Transfer News

Lionel Messi agreed to a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain after officially announcing his goodbye to Barcelona on Sunday, according to ESPN.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, who became a free agent on July 1, was fairly coy about his future during Sunday's emotional goodbye, noting there were multiple options for him after Barcelona made the shocking announcement on Thursday that he would be leaving the club.

"[PSG] is one possibility. There's nothing closed at the moment, but we're talking about a lot of things," Messi said. "After Barca's statement, a lot of clubs showed an interest. But nothing final, although there are talks, of course."

However, it appears the rumours ahead of Sunday's goodbye have come to fruition. The reported move follows a drama-filled year surrounding Messi.

It appeared Messi was on the verge of leaving the Camp Nou last year before a disputed contract clause saw him stay with Barcelona. In September, he told Goal's Ruben Uria that former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu decided to enforce a €700 million release clause that made a move "impossible."

Messi arrived to Barcelona's famed youth academy, La Masia, in 2001 and made his first-team debut in a friendly in 2003. He went on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances across all competitions for the Blaugrana.

Now Messi looks set to head to the Parc des Princes to form a star-studded attacking trio with Kylian Mbappe and former Barca teammate Neymar, adding further firepower to a club that led Ligue 1 with 86 goals scored during the 2020-21 term.

While it may take fans some time to get used to seeing the icon in PSG colours, there's little doubt he will hit the ground running given his skill and the high level of talent around him in the French capital.

It is unclear when Messi will make his debut because the deal still needs to be finalized. PSG's next Ligue 1 game is against Strasbourg on Saturday.

Manchester City announced the official signing of Jack Grealish on Thursday, adding the midfielder on a six-year deal after a transfer from Aston Villa:

HE'S HERE!

We are delighted to announce the signing of @JackGrealish on a six-year deal.

Welcome to City, Jack! 💙

🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/5Y3gMREmKL

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2021

"I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City," Grealish said in a statement. "City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world—it’s a dream come true to be part of this club."

Manchester City will pay a reported £100 million in the deal to break the British transfer record, according to Rob Dawson of ESPN.

Grealish has spent the past eight years at Aston Villa, his boyhood club, totaling 32 goals across 213 appearances.

The 25-year-old stayed with the club during its relegation to the Championship in 2016 and helped it get promoted back to the Premier League after the 2018-19 season. Aston Villa climbed to 11th in the table in 2020-21. 

Aston Villa also reached the final of the League Cup in 2020 before losing to Manchester City.

Grealish posted a message to Villa and its fans on social media.

❤️ @AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/gA2SbUspbP

— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) August 5, 2021

Manchester City now adds another creative player to the roster, finishing last season with six goals and 10 assists. The only players in the Premier League with more assists were Bruno Fernandes, City's Kevin De Bruyne and Tottenham's Harry Kane, who is also reportedly angling for a move to Etihad Stadium, per James Olley of ESPN.

Grealish was also a key player for England during Euro 2020, tallying two assists across five appearances in the squad's run to the final. 

It could create an even better attack for Manchester City, which already won the EPL last season by 12 points and led all teams with 83 goals scored. After reaching the Champions League final in 2021, the club could be a favorite to win it all next season.

Barcelona announced the signing of American right-back Sergino Dest on Wednesday from Eredivisie club Ajax.

🇺🇸 The American Dream in Barcelona.
🔵🔴 @sergino_dest, welcome to Barça! #DE2TCuler pic.twitter.com/gq6avTiHq8

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 1, 2020

ESPN's Tom Hamilton reported the transfer fee was €21 million with a potential €5m in add-ons, and his new five-year contract with Barca includes a €400 million buyout clause.

Dest also received interest from reigning Bundesliga and Champions League winners Bayern Munich before being convinced to join Barcelona by Ronald Koeman, the club's new manager, per Hamilton.

The 19-year-old defender enjoyed a breakout 2019-20 season with Ajax, which earned him a pivotal role with 25 appearances between the Eredivisie and the Champions League.

Last October, he announced his intention to represent the United States rather than his native Netherlands, a decision he explained to Hamilton in January.

"A lot of people only want you when it's going well," Dest said. "The USMNT helped me when it didn't go well, and I'm thankful for that. They helped me through hard times, and if they hadn't given me a chance, maybe I wouldn't be here now with Ajax. Maybe I'd never have reached this level."

The rising star arrives at Camp Nou with the opportunity to compete with Sergi Roberto for a starting spot at right-back.

He joins a growing list of young USMNT players who are earning extensive roles with European clubs:

Top USMNT talent at top European clubs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aia2VCVWL9

— ESPN (@espn) October 1, 2020

It lends hope the USMNT will be able to move past the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup by ushering in a new core over the next two years.

Meanwhile, Dest is the latest move in a busy transfer window for Barca, who are coming off a rare trophyless campaign that sparked the exit of several high-profile players, including Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic, Arthur and Nelson Semedo.

