With the domestic leagues in Europe all wrapped up it’s now time for a summer of transfer madness with some big moves expected as teams from all over attempt to strengthen their squads in the window.
We’ve already seen some big transfer news confirmed with Erling Haaland joining Manchester City and fellow striker sensation Kylian Mbappe snubbing a move to Real Madrid by signing a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
We can expect a busy transfer window at Manchester United with Erik ten Hag taking the helm and tasked with bringing back the glory days to Old Trafford, while Chelsea will look to be busy in the market once the sale of the club goes through.
In Spain, Barcelona will be hoping to strengthen to put up a proper challenge for La Liga next year and there will be wholesale changes at rivals Real Madrid with the likes of Isco and Marcelo already confirming their exits.
Italian transfer headlines are currently being dominated by reports of Inter Milan targeting a move for Romelu Lukaku, while in the Bundesliga, Liverpool star Sadio Mane looks to be heading to champions Bayern Munich.
The Sporting News is rounding up the key updates — all day, every day — below.
MORE: Is the transfer window open? Key dates for Premier League, Serie A and more
Robert Lewandowski is ‘waiting’ for Barcelona
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski ‘wants to join’ Barcelona and has verbally agreed on a three-year deal to move to the Camp Nou, as claimed by Fabrizio Romano.
The 33-year-old is contracted to his current employers until 2023, though Bayern Munich is becoming increasingly hesitant that Lewandowski will tear up his contract under the 2004 Webster Ruling, allowing players over the age of 28 to buy out their long-term deals.
Nevertheless, it has now been made clear by the Polish international that he will wait only for Barcelona this summer.
Robert Lewandowski wants to join Barcelona, no way for other clubs as of today. He knows it’s still not easy to reach an agreement with Bayern – but he’s only waiting for FCB. 🚨🇵🇱 #FCB
Lewa has verbal agreement on a three year deal with Barça.
More: https://t.co/7LbOWDUhet pic.twitter.com/OR3k2wBD0B— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2022
No other clubs are believed to be in the race for his signature, paving the way for Barcelona to attempt to close a deal with the former Borussia Dortmund striker.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan set to sign for Inter Milan
Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is close to joining Serie A rivals Inter Milan ahead of the new campaign.
His contract at the Stadio Olimpico expires this summer and he is believed to have rejected advances to extend his stay in the Italian capital, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s set to join Inter on a free transfer, here we go soon. Mkhitaryan has decided to turn down AS Roma proposal to extend the contract. 🚨🇦🇲 #transfers
Inter were just waiting for the final green light – Mkhitaryan has just communicated that he will leave Roma. pic.twitter.com/qV1U2nvLSF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2022
The Armenian now looks to be on the verge of signing for Roma’s Serie A rivals Inter Milan on a free transfer, putting an end to speculation surrounding his future. The deal looks to be in its final stages.
Serie A giants ‘keeping tabs’ on Christian Pulisic
USA international Christian Pulisic could be set for a summer transfer to Italy, with AC Milan and Juventus both interested in the Chelsea winger according to ESPN via Daily Mail.
The 23-year-old has struggled for regular game-time at Chelsea across the 2021/22 campaign, making just 38 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.
Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus are waiting to see if Chelsea is open to the idea of selling Pulisic on a cut-price deal, with the American seeking to become a regular at club level.
Paul Pogba is ‘weighing up offers’ on holiday as he ponders his future
Paul Pogba is in no rush to decide his future, as he is ‘weighing up offers’ from Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid as reported by the Telegraph.
On June 1, Manchester United confirmed that the 29-year-old would be leaving the club, putting an end to his second spell at Old Trafford that spanned for six years.
Once a Red, always a Red 🔴
Thank you for your service, @PaulPogba 👏#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 1, 2022
Pogba is now said to have offers on the table from Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid as he ponders his next move as a free agent, though won’t choose his final destination until after he returns from his holiday.
The midfielder is currently on vacation in the United States and will use the break to decide which club he will join ahead of the new season.
