Arsenal are reportedly looking to sign a new centre-back following the confirmation that William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period due to a back injury. The Premier League title winner sustained the injury during the World Cup 2026. While surgery is not necessary, his absence is expected to be lengthy.
The Gunners are considering options such as Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and former Manchester City centre-back John Stones, who is available as a free agent. This move aims to provide cover and depth to the defensive line, with the club prepared to invest significantly rather than seeking a loan deal. Existing cover includes Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Califiori, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White, but injury concerns among some of these players and manager Mikel Arteta’s preference against shifting first-choice full-backs have prompted the decision to seek a new centre-back.
In other transfer news for Arsenal, the club has announced the signing of 24-year-old forward Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in a £34m deal. Tzolis is seen as a replacement for Leandro Trossard. Additionally, Arsenal are expected to intensify their pursuit of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, although Newcastle are reportedly frustrated by a lack of contact from the Premier League champions. Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Roma have also inquired about Tzolis, but he reportedly prefers a move to Arsenal.
Liverpool’s pursuit of wingers
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has outlined his transfer priorities, confirming the Reds “definitely need to sign a winger.” The club has reportedly turned its attention to Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, who is also a target for Paris Saint-Germain. PSG’s Bradley Barcola also remains a target for Liverpool.
Barcola, who was part of France’s World Cup squad, is now a primary target for Liverpool as they seek a replacement for Mohamed Salah. PSG are reportedly considering either Yan Diomande or Maghnes Akliouche to enhance their wing options, potentially making Barcola surplus to requirements. Liverpool have reportedly submitted an official bid, which PSG is currently evaluating. When asked about his summer targets, Iraola stated that a wide player was at the top of his list, acknowledging the need for new signings in certain positions and the ongoing analysis of market opportunities and existing squad players.
Midfield and other key transfers
Manchester United are still looking to strengthen their midfield after acquiring Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Reports from Italy suggest an agreement in principle has been reached with France international Manu Kone. Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho has moved to Aston Villa on loan from Chelsea, following Chelsea’s record signing of Morgan Rogers.
Real Madrid has a long-standing interest in Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who guided Spain to the World Cup and was named player of the tournament. Reports indicate that Rodri, who is 30 and has one year remaining on his contract, is now keen on a move to the Spanish giants. This potential transfer could impact players like Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, both of whom have been linked with Manchester United.
Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to sign Kerim Alajbegovic, an 18-year-old who impressed for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup. He rejoined Bayer Leverkusen before the tournament, and Xabi Alonso’s side is expected to compete with Juventus for the attacker. Alajbegovic came through Leverkusen’s academy but joined Red Bull Salzburg before making his first-team debut. Elliot Anderson has completed a £116m move to Manchester City, signing a five-year deal.
Pep Guardiola has held discussions about becoming the next head coach for Italy, as confirmed by Italian Football Federation president Giovanni Malago.
Other notable transfers include Morgan Rogers moving from Aston Villa to Chelsea for £117m, and Sandro Tonali transferring from Newcastle to Tottenham for £100m.
Rafael Leao, previously linked with Arsenal, is now attracting interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham. The 27-year-old is reportedly looking to leave AC Milan this summer and could be available for around £50m. Villa are also likely to sign Pervis Estupiñán from AC Milan, with Lucas Digne potentially moving to PSG.
Charles De Ketelaere, who scored against World Cup 2026 winners Spain, is drawing interest from across Europe, with Premier League clubs, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich reportedly keen on the Atalanta forward, who is valued at €50m (£42.7m).
Barcelona remains interested in Atlético Madrid striker Julián Alvarez, despite a renewed push from Arsenal, believing Alvarez’s desire to join them will be the deciding factor. Inter is looking at Tottenham right-back Djed Spence after a deal for Union’s Anan Khalaili fell through. Liverpool and Newcastle have also joined Everton in pursuing Spence. Inter has abandoned its pursuit of Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah due to the high asking price, potentially opening the door for an offer from Como.
Newcastle is reportedly leading the race for Botafogo midfielder Danilo, with Chelsea’s interest not as strong as previously suggested. Bournemouth is expected to bid for Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva after he declined to renew his contract. Chelsea is prepared to offer a package worth $28.5 million (€25 million, £21 million) including bonuses for Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Charravía, though the La Liga side may push for the fee to be guaranteed without add-ons.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is reportedly planning to leave the club in 2027 and intends to travel to Madrid with his agents this summer to assess life in the Spanish capital ahead of a potential move to Real Madrid. José Mourinho has informed Endrick that he will have a significant role at Real Madrid this season, but the Brazilian is prepared to force an exit in January if he does not receive regular minutes. Real Madrid is also planning for a future without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and sees Athletic Club’s Unai Simón as a potential replacement.
Arsenal is also interested in Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, sensing a potential bargain as he enters the final year of his contract. Gabriel Martinelli could leave Arsenal this summer, with Manchester United, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, Roma, and Juventus all reportedly interested in the Brazil international. Benfica is ready to increase the asking price for winger Andreas Schjelderup after the Norway international, a target for Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, impressed at the World Cup.
The agents of West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville are holding talks with Roma, who are also trying to secure deals for Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho and Strasbourg’s Diego Moreira. AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim aims to reunite with Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui as he anticipates losing left-back Pervis Estupiñán to Aston Villa.
Michael Olise is keen to play for Real Madrid but has no plans to force an exit from Bayern Munich.
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Source: independent.co.uk
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”