Transfer updates, latest news, done deals and gossip
Manchester United make improved £60m bid for Brentford striker Mbeumo – Mbeumo's stats
Simon Stone: Man Utd 'weren't interested' in Nkunku in the winter
Also: Leeds sign Udinese centre-back Bijol until 2030 | Spurs agree £5m deal for Japan's Takai | Palace sign goalkeeper Benitez on free transfer
Phil McNulty Q&A taking place – get your questions in
Latest from Phil McNulty: Palace's European hopes | Liverpool's finances | Aaron Ramsdale's future | Grealish to Everton?
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Written by Alex Brotherton, Lorraine McKenna & Melissa Edwards.
That's all we have time for – thanks for joining as we've navigated through Tuesday's transfer news and gossip, as well as Phil McNulty's Q&A. It's been fun!
We've covered the latest in Man Utd's interest in Bryan Mbeumo, the speculation surrounding a deal involving Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku, and a plethora of answers from our chief football writer Phil McNulty on all footballing matters.
Don't forget, Chelsea are in action in the Club World Cup at 02:00 BST on Wednesday. One to stay up for? No worries if not, we'll bring you all the reaction from 07:00.
Speak then!
The Guardian , externalare reporting that Liverpool's 26-year-old France defender Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract next summer, has rejected the club's latest offer of a new deal.
As was the case last summer with Virjil van Dijk, Liverpool could be entering the new season with a key player's future uncertain.
According to French outlet L'Equipe, external, Arsenal have expressed an interest in Paris St–Germain's 22-year-old France forward Bradley Barcola, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
However, Fabrizio Romano, external says that the Champions League winners consider Barcola to be "untouchable".
Phil McNulty Q&A
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
James: As a Wolves fan, is Fer Lopez a signing to help fill some of the space left by Cunha? Or just a good youngster at a good price ? Just had Strand-Larsen from Celta Vigo so was Lopez on the radar before Cunha left?
Wolves will have known that Cunha was on his way, so no doubt Lopez was well scouted for his suitability and he sounds like a very good prospect. He is a versatile attacker, too, a left-footed attacking midfielder, who can operate as a number 10. He is good on the ball and is known for his intelligent movement.
Hard to find a replacement for someone as gifted and influential as Cunha, but also time for others to come, while Lopez sounds like a very talented addition. If it comes off, it will represent good value, at £19m, for a 21-year-old.
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Conor: Bonjourno Phil! Couple of questions, firstly with Tottenham’s deal for Kota Takai – was this a pre-planned club deal or a Thomas Frank target? Secondly transfer news, even in the case of the Takai deal, has been thin on the ground, is this a lack of movement from Spurs or because Johan Lange prefers to move behind the scenes?
Hi, Conor, Interesting one this as we know from his brilliant successes at Celtic that Ange Postecoglou was a master of knowing the Japanese market, so he will surely have known about Takai and his qualities.
The market, in general, will be quiet until July so I am sure Spurs and Johan Lange are doing all their due diligence behind the scenes, and of course Mathys Tel has already been signed on a permanent basis.
I would not take relative silence for inactivity – at Spurs or anywhere else.
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Dan H: Hi Phil. With the high temperatures in the CWC, do players need a greater voice, to be able to say enough is enough, without fear of abuse and retribution? Do you think there needs to be greater understanding and support from governing bodies? Everybody loves a football game, but it shouldn't be at the expense of the player's health.
This is one of the many question marks over the organisation of the Club World Cup. Players are playing in extreme conditions. Sadly for the players, the clubs agree to these fixtures so they have to go along with them.
Remember Rodri complaining about the heavy workload shortly before sustaining the serious knee injury that ruled him out for most of the season.
The way of life in football now.
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Craig: Phil – Why are none of the Premier League teams looking to secure Retegui this summer? Great player, finished top scorer in league with Atalanta. Can play out wide too. He's the striker Arsenal should buy. If not Newcastle could get him for their UCL campaign.
Hi, Craig. You make a great point there. Mateo Retegui had a superb season with Atalanta, winning the “Capocannoniere” – the Paolo Rossi award – by finishing top scorer in Serie A with 25 goals.
That is the sort of record to make clubs sit up and take notice. I’m sure plenty have looked, you have to think Premier League clubs would be among them, but with a record like that he won’t come cheap.
