Transfer news live: Wirtz taking Liverpool medical, Mbeumo’s shock Man Utd U-turn, Arsenal eye Chelsea star

Latest transfer news

• Florian Wirtz is taking his Liverpool medical today ahead of his British transfer record move from Bayer Leverkusen
• Man Utd target Bryan Mbeumo said to have done shock U-turn and now prefer a move to Spurs
• Arsenal eye Chelsea star Noini Madueke as Enzo Maresca responds
• Benjamin Sesko agent clarifies rumours on Arsenal situation after stumbling block over £86m fee
• The Gunners also agree to pay more than release clause for Martin Zubimendi
• Alexander Isak on Liverpool's radar?

Partey set to leave Arsenal?

The Guardian are reporting that Thomas Partey’s contract talks are at an “impasse”, with the Ghanaian out of contract at the end of the month.

The paper suggests that Partey “is thought to prefer to stay”, though Arsenal are only offering reduced terms.

Chelsea to swoop for Pedro

Joao Pedro has been heavily linked with Newcastle this summer but Chelsea may well swoop in to hijack the move.

The Brighton forward is said to be available for around £60m, with Newcastle in talks with the Seagulls but The Sun are now saying that Chelsea have real interest in the Brazilian.

Both clubs can offer Champions League football so it would come down to the players’ preference.

Joao Pedro is wanted by Newcastle and Chelsea (EPA)

Quansah set for Leverkusen

We mentioned the Liverpool-Marc Guehi link a short while ago and that makes even more sense given Jarell Quansah is on the brink of sealing his move to Bayer Leverkusen.

According to Fabrizio Romano, it will be agreed in the next 48 hours or so with the clubs at the final stages of negotiation with a fee set to be around £30m plus £5m add-ons. Quansah himself is happy to move.

Gyokeres makes transfer decision in good news for Arsenal

According to reports, Viktor Gyokeres has told friends and family he will join Arsenal this summer.

The Sporting striker is one of most sought-after names on the market and has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United.

But Talksport claim that Gyokeres expects to make the move to the Gunners, even though a fee has not yet been agreed, with Arsenal hoping to pay around £60m, while Sporting want closer to £80m for the 27-year-old.

Viktor Gyokeres wants to move to Arsenal (AFP/Getty)

Liverpool to make big bid for Guehi

With Jarell Quansah potentially heading to Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool are set to launch a bid for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

That’s according to The Telegraph , who say the Reds are in pole position to sign the England man, despite interest from Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle.

Spurs bid £70m for Guehi in January (£55m guaranteed) but couldn’t convince Palace to sell. However, the defender is now entering the final year of his contract, which may force the Eagles’s hand.

Marc Guehi is wanted by Liverpool (The FA via Getty Images)

Arsenal hold initial talks with Rodrygo

Another forward that Arsenal are being linked with, they club are said to have held “exploratory talks” with Real Madrid forward Rodrygo as Mikel Arteta seeks to upgrade his forward options.

Rodrygo’s role in the Madrid faded towards the end of last season, and The Independent reported this month that the 24-year-old Brazilian would not be a natural fit for new manager Xabi Alonso’s preferred system.

But Ben Jacobs reports that Arsenal hold a “genuine interest” in Rodrygo, with ongoing talks dating back to May. Madrid value their player at around €90m.

Rodrygo is interesting Arsenal (AP)

Chelsea lead race for Dortmund's Gittens

Chelsea lead the race for Borussia Dortmund’s talented young winger Jamie Gittens.

The 20-year-old Gittens has impressed at Dortmund, scoring 12 goals in 49 games this season and playing an integral role in the campaign.

He has already agreed personal terms on a long contract at Stamford Bridge, reports Fabrizio Romano, and is refusing to speak with other clubs. Now it is up to Chelsea to meet Dortmund’s price tag.

Jamie Gittens is only interested in Chelsea (Reuters)

Sancho will need to take pay cut to join Napoli

Sky Sports reports that Jadon Sancho is under consideration at Napoli, though the winger would need to take a significant pay cut if he were to join the Italian champions.

Napoli “will formally approach Man Utd if they believe a move is realistic”, and they have reportedly been in touch with Sancho’s representatives over personal terms.

United are said to prefer a permanent sale to any other type of deal, and it is thought their valuation is around £25m.

Jadon Sancho lookss set to be on the move this summer (TT News Agency)

Arsenal eye Chelsea star Noni Madueke as Enzo Maresca responds

Chelsea and England winger Noni Madueke is being linked with Arsenal as the Gunners look to improve their forward options this summer.

Madueke is seen as the ideal wing complement to Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka but Blues boss Enzo Maresca has poured cold water on the speculation, insisting Chelsea have no plans on selling him.

Speaking at the Club World Cup, Maresca told reporters: "Noni is our player, you can read a lot of speculation at the moment but we consider Noni our player for the coming season."

Chelsea’s Noni Madueke is wanted by Arsenal (PA Wire)

Mbeumo does Man Utd U-turn

Manchester United remain confident of sealing a deal for Bryan Mbeumo but a new update could have thrown a spanner in the works, with the Brentford star said to have done a U-turn on an Old Trafford move.

The word all along has been that the player himself prefers a move to United but journalist Duncan Castles has said on The Transfers Podcast, that Tottenham could now be viewed as a more attractive option for the 25-year-old.

Should both teams submit offers worth £70m, Brentford's reported asking price, it's suggested that Spurs could win the battle thanks to the prospect on Champions League football and reuniting with Thomas Frank.

Bryan Mbeumo may now prefer a move to Tottenham (Getty)

Are Liverpool targeting Isak?

With much of the rest of the squad seemingly in top shape ahead of 2025/26, Liverpool continue to be linked with a range of strikers.

Alexander Isak has been touted as the club’s “dream” target, though with Newcastle having qualified for the Champions League it is seen as unlikely that they let their star player leave.

Nevertheless, Reds fans can hope – Isak has transformed into one of the best strikers in world football in recent months, and his signature would certainly make Liverpool favourites for back-to-back league titles (and probably a European Cup to add to it).

Alexander Isak would be a dream target for Liverpool (AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal agree to pay more than release clause for Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and have agreed to pay the Spanish club more than the player’s €60m release clause.

Fabrizio Romano says that is because Sociedad have allowed the Gunners to fund the transfer in installments rather than an upright payment.

Both clubs are happy with the deal and the necessary next steps, such as a medical for the midfielder, will take place soon.

Martin Zubimendi appears Arsenal bound (EPA)

Florian Wirtz in England for Liverpool medical ahead of £116m move

Florian Wirtz has landed in England for his Liverpool medical ahead of a British record £116m move to the club.

Liverpool came to a verbal agreement with Bayer Levekusen on Wednesday evening after seeing three bids turned down, with a fourth and final offer worth an initial £100m plus add-ons being accepted.

He landed at Manchester Airport on Thursday afternoon, from where he will travel to Merseyside to finalise a deal, with a medical penned in for today

Arsenal make Sesko progress but stumbling block remains

Arsenal have reportedly “agreed personal terms” with their prime No 9 target Benjamin Sesko, according to Sport Bild via sportwitness, but there remains a major stumbling block in the shape of his huge price tag.

Sky Sports Germany reports that Leipzig are holding out for €80-100m (£68-86m), and Arsenal are reluctant to go that high. Even so, several reports have said the Gunners are preparing a first solid bid for the striker.

It is clearly a delicate operation, with Viktor Gyokeres waiting on hold to see how the situation progresses.

Benjamin Sesko is close to a move to Arsenal but RB Leipzig are holding out for a big fee (AP)