The roster turnover gives him a chance to quickly establish himself as a key fixture in the starting XI for the foreseeable future.

Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara reportedly came to terms on a £20 million deal Thursday. 

According to ESPN's Mark Ogden, Liverpool beat out Manchester United to land Thiago's services. The Spain international, whose Bayern contract was set to expire next year, has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract with Liverpool.

Ogden noted that Liverpool's fee to Bayern could rise to £25 million if Liverpool win the Premier League or Champions League title during Thiago's tenure.

Per Ogden, Bayern manager Hans-Dieter Flick said the following about Thiago's move: "I can only congratulate [Liverpool manager Jurgen] Klopp. He not only gets a top player, but also a great person. Today, we are all very sad, and it was emotional."

Klopp was reportedly prevented from making any moves previously due to Liverpool's financial situation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but now that the club has relented, he has landed a respected veteran that he has long coveted.

The 29-year-old has played for both Barcelona and Bayern, winning a total of two UEFA Champions Leagues and nine league titles.

Thiago made 235 career appearances for Bayern, assisting 37 goals and scoring 31.

Thiago is now set to join a Liverpool club coming off a dominant season in 2019-20. Liverpool's 99 points left them 18 points clear of second-place Manchester City, giving the Reds their first ever Premier League title.

Now, with an experienced player like Thiago in the fold, Liverpool could repeat as champions for the first time since winning three First Division titles in a row from 1982-84.

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo reportedly reached out to Jorge Messi, the father of Barcelona's Lionel Messi, to discuss a potential blockbuster transfer for the superstar forward. 

PSG SD Leonardo has called Jorge Messi, Leo’s father, to confirm the club’s interest in signing the Argentine, according to France Football.

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 28, 2020

Speculation about Messi's future has run rampant since ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens reported Tuesday he informed the Spanish club of his intent to leave during the offseason.

Along with PSG, Manchester City and Inter Milan lead the group of European giants monitoring Messi's situation, per AS. They are among the select number of clubs that have the financial strength to make a serious push to sign one of the best players in football history.

There are hurdles to any potential deal, though.

First, Messi and Barcelona are at odds about the terminology of his contract that states he's allowed to leave on a free transfer at season's end. The forward believes he can invoke the clause now following the conclusion of the coronavirus pandemic-delayed campaign, while the club says it needed to be used before the beginning of summer, per ESPN.

If a transfer fee must be paid on top of the 33-year-old Argentinian's contract, it will further limit the number of clubs capable of making a transfer happen.

Second, Barca sporting director Ramon Planes has insisted the La Liga side want to keep Messi amid restructuring of the squad following a rare trophyless campaign:

🔊 Ramon Planes: "We want to build a team around the most important player in the world" pic.twitter.com/0fDSpM83mE

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 26, 2020

Meanwhile, former Barcelona teammate Neymar reached out to the six-time Ballon d'Or winner over the phone Thursday to discuss a potential reunion with PSG, per ESPN's Julien Laurens.

Neymar's club teammate and Messi's international teammate Angel Di Maria also reached out to the 33-year-old, according to Laurens.

The summer transfer window, which was adjusted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will now run through Oct. 5.

There's no bigger question over the next five weeks than whether Messi, who joined Barca's youth academy 19 years ago, will still be a member of the Blaugrana when the deadline passes.

Gabriel Magalhaes has become one of the most talked about names of the summer transfer window—yet most of us know little about him.

The 22-year-old Lille central defender is the subject of a three-way tussle between Everton, Arsenal and Napoli, and club president Gerard Lopez has given the green light to his departure, per BBC World Service (h/t Metro). 

The process of getting his move this summer has been pretty complicated.

Back in April, Chelsea and Manchester United were alerted to him, but Everton became favourites to complete a deal and were confident of an agreement.

By the end of May, insiders told Bleacher Report that the situation had changed, and he was expected to join Napoli.

Three months on, and he is being heavily linked with a £27 million move to Arsenal.

It is believed that, along the way, there has been a dispute between agents, and while his official representative is Fernando Garcia, others have been trying to have a say in his future. It is thought one of these figures was Kia Joorabchian, who has heavy involvement at both Everton and Arsenal in terms of influencing transfers.

The current situation is that Lille know he is going to leave—and the Brazilian player is leaning towards a switch to north London, despite the fact he could earn more at Napoli.

Given his rise at Lille has been pretty rapid, most fans of the Gunners will be wondering what all the fuss is about, so we have been speaking to people with good knowledge of the player to find out more.

Sam Wilmott is an Arsenal fan who lives in Lille and has better understanding than most of how he might fit in at the Emirates Stadium.

He told B/R: "What's very clear is that [Arsenal manager Mikel] Arteta wanted another left-footed centre-back after getting Pablo Mari in January. For me, Gabriel is basically a better and younger version of Mari.

