Do we finally have a breakthrough in the race to sign Declan Rice? Well breaking news last night at bang on 11pm GMT, we got word that Arsenal had submitted a record breaking bid for an English player (£105m – £100m up front and £5m in add-ons). This puts them at the head of the race again after Manchester City had previously matched their £90m bid but with more favourable payment terms. It has yet to be seen what West Ham’s reaction is on this bid, but there have been positive murmurings around the club. West Ham just need to wait and see whether Man City will match it. There is also a slight concern how much money they are going to get day 1, as with a lot of modern day deals, they are paid on the drip over a few instalments.
One confirmed deal now is Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City from Chelsea as they seek to replace Ilkay Gundogan who has signed for Barcelona on a free transfer. He has very big shoes to fill but he is a classy operator with 95 caps for his country and he’s won 4 champions leagues. A fee of £25m + add-ons seems fair and good luck to him on a new journey. Staying with City, they are rumoured to be bidding or have bid an enormous amount for Centre Back Josko Gvardiol. A compatriot of Mateo Kovacic, he looks an unreal talent, ever since bursting through with Dinamo Zagreb a few seasons ago and looks sensational every time I’ve watched him at RB Leipzig. What may complicate the deal is whether Newcastle bid for Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian wonderkid as RB Leipzig only need to sell one to balance the books.
More outs for Chelsea, Kai Havertz has agreed a deal to sign for Arsenal, just a medical to be done which should happen towards the end of this week. Leaked pictures on social media have shown him already in an Arsenal kit so this is as good as done, £65m fee. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who incidentally I have actually met in person, (and sold him a camera) has agreed to sign for AC Milan, £15m + add-ons. One that rumbles on though is Mason Mount, Manchester United are holding firm that their £55m bid is their last one, and there doesn’t seem much interest elsewhere in the player. Aubameyang is still sticking around, a new offer has been rebuffed for his services from Galatasaray.
Tottenham have finalised a 5 year deal for Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli on a 5 year deal. Lloris was coming to the end, very shaky at times, and this is a good move. A fee just shy of £20m for his services. They are also very close to agreeing a deal for James Maddison, personal terms understood to be no issue and a fee of £40m agreed, presumably with add-ons. To me this seems like an absolute snip, the way the rest of the market is. Guaranteed goals, and assists. Harry Kane may be on the move, allegedly personal terms have been agreed in principle with Bayern Munich and a verbal £60m bid tabled. It’s understood this has been rejected out of hand, but Bayern are confident an agreement could be reached.
Elsewhere though, there doesn’t seem to be too much going on, when the free agents are released on the 1st July, i expect a bit more movement and when players are back from holidays there will be more too. Keep it locked to Football for Kids for more great transfer updates and interesting football articles.
