Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal make shock move; Man Utd launch £60m Mbeumo bid – London Evening Standard

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Transfer news LIVE!
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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Well, this is rather interesting.
RB Leipzig have appointed Ole Werner as their new head coach, ending a months-long search for a permanent replacement after parting ways with Marco Rose in March.
He said: “RB Leipzig stands for a bold, attacking style of play with a clear identity, as well as professional and ambitious thinking.
“The club has big goals and high expectations and this is exactly the kind of environment that convinced me and one to which I want to contribute.”
Of course, Werner arrives at Leipzig with the future of star striker Benjamin Sesko far from certain amid talk of a move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Could this appointment tempt Sesko into staying for another season?
It is back to the drawing board for Newcastle after seeing their bid for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga rejected.
According to Sky Sports, the Magpies are reviewing whether to return with an improved offer for the Sweden international – perhaps getting close to his apparent £60m valuation.
In any case, Forest are said to have no desire to sell Elanga which means Newcastle will likely have to turn attentions elsewhere.
Reports claim their shortlist of alternatives include Johan Bakayoko, Karim Adeyemi and Mohammed Kudus.
Rayan Ait-Nouri believes he can take his game to the next level playing under Pep Guardiola.
The Algeria international joined Manchester City in a £31million deal from Wolves earlier this month and made an impressive debut in City’s 6-0 thrashing of Al Ain at the Club World Cup in the United States on Sunday.
Ait-Nouri feels he is in the right place to learn under the inspirational Guardiola.
“It’s a big honour, I can improve a lot with him,” said Ait-Nouri. “We saw in the last few years he makes a lot of things. He wins every time with this team.
“He’s the best manager and I’m very happy to work with him. For sure I will improve my football.”
After rejecting a bid from Newcastle for Anthony Elanga, Nottingham Forest are now planning to bolster their squad.
Sky Sports are reporting that Forest have opened talks with Juventus over a double deal for Timothy Weah and Samuel Mbangula.
It is said that Forest want to pay in the region of £20m for the pair.
Jadon Sancho appears to be closing in on a Manchester United exit.
According to reports in Turkey, the winger has agreed a salary of €10 million (£8.5m) per season with Fenerbahce – of course managed by ex-Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho’s side.
All that remains is for the two clubs to reach an agreement on a transfer fee and it’s understood that ‘serious progress’ has been made on that front.
Bryan Mbeumo’s move to Manchester United is edging closer after the club submitted a second bid worth around £60million for the Brentford forward.
Mbeumo has long been linked with a move to United, with the Cameroonian favouring Ruben Amorim’s side over a reunion with Thomas Frank at Tottenham.
United initially submitted a bid earlier this month totalling £45m plus £10m in add-ons. However, that was rejected by Brentford, who are in a strong bargaining position, with the club holding an option to extend Mbeumo’s contract, which expires in June 2026, by an additional year.
United have now come back with a second offer, which is closer to Brentford’s valuation. The Bees want a fee close to the £62.5m that United paid Wolves for Matheus Cunha.
Brentford are hoping to negotiate easier add-ons from United, whose latest bid is worth £55m up front with a further £5m in add-ons, before sanctioning a deal for Mbeumo.
More on that here!
Juma Bah will head on loan to Nice for the 2025/26 season, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The 19-year-old Manchester City defender weighed up a move to Lyon after meeting at the Etihad last week but has instead opted for their Ligue 1 rivals.
It has not been a good day on the transfer front for Newcastle.
After seeing an approach for Giorgio Scalvini rebuffed by Atalanta, they have now been knocked back by Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga.
According to Sky Sports, Forest have rejected an offer of around £45m for the Sweden international. The report also states that the club have no desire to sell Elanga – despite valuing him at £60m.
By all accounts, Milos Kerkez has completed his Liverpool medical and all the paperwork has been signed.
An official announcement confirming the left-back as a new Liverpool player is pending. Will that happen in the next few hours?
Stick with us!
Rob Edwards says he can’t wait to get started at Middlesbrough after being appointed as Michael Carrick’s successor.
“It’s a real privilege to be given the opportunity to be head coach of this great football club,” Edwards told the club website,” he said.
“It’s something that’s not lost on me, how big this is, how important this is, and what it means to people. There is an amazing fanbase.”
“It felt instantly that this was right for me and it got me excited. If I was going to come back in, I wanted to come back in at a place where we had a chance, and we have a really good chance here.
“We have a brilliant owner who historically gives his coaches time, support, and the tools needed to try and be successful. I can’t wait to get started now.”
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