By this time next week, a new season will be underway with the start of July bringing the end of old contracts, the start of new ones and plenty of intrigue with a long summer yet to unwind.
There was plenty of action over the past week with MLS and Saudi Arabia making major splashes once again. Meanwhile, a couple of USMNT names have come up in the rumor mill, and there’s likely to be plenty of moves as far as U.S. stars are concerned this summer.
Here’s the latest.
Transfer rumors and done deals
After leading Manchester City to a historic treble, İlkay Gündoğan has officially said goodbye. The 32-year-old German international joined Barcelona on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal to bolster Xavi’s midfield. (FC Barcelona)
Inter Miami’s rebuild is getting all kinds of interesting with Sergio Busquets following former teammate Lionel Messi to MLS. The 34-year-old midfielder has reportedly signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Inter Miami expected to land even more big-name talent. (ESPN)
Teams are lining up for the services of Christian Pulisic. The USMNT star is expected to leave Chelsea this summer with Juventus and AC Milan among the clubs rumored to have made contact. Meanwhile, French side Lyon has made Pulisic its top transfer priority this summer (La Gazzetta dello Sport, L’Equipe).
Brenden Aaronson is said to have a relegation clause allowing him to leave Leeds on loan, and Fulham is considering a loan. Fulham manager Marco Silva is reportedly keen on bolstering his attack with a move for the 22-year-old. (Daily Mail)
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The Declan Rice sweepstakes enters another week with Arsenal preparing a third bid after seeing a £90 million offer rejected. However, Manchester City is prepping a similar bid but with more money up front that will surely test West Ham. (Sky Sports)
Joško Gvardiol may be the world’s next great defender, and RB Leipzig is asking for the price to meet that title. Manchester City is exploring a move for the 21-year-old center back, but RB Leipzig wants more than €100 million for the Croatian, which would make him the most expensive defender ever. (The Guardian)
Kai Havertz is expected to take his medical this upcoming weekend ahead of a crosstown move to Arsenal. The German international has reportedly agreed to the £65 million move that will give Gunners manager Mikel Arteta a much-needed lift in attack. (Sky Sports)
Manchester United has made contact with the representatives of Adrien Rabiot, whose contract with Juventus expires at the end of this month. Juventus is reportedly offering the French international a one-year extension, but the lure of Champions League soccer may be too much to turn down. (The Athletic)
Manchester United appears to have dropped out of the race to sign Mason Mount after Chelsea rejected a £50 million offer. However, Bayern Munich is reportedly weighing up a move; although it remains to be seen whether it will get near Chelsea’s £65 million asking price. (The Guardian)
Kalidou Koulibaly became the latest big name to make the jump to Saudi Arabia. The Senegalese defender has left Chelsea to sign with Al-Hilal. The Saudi Arabian side reportedly shelled out £17 million for the central defender, who struggled in his only season in the Premier League. (Evening Standard)
Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is reportedly in talks with Saudi side Al-Ahli. The 31-year-old also has offers in his native Brazil and is available on a free transfer (Globo).
Chelsea’s two-year shopping spree continues with a move for Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson. The forward, who scored 12 goals in 26 league matches last season, has reportedly signed an eight-year contract with Chelsea paying €37 million for the 22-year-old. (The Guardian)
