The 2024 summer transfer window is upon us, as clubs look to improve their squads ahead of the new season.
The Premier League’s opening weekend in 2024/25 begins on August 16, leaving teams to sort out transfers in just under two months. Europe’s major leagues all start at a similar time this year.
Man United facing battle to sign PSG’s Manuel Ugarte
Widespread reports, including from Sky Sports, emerged over June 25 and 26 that Manchester United have earmarked Manuel Ugarte as a potential signing this summer.
The Red Devils are keen on bringing in a new midfielder and have been alerted to the fact that Paris Saint-Germain might be willing to cash in on the Uruguay international.
However, other European clubs, including Bayern Munich, are also said to be interested in the player. PSG are said to want to recoup most of the €60 million (£51.9m/$54m) that they paid to sign the 23-year-old a year ago.
Juventus reach agreement with Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz
Juventus and Aston Villa have reached “verbal agreement” on a massive three-player transfer deal, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The swap deal will see Douglas Luiz join Juventus, in exchange for Samuel Iling Jr, Enzo Barrenechea, and an additional fee of €28 million for Aston Villa. It is expected that the Brazilian playmaker will complete his medical with the Brazil camp, after which he will sign a five-year deal lasting until June 2029.
The other two players are likely to go to England next week to have medicals with their new team.
A deal was said to be in the works before the transfer window opened. After countless twists and turns, we have now seen the typical “here we go” to bring this long-running transfer story to an end.
Michael Olise ‘favors’ Bayern over Chelsea
Bayern Munich look to have won the race for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise after talks with Chelsea broke down.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea, along with Newcastle had spoken with Palace and the player this week but the Blues opted to pull out after realising the finances required were beyond reach.
That’s led to Bayern pushing forward and the 22-year-old is now keen on making the move to the Bundesliga champions with a deal between the two clubs now set to be agreed.
Barcelona rejected Man United bid for Fermin Lopez
According to Sport, Manchester United approached Barcelona with a €30 million for Fermin Lopez. The publication says the offer was practically laughed at by those at the Catalan club.
It remains to be seen if United will go back in for the Spain international. The Red Devils are keen to sign a new midfielder, and Barca’s financial troubles suggest a deal is not out of the question, although United are in no position to overpay for targets in this window.
AC Milan demand €175m from Saudi Pro League for Rafael Leao
The latest star name in Europe linked with a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League is Rafael Leao.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Al Hilal are “serious” about attempting to sign the Portugal international winger. However, AC Milan are reportedly holding out for an astonishing fee of €175 million for the 25-year-old.
Dutch defensive star linked with Man United transfer
Manchester United are pushing to sign a new central defender in the coming weeks with Raphael Varane already moving on from Old Trafford.
Alongside their ongoing interest in Everton centre back Jarrad Branthwaite, United are also looking at options on the continent, with reports from Sky Sports Germany claiming they have opened talks on a €50m move for Bayern Munich star Matthijs de Ligt.
Where to next for Romelu Lukaku?
Believe it or not, Romelu Lukaku is somehow still a Chelsea player. According to Football Italia, the London club are pushing to secure the full value of the £38million ($48.4m) release clause for the striker this summer. The question is who will be interested?
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian newspaper, Lukaku could link up with his former Inter boss Antonio Conte at Napoli if Victor Osimhen were to make a move this summer.
However, the report states that the Italian outfit are unlikely to pay the full release clause and would look to sign him for around £21 million ($26.6m).
Man United make Jarrad Branthwaite transfer bid
Manchester United have reportedly made an opening offer for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite. Branthwaite missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s final England squad, despite enjoying a superb breakthrough season with the Toffees, and his club future is unresolved.
Everton could demand in the region of £70m, with his current contract in place until 2027, but reports from the The Times claim United’s first bid is around £35m.
Wrexham still plotting Gareth Bale offer
Gareth Bale to sign for Wrexham for one year
Wrexham’s ambitions to make it to the Premier League continue at pace with the Hollywood backed Welsh side achieving promotion to the EFL League One (third tier) for next season.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are expected to fund more signings in the coming weeks and the latter is not giving up on a wild move to sign retired former Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth
