A Como star is linked with Man Utd while Liverpool are said to have rekindled their interest in a Juventus midfielder…
With so much transfer talk doing the rounds, we’re here again through the summer to sift through the bullsh*t and highlight the whispers that might have some substance.
Each day we’re ranking the top 20 rumours involving Premier League clubs, the higher the link, the more likely we feel they are to become done deals.
So we start with the tittle-tattle…
20) Marcus Rashford – Manchester United to Barcelona
Not only have Barca refused the chance to sign Rashford for £26million, they have already spent three times that amount on the winger’s rival for an England place. Some slap in the face, that, even if there are noises suggesting Barca are of the belief that they can pull United’s pants down to keep Rashford where he wants to be. Of course, United would be daft to even consider it which, apparently, they aren’t. So the England star will be heading elsewhere.
19) Khephren Thuram – Juventus to Liverpool
With Victor Munoz ‘hijacked’ and a move made for Yan Diomande, Liverpool are also eyeing midfielders. Among them is Thuram, who Juve are reported to be open to selling for £30million before the end of the month to help balance their books. The Reds are among a cluster of clubs eyeing the 25-year-old and they were interested when he moved from Nice to Turin in 2024. But Liverpool need to shift midfielders first, which seems unlikely given the tight timeframe.
18) Martin Baturina – Como to Manchester United
Reports in Italy are linking United with the Croatia midfielder, who smashed in his country’s first equaliser against England. Villa too have been credited with an interest, but at this stage, it smells like United are being used, probably by the player’s camp, to whip up a frenzy around the 23-year-old who moved to Como last summer from Dinamo Zagreb. Now he’s supposedly valued at between four and five times that amount.
17) Diogo Costa – Porto to Chelsea
Chelsea have made do without a reliable no.1 for too long, but that could change if they move decisively for the Portugal stopper. Which they appear some way off doing. Costa is valued at £51million by Porto, so he won’t come cheap.
16) Lewis Hall – Newcastle to Chelsea
Chelsea are being linked with Hall after Cucurella made a swift exit for Real Madrid, and the Newcastle defender is certainly being eyed by the vultures circling St James’ Park. So a return to his boyhood club could make sense, but we suspect Chelsea might at least try to appear a little more clever than simply buying back a player they sold three years ago.
15) Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa to Arsenal
At least half of the Big Six is keen on Rogers, who Villa are open to selling for the right price. Which, apparently and entirely reasonably, is above £80million. This, we reckon, is Rogers’ most likely move this summer, though Arsenal’s interest in Barcola could scupper any hopes the England star might have of playing for the Gunners.
14) Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea to Real Madrid
You just know Fernandez was green with envy when Marc Cucurella got the move he craves, and Real could yet come back for the Argentina midfielder. Apparently, Fernandez is Jose Mourinho’s ideal midfield signing but we cannot see them stumping up the kind of cash Chelsea would demand for a player they paid £107million for in 2023. If this drags, Fernandez’s behaviour towards the end of the window could be interesting…
13) Bradley Barcola – PSG to Arsenal
Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool are keen on Barcola, which we’re sure they are but they have other priorities around wingers much closer to the top of this list. Arsenal, though, are preparing to make an offer for the PSG star, according to The Independent. But they need to raise the cash first through sales, with Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli all potentially on their way out.
12) Crysencio Summerville – West Ham to Manchester United
Apparently, United are talking to West Ham about their winger as they look to strengthen their options on the left. That isn’t one of United’s top two priorities this summer but we assume they see an opportunity in the Hammers’ relegation. Summerville, currently starting for Netherlands at the World Cup, is valued at £50million but United can afford to wait for time to motivate the Irons to come down on that figure.
11) James Trafford – Manchester City to Newcastle
After being taken in by Pep Guardiola a year ago, the England goalkeeper knows he has to get away from the City bench this summer. Newcastle don’t hold a grudge for being turned down when Trafford returned to his boyhood team, but they are not the only club interested. Spurs are also being linked. This could come down to who creates room in their goal for Trafford quickest.