"I've seen him play in the flesh several times as I go to matches at Lille regularly. He's always looked very powerful to me and has a physical presence that makes you notice him immediately. He's a dominant centre-back, doesn't give much space to the striker. He has a good left foot, decent vision, loves to play long balls like David Luiz, which Arteta will like. He is quite clever when it comes to passing the ball out of defence.

"He only has one season and a half of top-flight football behind him, which means he can make mistakes—even though he rarely does. Arsenal fans would need to be patient with him. He's played nearly every game alongside Jose Fonte, a very experienced centre-back, which probably helped him a lot. Hopefully David Luiz can have a similar role with him."

Gabriel arrived at Lille in January 2017 but was sent out on loan to Troyes in Ligue 2 and Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb to gain experience and confidence. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onUokoQA1Wk

The early signs were not great, and Twitter user @Statilosc—who has been a close follower of his time in Lille but preferred us not to use his real name—admits his sudden rise to where he is today was unexpected.

"The loan moves were failures," he explained to B/R. "Very few fans believed in him. In summer 2018, he started as the fifth central defender. Taking advantage of several injuries he had his chance in January 2019 and has hardly left the team since. I think that Fonte and the good spiral of results were important in the confidence he gained. He played very simply and was effective.

"His main strengths are aerial duels, tackles and concentration. He is able to break lines with his passes and can also play in the middle, in front of defence. 

"He was very consistent in Ligue 1, including against PSG. But in the Champions League, Lille conceded a lot of goals, many coming from the wings, or from free-kicks. Gabi will have to be seen again in matches under pressure. But at the centre left of defence, in Naples or at Arsenal, he will succeed."

If Gabriel lands in the Premier League, he will not be the first to make the jump across the English Channel from Lille. High profile former players include Eden Hazard and Pepe.

Adam White, Co-Chief Features Writer at Get French Football News, told B/R that there is still a sense of the unknown in how Gabriel would adapt—but there are positive signs.

"There’s a certain duality to Gabriel’s preparedness for Premier League football," he explained. "Firstly, in terms of skill-set, as a physical, aerially dominant, technically gifted and often serenely calm centre back he is readymade for Arsenal and their traditional style of play.

"His performances have proven consistent in Ligue 1 over the last 18 months and quietly promising in the Champions League. However, some element of risk is added by the fact that he had less than 40 senior games in a competitive European league at the age of 22. Pepe, meanwhile, had experience in the lower French divisions and at Angers before two full years at Lille, all of which encompassed over 100 Ligue 1 outings and around 150 across France.

"There was a sense with the Ivorian forward that his performances and potential were building, that year on year he blossomed that little bit more. In essence, Gabriel has one, admittedly excellent, season upon which much of this interest is based.

"As a result he may be technically capable to play at a higher level but whether he is able to handle the defensive responsibility in a more fluid and pacey division or more the obvious more general pressure at a club like Arsenal remains a major unknown and he will need significant guidance from both coach and the right defensive partner. A factor that, via the nurturing of Lille defender Jose Fonte, the player admits has already been crucial to his rise."

Meanwhile Rayan Bja, a Lille supporter, makes an exciting comparison when speaking of Gabriel.

"I would say that his ability to be very powerful in one versus one [situations] is the quality that impresses me the most about him," he said. "His long and aerial playing reminds me of Virgil van Dijk."

Expectation is building but only time will tell how he adapts to the next step.

Gabriel was at Lille for training on Wednesday as the club continue preparations towards a new season, which gets under way at the weekend.

But his team-mates know he is not going to be sticking around. He has been asking for advice from senior players about his next move—and is expected to have announced his next club by the end of this week.

The B/R Football Ranks transfer column is your guide to which rumours are legit and which ones you can dismiss.

Our secret sources have top intelligence on the inside stories, and our informants have details on the delicate dealings of talks between top clubs and superstar names.

The aim here is to open up the truths inside this transfer window—so this week we analyse five more rumours and their believability.

                 

Completed: Willian to Arsenal

This one looked very strange when it was first touted but slowly a deal has progressed and Willian was announced just as this column was going to publish.

Chelsea could not agree personal terms with the 32-year-old Brazilian attacker, largely due to his request for a three-year deal. Arsenal are going to give him the security he is looking for in hope his experience adds extra depth and dimension to their squad for next season. 

The Gunners are focusing on value from the free-agent market and while this deal has been helped by the fact that his agent, Kia Joorabchian, seems to have a growing hold on what happens with the north London club's plans, there is a general feeling that this £100,000-per-week contract brings good value because of his success in the Premier League.

It is thought he will be used in a more central role than he ever was at Chelsea, but Arsenal were not quite brave enough to give him Mesut Ozil's No. 10 shirt.

