Partey latest, Newcastle eye Barca star and Ten Hag's priority - FootballTransfers' exclusive update

Steve Kay

• Updated: 26 May 2023 09:43 BST
• 4 min read

FootballTransfers brings you the latest transfer news from Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and more in our weekly round up...

Partey heading for Arsenal bench

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey could start on the bench next season if Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is successful in bringing in summer targets Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Brighton's versatile midfielder Moises Caicedo.

FootballTransfers understands that Arteta is looking to play the Brighton man in an inverted full-back role - a position the Ecuadorian has played many times for the Seagulls this season. Partey played in that position against Nottingham Forest but showed it clearly isn’t for him due to his lack of pace and mobility wasn't for him.

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Howe has Tierney concerns

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is having reservations about signing Arsenal’s out-of-favour full-back Kieran Tierney due to his injury record.

Arsenal are said to be looking for at least £35m for Tierney but Newcastle are said to only be willing to pay around the £18m mark. Manchester City have also had conversations with Arsenal over signing the player, with a possible swap deal involving Joao Cancelo.

Arteta will sit down with Tierney at the end of the season to decide on his future.

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Newcastle eye Barcelona’s Ferran Torres

Newcastle are in internal discussions over a possible move for Barcelona’s Ferran Torres to replace Allan Saint-Maximin this summer.

Ferran’s previous Premier League experience with Manchester City fits the profile of player that Howe is seeking to bring to the club, while a cut-price deal could be on the table, with FootballTransfers understanding that Barca are pessimistic over the prospect of recouping the €55m they signed the attacker for in 2022.

Instead, Newcastle could secure the player for around €35m.

Ferran has said he wishes to stay at Barcelona, but FootballTransfers understands that an offer from a Premier League club playing in the Champions League could change his mind after struggling for game time at Camp Nou.

Ten Hag’s summer priority

Erik ten Hag's search for a midfield partner to complement Casemiro is the main priority at Manchester United, along with signing a striker, once the transfer window opens in June.

One of the players high on that list is Portuguese international Ruben Neves. Ten Hag has been an admirer of the Wolves box-to-box midfielder as far back as his Porto days.

Sources close to the club have told FootballTransfers not to rule out a bid from Man Utd this summer. Barcelona are also said to be very interested in signing the player.

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Chelsea battle Tottenham, Newcastle and Villa for Ward Prowse

James Ward Prowse is looking more and more likely to leave Southampton after the Saints were relegated for the first time since the 2004/05 season. Many clubs are said to interested in signing the 28-year-old midfielder, including Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino could be key in this deal. He managed Ward Prowse on the south coast and is thought to be a fan of the player.

Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa are the other clubs also looking closely at the Southampton captain.

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