Transfer Updates: Mbappe’s Stand-off, Bernardo Silva’s Rejection, and More
With the Premier League season set to kick off in just four days, clubs are racing to secure crucial deals before the transfer window closes on September 1. Major moves like Declan Rice’s £105 million shift from West Ham to Arsenal and Man United’s £72 million deal for Rasmus Hojlund have already made headlines. However, the drama is far from over, as clubs maneuver to finalize transfers amid growing anticipation.
Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Tottenham’s star striker Harry Kane remains unresolved, setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion to the transfer window. The intertwining nature of several deals this summer adds intrigue to the proceedings.
Kylian Mbappe’s Stand-off Escalates
Amid Real Madrid’s keen interest, the situation surrounding Kylian Mbappe at PSG has taken an ugly turn. The French striker, valued at £250 million, is now set to train with PSG’s B team. The club is embroiled in a stand-off with Mbappe over his refusal to sign a contract extension. With his current contract expiring in 2024, Real Madrid stands as the favorite to secure his coveted signature.
Verratti Chooses Stability
Meanwhile, Marco Verratti has chosen to stay with Paris Saint-Germain, despite lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. The midfielder has resolved differences with new manager Luis Enrique and is set to enter his 12th season with the French champions.
West Ham Shuffling the Deck
West Ham is in motion as well. Gianluca Scamacca, who struggled in London, is on the brink of returning to Italy with a move to Atalanta. The £27.6 million transfer deal is expected to conclude soon. Additionally, West Ham is eyeing Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, with an initial offer of £30 million rejected. The club aims to strengthen its ranks with this potential summer signing.
Bernardo Silva’s Rejected Bid
Manchester City has turned down an offer from Barcelona for midfielder Bernardo Silva. Pep Guardiola is determined to keep the Portuguese star at the Etihad amidst interest from the Spanish side.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambitious Targets
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabian clubs are eyeing Premier League stars Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City for next year’s transfers. The ambitious clubs continue to seek out opportunities to bolster their ranks.
Other Noteworthy Transfers
- Shakhtar Donetsk demands £5.6 million in compensation from Tottenham for the signing of Manor Solomon, with Spurs offering a sell-on fee instead.
- Manchester United might see departures, with Fred likely to leave and Donny van de Beek discussing a potential move to Real Sociedad.
- Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly reached an agreement to sign Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, with sporting director Luis Campos leading negotiations.
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles is in the final stages of talks with Lyon after leaving Arsenal, with a four-year deal on the horizon.
As the transfer window’s closing draws near, football fans can expect more twists and turns in the coming days.
Oli Gamp and Adam Shergold contributed to this article.