                      

Looking good: Tiemoue Bakayoko to AC Milan

Chelsea need to offload Tiemoue Bakayoko this summer after the midfielder spent the past two seasons out on loan.

He is being most heavily linked with a move to Milan, where he enjoyed a spell in 2018/19, and sources in Italy are convinced he will help make a return come true.

Chelsea have made it clear they want him to leave permanently, and while Milan wanted another loan, they now need to come up with a package that satisfies them. We understand Milan would not want to offer more than £15 million if it was permanent. Chelsea have been looking for almost double that amount.

Sources are indicating that the player is so keen to leave, and Chelsea so desperate to finally sell him, that there is going to be some room for negotiation from the west London club. Insiders predict this one might end up being settled around the £20 million mark.

                       

Work to do: Zeki Celik to Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham are working within a tight budget so their policy for this summer is one in, one out.

A report from Matt Law in the Telegraph suggests Spurs are angling for Lille's right-back Zeki Celik, and sources have been suggesting the position is a priority area for this transfer window.

The issue is that they ideally need to offload Serge Aurier before they can sign him—and that won't be easy. Spurs value Aurier at around £20 million, but the main suitors for the player, AC Milan, are not currently willing to go above £13 million, we are told. 

Celik is a target, but Daniel Levy and Co. are going to have to come up with a smart plan to make it happen. The club also have fallback plans they are working on in the background in case the deal does not pan out.

                

Long shot: Bernardo Silva to Barcelona

Phil Foden's role as a wide attacker at Manchester City in recent times has had plenty of people wondering how Bernardo Silva fits into Pep Guardiola's plans.

B/R sources have suggested for a while that he could be used in a deeper role next season, though, similar to the one that City had initially been expecting Foden to fill.

Now, Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath has noted Barcelona might try their luck with a cash-plus-player deal to tempt City into a sale.

It will be extremely tricky to convince City to let him go; he's regarded as a hugely important part of their squad for next season.

But let's wait and see who Barca are willing to offer as part of the swap deal—City are on the lookout for a centre-back, left-back, versatile midfielder and a forward and will only become tempted if someone very tasty is thrown into the deal. 

                       

Not Happening: Ansu Fati to Manchester United

This story has been cropping up all year, so it was little surprise when Sport reported United's interest in Ansu Fati with the saga over the Red Devils' pursuit of Jadon Sancho saga rumbling on.

Sources at United are adamant his name has not been discussed. But further than that, Fati's contract at Barcelona includes a €170 million (£153 million) buyout clause, which means he is valued higher than the €120 million (£108 million) United are already refusing to play for top-target Sancho.

There are few things in football more exciting than a big transfer that catches people by surprise.

So we have decided to run down five of the more unexpected transfer rumours of this summer to break down why they might not be quite as unrealistic as they first seem.

Clubs are now able to make deals and will continue to do so into the new season, which is scheduled to begin 12 September. And even with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the market, there are some possibilities for big-name moves to surprising destinations.

We begin with one at the Emirates Stadium...

             

Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal

Mixed messages are coming out of Arsenal. On one hand, sources insist a lack of cash means the club won't spend much on transfer fees and that they will look for loans, free agents and swap deals this summer.

Yet on another front, there is evidence of big spending, with a new contract worth around £250,000 a week on the table for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a three-year deal in the offing for Chelsea's soon-to-be 32-year-old Willian and now strong rumours of a push to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.

Willian and Coutinho are both represented by super agent Kia Joorabchian, who seems to have a growing influence on the club's business, and it is with that in mind that a transfer for the former Liverpool man cannot be dismissed.

Arsenal are not going to sign him right now, but sources have suggested to Bleacher Report that there is a possibility this transfer could materialise towards the end of the transfer window.

            

David Silva to Lazio

As David Silva's time at Manchester City comes to an end, many figures around the club have felt a romantic return to Valencia was on the cards.

Yet it is Lazio who have shown the most serious intent to offer the midfielder a new home.

Sources in Italy explained how they are putting forward a two-year contract offer to the player and are in contact with his representatives to convince him over the move.

There is some confidence around the Rome-based club that they can sign him, particularly as they have UEFA Champions League football to offer, though sources also indicated to B/R that Lazio can often fail to follow through with ambitious transfer plans.

Talks are ongoing, but Silva, 34, does still have that path into Valencia, as well as an offer in MLS to think about if a move to Lazio does not work out.

              

John Stones to Chelsea

This does seem an odd transfer to pursue, but sources believe it could become a good value option, and that is why Chelsea have discussed the idea.

Frank Lampard admires John Stones, and Chelsea will sound out City to get an idea of what would be needed to sign him this summer.

Stones joined Manchester City for £47.5 million in 2016, making him the second-most expensive defender in football at the time. But the centre-back's form, confidence and reputation have dropped since then, and City are willing to let him move on.