United scout Joao Gomes – and spot Andreas Pereira
United scouts appear to have had their heads turned by one of their own when they went to watch 21-year-old midfielder Joao Gomes play for Brazilian side Flamengo.
The analysts returned to inform bosses that Andreas Pereira, who has impressed during a loan spell with the club, was the best player on the pitch, according to ESPN.
That could mean part of Erik ten Hag’s midfield rebuild becomes an inside job, especially as the incoming manager worked with Pereira during his time at PSV Eindhoven.
Andreas Pereira has been informed by football director John Murtough that if his permanent move to Flamengo breaks down, Ten Hag is keen to have the midfielder back at the club in the summer. [@RobDawsonESPN] #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) April 25, 2022
The report says that Pereira’s prospects of saying at Flamengo have “all but collapsed”, with Ten Hag reportedly keen to watch him in pre-season.
Pereira, 26, has a year remaining on his contract after signing an extension to his Old Trafford deal in 2019.
Marco Asensio ‘offered to United’
Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio is out of contract at the end of the 2022/23 season and has reportedly been offered to United by his agent, Jorde Mendes.
At 26, attacking midfielder or winger Asensio knows he is facing a crucial moment in his career, with a long-term contract at his next club likely to cover his peak years.
United could be attracted by his vast experience with Madrid – he has been at the club for nine years – and his successful previous partnership with defender Raphael Varane at the Bernabeu.
Asensio was generally used as a back-up by Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti in La Liga and the Champions League, remaining an unused substitute in their win in the final over Liverpool. Mendes is also Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent.
“Me and my family know that I have to keep growing and moving forward,” Asensio told Diario AS. “I want to achieve important things in football and they help me do that.
“Considering how this season went and what I experienced during my career, it’s true that I want more, I’m hungry for more. I would retire if it wasn’t like this – I have many more challenges to achieve.”
Asensio was named in Spain’s squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures in June and was kept on the bench during their 1-1 draw at home to Portugal.
Hope in Paulo Dybala chase for English clubs?
After Juventus changed their mind about offering Paulo Dybala a new deal, the Argentina striker was thought to be set for a move to Inter Milan.
The deposed Serie A champions want Dybala but the forward has suggested he wants to test himself in the Premier League as much as he wants to extend his stay of more than 10 years in Italy.
Manchester United are also reported to be interested in Dybala, and Arsenal and the Red Devils could find their hopes of signing the 28-year-old scuppered if Tottenham offer him Champions League football.
“In Italy, I am very comfortable,” Dybala tells ESPN via MailOnline, speaking in the week when he scored a clinical late goal in the Finalissima against Italy at Wembley.
“I would still like to know other leagues like the Premier League, La Liga… but I’m happy in Italy. I am quite calm. The people who I work with are taking care.”
Arnaut Danjuma ‘will do everything possible’ to leave Villarreal
Dutch international Arnaut Danjuma scored as many goals – six – as Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Darwin Nunez in the 2021/22 Champions League as Villarreal became dark horses for the trophy.
The forward, whose early strike in the first leg proved the only goal of Villarreal’s quarterfinal tie against Bayern Munich, has attracted interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and PSG, according to El Periodico Mediterraneo.
The outlet says the 25-year-old has a release clause of around €40m ($43m) and wants to leave Villarreal this summer. It also suggests that Liverpool have already spoken to him.
“His departure in this summer transfer market is just a question of money, but everything indicates that Danjuma will do everything possible to leave, since he is not comfortable in Spain,” their report claims.
There is a potential note of caution for his suitors: Danjuma is said to have had “problems” integrating in the dressing room.
Chelsea legend Lampard ‘wants Gallagher and Gilmour at Everton’
Ahead of his first full season in charge after narrowly steering Everton clear of relegation, Frank Lampard is said to be keen to recruit Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour from his former club.
Chelsea’s all-time top scorer, Lampard should know more than most about what to look for in an attacking midfielder – and Gallagher and Gilmour are two of the best prospects in the Premier League.
Gallagher, 22, won Player of the Season during a loan at Crystal Palace in 2021/22, earning himself an England call-up.
