Transfer news LIVE! Liverpool join Gyokeres race; Arsenal Norgaard bid – London Evening Standard

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Transfer news LIVE!
Arsenal are closing in on their first major summer signing, but it may not be the headline name the Gunners faithful have been hoping for, as Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to complete his move to North London this week. The ongoing soap opera of their striker search is set to wear on, though new reports hint Benjamin Sesko could be set to extend his stay at RB Leipzig following the arrival of new head coach Ole Werner. Viktor Gyokeres is still pushing to make the move to North London, but has also fielded interest from Man United.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Jamie Gittens, with talks ongoing in the United States, 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. United, meanwhile, are closing in on Bryan Mbeumo having submitted an improved bid of more than £60m, while their former midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly agreed a return to football with AS Monaco.
Liverpool have finally announced Florian Wirtz and will soon do the same with Milos Kerkez before plotting a move for Marc Guehi and, maybe, Alexander Isak. Tottenham could aso shake up the market with a shock swoop for Eberechi Eze as they look to kick of Thomas Frank’s managerial tenure with a statement aquisition. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip live below!
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AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare has revealed Mike Maignan is set to stay at the club.
The Frenchman was a target for Chelsea before the Club World Cup, but the Blues could not reach an agreement over the fee in time.
Tare said: “Maignan is not leaving, for now.
“If everything continues like this, he will play for Milan next year too: an agreement has not been reached with Chelsea and he is a point of reference on and off the pitch.”
Arsenal are still favourites to sign Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Reports have emerged that Liverpool are keen on the 27-year-old and could swoop to beat Arsenal to the forward’s signature.
However, Di Marzio reports that Gyokeres is still likely to join Arsenal as that is his preferred destination and he is their top target.
An agreement, though, has not been reached between the two clubs.
Man United want to sign Bryan Mbeumo before players return to Carrington for preseason.
They hope to have him through the door by July 7.
The news comes amid reports that the club are close to agreeing a deal, with their latest offer thought to be the closest yet to Brentford’s valuation.
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign a striker before the club jet off to Asia for their preseason tour, so report the Daily Mail.
That means a new striker will need to have joined up by July 18, giving Andrea Berta just 23 days to get a deal for either Gyokeres or Sesko over the line.
The club are expecting to make at least five signings this summer, according to the report.
Liverpool are preparing a sensational hijack of Arsenal and Manchester United’s move for Viktor Gyokeres as Arne Slot continues his dramatic summer squad overhaul.
The Swede has made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League, publicly sparring with the Sporting hierarchy who stand in his way.
Standard Sport understands Arsenal and Man United had been leading the race for Gyokeres, but Liverpool’s sudden interest will disrupt their negotiations.
According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, Gyokeres has been earmarked as an ideal replacement for the misfiring Darwin Nunez, who is set to join Napoli this summer.
The report claims that Liverpool have asked their representatives to confirm Sporting’s asking price, thought to be €80m (£68.4m). No offer has yet been made.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE
Sunderland’s squad overhaul continues after they were promoted to the Premier League – they have now set their sights on OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.
Formerly of Chelsea, the 25-year-old Poland international reportedly has offers from several clubs.
The Black Cats, though, are in active talks with the French outfit, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom has purchased a 29% stake in Hearts, worth £9.86m.
He has purchased non-voting shares.
Bloom said he wants to “disrupt the pattern of domination which has been in place for far too long” in Scottish football. The last time the Scottish Premiership was won by a team other than Celtic or Rangers was 1984-85, when Aberdeen clinched their fourth title.
Hearts finished seventh in last season’s Scottish Premiership before going on to top the relegation playoff table.
Kyle Walker-Peters will leave Southampton as a free agent this summer, the club have confirmed.
The 28-year-old, formerly of Tottenham, has been with the club since 2020, making 192 appearances since.
Spurs may be interested in bringing him back to N17 should Pedro Porro leave this summer.
Liverpool are able to spend £200m this summer without violating PSR.
According to calculations from the Liverpool Echo, a lack of business last summer, combined with helpful amortisation rules and a hefty payout of Champions League prize money, means they have plenty of overhead.
Also helpful are the sales of Caoimhin Kelleher and the yet to be confirmed sale of Jarrell Quansah, expected to net a combined £48m.
Chelsea and Liverpool could look to expedite a bargain deal for Lyon winger Malick Fofana after the French club were provisionally relegated on Tuesday.
The seven-time Ligue 1 champions, co-owned by Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor, were demoted to Ligue 2 due to their sorry financial state.
The decision also opens the door for Chelsea and Liverpool to raid the Lyon squad. Both sides had shown an interest in left-footed winger Fofana, and could likely cut a favourable deal following Olympique’s relegation.
The two clubs have enquired as to his availability and were reportedly quoted a fee of £60m, but that price will likely fall as Lyon look to improve their rocky financial standing through player sales.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE
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