Stones started just four Premier League matches this calendar year, and it is expected he will be available for under £30 million. That sort of figure might make a deal worth pursuing for the 26-year-old England international. West Ham United are also interested.

There are other options Chelsea are looking into first, but Stones might yet emerge as a man to bulk up the defence for next season.

Interestingly, sources say Chelsea have also checked out the availability of James Tarkowski at Burnley.

       

Allan to Everton

Everton first looked into this in January and are now revisiting the idea of convincing Allan to move from Naples to Merseyside.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti is a huge fan of the midfielder, but the discussions are still in the very early stages, and it is unclear exactly how much the Premier League club would have to pay.

Allan has played more than 200 games for Napoli, yet they have plenty of other options in his position, so there is a feeling around the club that this move might have more chance of happening this time.

And Everton intend to show big ambition this summer to keep Ancelotti happy. A signing like this would be a big statement.

            

Branislav Ivanovic to Fulham

A return to the English top-flight for 36-year-old Branislav Ivanovic would be a big surprise, but there is serious interest.

More experience is needed in the Fulham squad for next season after being promoted from the Championship, but it was still a surprise to see Serbian outlet B92.net (h/t Football 365) link Ivanovic with a move.

The former Chelsea defender is leaving Zenit Saint Petersburg and is keen on the idea of one final year in the Premier League.

Everton have made contact through representatives, and there have been talks over a contract at Goodison Park. But a move to Fulham is more appealing given he is already familiar with west London and would also link up with pal Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Fulham will take a cautious approach to their signings after the disaster of their big splurge two years ago, but Ivanovic might yet provide a short-term solution as depth for their back line.

The B/R Football Ranks transfer column is your guide to which rumours are legit and which ones you can dismiss.

Our secret sources have top intelligence on the inside stories, and our informants have details on the delicate dealings of talks between top clubs and superstar names.

The aim here is to open up the truths inside this transfer window—we kick off this summer market with the focus on some potential deals involving big Premier League clubs.

              

Almost done: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton wanted to sell him to Everton, who were willing to pay £25 million, but Hojbjerg has always preferred the prospect of joining Tottenham and is very close to getting his wish.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy remained calm in negotiations but made it clear to Saints that he would not be held to ransom over a fee for the 25-year-old. The north London side also knew Southampton wanted to sign Kyle Walker-Peters so that has worked in their favour.

It looks like Spurs will sign Hojbjerg for a fee of £15 million—sources told B/R that payment terms just need to be concluded this week. Walker-Peters, 23, will then move in the opposite direction, in a separate transaction.

           

Looking good: Kai Havertz to Chelsea

There is still no official offer for Havertz, but there is an expectation he will join Chelsea as soon as Bayer Leverkusen's UEFA Europa League campaign is over.

The Blues realise they have a fantastic opportunity to sign the 21-year-old at a time when no other side can afford to, and the message out of the club is they simply cannot let this opportunity pass. 

There are other areas of the Chelsea squad that are in more immediate need of strengthening—such as defence or goalkeeper—yet Havertz is a priority because he is such a special talent and wants to join.

The Stamford Bridge club are helped by the fact that German trio Timo Werner, Antonio Rudiger and Michael Ballack are all encouraging Havertz to make this switch.

Personal terms are not a concern. Chelsea are confident over their terms of a five-year deal. However, there is a slight issue over the transfer fee. Leverkusen still value him at €100 million (£90.4 million) and the Blues feel that needs to drop a little.

Havertz has two years left on his contract in Germany, and sources say Chelsea are expected to aim for a fee around 20 percent lower than the asking price.

           

Work to do: Jadon Sancho to Manchester United

Borussia Dortmund set their stall out at €120 million (£108.4 million) for Sancho, with a deadline of August 10. United have not been particularly impressed by either the price tag or the date set for a transfer—and have still not made an offer.

There is still hope of a breakthrough in negotiations, but the terms and structure of the deal have to suit the buying club, not just Dortmund. As one source said: "United have had enough of bowing to everyone else's demands." 

They know there is not currently any other team showing serious interest in Sancho and the 20-year-old is keen on a move to Old Trafford. So United can feel confident they will land him without being made to stick to Dortmund's strict guidelines.

They will continue to look for a suitable deal, and until Dortmund are prepared to negotiate, there will be no move.

              

Doubts about: Serge Aurier to AC Milan 

Spurs are looking to offload Aurier and then sign a replacement right-back. 

At the moment, AC Milan hold the most interest in signing the 27-year-old on a permanent deal, but the two clubs are some way apart in terms of fee expectation.

Sources suggested to B/R that Tottenham want to sell him for around £20 million. At this stage, though, it is thought Milan are not looking to pay more than about £13 million.

                 

Not happening: Raul Jimenez to Manchester United

The Wolves striker has enjoyed a fantastic season, scoring 26 times, but the chances of him moving to Manchester United this summer are not good.