Gilmour was one of Scotland’s best players at EURO 2020 before a baptism of Premier League fire on loan at Norwich, where he was occasionally targeted by supporters as the Canaries suffered their latest relegation.
The man who succeeded Lampard as Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, is ready to include Gallagher in his first team, say Talksport – who also report that Lampard is hoping his legendary status at Stamford Bridge could persuade the Blues to loan him out again.
Journalist Paul Brown tells GMS that Everton are interested in both players, but says Everton have “very little chance” of snaring Gallagher unless Tuchel decides he is “nowhere near good enough” to be in his reckoning.
Chelsea target Slonina ‘cannot say no to Real Madrid’
Towering 18-year-old goalkeeper Gaga Slonina was said to have been close to agreeing a £5m ($6.3m) move to Chelsea in March – the only snag, fatally, being the transfer embargo the Blues were operating under at the time.
Now Real Madrid have had a bid rejected for the Chicago Fire and US youth international, report MLSsoccer.com.
Judging by the words of Slonina’s agent, the Champions League winners’ interest will scupper Chelsea’s hopes of signing the ever-present for the Fire this season.
Gabriel Slonina’s agent Jaime Garcia confirms exclusive news: “We hope Chicago can find an agreement with Real Madrid to realize Gabriel’s dream of playing for Real”. 🚨🇺🇸 #RealMadrid
“With respect to other clubs and other offers – you can’t say no to Real Madrid”.
⤵️📑 #MLS pic.twitter.com/5XFHoPAWKn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 2, 2022
“With respect to other clubs and other offers – we’ve received many and we are gracious to those clubs – you cannot say no to Real Madrid,” says Jaime Garcia.
“We are hoping Chicago can find an agreement with Real Madrid to realise Gabriel’s dream of playing for this club.”
Premier League clubs Wolves and Southampton are also said to have been keen on Slonina, who has been called up to US senior training camps and turned down the chance to join Poland’s squad in May.
Arsenal confirm Lacazette exit
Arsenal have confirmed striker Alexandre Lacazette will leave the club when his contract expires on June 30.
The 31-year-old has scored 71 goals in 206 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions since signing from Lyon in 2017.
Lacazette is expected to return to the Ligue 1 club on a free transfer.
“Laca has been a fantastic player for us,” manager Mikel Arteta said.
“He’s been a real leader on and off the pitch and has been a very important influence to our younger players.
“His commitment with us has been exceptional and we wish him and his family success and happiness.”
🔥 For the 206 games and 71 goals
💪 For your dedication to The Arsenal
Thank you for 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, @LacazetteAlex ❤️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 3, 2022
Tottenham ‘working on loan deal for Clement Lenglet’
Tottenham are looking to bring in Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on a two-year loan deal, according to Esport3.
A host of players could be allowed to depart Barcelona this summer, with Lenglet amongst them.
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette ‘set to return to Lyon’
Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette is poised to return to Lyon on a free transfer, according to L’Equipe.
Lacazette joined Lyon as a youngster and went on to make 275 appearances for the French club before joining Arsenal in 2017.
With his Arsenal contract set to expire at the end of June, an announcement on Lacazette’s return to Lyon is seemingly imminent.
L’OL a convaincu son ancien buteur Alexandre Lacazette de revenir au club, après cinq saisons à Arsenal, où il était en fin de contrat. L’annonce est imminente. https://t.co/lFaUNHvzLv pic.twitter.com/L2WhS6yuKB
— L’ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 2, 2022
Inter Milan ‘will have to sell one of Lautaro Martinez or Alessandro Bastoni for big money’
The Athletic state that, due to their financial difficulties, it is expected that Inter Milan will have to sell either Lautaro Martinez or Alessandro Bastoni for ‘big money’ this summer. Inter have to make a profit of £50 million from transfers, with striker Martinez, who has been linked with Chelsea, a candidate to depart.
Centre-back Bastoni, meanwhile, has been heavily linked with a switch to Tottenham.
Antonio Rudiger completes Real Madrid move
Chelsea have confirmed that defender Antonio Rudiger has completed his move to Real Madrid.