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Steve: Hi Phil. Do you think the Premier League will be more competitive this season? The title and relegation were done very early last season.
Has PSR had the unintended consequence of making it very difficult to break into the 'cartel'? Even clubs with small gates like Bournemouth can out muscle bigger clubs lower down the football pyramid.
Hello, Steve. I really hope so. I think PSR has made it harder to break through the glass ceiling but Newcastle United and Aston Villa have done it. Nottingham Forest qualified for Europe last season, and we saw Brighton achieve European football as well a couple of seasons ago.
Crystal Palace were worthy winners of the FA Cup, playing some very attractive football along the way. They have earned their chance in Europe.
Forest was a great story last season, even though they fell away a little at the end, and I can see clubs like Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham and Palace pushing again this season.
I’d also love the promoted clubs defy the recent pattern and stay up, enjoying the Premier League experience, unlike Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leicester City last season. This is certainly what Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland will have in mind, although it will not be easy.
Noel Sliney
BBC Sport
Eze, soon to turn 27, finished the 2024-25 season with a flourish, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive appearances for Palace since Darren Ambrose in November 2009.
His 14 goals in all competitions included the FA Cup final winner as the club earned a first major trophy.
No player in Europe’s top five leagues registered more goal involvements across all competitions than Eze after the March international break:
(all competitions until end of May)
When Eberechi Eze made his first start for England in a friendly game against Bosnia-Herzegovina last summer, his dynamic, confident performance impressed then manager Gareth Southgate, who said the forward played with the "freedom and swagger" he shows for Crystal Palace.
Eze's excellent 2023-24 campaign ultimately landed him a place Southgate's Euro 2024 squad. "We saw [Eze's] ability to glide past people in the middle of the pitch and the power that he has as well," the former Three Lions boss.
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman said Eze is "unique" in the fact he can "glide with ball and beat four, five, six men at a time," adding the 26-year-old "does it with such grace. It's so good to watch."
It's fair to say Eberechi Eze has been one of the stand-out Premier League players of the past few seasons.
He's scored 34 goals in 146 Premier League appearances since joining Palace from Queens Park Rangers in 2020 and, of course, the winning goal in this year's FA Cup final.
So what's Eze's situation at Palace and how would Spurs be able to get him?
Last summer, chairman Steve Parish said he was "astounded" that no concrete bids were made.
Is this the summer Eze makes a move or will Palace manage to keep him for another campaign?
According to talkSPORT, Tottenham are expected to focus their efforts on signing Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, external after moving away from their interest in Bryan Mbeumo.
Sky Germany reporter, Florian Plettenberg also claims there is interest from Spurs, but says, "he is just one of several players they are considering for his position. At this stage, they have not activated his release clause, and are also not close to doing so, external."
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Laura: Total lack of transfer activity from the Toon? I understand the gravitational pull of London for many players, but surely Newcastle are an attractive prospect? Great young manager, ambitious club, loyal (and fanatical) fanbase, money to spend. I don't understand why several of the players we have been linked with would rather sit on a bench at Chelsea than be idolised at St James'? Is there anything in the pipeline I can get excited about?
Afternoon, Laura. Newcastle United should be (and are) a very attractive option, especially with Champions League football, but the market for the players they want is very competitive. They need people who will improve, and provide quality back-up, for a squad that did so well last season. They are not easy to find – and when you do find them, your rivals will also want them.
Eddie Howe said at the end of the season he wanted business done quickly, but those on the list have yet to arrive.
Newcastle wanted Liam Delap but he chose Chelsea. I fully take your point about sitting on the bench at Chelsea, but maybe Delap feared the presence of Alexander Isak might reduce his number of appearances.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is now attracting interest from Liverpool. Newcastle are willing to spend big on Brighton’s Joao Pedro, but Chelsea might also be hovering there. Burnley keeper James Trafford is a long-time target but Burnley are understood to want £40m, while Matheus Cunha has gone to Manchester United and it looks like Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo will follow him.
Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga is admired to fill the right-flank slot but that will not be an easy deal to do.
I’m sure players will come in, but the sooner the better as far as Howe is concerned.