At the age of 29 and with a price tag somewhere upwards of £60 million, this just isn't the sort of deal the club are looking to pursue right now.

Sources at Old Trafford say the club are tired of being used to drive interest in other players, and this seems to be one of the cases they are referring to.

B/R Football's Dean Jones conducted an AMA on the B/R App on Wednesday, during which he discussed a number of the biggest storylines heading into the transfer window.

Here is a full transcript of Jones' thoughts on Jadon Sancho's future and other potential high-profile moves. 

      

Wrice88: Straight up yes or no: Is Sancho a Man Utd player come Sept 12?

Lol—it's impossible to know for sure! But if I HAVE to guess then...yes. I think he wants it to happen as much as anything. 

     

Sportlover89: How much do you think Man Utd will pay for Sancho?

Their main thing has been not to break the transfer record, but that is seemingly more and more difficult in their negotiations. So I would say at this stage it could be anything up to €99 million. 

I don't think they will go into the €100 million territory. 

Dortmund are being very stubborn over their €110 million valuation on Sancho, but United are equally stubborn about not paying over €100 million (aka breaking the Pogba record of £89 million). Something has to give and it will. 

      

Msmith704: Who do you think Man Utd will end up signing?

A ball-playing centre-back, a full-back and a forward. Sorry United fans, you can forget about Harry Kane.

        

sobe2HF: James Rodriguez to Man Utd?

Can't see it. He just doesn't fit with how they are trying to build the squad. They want young, hungry players. Though if he became available at a great price, that might change, I guess.

      

Pyronamic_: Where will Upamecano go? Chances of Man Utd signing him?

United definitely want a new defender to play alongside Harry Maguire, so he is probably someone they have looked at. Arsenal have been most interested in Upamecano, but at €60 million, they are going to struggle.

       

Alexburch: Chances Man Utd sign Coman?

Very small. Bayern don't have much interest in listening to offers, and Utd are still focused on Sancho. They've scouted Coman, but that's just covering all avenues just in case.

      

Soccerdude27: Will Liverpool sign anyone this summer? What's happening with Thiago?

They are being very cautious again, but I refuse to believe they won't add at least one decent name to the squad this summer. The transfer window doesn't close until October, so that really helps them.

Thiago seems to have a plan this summer, and although nobody else seems entirely sure how it has come about, it seems he has a plan to join Liverpool. I wrote an article on this yesterday exploring how the whole rumour has come about and why it might exist. Really interesting situation. There's also a lot of financial implications with fans returning, Champions League, MLB losses. Liverpool are examining finances closely before making big decisions in the market.

       

Dylan76: What CB will Liverpool sign to replace Lovren, and is Thiago coming?

Gonna be honest—not sure how they replace Lovren. But it would not surprise me if they try to elevate one of the younger players like Ki-Jana Hoever to see if they can fill his spot in the squad. 

       

Danielp11: What's the most realistic signing for Chelsea in the GK position?

Personally, I think they should follow up their interest in Nick Pope. He would cost about £30 million, and that fee would quickly increase once he is playing in the Champions League and—potentially—becomes England's No. 1.

Gotta find a new club for Kepa, though. He is keen to go back to Spain, and I've heard there's interest from Valencia. Chelsea say they won't sell him for less than £50 million, but I could see an initial loan period just to rescue him.

      

Acasale25: What's the news regarding Kante to Inter?

All I have heard on this one is that Chelsea are holding talks with Jorginho and Kante to get an understanding of where their minds are at right now. I don't think the club wants to sell either of them. Kante and Conte reunited at Inter, though, I can't write that one off.

     

Soccerdude27: How do Chelsea have all this money to sign players? Will they sign defensive players or anyone else this summer besides Havertz?

They had the Hazard money. They had the transfer ban where they couldn't spend money. And now they have the budget that had already been set aside for this window. 

I expect them to sign a centre back, left-back, forward...and maybe a 'keeper. Skriniar, Koulibaly, Chilwell and Havertz are the tier-one targets there.

      

Michaelhaney21: Outside of Havertz, have Chelsea actually made any traction with any of their targets?

They constantly keep dialogue open with representatives of key targets, and at this stage, I would say that Ben Chilwell and Declan Rice seem to be storylines we can expect to hear a lot more on soon. 

       

ivansito9: Is there any update on Jose Maria Gimenez and Chelsea? What about Skriniar?

I think both have been tracked as potential signings as part of their plan to sign a big-name CB. Add Koulibaly to the list as well, and I'm sure one or two other names from the shortlist will be revealed before they actually make a signing.

      

FF_1777: What's the situation regarding Aubameyang's contract at Arsenal? Will he sign an extension?