The centre-back is leaving Stamford Bridge on a free transfer after five years at the club.
Rudiger made 203 appearances for the Blues, scoring 12 goals. He won the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Toni Rudiger has today completed his transfer to Real Madrid.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 2, 2022
Manchester United confirm Juan Mata departure
Following the confirmations of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard’s exits yesterday, Manchester United have now announced that Juan Mata will also be leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of June.
Mata joined United from Chelsea in January 2014 and made 285 appearances, scoring 51 goals.
The Spaniard won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League during his time at United.
Thank you for everything, @JuanMata8 — you’ll be missed 🔴#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 2, 2022
Gareth Bale confirms Real Madrid departure
Gareth Bale has bid farewell to Real Madrid after nine seasons in the Spanish capital with his contract set to expire next month.
Bale’s time in Madrid has come to a difficult end, despite some incredible moments with Los Blancos, after clinching a fifth Champions League title in their win over Liverpool in Paris.
🤍 #HALAMADRID pic.twitter.com/pogMmcLDwk
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 1, 2022
The Welsh international stated it was a honour to represent Real Madrid, as he now leaves on a free transfer, after arriving for a previous world record fee of £85m (€99m/$106.5m) in 2013.
It has been an honour. Thank you! #HALAMADRID @RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/T7FL2LNRrD
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 1, 2022
Bale has joined up with the Wales squad ahead of their crunch 2022 World Cup play-off on June 5, and he is expected to sign a short term club deal, if Rob Page’s side make it to Qatar.
Manchester United confirm Paul Pogba exit
Manchester United have officially revealed record transfer Paul Pogba will leave the club on a free transfer this month.
The French international has not been offered an extension to his expiring contract at Old Trafford and the former £89m (€104.5/$112m) man will now move on.
Once a Red, always a Red 🔴
Thank you for your service, @PaulPogba 👏#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 1, 2022
Pogba returned to United in 2016, after leaving them for Juventus in 2012, after failing to force his way into Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans despite his rave reviews in the youth ranks.
His second spell with the Red Devils has been dogged by injury and inconsistency, with 154 Premier League appearances in six seasons, alongside an EFL Cup and Europa League double win in 2017.
Arsenal set Youri Tielemans as No.1 transfer target
Arsenal’s main transfer goal this summer is to secure a move for Leicester City star Youri Tielemans according to Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal are still interested in Youri Tielemans, plans have not changed. He’s a target for the midfield – but it’s not an imminent deal as negotiations will take some time. 🇧🇪 #AFC
Two other clubs are also in the race for Tielemans, he’s gonna leave Leicester this summer.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 31, 2022
The Gunners have been tracking the Belgian international since the start of 2022 following his statement on wanting to play European football next season.
Romano hinted the Gunners are still working hard on a deal, but despite Tielemans’ desire to leave Leicester, negotiations are expected to stretch on into next month.
Real Madrid edging closer on Tchouameni deal
Real Madrid are on the verge of completing a deal for AS Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni despite late interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports from Goal.com confirm the French international has rejected alternative offers due to his desire to play for Los Blancos.
Tchouameni’s Les Bleus teammate Kylian Mbappe is rumoured to have personally reached out to him on PSG’s behalf but the 22-year-old is determined to complete an £85m (€100m/$107m) move to the Spanish capital.
There’s no stopping that strike 🤯
𝟭-𝟮 ‣ #LOSCASM | @atchouameni pic.twitter.com/kXIyJP9luz
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) May 9, 2022
The former Bordeaux man is currently on duty for the France squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League but an agreement could be wrapped up next week.
European giants eye Raheem Sterling
Manchester City star Raheem Sterling is attracting renewed transfer interest from Germany and Spain ahead of the 2022-23 season.
England winger Sterling was linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium last summer with Pep Guardiola stating he would not block an exit for the former Liverpool winger.
However, with the impending arrival of Erling Haaland at the Premier League champions, Sterling could see his game time reduced in the coming months.
Reports from BBC Sport claim Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid are monitoring the 27-year-old as he heads into the final year of his City contract.