Sorry for that pessimistic list but there is still plenty to be excited about. Still lots of time to work in the market, Champions League football on the agenda and an outstanding manager in Howe, who will be pressing for those reinforcements.
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Brent: How likely do you think it is that Liverpool will sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle. Do you think Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League will tempt him to stay?
Hi Brent. I think Newcastle reaching the Champions League strengthened their hand significantly. They can now offer a high-class player the biggest European club stage.
There is a lot of noise around Liverpool and Isak, but he has shown no inclination to leave and Newcastle United have never, ever given the impression they would sell.
He is under contract until 2028 so nothing has changed.
Would Liverpool like Isak? Of course they would? Who wouldn’t?
Newcastle, however, hold all the cards and Isak seems settled on Tyneside – and even if the position changed (and again we must stress it has not) it would take offers north of £150m to offer any temptation.
Things can change, as we know, but Newcastle are determined to keep Isak and the fact they are in the Champions League is hugely significant in that context.
The Athletic , externalreported yesterday left-back Milos Kerkez was on a flight with his family heading to Merseyside to complete a medical before his £40m move to Liverpool from Bournemouth.
Hungary international Kerkez is set to join the Premier League champions on a five-year deal after two seasons with the Cherries.
The 21-year-old's signing is expected to be announced on Tuesday.
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Mick: Good afternoon Phil. With Milos Kerkez expected to complete his move to Liverpool today, who do you envisage missing out at left-back for the Premier League champions?
Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas or Milos Kerkez?
It is clear Kerkez is the long-term Liverpool left-back now, but this is going to be a really interesting situation because Andy Robertson does not strike me as the sort of character who will go quietly or give up his place easily if he feels he is still up to the job.
You do not take a decision to leave the Premier League champions, and a club he has served superbly, lightly.
Much will be depend on what sort of answers Robertson gets from Arne Slot about game time.
He is at the stage of his career where he will not want to be on the sidelines, and he is also still good enough to perform at the highest level, despite some criticism of his form last season.
Robertson will want to see how this pans out but he has no reason to be rushed into leaving Liverpool. I do think, though, that it depends on game time.
This leaves Tsimikas. Will he want to continue as understudy to Kerkez, if Robertson leaves? Surely he will want regular football after being a bit-part player for so long.
Phil McNulty Q&APhil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Chris from Tilbury: Hi Phil what is your opinion on Tuchel? Personally I think the FA got the wrong man. I've been watching the U21's and the football is fast paced and exciting under Carsley as it was when he got the caretaker’s job. At the moment with the senior team, it just seems like more Gareth Southgate.
Hello, Chris. I think Thomas Tuchel is a proven club coach at the highest level but, in only four games with England admittedly, I have not seen any pattern or structure emerging under his leadership, or indeed any improvement.
The continued selection of Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker is mystifying, while only Tuchel can explain why he called Ivan Toney back from Saudi Arabia only to give him a couple of minutes at the end of the friendly loss to Senegal.
The plus side?
Well, the World Cup is not, as Tuchel said, next week, and the bottom line is that it is only the World Cup that matters.
Tuchel’s 18-month contract tells you this is a short-term job with a single goal in mind. Win the World Cup (unlikely on current evidence but you never know) and Tuchel will probably leave. Fail to win the World Cup and he will definitely leave.
Not great so far but early days and far too early to say the FA got the wrong man.
Hello if you're just joining us this afternoon. There have been no major transfer moves so far on this grey and drizzly Tuesday, but there are some potential big deals brewing.
We've got more from Phil's Q&A coming up, plus the latest bits of transfer gossip including Tottenham eyeing up a move for Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze.
Garnacho is currently enjoying the post-season break, but two weeks before United's players are due to report for pre-season, he shared an ambiguous message.
On Sunday evening he shared to Instagram photos of his holiday in Ibiza, with one snap showing him wearing an Aston Villa home shirt with 'Rashford' on the back.
Rashford commented "My brother" on Garnacho's post and accompanied it with a love heart emoji.
Garnacho has three years left on his United contract, but it has been reported that Ruben Amorim has told him to find a new club.
Garnacho's younger brother – Roberto – then weighed in with a post on Instagram after the Europa League Final defeat.
"Working as no-one else, helping every round, coming from two goals in the last two finals, just to be on the pitch for 19 mins and get thrown under the bus," he wrote.
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