Transfer News Today: Mbappe PICKS Arsenal, Man Utd AGREE Hojlund terms and Amrabat UPDATE

Graham Shaw

8 Jul 2023 15:24 BST
11 min read

Kylian Mbappe is coveted by Arsenal — © ProShots

The transfer window is now absolutely in full swing, and we have all the biggest news stories for you in our Saturday morning roundup and recap.

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Arsenal currently lead the way with a trio of massive deals so far this summer, and now Man Utd and co are trying to play catchup.

MORE: Premier League summer transfers: ALL the done deals

Liverpool are also looking to have a big summer as they bid to get back into the Premier League title reckoning, while the comings and goings at Chelsea are absolutely crazy. Talk about reshaping a squad.

We are now closing in on more massive transfers being completed, along with the trademark 'here we go' from Fabrizio Romano.

Here is all the latest major football transfer on Saturday July 8, 2023:

Arsenal Transfer News

* Kylian Mbappe would reportedly rather join Arsenal than Liverpool were he to move to the Premier League (The Independent).

* Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is on the brink of completing his £34m move to Arsenal after 'completing' his medical (Fabrizio Romano).

* Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has been dealt a significant blow with long-serving club doctor Gary O’Driscoll set to join Manchester United (The Mirror).

Man Utd Transfer News

* Manchester United have agreed personal terms with Rasmus Hojlund. We are told that the Atalanta striker and the club have struck a deal ahead of a move to Old Trafford (Jacque Talbot).

* Erik ten Hag has pin-pointed Sofyan Amrabat as his main target for Manchester United's midfield ahead of the new season and will action a move for the Fiorentina player once the deals for Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund are wrapped up and Fred is moved on (Jacque Talbot).

* Erik ten Hag is set to move on four star players as he looks to boost his transfer kitty to bring in new talent. The players are Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho, Scott McTominay and Fred (The Independent).

* Atalanta want Man Utd striker Mason Greenwood on loan, which could help Erik ten Hag complete a big-money move for the Italian side's Danish star forward Rasmus Hojlund (The Mirror).

* Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their bid to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan following reports that the Serie A giants have opened talks with Hugo Lloris as they seek a replacement for the Cameroon star (Fabrizio Romano).

* Manchester United are monitoring the situation of Jeremie Frimpong. The 22-year-old, who is valued at around €40-€50 million by Bayer Leverkusen, enjoyed a superb campaign in the Bundesliga last term, netting eight goals and providing seven assists (Sky Germany).

* Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s hopes of buying Manchester United have been boosted by UEFA’s decision to allow six clubs under joint ownership to compete in European football this coming season. The Manchester-born businessman already owns Ligue 1 outfit Nice, who are often competing in one of UEFA’s three continental competitions (The Mirror).

* Mason Mount’s father, Tony Mount, has called Manchester United “home” just days after his son sealed a €70 million transfer to Old Trafford. Mount, 24, has signed for the Red Devils from Chelsea, the club he joined at the age of just six. The comment is likely to further enrage Blues fans not happy about his Stamford Bridge exit.

* Manchester United legend Paul Ince thinks his old club should try to sign Thomas Partey from Arsenal, as the Gunners close in on Declan Rice. Partey has been linked with a move away from last season’s Premier League runners-up – and Ince feels the Ghanaian international would fit ideally into United's midfield (Betway).

* Erik ten Hag is ready to put his faith in the club’s youth players as the Red Devils continue to stall in the transfer market. He has called up Charlie Savage, Maxi Oyedele and Isak Hansen-Aaroen to work with the first team and, presumably, earn opportunities in the club’s forthcoming friendly encounters (The Mirror).

Chelsea Transfer News

* Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about his 'amazing relationship' with Harry Kane and refused to rule out more attacking signings.

* First, what appears to be a major breakthrough regarding the future of Romelu Lukaku. Inter made it clear on Friday that they want to buy the striker on a permanent deal - no more loans. It's expected the will offer around €30m plus add-ons to get to around €40m (Gazzetta dello Sport).

* The future of Christian Pulisic appears to be set with a deal in place for a move to AC Milan. The transfer, worth more than €20m with add-ons, sees the American join former Chelsea team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek at San Siro (Fabrizio Romano).

© ProShots - Christian Pulisic is joining AC Milan from Chelsea.

* Moises Caicedo has admitted that his uncertain future will not be resolved until he receives intervention from God. The Ecuador international has been heavily linked with a move away from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, with Chelsea emerging as the front-runners to land him (Maria Jose Flores).

* Barcelona are interested in a shock move for Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos, according to sensational reports from Brazil. Santos, 19, joined the west London club for €12.5 million in January, but was immediately loaned back to Vasco da Gama until the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season (Lucas Pedrosa).

* Flamengo are encouraging Chelsea to make a proposal for Matheus Franca but Chelsea are talking to a number of players to fulfil that position. We are told that the Brazilian club are prepared to let the 19-year-old depart this summer window if a club meets their asking price of €25million with add-ons (Jacque Talbot).

* England U16 talent Frankie Runham has committed his future to the Blues by signing a long-term deal (Fabrizio Romano).

Liverpool Transfer News

* Liverpool (and Arsenal) are unlikely to meet Southampton's £50m valuation of exciting young midfielder Romeo Lavia (Sky Sports).

Newcastle Utd Transfer News

* Newcastle United are one of only three teams in Europe who can afford to sign Kylian Mbappe - according to agent Bruno Satin. The others are Man City and Real Madrid (L'Equipe).

* Newcastle are closing in on the signing of Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes (Fabrizio Romano/Telegraph).

Tottenham Transfer News

* Ivan Perisic is set to leave north London after just a season with a move back to Croatia and Hajduk Split in the offing (Gianluca di Marzio).

Barcelona Transfer News

* Barca have sent contracts to Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque after being set a 24-hour deadline to get the move done. Joan Laporta and co moved fast to head off interest from circling Premier League clubs (Mundo Deportivo).

* Ronald Koeman has criticised Barcelona’s approach to transfers, questioning his former club’s continued signing of players in their 30s. Barca’s two signings so far this summer have both been 32-year-olds: Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez – who joined the La Liga champions as free agents after leaving Manchester City and Athletic Bilbao respectively.

Real Madrid Transfer News

* Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen could be the key to Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe. The Nigerian striker is seen as the go-to replacement for PSG should Mbappe depart this summer (Il Mattino).

* Arda Guler has revealed that Real Madrid hold a different level of power in transfer negotiations than Barcelona. Guler was asked why he decided to join Real Madrid instead of their El Clasico rivals. “Barça wanted me, but when Real Madrid want you, the conversation is over,” he replied.

© ProShots - Arda Guler joined Real Madrid instead of Barcelona.

* Vinicius Jr has reacted to the signing of Guler with a tweet that’s sure to rattle one or two Barcelona fans. Welcoming Guler to Real, the Brazilian star tweeted: “Uno más que elige el más grande” (Spanish for “One more who chooses the greatest”), followed by white heart and heart-eyes emojis.

MORE: Out Of Contract in 2023: Best players available on a free transfer