Barcelona Monitor Micky van de Ven as Spurs Stand Firm
Barcelona are watching Micky van de Ven closely. So are several others. Tottenham, though, have no intention of letting their defensive pillar walk away easily.
With only two years left on his current deal, the Dutch centre-back has opened talks over an extension. Nothing is signed, nothing is guaranteed, but Spurs are pushing. Roberto De Zerbi has already nailed his colours to the mast, calling the 25-year-old one of the best central defenders in the Premier League. That sort of endorsement tends to echo around Europe’s biggest boardrooms.
For now, Van de Ven remains central to Tottenham’s rebuild. The question is how long they can keep him there.
Greenwood’s price set, Arsenal and Spurs lurking
Across the Channel, Mason Greenwood’s future is back under the spotlight. L’Equipe report that Arsenal and Tottenham are both weighing up a move for the forward, who left Manchester United for Marseille in 2024.
Marseille need sales to satisfy FFP. Greenwood, 24, is one of their most valuable assets. From July 1, a release clause of around £52m kicks into his contract, undercutting an estimated market value closer to £69m. For clubs willing to ride out the noise and focus on the player, that gap will be tempting.
North London, once again, is right in the middle of it.
Calafiori too rich for Real after Cucurella and Dias moves
Real Madrid want another defender. They just may not want to pay Andrea Berta’s price.
Riccardo Calafiori, fresh from a Premier League title with Arsenal, has serious admirers at the Bernabéu. The valuation, though, is eye-watering: £86m. After already committing £52m to Marc Cucurella and lodging a £78m bid for Ruben Dias, even Real’s budget has limits. Dropping another huge fee on Calafiori now looks unlikely.
The Italian’s stock keeps rising. Madrid, for the moment, are looking elsewhere.
United ready to reward Shaw – at a price
Manchester United are prepared to offer Luke Shaw a new contract. Just not on his current wages.
The 30-year-old full-back, a fixture again this season, is out of contract next summer. United want to keep him but intend to lower his salary in any extension. Shaw joined from Southampton in 2014 and last renewed in 2023. Another deal would underline his longevity at Old Trafford, even if it comes with a financial trim.
Maguire hails £130m Anderson in Rice comparison
Harry Maguire has gone big on Elliot Anderson. Very big.
The Manchester United defender believes the £130m-rated midfielder can be mentioned in the same breath as Declan Rice after the pair shone together in England’s World Cup win over Croatia. United had already stepped away from a move for Anderson, citing the cost, but Maguire’s words cut through the transfer noise.
He revealed he’d been struck by Anderson’s level after returning to the England squad, praising his all-round game, his driving runs, and his eye for goal. Maguire even suggested Anderson could operate across the midfield spectrum – 6, 8 or 10. High praise, and a reminder of why the price is so steep.
Arsenal eye Bartishvili as Kvaratskhelia comparisons grow
Arsenal’s recruitment net has cast wide again, this time towards Georgia.
Andria Bartishvili, a Georgia Under-21 international, is being lined up for a pre-contract offer, according to BBC Sport. The 17-year-old’s deal expires at the end of the year, and the Gunners are moving early. He has already drawn comparisons with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the two-time Champions League winner and his illustrious countryman.
Arsenal have been linked with Kvaratskhelia in the past, but with the winger settled at PSG, Bartishvili looks the more realistic Georgian arrival at the Emirates.
Real Madrid still pushing for Enzo, want another centre-back
Real Madrid’s midfield obsession has a familiar name at the top of the list: Enzo Fernandez.
ESPN report that the Spanish champions remain keen on prising the Argentine away from Chelsea, having tracked him since his World Cup-winning exploits with Argentina at Benfica. He sits high on their agenda, but he is not the only priority.
Real also want to reinforce the heart of their defence. Ibrahima Konaté and Marc Cucurella are already in, yet another central defender remains a key target. The spine is being rebuilt piece by piece.
Olmo fires warning to Cucurella ahead of El Clasico
Marc Cucurella’s move from Chelsea to Real Madrid raised eyebrows in Spain. Dani Olmo has now raised the temperature.
The Spain international, who plays for Barcelona, has joked that his national team-mate will “have to suffer” in La Liga, especially against Lamine Yamal in El Clasico. Speaking at the World Cup, Olmo admitted the switch to Madrid caught many by surprise, saying Cucurella had kept it quiet.
Now the left-back can expect a hostile welcome at Camp Nou and a direct test from one of Europe’s most fearless young wingers.
Liverpool back on Thuram trail as Juventus sell
Liverpool have returned to a familiar name on their midfield shortlist: Khephren Thuram.
Corriere dello Sport claim the Juventus man is once again on the Reds’ radar as the Italian club look to raise funds. Thuram could be available for between £35m and £39m, a bracket that will interest clubs searching for power and presence in the middle of the pitch.
He has also been linked with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, but the midfielder is understood not to be keen on a Middle East move. That keeps the door wide open for Europe’s elite – and for Liverpool.
Tottenham join chase for De Cat as De Zerbi reshapes core
Tottenham’s recruitment drive under Roberto De Zerbi has a clear theme: strengthen the spine.
The latest name is Nathan de Cat, the 17-year-old Anderlecht midfielder already on Manchester United’s radar. TeamTalk report that Spurs have stepped into the race, adding another youthful option to their long-term plans.
They have already snapped up Andrew Robertson and Marco Senesi on free transfers and sealed a £52m deal for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke. De Cat would be another piece in a rapidly changing core.
Leipzig watching Barry as Everton weigh up sale
Thierno Barry’s first season at Everton was uneven, then quietly impressive.
The striker took time to settle under David Moyes but finished with eight goals in 38 Premier League games, enough to draw interest from RB Leipzig, according to the Times. The Liverpool Echo add that Everton may be open to a sale if a serious offer lands on the table.
No bid has arrived yet. When it does, the club’s hierarchy will have a decision to make: cash in on a rising asset or back Barry to kick on at Goodison Park.
Arsenal test PSG’s resolve over Barcola
Arsenal are not done yet.
The Independent report that the Gunners are preparing a major bid for Bradley Barcola, fresh from scoring his first World Cup goal in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal. The 23-year-old arrives off another Champions League-winning campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, and his profile fits neatly into Arsenal’s attacking blueprint.
The club are currently working through the “necessary details” before going in officially. The message is clear: they are serious.
Baturina on United’s radar after eye-catching season at Como
Manchester United’s search for midfield craft has taken them to Como and to Martin Baturina.
The Croatia international announced himself with a sharp equaliser against England at the World Cup, and his club form has backed that up. Under Cesc Fabregas in Serie A, the former Dinamo Zagreb man produced six goals and three assists in 29 appearances in his first season.
He did it while playing almost everywhere in the attacking half: false nine, left wing, advanced playmaker, deeper creator. That versatility has caught United’s attention. With their midfield in need of fresh ideas, Baturina’s name will not be leaving their notebooks any time soon.
