Transfer News Today: Hojlund UNVEILED and INJURED, Arsenal UNLOCK Raya, Chelsea DOUBLE DEAL

Cameron Smith

• 5 Aug 2023 14:04 BST
• 11 min read

The English Football League season is now under way but most attention is still focused on the big clubs and transfer news as they look to complete their major summer business.

Southampton emerged 2-1 winners over Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship opener on Friday night.

The Premier League, and several other top European leagues, begin next weekend, with clubs applying the finishing touches to their squad before the 2023-24 campaign kicks off.

Chelsea have made yet another summer signing in the form of AS Monaco defender Axel Disasi, while Josko Gvardiol has signed his contract at Manchester City ahead of his move from RB Leipzig, according to Fabrizio Romano.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Arsenal are exploring the idea of signing Emiliano Buendia from Aston Villa, as exclusively reported by FootballTransfers, and Romeo Lavia has edged nearer to a Liverpool move after being benched by Southampton in the aforementioned Championship opener.

Here is all the major football transfer news on 5 August.

MORE: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2023: All the Done Deals

Arsenal Transfer News

* Arsenal’s transfer window could be unlocked in August by an unexpected source - Gianluca Scamacca. The West Ham striker is currently close to completing a transfer to Atalanta worth in the region of €30 million, but this deal could create a domino effect that will help Mikel Arteta complete his objectives for the window. Starting with the signing of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.

* Arsenal are set to reignite their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia as they look to find a backup plan for Bukayo Saka (FootballTransfers Exclusive).

* Atalanta are close to hijacking Inter Milan's move for Gianluca Scamacca, with the San Siro club now set to go back in for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun (Fabrizio Romano).

Man Utd Transfer News

* Man Utd have unveiled their £64m striker signing Rasmus Hojlund at last. He was paraded in front of the Old Trafford crowd ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly vs Lens. This following the completion of his transfer from Atalanta.

* Along with the good news for Man Utd fans, there is some not so good - Hojlund is already injured. He sustained a 'small issue' during pre-season training with Atalanta and it could be 'a few weeks' before he is ready to play (Samuel Luckhurst, Manchester Evening News).

* Leon Goretzka is seen as Man Utd's alternative to Sofyan Amrabat, and the Red Devils are weighing up a move for the Bayern man (Sky Germany).

* Manchester United have made an official offer for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as they search for a back-up to Andre Onana with Dean Henderson expected to depart (CNN Turkey).

Chelsea Transfer News

* Chelsea will formalise the signing of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton imminently, according to football transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. The Blues have been in transfer talks with Brighton for months, having also persistently attempted to land midfielder Moises Caicedo from the Seagulls.

* The Blues are also close to completing a deal for yet another wonderkid as they have submitted a bid worth €15m plus €5m in add-ons for Santos youngster Deivid Washington, which is expected to be accepted by the Brazilian club (Globo).

* Chelsea have completed the signing of France defender Axel Disasi from AS Monaco (Chelsea).

* Strasbourg are waiting while Chelsea decide whether or not to send Lesley Ugochukwu and Angelo on loan to them for the upcoming season (L'Equipe).

* Lewis Hall could extend his Chelsea contract before joining Crystal Palace on loan this summer (South London Press).

* Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Tino Livramento’s move to Newcastle is close to completion. The former Chelsea academy star was not included in the Saints' squad against Sheffield Wednesday (TalkSPORT).

Liverpool Transfer News

* Southampton BENCHED major Liverpool transfer target Romeo Lavia for Friday night's Championship opener vs Sheffield Wednesday. The talented young midfielder is fancied to complete a £50m move to Anfield this summer.

* Liverpool are looking at signing Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall following Jordan Henderson's departure (AnfieldWatch).

Man City Transfer News

* Josko Gvardiol has signed his Man City contract to complete a world-record transfer for a defender from RB Leipzig (Fabrizio Romano).

* Manchester City are considering Florian Wirtz as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez in this summer's transfer window. The Bayer Leverkusen star is on the list of Man City's transfer targets (FootballTransfers EXCLUSIVE).

* Pep Guardiola has admitted that Man City want to retain Barcelona target Bernardo Silva and Bayern Munich target Kyle Walker this summer. He said: "To lose Kyle and Bernardo would be so difficult. We will do everything to keep them" (BBC Sport).

Newcastle Transfer News

* Southampton manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Tino Livramento’s move to Newcastle is close to completion. The former Chelsea academy star was not included in the Saints' squad against Sheffield Wednesday (TalkSPORT).

Tottenham Transfer News

* Harry Kane could now stay at Tottenham after Bayern Munich set a deadline of midnight on 5 August for Spurs to accept their offer. That time has now elapsed, with the Bavarians reportedly ready to move on (The Telegraph).

* Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven is set to join Tottenham after agreeing a move to north London. The deal is worth €50m and he will travel for his Spurs medical in the next 24 hours (Fabrizio Romano).

Barcelona Transfer News

* Barcelona are set to sign Freiburg youngster Noah Darvich, with the deal being given Fabrizio Romano's 'Here We Go' catchphrase (Fabrizio Romano).

* Pep Guardiola has admitted that Man City want to retain Barcelona target Bernardo Silva, despite interest from the Blaugrana. He said: "To lose Kyle [Walker] and Bernardo would be so difficult. We will do everything to keep them" (BBC Sport).

Real Madrid Transfer News

* Reiner Jesus has been training alone at Real Madrid since his proposed loan move to Girona fell through (Diario AS).

* Former Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso has extended his contract as Bayer Leverkusen manager until 2026 (Bayer 04).

PSG Transfer News

* Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani has told the club he wishes to leave this summer amid heavy interest from Paris Saint-Germain (RMC Sport).

Bayern Transfer News

* Leon Goretzka is seen as Man Utd's alternative to Sofyan Amrabat, and the Red Devils are weighing up a move for the Bayern man (Sky Germany).

* Pep Guardiola has admitted that Man City want to retain Bayern Munich target Kyle Walker, despite interest from the Bavarians. He said: "To lose Kyle and Bernardo [Silva] would be so difficult. We will do everything to keep them" (BBC Sport).

Juventus Transfer News

* Sassuolo are leading Juventus in the race to sign talented Genoa midfielder Luca Lipini (Tuttomercatoweb).

Recently most read

Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses

What are the most expensive transfers of all time? The 50 highest fees in history