It’s that time of the year again – the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it’s sure to be a busy period as clubs look to make big signings ahead of the new season.
Here are today’s latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Rodri’s emotional tribute to Man City after sealing Barca move
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Rodri from Manchester City in a deal worth £65.4m.
The former Ballon d’Or winner, who helped City win four Premier League titles and a Champions League, has signed a four-year contract with LaLiga club and will wear number 16.
Rodri, 30, had one year left on his City contract and, while they wanted him to stay and sign an extension, Barcelona’s final offer proved too good to turn down.
Enzo Maresca‘s side are pursuing replacements for both Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders, who is set to join Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah for around £52m.
Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea are their targets.
And Rodri paid an emotional tribute to his now former club, saying: ‘It’s not like I miss [City] because I don’t feel like I’m leaving. I think I’m just moving to another club, but my heart will always be linked to the city and to the club.
‘I always try to be involved in the games, try to come and watch them and keep in touch with my ex-teammates. But of course, physically you leave. Seven years is the right moment to say goodbye, to write a good story.
‘I always say that the most important thing is to have the whole image, the whole movie, and say I’m proud of this.
‘Both parts, club and player, we’re proud of this, and this was the reason for my decision. My heart will always be blue all my life. And they always have Rodri for anything they need.’
Rodri was in demand and has now signed a four-year deal at Barcelona
Villa close in on Wan-Bissaka loan
Aston Villa are closing on a loan with option to buy for West Ham United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Daily Mail Sport revealed last Wednesday that Villa were in pole position for the Congo international.
Villa were rebuffed in a cheeky attempt at a straight loan proposal but talks are progressing for the 28-year-old to join Unai Emery‘s squad.
Sunderland’s Methalie move at risk
Sunderland‘s move for Toulouse defender Dayann Methalie is in danger of collapse after concerns were raised over his medical.
The 20-year-old is returning to France with further testing required.
Methalie underwent his medical yesterday after visiting the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland agreed a £25.7m deal on Sunday for the France Under 21 international left-back.
Dayann Methalie (centre) was set for the Stadium of Light but his move is now up in the air
Sociedad want West Ham’s Edson
Real Sociedad have followed up their interest in West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez.
The Mexico international also had interest from former club Ajax but is keen to move to La Liga and talks are ongoing.
One Hull of an offer for Garcia
Hull City have offered around £4.5million for Real Betis forward Pablo Garcia as talks continue over a deal.
As Daily Mail Sport reported at the weekend, Hull turned to the highly-rated 20-year-old winger after talks for Leon Bailey fell through. Betis want at least £7m and a substantial sell-on.
Hull have also asked about Yeremay Hernandez at Deportivo Coruna and been offered Keito Nakamura from Reims.
Pablo Garcia in pre-season action against Arsenal earlier this month
Stoke want to seal deal for Hirst
Stoke City have revived talks for Ipswich Town striker George Hirst in the hope of signing him by the weekend. Stoke travel to Southampton on Saturday.
Betis progress on Parrott after West Ham bid rejected
Real Betis are making progress in talks with AZ Alkmaar over a deal for striker Troy Parrott.
West Ham had an initial £15m bid rejected and were expected to go back but talks with Alkmaar have proved difficult.
The Hammers have since moved to finalise a loan for Leeds striker Joel Piroe.
Betis could be helped in their pursuit of Parrott by Hull’s interest in their winger Pablo Garcia whom is valued around £7m.
Boro cancel Dieng’s contract
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng has had his contract terminated by mutual consent. Dieng saw a loan move to Feyenoord fall through in January.
The 31-year-old has now linked up with Greek side Atromitos.
Vicario joins Juventus on loan
Tottenham have confirmed that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has joined Juventus on an initial loan.
The deal includes an option to buy for £8.5m (€10m).
The 29-year-old travelled to Turin yesterday after talks accelerated on Sunday once Juventus opted against signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.
Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario has joined Juventus on loan
West Ham finalise move for Piroe
West Ham are finalising forward Joel Piroe’s arrival from Leeds United as misfit striker Niclas Fullkrug joins Werder Bremen on a season’s loan.
The 33-year-old Germany international, who joined the Hammers for £27m from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024, scored three goals in 11 Premier League starts but spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan.
Fullkrug, a German international, returns to Werder for a third spell having also started his career with the Bundesliga club.
Gozo remains a goer
Zavier Gozo’s £11million move from Real Salt Lake to Crystal Palace is being held up by Major League Soccer paperwork.
Palace agreed the move with Real Salt Lake more than 10 days ago but all MLS players are employed by the league, meaning transfers are centrally scrutinised and controlled.
Every deal must be approved by MLS, which assesses the terms before a transfer can be finalised, making delays commonplace.
Gozo has already completed his medical and Palace remain confident of completing the transfer.
