Transfer news LIVE! Merino to Arsenal; Man Utd agree Ugarte fee; Chelsea hijack; Liverpool, Spurs latest

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Evening Standard

·21. August 2024

Transfer news LIVE! Merino to Arsenal; Man Utd agree Ugarte fee; Chelsea hijack; Liverpool, Spurs latest

Follow the latest updates, deals, rumours and gossip from the transfer window

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Transfer news – LIVE!

All of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are expected to strengthen their squads before the transfer window slams shut very soon. The Gunners have been keen on a new midfielder this summer and have targeted Mikel Merino as their priority, with sporting director Edu said to have travelled to Spain for talks. Now, reports suggest a breakthrough is imminent.

It’s been a typically busy summer for Chelsea, of course. Joao Felix is closing in on a return to Stamford Bridge and there are now claims the Blues could turn to Ivan Toney as a potential alternative to Victor Osimhen.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are said to have agreed terms with PSG star Manuel Ugarte earlier this summer and could finally be set to seal the deal, if recent reports are to be believed. Follow all the gossip, news and rumours including updates on Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham below!

Live updates

7 minutes ago

Ilkay Gundogan has Manchester meeting with Pep Guardiola

Ilkay Gundogan has arrived back in Manchester ahead of rejoining Man City on a free transfer.

The German was spotted on Wednesday evening having a meeting with Pep Guardiola at the City manager's Tast Catala restaurant.

Gundogan is now expected to this week finalise his return to the Etihad Stadium, 13 months on from leaving to join Barcelona on a bumper £300,000-a-week deal.

Barca have agreed to let Gundogan leave on a free transfer to help get him off their wage bill, and the player could make his second debut for City in the weekend game against Ipswich.

AFP via Getty Images

38 minutes ago

Rayan Cherki rejects Fulham move

Well, that didn’t last long.

Rayan Cherki has rejected a move to Fulham, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

The youngster is not willing to leave his boyhood club for the Premier League side.

1 hour ago

Arsenal plot late Victor Osimhen swoop after Eddie Nketiah exit

Arsenal are set to reignite their interest in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen before the summer transfer window closes.

According to Corriere dello Sport, will make a late move for the Nigerian with Eddie Nketiah set to join Nottingham Forest for £30million.

Napoli have reduced their demands but still want a significant fee, while Chelsea hope to offload Romelu Lukaku to the Italian side.

Getty Images

1 hour ago

Manchester United offered Ben Chilwell

Manchester United have been offered Ben Chilwell as Chelsea look to offload players before the transfer deadline next week.

talkSPORT report that United have been sounded out over a possible move, as they are currently without a fit left-back. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are sidelined, with right-footed Diogo Dalot deputising.

It remains to be seen if United are open to a deal for Chilwell, who has two years left on his current contract.

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

2 hours ago

Fulham agree £17m fee for Lyon star Rayan Cherki

Fulham have agreed a £17million fee with Lyon for young star Rayan Cherki.

In what can be considered a coup for the London club, L’Equipe report that the player will now decide whether to make the move.

Cherki has been tracked by both PSG and Chelsea in recent months, but it appears Fulham currently have a clear run at the young midfielder.

AFP via Getty Images

3 hours ago

Newcastle edge closer to Marc Guehi asking price

Newcastle have renewed confidence over a deal to sign Marc Guehi, reports The Telegraph.

The Magpies, who have seen four bids rejected by Crystal Palace, are now just £5 million away from meeting the asking price.

Palace value the player at £70m and so far proposals have been based on a deal worth £60m plus £5m in add-ons.

The relatively small difference between the clubs has raised hopes that a deal could be reached.

John Walton/PA Wire

4 hours ago

Emiliano Martinez signs new Aston Villa contract

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The contract extension will see Martinez, 31, extend his stay with Unai Emery's side until 2029.

Following a string of loan deals, Martinez joined Villa on a permanent contract from Arsenal in September 2020, eight years after he made his debut for the Gunners.

Martinez has gone on to play more than 150 times for Villa and won the World Cup for Argentina in 2022, as well as the Copa America on two occasions.

Martinez played in his side's 2-1 win at West Ham in their Premier League opener last weekend.

Villa, who will feature in the Champions League this season for the first time in their history, host Martinez's former club Arsenal on Saturday.

REUTERS

5 hours ago

Man Utd close in on £51m Manuel Ugarte

Manchester United are on the verge of signing Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Le Parisien.

A deal worth arounnd £51million has almost been agreed, with PSG holding out to recoup the fee they paid last summer.

Ugarte lost his place during the season, with his reported weaknesses in possession becoming a concern to Luis Enrique.

There is a confidence, the report claims, that a deal will be finalised in the coming days.

Joao Felix and Pedro Neto given exiled pair's shirt numbers

New Chelsea signing Joao Felix will wear the No.14 shirt number, which had previously belonged to Trevoh Chalobah.

It is the same shirt number Felix wore while on loan at Barcelona last season. He wore the No11 shirt number during his loan spell with the Blues in 2023.

Fellow summer signing Pedro Neto has been given the No7 shirt, which was worn by Raheem Sterling last summer.