The summer transfer window is now open, with a number of deals (including Matteo Kovacic to Manchester City) already nearing completion.
There’s also immense speculation surrounding clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea, while Newcastle are in the market for a number of new players as they plot their assault on the Champions League next season.
But what are the latest transfer rumours and who should we expect to make their move soon? Let’s get into it!
Chelsea in for Onana – But at What Price?
Despite outlaying more than £600 million in less than a year under the ownership of Todd Boehly, Chelsea are likely to spend even more this summer under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Already on the Argentine’s radar is Inter Milan’s former Ajax shot-stopper Andre Onana, 27, who performed with distinction in the Champions League final and is the very embodiment of modern goalkeeping principles.
While Inter have allegedly identified a replacement in the form of Empoli’s Guglielmo Vicario, they are still demanding around £55 million for Onana. However, Chelsea appear to be more interested in a player-plus-cash deal, with the club ready to offer on-loan Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, 30, and ailing defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 31, to Inter.
The deal could be complicated further by Onana’s reported desire to stay in Milan, especially with Chelsea unable to offer European football of any description next season and Inter participating in the UCL once again.
Is James Maddison Newcastle-Bound?
Champions League-bound Newcastle continue to be linked with a huge number of players, including Leicester City duo Harvey Barnes, 25, and James Maddison. However, it appears that the Magpies have now cooled their interest in the former, with the 26-year-old Maddison now their primary summer transfer target.
Eddie Howe has clearly identified his midfield as the main area for improvement this summer, with the club unlikely to spend huge sums of money during the window. Maddison is seen as being perfect for Howe’s possession-based style of play, while he could be secured for a fee of around £60 million following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship.
The Saudi-owned Magpies are also allegedly in the market for Manchester United duo Scott
McTominay 26, and Harry Maguire, 30, who are both expected to be made available for sale by Reds’ boss Erik Ten Hag this summer.
Will Manchester United Opt for Jordan Pickford or David Raya?
With the contract status and long-term future of Manchester United keeper David de Gea, 32, remaining in doubt, the Reds continue to be linked with a number of alternatives. These include Porto’s 23-year-old stopper Diogo Costa, who has been the subject of increasingly intense speculation of late.
Other potential targets include Brentford keeper and Spanish international David Raya, 27, and Everton number one Jordan Pickford, 29.
Both players are thought to be available for around £40 million this summer, with the former’s
contract set to expire in 2024. Raya is also a target for Spurs, with Frenchman Hugo Lloris expected to depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after more than 10 years in North London.
Interestingly, it has been suggested that United may move for Pickford even if de Gea remains at Old Trafford, in which case the two players would compete directly for the number one jersey.