10) Adam Wharton – Crystal Palace to Liverpool
It’s pretty quiet around the Palace midfielder for whom we anticipated a big market this summer. That could yet materialise, with Liverpool and Chelsea most closely linked. And Liverpool are said to be ‘accelerating’ their interest.
9) Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough to Everton
This one appeared to be almost done but Boro and Everton still seem some way off on the fee, with the Toffees seeing the offer of an £18million package rejected. Boro, apparently, want something closer to £20million plus £5million in add-ons, which puts enough distance between them and Everton for other clubs to swoop.
8) Guglielmo Vicario – Tottenham Hotspur to Juventus
Juve are said to have looked at Alisson and Jordan Pickford, then cast their eye over Emiliano Martinez. But Vicario is now in the Old Lady’s sights, perhaps because he’s the most available of the four Premier League stoppers. Villa have proven themselves to be no pushovers when it comes to Martinez but Spurs would be receptive to an offer for Vicario after a wretched season for the Italy keeper. Handily for Spurs, Napoli are also interested, but they have keepers to sell first, which could prompt Juve to move.
7) Sandro Tonali – Newcastle United to Manchester City
Tonali’s agent has been trying to manufacture a move out of Newcastle since at least the start of the year, with Spurs the latest Premier League club to be linked with the Italian. But Manchester City are said to be ‘undeterred’ and fancy themselves to pull off the deal. Lads, it’s Tottenham.
6) Jack Grealish – Manchester City to Everton
Grealish enjoyed his season at Everton, who certainly enjoyed having him. So another year on loan with the Toffees seems to suit all parties. Though we also aren’t ruling out something coming out of the blue for the England star.
5) Mateus Fernandes – West Ham to Manchester United
The most likely mover of the two Hammers players to be linked with United, because the Red Devils’ need for midfielders is greater, while Fernandes seems the savvier buy. Again, though, the only way this gets done quickly is if another of the Portugal star’s suitors makes a decisive offer, prompting United to pull their finger out rather than squeeze the relegated Irons all they can. West Ham wanted £100million, apparently, which they have now reduced to £85million. They will have to come down a fair bit further too.
4) Yan Diomande – RB Leipzig to Liverpool
This link is a climber, despite Liverpool having an offer rejected by Leipzig. The Reds might have been blown out for now but their intent is clear, even if they may regret not getting this one done before the World Cup. Apparently, Liverpool offered a package worth around £86million, but Leipzig are expecting something in excess of £100million, especially with PSG keen. But they have a chain involving Bradley Barcola and Liverpool are said to be willing to pay more than the Parisians. So it’s a ‘no’ for now, and the Reds want it known they are considering other options, including Barcola, but we expect Diomande to be a Liverpool player before the summer is out.
3) Luka Vuskovic – Tottenham Hotspur to Brighton
Our assumption was that Brighton and Tottenham would find common ground over Vuskovic given the two clubs’ motivation to sign the other’s player. But Spurs have got their hands on Jan Paul van Hecke while simultaneously rejecting an offer of £35million for a player yet to wear their colours competitively. Brighton, apparently, do not intend to go any higher. In which case, we have ourselves a stand-off. Given Vuskovic is keen to go, we anticipate Brighton doing what’s necessary, even if they refuse to be made a patsy by Spurs.
2) Elliot Anderson – Nottingham Forest to Manchester City
City have seen a couple of offers rejected, the latest being £106million plus add-ons that could take the fee to £120million. We cannot see City getting this far only to walk away. This will get done, but it probably won’t be swift. He was excellent in England’s World Cup opener v Croatia.
1) Ederson – Atalanta to Manchester United
All done bar the signing, apparently. United seem to have got a good deal for a midfielder who could prove to be one of their most important signings of a busy summer.
Rumour ranking: Assessing the top 20 transfer window whispers
