Tottenham haven’t beaten many of their “big six” rivals at or to anything in recent times but latest soundings are that they’re going to pip Liverpool to the signature of Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven. The 22-year-old Dutch defender has been courted by Jürgen Klopp for much of the close season but it looks as if he’s set to embrace Big Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs rebuilding project instead. Van de Ven will set Tottenham back a modest £30m. Tottenham also want to secure a three-year deal for Clément Lenglet, who was on loan with them from Barcelona last term.
Liverpool may have fallen back in the Van de Ven race but they have apparently moved ahead of Chelsea in the tussle to sign Roméo Lavia from Southampton. The 19-year-old midfielder is set to move on from St Mary’s after Saints’ relegation and is valued at £50m. Chelsea have other Southampton options in mind, though, and are reportedly well placed to bring Tino Livramento back to Stamford Bridge. Southampton value the 20-year-old right-back at £38m though, and Newcastle are also sniffing around.
While we’re on the subject of Chelsea – and when are we not during transfer window time? – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be exiting the Bridge for Saudi Arabia to join LIV golf Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. The Liverpool legend’s exciting youthful project has also been linked with another Anfield stalwart, Jordan Henderson. Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané have also been linked with the Saudi club because, well, that’s just how the world works now.
Not all Saudi money is going into clubs in their own country of course, and Newcastle, in addition to the aforementioned interest in Livramento, also plan to sign Kalvin Phillips as well as Conor Gallagher. Eddie Howe wants to bolster his midfield for the upcoming Champions League campaign and Phillips, Gallagher and Livramento shouldn’t break the bank and risk FFP breaches.
Manchester United have continued with another likely haggling saga by stepping up their pursuit of the Internazionale goalkeeper André Onana. United have apparently slapped in an opening offer of €40m (£34m) plus €5m in add-ons. Inter ideally want €10m more than that, but want the situation resolved one way or the other by 20 July. And guess who else are interested in Onana? Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, of course. At the other end of the pitch, Erik ten Hag continues to pursue the Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani – though he’ll have competition there from Paris Saint-Germain – and the Atalanta and Denmark striker Rasmus Højlund.
Almería’s El Bilal Touré is attracting interest from Fulham and Everton. The 21-year-old Mali forward scored seven goals in 21 appearances in La Liga last season and has a €40m release clause. Everton are the early frontrunners but Fulham are keen too, particularly if they sell Aleksandar Mitrovic.
And Brighton are keen on Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus. The Daily Mail claims the Ghanaian midfielder’s representatives have been engaged in “further talks” with the Seagulls but Ajax want a minimum of £40m for him, which would mean Brighton smashing their transfer record. But records are there to be broken, particularly in the hyper-inflationary world of top-flight football.
