Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal 'sign' Gyokeres; Chelsea eye Simons deal, Ekitike latest – London Evening Standard

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Transfer news LIVE!
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs making big moves in the summer transfer window ahead of the new Premier League season. The Gunners are closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres after finally making a breakthrough with Sporting. A medical has been scheduled and they are expected to announce a deal for Cristhian Mosquera, while there has been a new update on the future of Eberechi Eze.
Liverpool are set to continue their summer spending spree by completing the signing of Hugo Ekitike. However, the Premier League champions could lose Luis Diaz as Bayern Munich are expected to return with an improved bid after seeing an opening offer rejected last week.
Chelsea are exploring a deal for RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, while Man Utd are weighing up a move for Emiliano Martinez as well as shifting their focus towards signing a centre-forward after landing Bryan Mbeumo in an initial £65million deal. Nicolas Jackson, Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins are among the names being linked with a move to Old Trafford. Follow the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours live below!
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Arsenal are putting the finishing touches on a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres after a key breakthrough in negotiations with Sporting, writes Simon Collings.
The Gunners have struck a deal worth £54.8million plus £8.6m in potential add-ons but the deal was being held up due to issues over the nature of the add-ons.
But Arsenal are confident those issue are close to be resolved as they finally close in on the top-level striker that Mikel Arteta has been targeting.
Gyokeres has agreed terms on a five-year contract at Arsenal, who are signing one of the most in-demand forwards in Europe.
Read the full story here!
Xavi Simons has been named in RB Leipzig’s training camp squad amidst speculation around his future, writes Sam Tabuteau.
The Dutch midfielder, who will travel with Leipzig to the Black Forest in Germany, is the subject of interest from Chelsea, with the player in direct talks with the Blues over personal terms.
Chelsea have already bolstered their attacking options this summer with the arrivals of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens; whilst Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian is also joining the club ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Chelsea, though, are still keen to add more attacking talent to their squad in light of the £52 million departure of Noni Madueke to Arsenal.
The Blues have identified Simons, who shares the same agency as Madueke, as a target after the 22-year-old scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions last season.
Full story here!
Liverpool’s summer spending spree is showing no sign of slowing amid links to Real Madrid star Rodrygo.
Already the highest spenders in the Premier League this summer, Liverpool’s spree is now verging on £300m after agreeing a £79m deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
However, according to various reports, the Reds are still active in the transfer market. In fact, French publication Foot Mercato claim Arne Slot’s side have taken the next step in their attempts to land Rodrygo.
It has been reported that while no contact has been made with Real Madrid directly yet, discussions have taken place between Liverpool and the 24-year-old’s entourage to discover if a transfer is possible.
Full story here!
Manchester United have confirmed their squad for their pre-season tour of America.
Four players have been left out of the 32-man group as they seek transfers away from Old Trafford.
United face West Ham at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday and then have games against Bournemouth and Everton.
Click here for the full United pre-season tour squad.
Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike is on the verge of completing a £79million move to join Liverpool,
The 23-year-old Frenchman comes into a Liverpool side in need of a focal point up front as they look to defend their league title.
But how exactly will he fit into Arne Slot’s ideal starting XI?
Standard Sport has taken a look at three potential ways Liverpool could line up with Ekitike – click here to read!
Marcus Rashford is expected to be announced as a Barcelona player today.
The England forward is joining the LaLiga champions on loan from Manchester United for the season and there is an option for the deal to become permanent.
Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
Evan Ferguson has joined Roma on a season-long loan deal from Brighton.
Things appear to be progressing fast between Chelsea and Xavi Simons.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are advancing in talks with the Netherlands international on personal terms!
It is understood that the midfielder is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, so it should be a straightforward process.
Once personal terms are agreed, Chelsea will then enter talks with RB Leipzig over a transfer fee.
James McAtee has rejected a move abroad, according to Sky Sports.
The midfielder is free to leave Manchester City this summer following the arrival of Rayan Cherki and has his admirers in Germany as well as Italy.
Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have all been credited with an interest in McAtee but it’s understood his preference is to remain in England.
This could open the door for Nottingham Forest to swoop in.
Chelsea are interested in signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, writes Dom Smith.
The Blues have been exploring the terms of a potential deal to sign the Dutch international, who has also been checked out by Arsenal.
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens have already been signed as attackers by Chelsea this summer at a cost of up to £142million, and the Palmeiras teenager Estêvão Willian is also joining them ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
But despite those incomings, Chelsea’s recruitment team have not ruled out signing other attackers and are understood to have been actively looking into the possibility of bringing in Leipzig’s Simons.
More on that here!
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