Phillips set for Man City, De Ligt staying at Juventus – Friday’s essential news

Robin Bairner

• 24 Jun 2022 23:01 BST
• 4 min read

Friday was another big day in the 2022 summer transfer market, with several deals taking big steps closer to completion – while it appears that others have been put on the backburner or even extinguished.

While Manchester City fans are celebrating the likely capture of another big name, Man Utd are growing increasingly frustrated with their inaction on the transfer front. Indeed, the Red Devils are set to miss out on more big targets.

Here are the five essential pieces of transfer news from 24 June.

Man City close in on Kalvin Phillips deal

Manchester City are close to completing a £45 million deal for Leeds and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips. He had previously been linked with Manchester United, and fans of the Red Devils are furious that they missed out on him.

Exclusive: De Ligt to snub Chelsea move

Unless Chelsea come up with an extraordinary offer, Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is set to stay put in Turin. Indeed, the Netherlands international defender is even ready to sign a new contract with the Bianconeri with an even greater minimum fee release clause, FootballTransfers can reveal.

Man Utd to miss out on Malacia

It has been a hugely frustrating start to the transfer window for Manchester United. Tyrell Malacia had been considered one of Erik ten Hag’s major targets, but the Netherlands international has elected to make a shock move to a mid-table Ligue 1 outfit.

Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen is mulling over his future and could reject the Red Devils to stay at Brentford.

Arsenal should target Gnabry

Bayern Munich have hinted that they might be open to selling Serge Gnabry this summer, and this is an opportunity that Arsenal should not overlook.

Ronaldo in bizarre Bayern Munich link

Cristiano Ronaldo was briefly linked with a move to Bayern Munich only for the rumour to die away quickly. Bayern have previously said that they do not want the Portuguese for one very important reason.