Tottenham confirm Ivan Perisic swoop
May 31: Tottenham have confirmed their first piece of summer transfer business with Croatian star Ivan Perisic joining on a free transfer today.
Perisic opted against renewing his contract at Inter Milan at the start of 2022 and he joins Spurs on a two-year deal as a free agent.
🎙 “I’m really excited to start with the Spurs family”
Watch Ivan Perišić’s first interview as a Spurs player! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ktsbfAUEiR
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 31, 2022
The 33-year-old played a key role in Inter’s Serie A title success in 2021, under current Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, and he will add major Champions League experience to the Spurs squad ahead of 2022-23.
Arsenal linked with Everton star Richarlison
May 31: Mikel Arteta’s hunt for a new striker could lead him to Goodison Park as the Gunners boss looks to reinforce his attacking options this summer.
French star Alexandre Lacazette looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer next month with Arteta in the market for a replacement with Premier League experience.
Richarlison netted six Premier League goals in Everton’s final nine games of 2021/22 to ensure top-flight safety for Frank Lampard’s side, but he hinted at a move away during an interview on international duty.
“I’ve made it clear to the board. I’ve already talked to Lampard too, with my agents and they know what I want. Let’s wait for June,” said the Brazil forward, as per an interview with Globo Esporte.
Reports from the Daily Mail state Arsenal will now go toe-to-toe with domestic rivals Chelsea and Tottenham in the race for Richarlison, who is said to be valued at £40m (€46m/$50.5m).
Sadio Mane transfer latest
Jun 2: According to Sky in Germany, Bayern have made an initial offer of £25million for Mane plus performance-related add-ons of £4 million and £8 million.
May 31: Reports of Sadio Mane wanting to leave Liverpool have gathered pace following the conclusion of the Reds’ 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28.
Diario AS reported that Mane said goodbye to teammates and has his heart set on leaving, although the club are unlikely to accept any cut-price offer from Bayern.
The Liverpool correspondent for GOAL.com, Neil Jones, also reported that Mane is set to inform the club of his desire to leave, and the Daily Mail said that Liverpool want at least £35 million ($44.2 million) for him.
Sadio Mané has decided to leave Liverpool this summer 🚨🔴 #LFC
He’s ready for a new experience after many special years with Reds – it will be confirmed to the club.
FC Bayern are strong contenders – but it’s still open and not completed as Sadio wanted to wait for the final. pic.twitter.com/hr6R5NmuZ0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2022
Hours later on May 29, these reports were backed up by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who said Mane wished to wait until after the season was over to make moves on a summer transfer. He reported that Bayern are the favorites, but a move is not yet complete.
MORE: Champions League by the numbers: A look back on an action-packed season of elite European football
Romelu Lukaku transfer latest
JUN 4: Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku wants to return to Inter Milan if Chelsea can come to an agreement with the Serie A runners-up over his potential exit as stated by Sky Sports News. It is understood that Inter Milan can’t afford a permanent deal for Lukaku, making a loan deal most likely if he is to return to Italy.
The final decision on his future will be taken by the Todd Boehly-led consortium that have recently taken ownership control at Stamford Bridge.
JUN 2: La Gazzetta Dello Sport state that Lukaku has agreed to return to Inter Milan in what could be a loan deal. The report indicates that Lukaku would receive an annual salary of £6.4million if he rejoined Inter, which is significantly lower than his current wages of £10.2million.
JUN 1: Inter Milan will open talks with Romelu Lukaku’s representatives today over a potential comeback at Inter. As per reports from The Guardian, the Serie A giants are yet to contact Chelsea directly, but his lawyer Sebastien Ledure will assess the viability of a deal.
May 31: Lukaku’s struggles at Chelsea have been well documented this year, with eight Premier League goals in 2021-22, and that’s led to suggestions he could call time on his second spell in west London.
May 29: Several newspapers in Italy, including Gazzetta dello Sport, all claimed Lukaku is pushing for a return to Inter but he would need to halve his salary in order for a loan move to be considered.
