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The big story of the last few days is Riccardo Calafiori and if you have been following here you will know from last week about the strong interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. Both clubs are really interested in Calafiori, and now Arsenal have presented their proposal to the Italian international player – it is a long-term contract, the salary is not an issue at all, and they have also presented their project to the player, and he is open. to join Arsenal should they reach an agreement with Bologna.
So, there is already a green light from Calafiori to Arsenal, but what about Chelsea? My understanding is that Chelsea are willing to talk to Bologna, and that they will try to include players in negotiations. It's a different strategy, but Chelsea are still there, even if Arsenal are favorites at the moment.
Arsenal have a shortlist of three names in that position – left-backs who can play at center back or on the left. Jorrel Hato fits the bill in that way and is one of Arsenal's most prized talents, but Ajax are still insisting on keeping him for one season. So, Calafiori is exactly what Arsenal want in that position, and Mikel Arteta has agreed to a potential deal and now we await the next step. Let's see what will happen between Arsenal and Bologna, now this is the important point.
It is also important to note that Calafiori has given the green light to Arsenal because Juventus are almost out of the race. For weeks and weeks, Juventus wanted Calafiori, they had a salary agreement with Calafiori, but now they are considered to be in disagreement with the agreement with Bologna. The truth is that Bologna are angry with Juventus after their manager Thiago Motta moved there this summer, that is why they are angry with Juve and would like to sell the player abroad.
Now they have a chance, because Arsenal are there and Arteta is really willing to bring Calafiori to the club. The relationship between Arsenal and Bologna is very good after they negotiated a deal for Takehiro Tomiyasu, so let's see if Chelsea can come up with something, even if Arsenal will now win the race for one of the most talented young defenders around. Although there are rumors about PSG and Bayer Leverkusen, I am told that the only two clubs in the race are Arsenal and Chelsea, with Arsenal currently leading the way.
It will be interesting to see his development from here, and how Arsenal plan to use him if they can complete this signing. He can easily play as a center back or left back, good in both positions; he has been a left back throughout his career before this good season as a full back last season.
Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich has now 'arrived' as there has been success in talks between Bayern and Fulham. Palhinha has clearly asked to be allowed to join Bayern, and now looks set to move on, so what does this mean for the future of Bayern's other midfielders?
There has been a lot of speculation about Joshua Kimmich especially as he is in the final year of his contract at Bayern now, and some fans have asked me if the arrival of Palhinha means he will replace him.
Let's see what happens because Bayern still have a chance to extend Kimmich's contract. However, the most likely scenario at the moment is for Kimmich to leave and try a new experience, it will also depend on the proposals because Kimmich will explore all the options available to him after the Euro.
It's been a quiet summer for Liverpool so far, but we know there has been interest in Anthony Gordon recently, and there has been speculation about a failed attempt to agree a swap deal with Newcastle.
Some outlets have reported that Joe Gomez is one of the names offered by Liverpool to Newcastle, but I cannot confirm this. Newcastle and Liverpool have had contact with Gordon, as reported a few days ago, but a transfer deal has never been close or tangible, so I don't have that information I'm afraid.
In terms of defensive names, Marc Guehi has been linked with Liverpool (and other clubs) many times and has been doing well for England at the Euros. There is interest from many clubs, but nothing is concrete yet as he wants to focus on this competition now and not be distracted. Guehi certainly remains an interesting name this summer with two years remaining on his contract at Crystal Palace.
There is a lot of movement in Saudi Arabia – the market there has restarted and we are about to enter important days. Al Ittihad also have a new manager in Stefano Pioli, and there is something happening in the Premier League in the coming days.
Another possibility is Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson's move to Saudi – it's still a matter of him having offers from Saudi clubs, as I reported at the end of May. There are ongoing talks between Al Nassr and Ederson's agents, although they are not the only ones showing interest. Ederson is open to a move to Saudi, and Man City are open to letting him go.
City are now waiting for Ederson's official bid, and of course the move will depend on the financial request. However, City knew this possibility since May and therefore extended Stefan Ortega's contract, because if Ederson leaves, Ortega will be Pep Guardiola's new first choice goalkeeper and City will bring in a new backup for that position.
Real Madrid have had a busy few months and have two big names on their roster at the moment – Bayern's Alphonso Davies, and Lille's Leny Yoro. So what's the latest on these players?
Real Madrid remain very interested in Davies and have not made any contact with the players. However, it depends on the asking price, because if Bayern put Davies on the market for normal money, Real Madrid are happy to start negotiations, otherwise they are very happy with the team they have.
If Davies were to stay at Bayern but not sign a new contract, then the chances of Real Madrid moving for the Canadian left back next summer as a free agent would be very clear. So it's either Davies now at the right price, or Davies in 2025 if he doesn't extend his contract to Bayern.
With Yoro, the situation remains clear – Real Madrid wants the player, and the player wants to go to Real Madrid. The message to the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain has been clear – his desire is to go to Real Madrid, so he is pushing to go there and is ready to wait for them.
Real Madrid don't want to pay big money for a player who is out of contract next summer, so it's the same situation with Alphonso Davies, and this time it will have to be a fair price. However, there is a feeling that Lille will be ready to sell the player this summer, which is why it remains a very strong topic this summer, with the contacts that are happening.
At the moment, the only way for clubs like Man United, Liverpool and PSG to enter the race strongly is if negotiations between Lille and Real Madrid break down. If so, Yoro could open the door to other clubs, but for now Real Madrid is the priority for him.
There has been an interesting story coming out about PSG being interested in Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville. I've spoken before about expecting Summerville to leave Leeds after they failed to win promotion back to the Premier League, and I've reported on Summerville's move to Brighton being discussed, so what about these new links with PSG?
My understanding is that the situation is: Summerville shares the same agents with Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida. PSG is negotiating with Geertruida on personal terms, so Summerville was mentioned during the negotiations but still no ongoing discussions between the clubs or the player's agents. Open race with Brighton and more clubs interested.
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