The summer transfer window is here, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Liverpool prepare for Salah exit
Mohamed Salah is expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the 2022-23 season as a free agent, according to the Daily Mirror.
The 30-year-old winger will enter the final year of his contract on Thursday, but despite the club’s efforts in recent weeks to secure a new deal with Salah, the latest indicates that the Reds are now preparing themselves for his exit.
As reported in May by ESPN, Salah confirmed that he would definitely stay at Liverpool next season, though that would now see him become available on a pre-contract agreement in January if his representatives cannot change their expectations in any contract talks before then.
The Egypt international contributed to 36 goals in 36 Premier League games last season, and recent speculation has suggested that Jurgen Klopp’s side have placed a £60 million price-tag for his transfer, should any clubs look to test the waters during the current window.
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10.21 BST: Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will step down from his role as technical and performance advisor at the end of June, the Premier League club said on Monday, the latest staff member to leave Stamford Bridge following the takeover led by Todd Boehly.
Cech, who was appointed to the role in 2019 following his retirement, spent 11 years at Chelsea between 2004-15 and won 13 major trophies, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Cech’s departure follows that of director Marina Granovskaia, who will leave at the end of the transfer window. Chairman Bruce Buck is moving into a senior advisor role after June 30.
“It has been a huge privilege to perform this role at Chelsea for the past three years. With the club under new ownership, I feel now is the right time for me to step aside,” Cech said in a statement.
09:59 BST: Rayo Vallecano has confirmed that Radamel Falcao will remain at the club next season but ruled out the arrival of Edinson Cavani.
Falcao, 36, joined Rayo from Galatasaray as a free agent last summer on a one-year contract. Rayo exercised the option to extend his contract for a further year.
Amid reported interest from Mexican clubs on the Colombian forward, Rayo sporting director David Cobeño has reassured the club fans that Falcao is staying put.
“It’s 100% he stays, for sure,” Cobeno said. “I know that he is happy at Rayo and he is not going to leave the team at all.”
Cobeno, meanwhile, denied reports that Cavani will jon the LaLiga outfit this summer. The Uruguay forward had a two-year spell at Manchester United and is a free agent. The former Paris Saint-Germain striker scored 17 goals in 39 games during his first season at United but only managed two in 20 matches in his second.
“Right now there are no possibilities that Cavani comes here,” Cobeno said.
Cavani, 35, wants to continue playing in Europe but his priority is to arrive to the World Cup in good form.
09.26 BST: Real Madrid have signed 19-year-old forward Noel Lopez from Deportivo la Coruna. The Spain U19 international, who scored four goals in 28 league appearances for Deportivo’s first team last season, will join up with Real Madrid’s Castilla B team.
“Noel Lopez puts an end to his training career at RC Deportivo to continue at Real Madrid CF,” Deportivo said in a statement. “Respecting the will of the player in his penultimate year of his amateur contract, both institutions have reached an agreement for the transfer of the footballer, in addition to agreeing on different variables depending on how the professional career of the Galician striker develops in the future “
08.42 BST: Brisbane Roar have signed former Premier League striker Charlie Austin as they attempt to return to the A-League Men’s upper echelon.
Austin most recently played in the English Championship but previously scored 34 goals in 111 Premier League appearances for Queens Park Rangers, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.
The Roar missed the finals last season and coach Warren Moon met Austin, who played in the Championship for QPR last season, in London to secure the striker to lead his attack.
08:00 BST: Manchester United have told Cristiano Ronaldo he is not available for transfer this summer despite the Portugal forwards representatives assessing interest from some of Europe’s top clubs, sources have told ESPN.
Ronaldo has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but sources close to United insist they “want and expect” the 37-year-old to remain at the club next season.
He has a year left on his contract at Old Trafford with the option of another season. Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions last season but could not prevent United from missing out on qualification for the Champions League after finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Sources have told ESPN that Ronaldo is keen to spend the remaining years of his career playing in the Champions League and has doubts about United’s ambitions after failing to make a signing so far this summer.
However, new manager Erik ten Hag, who is set to lead his first day of preseason training at Carrington on Monday, is banking on having Ronaldo in his squad next season.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
– A number of clubs across Europe are interested in Ukraine international striker Artem Dovbykreveals Ekrem Konir. The 25-year-old is reported to be on the radar of Fenerbahce, as well as clubs in England and Germany, with Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen also believed to be tracking him. Dovbyk was a standout performer for Dnipro last season, scoring 15 goals in 18 matches.
– West Ham United are considering a move for Arnaut Danjuma, according to Sky Sports. Having recently agreed a five-year deal with keeper Alphonse Areola, the Hammers could now turn their attention to the 25-year-old Villarreal winger who impressed in the Champions League last season. It is understood that he has a £40m release clause in his contract.
– Crystal Palace are confident of landing midfielder Cheick Doucoure, according to The Athletic. The 22-year-old made 34 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, and it is reported that the Eagles are confident that personal terms won’t be an issue once a fee is agreed with Lens.
– AS Roma are eyeing a move for Juventus midfielder Arthurwrites Cesar Luis Merlo. It is reported that Jose Mourinho has identified him as a target this summer, though Juventus are reluctant to agree to a deal without a significant fee, after they parted ways with €72m in 2020 to sign him from Barcelona. The 25-year-old made 25 appearances for the bianconeri across all competitions last season.
– AC Milan are planning to reward Rafael Leo with a new five-year contract, reveals Gazzetta dello Sport. The 23-year-old was a key player for the Rossoneri last season, contributing to 19 goals in 34 Serie A appearances. While his performances saw interest sparked from Real Madrid, it is reported that Milan are confident they can reach an agreement with him.
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