadena Ser report that Real Madrid will demand £77m for the 24-year-old.
Brighton are increasingly confident of agreeing a deal for Harvey Elliott.
The Liverpool midfielder is keen on a summer move in search of more regular first-time football.
Football Insider report that the Reds have an asking price of £40m and Brighton are willing to meet that.
Tottenham are turning their attention to Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze as Thomas Frank looks to make a statement signing this summer.he FA Cup final as Oliver Glasner’s side upset Manchester City at Wembley in May.
Eze’s £68m release clause has attracted a number of potential suitors, including long-term admirers Tottenham, to the 26-year-old’s availability, and the lure of Champions League football at Spurs could be enough to convince Eze to join.
Tottenham looked at Eze last summer but never submitted a firm bid according to Palace chairman Steve Parish. They now, however, look set to return for the England international, with Frank keen to make a statement of intent after arriving from Brentford.
Spurs are in the market for a winger this summer, with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo on their list of attacking options.
The Europa League winners have, however, been touted a fee in the region of £70m for Semenyo, with Bournemouth keen not to lose any more key players, while Mbeumo favours a move to Manchester United, who submitted a second bid of around £60m for the Brentford forward on Monday night.
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Chelsea have put a £50m valuation on Noni Madueke.
Arsenal are interested in the winger as they look to strengthen in attack, and the Blues are said to be open to selling this summer.
The Independent report that Arsenal are not currently willing to pay £50m for the winger, but could make a move later in the summer.
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