Transfer News Today: Mbappe's PROMISE, Chelsea pursuit ENDS, Liverpool find Caicedo ALTERNATIVE

Cameron Smith

18 Aug 2023 09:24 BST
11 min read

The 2023-24 season has started, but the action on the pitch has not resulted in a silence on the transfer front.

With ACL injuries hitting several teams at the beginning of the new campaign - including Real Madrid with Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois, Arsenal with Jurrien Timber and Chelsea with Wesley Fofana - clubs remain in desperate needs of reinforcements as the window enters its final two weeks.

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

Manchester City have also lost Kevin de Bruyne to injury and look set to sign West Ham's Lucas Paqueta as his replacement. They are preparing a new bid for the Brazilian midfielder as per reports.

Furthermore, Kylian Mbappe still wants to join Real Madrid in 2024, Chelsea are on the verge of signing Romeo Lavia after the Belgian completed his medical, and Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal for Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo.

Here is all the major football transfer news today.

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

Arsenal Transfer News

* Arsenal want to advance in talks with Martin Odegaard regarding a new deal at the club. Extending the Norwegian's contract is seen as one of Arsenal's priorities this year (Fabrizio Romano).

* Benjamin Pavard could become an option for Arsenal following Jurrien Timber's ACL injury. However, no decision has been made on that front yet (Fabrizio Romano).

* Arsenal legend Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from football. He spent last season back at boyhood club Southampton (Theo Walcott).

Man Utd Transfer News

* Man Utd's summer plans are in jeopardy after failing to sell first-team stars for the desired price. This could see them miss out on Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat (FootballTransfers EXCLUSIVE).

* Liverpool and Man Utd remain interested in signing Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, but the Bundesliga side are adamant that he isn't for sale (Fabrizio Romano).

* Inter want to sign Man Utd target Benjamin Pavard following the departure of Milan Skriniar. They have submitted a €25m bid for the France international (Tuttosport).

* Despite this, Pavard remains keen on joining Man Utd and is 'seduced' by the prospect of linking up with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford (L'Equipe).

* Bayern will not sign former Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea on a free transfer this summer, despite Manuel Neuer's injury. De Gea was willing to join the Bavarians, but Thomas Tuchel has vetoed a move for the Spaniard (Sky Germany).

Chelsea Transfer News

* Chelsea have agreed a £58m deal with Southampton for midfielder Romeo Lavia. The deal is worth an initial £53m plus £5m in add-ons and the Belgian has completed his medical (Sky Sports).

* Lavia has posted a farewell message to Southampton fans ahead of his imminent move to Stamford Bridge (Romeo Lavia, Instagram).

* Chelsea target Michael Olise has signed a new four-year deal at Crystal Palace. The France U21 star was on the verge of joining the Blues after his release clause was activated, but has now decided to stay at Selhurst Park (Crystal Palace).

* Chelsea stepped away from signing Olise after Palace threatened going to a tribunal over their approach to signing the winger (The Secret Scout).

* The Blues are now ready to pursue Lyon star Bradley Barcola after backing out of a move for Olise (RMC)

* Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson has also emerged as a possible target for Chelsea (The Guardian).

* Chelsea are set to sell academy star Lewis Hall to Newcastle after the Magpies offered a deal that could reach £35m. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue (FootballTransfers).

Liverpool Transfer News

* Liverpool target Wataru Endo has been authorised to hold talks with the club and has flown to England for a medical. He was not present for Stuttgart training yesterday (Sebastian Hoeness, Stuttgart manager).

* Liverpool's interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure is genuine, but the south London side are yet to receive an offer (The Guardian).

* Liverpool and Man Utd remain interested in signing Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, but the Bundesliga side are adamant that he isn't for sale (Fabrizio Romano).

* Jurgen Klopp's side are also interested in Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina (FootMercato).

Man City Transfer News

* Manchester City will likely bid for Lucas Paqueta again after West Ham knocked back their initial approaches. They will offer another package for the Brazilian, this time worth £80m (FootballTransfers EXCLUSIVE).

* Man City are waiting on Aymeric Laporte to make a final decision about his future. The reigning treble winners have accepted an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, but the defender is yet to agree to the move (Fabrizio Romano).

* Barcelona manager Xavi and sporting director Deco disagree on the merit of signing Man City defender Joao Cancelo, which has opened the door for a move to Saudi Arabia (The Athletic).

Barcelona Transfer News

* Barcelona are in advanced talks with Atletico Madrid regarding signing Joao Felix on loan (Di Marzio).

* Speaking at a press conference, Lionel Messi has admitted that his move to PSG "isn’t something I wanted. I didn’t want to leave Barcelona" (L'Equipe).

* Barcelona manager Xavi and sporting director Deco disagree on the merit of signing Man City defender Joao Cancelo, which has opened the door for a move to Saudi Arabia (The Athletic).