There are not many clubs that can afford Auba at the moment, which is handy for Arsenal. They are going to have to offer him a good pay rise as he needs to be seen as their most important player if he is to stay. But they can't afford to put him on the same money as top-earner Mesut Ozil.

      

JGuti9: Any news of Arsenal transfers coming in or going out?

Wrote a big piece on Arsenal a couple of weeks ago that you should check out for all this. To keep it brief—Thomas Partey and Dalot Upamecano are two players they would love to sign but need to get smart to sign. Because they can't afford cash deals for either at the moment as far as I am hearing.

They will sign a new forward too if Aubameyang or Lacazette leave. Arsenal are interested in a loan deal for Luka Jovic and another realistic possibility is Odsonne Edouard from Celtic.

      

TheArsenal1997: What swap deals could Arsenal make for Guendouzi?

I think they will offer him around to as many clubs as possible and see if anyone bites. 

It's hard to force a player on another club, though. Might just have to wait for a club that is genuinely interested in signing him. Don't know of any clubs that are interested for him at this point.

      

YesWeCam127: What's the latest on Partey/Coutinho to Arsenal?

Partey is their top target, so I expect them to keep negotiations open as long as possible for him. On Coutinho, I think the player's agent might be trying to help this one along. My concern would be his wages and what type of player you are signing now compared to a few years ago.

       

Acasale25: Is there any truth in the Messi to Inter rumours?

Nope.

      

Esullivan2: Do you think there is any chance Messi leaves Barca when his contract expires? And where does he go?

I would be very surprised if he doesn't end his European career with Barcelona. We will then see if he fancies the romance of a return to Newell's Old Boys or prefers a payday in somewhere like the USA or Qatar. His contract is up at the end of next year, but Barca want him to renew soon so they don't press against that deadline.

        

MustafaJafri: I'm hearing Barca are going through one of their worst financial crises ever. Which possible targets could they lose?

This summer they would have loved to sign a Neymar or Lautaro but, you are right, the cash flow just isn't working for them to back it up. They spent a lot of money on players that didn't pan out, so now they're looking to offload talent to recoup the costs first.

       

Adama_Traore21: Do you think barca will pick up Lautaro?

From what I have heard, Inter are very confident he will still be playing for them next season. I guess it depends if Barca can somehow pull together more than €100 million. As I've said previously, they just don't have the cash to make this happen.

      

Esullivan2: Do you think Neymar is going to stay at PSG? If he does leave, which clubs would try to sign him?

I do actually think he will stay for now, yes. There was a stage where he seemed desperate to leave, but things seem to have changed a bit.

     

MOB: Jose says Tottenham are going to bring in some players but nothing earth shattering. Other than Hojbjerg who do you think they are looking at?

I'm told Hojbjerg wants to join Spurs instead of Everton ideally. He recently switched representation to Pini Zahavi, who has close links to Tottenham, so maybe something could still happen—though I don't think Daniel Levy will be held to ransom over the £25 million price tag. 

Tottenham are also in the market for a defender to replace Vertonghen and want a new goalie—maybe Bournemouth's Aaron Ramsdale or Watford's Ben Foster.

       

Adamangus12: Have any clubs renewed interest in Harry Kane?

Tottenham's message of "we won't sell Kane" is so strong that it's deterred interest from clubs. They have no idea what to offer to Spurs. Kane is not the type of player to force a move, I don't see him leaving this season and there's no path for any club to make an offer at this point. Don't expect Real Madrid to come with £150 million this summer.

    

Af20: Will Real make any signings this summer if they can move some players along?

It really depends on the level of player they manage to offload. There are so many players that could potentially leave this summer.

Bale, James, Jovic, Ceballos and Mariano are players they might be able to raise some cash from—if they can find the right buyer.

If a big-name goes, then maybe there is potential for a big signing. Maybe. I don't think Bale has any intention of leaving unless it suits him. He's still annoyed about how his move to China fell through last time, so I don't see him doing Madrid any favors to help the club out.

     

Alex2031: Will Mbappe go to Madrid? 

If the coronavirus hadn't shaped the season the way it did, a bid for Mbappe could've been realistic. I still think Mbappe will sign for Madrid one day, but right now it's delayed.

     

Mhazzy: Any thought on Max Aarons to Bayern?

It's an interesting idea because the player deserves a big move and German clubs are obviously tapping into the Premier League for young talent. They really want Sergino Dest, but they haven't persuaded Ajax to loan him out as of yet. Aarons will definitely be moving this summer, but given the complexities of the market, I can't guarantee it'll be to Bayern.

      

BayernBoy: Any chance Havertz joins Bayern?

Not this summer. If the Chelsea move collapses, then maybe Bayern come back around for Havertz, but remember they prioritized Sane and got him.

      

Apollsoc: If Thiago makes the move, does Bayern look to make a move for another midfielder?