The 21-year-old attacker plays in the same position as Romain Esse, who had been due to leave for Club Brugge. That move has since fallen through. However, the collapse of Esse’s transfer has no impact on Gozo’s move to Selhurst Park.
BOBBY MANZI
Toffees chief pleads calm on right-back search
Everton chief executive Angus Kinnear is confident the club will sign a right-back but admits it will not be completed before the season opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Kinnear said: ‘I don’t think we are in a bad position on that.
‘The players we thought we had the option of are still available for us, I don’t think they will be there for Crystal Palace, which was the objective.
‘I’m confident that we’ll bring a right back in. It’s a position we’ve needed. I think Jake (O’Brien) has done a sterling job for us in that position.
‘It was something that we were trying to do last summer and didn’t feel that we could get the quality in.
‘So a right-back was top priority in the window, we would have liked to have got it done earlier.
‘I understand the fans’ frustrations; I understand how they see it as being critical.
‘Even the Prime Minister chipped in to give us some helpful direction. So it’s reached a level of national importance.
‘So we are working hard to bring one in and I’m sure we will. I’m sure it will be an improvement, and it will round off the squad nicely.’
Everton have looked at Palace’s Daniel Munoz though Moyes regards him more as a wing-back. They enquired about Fulham’s Timothy Castagne and had a bid rejected for Celtic’s Alistair Johnston who picked up an injury.
Others such as Guela Doue at Strasbourg are considered too expensive while they have been offered Aston Villa target Aaron Wan-Bissaka but said no and, similarly, are not pursuing Burnley’s Kyle Walker, so far.
Moyes has admitted they may have to revert to another option if they can’t get their prime target.
Newcastle complete Dedic deal
Newcastle United have signed Bosnia and Herzegovina international Amar Dedic from Benfica for £29.5million on a five-year deal.
Newcastle United have signed Bosnia and Herzegovina international Amar Dedic from Benfica for £29.5million on a five-year deal.
The 24-year-old full-back becomes the sixth senior addition of the summer and will wear the No 37 shirt at St James’ Park.
Dedic, who can operate on either flank, previously worked with Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle at Red Bull Salzburg and Liefering.
He made 95 appearances for Salzburg before spells with Marseille and Benfica, where he featured against Newcastle in last season’s Champions League.
Newcastle United have completed the signing of full back Amar Dedic
Dedic has won 31 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina and played at this summer’s World Cup.
‘Working with Matthias again was a big factor for me. We know each other well. He knows what I can bring on the pitch and I’m really happy to be playing for him again,’ he said.
‘Playing Premier League football at St James’ Park is going to be really special. Every game feels like a big occasion, with an amazing atmosphere. I’m really excited to get started.’
Owls target Anfield youngster
Liverpool winger Kieran Morrison is a prime target for Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
The 19-year-old Northern Ireland international has impressed during Liverpool’s pre-season and has attracted varied interest from the likes of Wolfsburg and Bristol City.
However, League On Wednesday are emerging as strong favourites for his signature with Liverpool keen to see him get regular game time in a competitive division.
Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison, 19, is a prime target for Sheffield Wednesday
Morrison can play centrally in attacking midfield as well as wide. He joined Liverpool from Manchester United’s academy and was called up to the Northern Irish senior squad for the first time, ahead of their World Cup qualifying play-off against Italy in March. He made his senior debut in June, playing the first half of a 1–0 friendly win over Guinea.
Liverpool are continuing negotiations for Paris St Germain winger Bradley Barcola but, as it stands, Liverpool are unlikely to pursue interest in his teammate Ibrahim Mbaye despite exploratory talks.
Fulham monitor Brazilian defender Natan
Fulham have asked about Real Betis centre back Natan.
The Brazilian joined Betis from Napoli last summer for £7.5m and has attracted interest from other Premier League sides in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old is one of a number of options being considered by the Cottagers.
And elsewhere…
Aston Villa have agreed to loan right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic to Rangers with an obligation to buy for £3.5m.
Celtic also hold an interest in the Serbian international but he is expected for a medical at Ibrox later today.
Wolves are exploring a move for Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry. Rangers had a £7.5m bid rejected this week for the £10m-rated 21-year-old.
Brighton have been exploring a move for Millwall forward Femi Azeez.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng has had his contract terminated by mutual consent.
Dieng saw a loan move to Feyenoord fall through in January. The 31-year-old has now linked up with Greek side Atromitos.
MONDAY: Liverpool unlikely to pursue PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye
SUNDAY: Juventus reopen talks for Spurs keeper Vicario
SATURDAY: Aston Villa in talks with Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki
FRIDAY: Djed Spence completes £30million move to Inter Milan
THURSDAY: Chelsea waiting for Fernandez bid
WEDNESDAY: Man United target Carlos Baleba on Newcastle’s radar
TUESDAY: Roy Keane’s son-in-law linked with move to Portugal
