Transfer Window Latest: Liverpool Double Up as European Giants Accelerate
After finalising a transfer agreement for Paris Saint-Germain striker Bradley Barcola, Liverpool have not given up their pursuit of Crystal Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr. The deal could be worth up to €140 million in total. It is understood that new manager Andoni Iraola wants to add three new signings before the window closes, with the two winger positions particularly urgent due to the possible departure of Cody Gakpo — Tottenham and Manchester City are both interested in Gakpo. Having abandoned their interest in Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, the Reds have continued their pursuit of Sarr, despite Crystal Palace rejecting their initial £50 million bid.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have made an enquiry for Paris Saint-Germain's 18-year-old winger Ibrahim Mbaye. The Senegal international wants to leave this summer to gain more playing time. So far this season, he has been named among the substitutes only once in PSG's three official matches, without appearing.
Chelsea are close to completing a €48 million deal for Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, and may loan the 18-year-old to a Premier League club. Ahanor moved from Genoa to Atalanta last summer for €16 million, impressed in Serie A last season, primarily as a left-back, and made his Italy debut against Luxembourg in June. The Blues have been tracking him since signing his team-mate Marco Palestra for €55 million in July.
AC Milan have accepted Galatasaray's total €45 million offer for Rafael Leão, while Aston Villa are still pushing to sign the Portuguese winger on an initial loan with a mandatory buy option next season. The Turkish Super Lig giants have offered a salary of around €12 million per year, but Leão has yet to make a final decision. According to sources, the player's preference is to join Villa, but Milan would prefer to complete a permanent transfer this summer.
Real Madrid have placed Roma midfielder Manu Koné on their watchlist for future transfer windows. Los Blancos have sent scouts to watch the 25-year-old on multiple occasions, but they consider their summer recruitment complete — even though Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni are being pursued by Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Chelsea have agreed to sign Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa for £7.5 million (around $10.2 million). At Liverpool, the transfer of Barcola is also nearing completion, with a total package of about £120 million (at least £100 million guaranteed), and final details are being worked out. Ipswich Town, meanwhile, are close to loaning Villa striker Tammy Abraham for a season, having only joined Villa from Besiktas in January.
Elsewhere, transfer news is equally dense: Arsenal have not given up on Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, who wants to join Barcelona but has been absent from training in recent days due to illness, and Atlético will not let him go to Camp Nou. Crystal Palace are refusing to let England midfielder Adam Wharton leave, despite interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool. Gabriel Martinelli's €60 million transfer from Arsenal to Al-Hilal has entered its final stage. Nottingham Forest have made a £22 million bid for Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Muñoz. If Leão leaves, AC Milan will consider Eintracht Frankfurt winger Jean-Mattéo Bahoya as a replacement. Napoli have contacted Newcastle United to enquire about a loan for striker Nick Woltemade. Fiorentina and Como have reached a verbal agreement for a €40 million deal for Moise Kean. Como striker Álvaro Morata's move to Leganés is also in its final stages. RB Leipzig have shown interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich, but there is no concrete progress. Juventus have offered free agent Franck Kessié a two-year contract worth €3.5 million per year, with Roma also interested. Roma have not yet made contact with Lyon over winger Malick Fofana. AC Milan midfielder Samuele Ricci and Como have reached a verbal agreement. Bologna are interested in bringing in Fiorentina forward Albert Gudmundsson on loan with a buy option. Hull City are close to reaching an agreement with Roma for forward Robinho Vaz. Lens want to loan RB Leipzig defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu, but that would require Red Bull to make a financial concession.