They would do, yes. The Thiago move is a surprise to Bayern, so they don't really have a plan yet. They have a bit of safety in the fact that Kimmich has emerged as a big-time talent, so they don't need to panic buy.

        

FF_1777: Any transfer rumours regarding Dortmund we should be aware of?

No, not really. They've already signed Bellingham and Meunier—they're planned purchases, so they're already in the bag. They're linked with Jonathan Ikone from Lille as a Sancho replacement (if he leaves). Ferran Torres has been linked but will prove to be too expensive for a club trying to cut its wage bill.

      

Aguero_KDB: If City get Koulibaly, do you see a Stones/Otamendi exit?

Yes. Even if they don't get Koulibaly, I could see an exit for both. Stones will go to a mid-table Premier League club, however the Otamendi destination is more up in the air. That leaves Garcia, Laporte and Fernandinho as centre-back options for City. They will sign another centre-back to join the ranks.

      

Marquis: Ake to City real?

He's definitely leaving Bournemouth as he is their highest earner. It'll come down to Chelsea vs. City for his services. He was valued around £40 million, but I think he'll go cheaper than that.

       

Arvincare8: What would Milan do if Zlatan leaves?

If Zlatan leaves, they'll spend a lot of money on a new striker. They have a budget of €75 million plus anything they can get from player sales. Again, Luka Jovic might fit nicely at Milan, and they'll look for a loan from Madrid first before a sale.

Not sure Zlatan leaves, though. There are renewed talks going on to keep him at Milan.

       

Thejlew40: Of all the midfielders Milan are going after (Tonali, Roca, Miranchuk, Szoboszlai) who do they have the best shot at?

The only one I know anything about is Tonali. He'll cost about €30 million and would be a massive signing for Milan.

      

BTM: Who will Juve target in midfield?

Juve's dream for the summer was Pogba, but that's going to be tough because of the money. The only way they can sign someone like him is a player-plus-cash deal. I also think that Pogba suddenly has more enthusiasm at United in terms of sticking around. But, long-term, he's aware that he's not going to win titles at United, so it keeps the door open for Madrid or Juve to come get him.

Jorginho is more realistic right now, but Chelsea are pleading with him to stay.

          

M3che: What is gonna be the biggest transfer of the summer?

Jadon Sancho, if it gets over the line. If not, Havertz to Chelsea.

      

ModricHazard: If he leaves Villa, who do you think will sign Grealish?

A month ago, United were convinced they could sign him. Now, I don't think they need him as much as they thought he did. That being said, if he leaves, he'll go to Manchester—either City or United.

       

LVerdolaga: Chances Cavani goes to Leeds? Is he really asking for $10M a year? If so, does this make him a melon?

Leeds have to decide how ambitious they'll be with their new Premier League status. I'm not sure if he's asking for that amount, but he will command a lot. Cavani has been offered to a lot of clubs and leagues, including MLS, but Cavani is very thoughtful about the offers, and him joining Leeds will come down to Bielsa convincing him.

I can't imagine Cavani in a relegation scrap next season.

        

Soccerdude27: Who do you predict will be the top transfer of the summer? Money and impact wise.

Victor Osimhen to Napoli could become one of the best transfers of the summer. It's a big statement to get him, because there's so much interest from other clubs around Europe.

      

Striplingwarrior: I don't know much about soccer, any chance anyone comes to MLS?

Not at the moment. In truth, COVID-19 has impacted travel, and it will affect how ambitious MLS clubs can be. Big transfers are going to be difficult this summer.

Watch out for Ozil, though.

     

1georgiadawgs1: What Americans do you see going on the move?

Weston McKennie will be allowed to leave Schalke if the right deal comes along, and he'd love to play in the Premier League. It could be a real possibility as a few clubs are interested. Liverpool have always liked him, and they're always on the lookout for a player that can improve their squad but also crack the U.S. market.

       

L_Freaky: Biggest free agent steal available this summer?

David Silva to Valencia.

      

Bmoscoso1516: Who do you think Leicester will sign during this window?

Missing the Champions League will have a massive impact. Big names aren't likely to come to Leicester. They'll sign a new striker, but it just won't be a big name without the CL spot.

       

YNWA2004: What are Ajax up to?

No idea.

      

tannergray1420: What are some of the best Championship players being linked to Prem teams? Preferably top 6 clubs

Said Behrama is the one to look out for. He will be a Premier League player next season even if Brentford fail to win promotion. Chelsea have been linked, and that's a rumour we should take pretty seriously if they can get him at a good price.

     

Hskywalker98: Are there any strikers linked with Atletico?

Honestly, I don't have any insight into this situation.

      

Jackgillies17: What do you think Everton do in the window?

Everton are trying to be very ambitious in order to keep Carlo Ancelotti happy and motivated. They have shown their intent with Hjobjerg. You'd expect them to have a crack at some big names this summer—Zaha the main target.