Manchester United Targets Left Back After Lewis Hall Deal Falls Through
The midfield rebuild at Manchester United is almost done. The next hole to fill is clear. Left back.
Talks have already taken place with the camp of Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, according to Fabrizio Romano, as United line up options for what comes after their engine-room overhaul. RB Leipzig’s David Raum and Racing’s Jorge Salinas have also been offered to the club, Ben Jacobs reports, as agents sense an opening at Old Trafford.
United’s preferred choice, though, has been taken off the table. Newcastle United have told them that Lewis Hall is not for sale, per Sam C, and are moving to lock the young fullback down on improved terms. The message from Tyneside is simple: build your defense somewhere else.
Liverpool probing striker market as Endrick closes door
Liverpool have tested the waters for Real Madrid prodigy Endrick, ESPN report, but the Brazilian has shut down talk of an early exit from the Bernabéu this summer. He wants his Madrid chance first.
That doesn’t change Liverpool’s priority. They want real competition for Alexander Isak. Alongside Endrick, the club have discussed Porto’s William Gomes, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to indykaila.
Mateta’s name won’t go away. Football Insider say Tottenham Hotspur are also circling the Crystal Palace forward as they look to thicken their attacking options before the window closes.
Tottenham eye Marmoush as City plot midfield shake-up
While Spurs weigh up Mateta, another move is lining up from Manchester. The i Paper report that Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush is expected to follow teammate Savinho to Tottenham in a deal worth around $75 million (£55 million). It would be a significant outlay and a clear statement on Ange Postecoglou’s front-line rebuild.
City, for their part, are already looking at the next phase of their own evolution. El Nacional claim they are plotting a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong once he returns from injury, with a possible approach in January. A fit De Jong in Pep Guardiola’s system would reshape City’s midfield again.
Chelsea, Atlético and Villa in a three-way striker tug-of-war
In London, Chelsea’s striker puzzle has drawn Atlético Madrid into town. MARCA report that Atlético director Mateu Alemany has flown in for talks over a loan deal for Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea, though, have other ideas. The Telegraph say they would rather sell Jackson outright and are braced for an $89 million (£65 million) bid from Aston Villa.
That interest from Villa is tied to the uncertainty around Ollie Watkins. According to The Athletic, Watkins is pushing for a move to Al Hilal after the Saudi club saw a fourth bid worth $61 million (£45 million) rejected. If Villa finally relent, Jackson could be the domino that falls next.
Tapsoba in demand, Liverpool chase Wharton, Dias on Milan radar
Defenders are becoming the late-summer currency. TEAMtalk report that Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham are all monitoring a possible swoop for Bayer Leverkusen center back Edmond Tapsoba. One move there could set off a chain reaction across the Premier League’s back lines.
Liverpool are also looking at the middle of the pitch. CaughtOffside claim they are targeting Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as they prepare to sell Curtis Jones to Inter. The price, though, is steep: as much as $136 million (£100 million) to get it done. That figure alone could define their window.
On the continent, AC Milan are scouring the market for a new center back. Gazzetta dello Sport report that Manchester City’s Rúben Dias is under consideration and, crucially, available for transfer. If Milan decide to move, that would be one of the most eye-catching defensive deals of the summer.
La Liga: Rodrygo on the clock, Alvarez pushes for Barcelona
In Spain, big names are facing big decisions. Fichajes report that Real Madrid will consider selling Rodrygo when he returns from injury if he fails to convince José Mourinho. With only two years left on his contract, the clock is ticking on his future at the Bernabéu.
Across Madrid, Atlético’s stance on Julián Alvarez has shifted. Mundo Deportivo say the club, having previously rejected his transfer request, are now prepared to negotiate a sale – but only with Arsenal. Alvarez has already turned that option down and is pushing hard for a move to Barcelona instead.
Barcelona line up Lautaro as Messi weighs in
Barcelona are not waiting around. As an alternative to Alvarez, they have agreed personal terms with Inter striker Lautaro Martínez, according to El Chiringuito. The Catalan club still need to strike a deal with Inter, but the player’s side is in place.
The push has heavyweight backing. El Nacional report that Lionel Messi has urged his Argentina teammate Martínez to join Barcelona if he wants to win the Champions League. When Messi speaks on Barcelona and Europe, people listen.
Real Madrid eye unexpected cash boost
One quieter deal could still hand Real Madrid a sizeable financial lift. AS report that Nottingham Forest are pursuing Celta Vigo defender Javi Rueda, and Madrid hold a 50% sell-on clause. A successful move could bring Los Blancos as much as $17.5 million (€15 million) without them lifting a finger.
In a market dominated by headline names and nine-figure fees, that kind of smart legacy clause might prove just as important when the next wave of Galáctico decisions arrives.
