Manchester United are reportedly in discussions with Bruno Fernandes regarding a new contract. This comes as the player has received a proposal from Galatasaray, offering a salary of €20 million per year. Fernandes’ current contract with Manchester United is set to run until 2027, with an option for an additional 12 months.
Earlier this summer, a release clause for Fernandes, applicable only to foreign clubs, expired. Manchester United are not open to selling the midfielder following the expiration of this clause and have stated they have not been contacted by other clubs regarding the Portugal international. Last year, Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia reportedly showed significant interest in Fernandes.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have committed more than half of their £91 million spending this summer to Jeremy Jacquet in February. The departures of Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson have reduced the club’s wage bill. Despite this, Liverpool maintain that Dutch attacking midfielder Cody Gakpo, who has four years remaining on his contract, is not for sale, even with interest from Tottenham.
Transfer Activity Across Premier League Clubs
In other transfer news, Aston Villa have resumed talks to sign Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich. Villa are seeking a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent. Bayern reportedly wanted a €30 million fee for the midfielder, either as a permanent transfer or as part of a loan option. Newcastle United has also shown interest in Palhinha.
Aston Villa is also aware of long-standing interest from Al Hilal in Ollie Watkins. Al Hilal is looking to offload striker Karim Benzema and has identified Watkins as a preferred replacement. Both Aston Villa and Newcastle United have expressed interest in signing AC Milan forward Christopher Nkunku.
Chelsea continues to lead in net transfer spend, with figures around £207 million. This includes three players, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, and Denner, who were previously announced but only signed this summer. Even without these fees, Chelsea would still be among the highest spenders in the division. The club has placed high asking prices on several players this summer, indicating a need for profitable sales to reduce recent losses, in line with a settlement agreement with UEFA.
Arsenal, following Coventry City in net spend, is also seeing chatter around potential departures. The champions are expected to have recorded English record revenues last season and were the division’s biggest net spenders a year ago. The signing of Bruno Guimaraes has pushed their spending into nine figures again, making profitable sales welcome. Arsenal is reportedly seeking $46 million for winger Gabriel Martinelli, with interest from Roma and Napoli. However, Martinelli will not be allowed to leave unless Arsenal can find a replacement.
Barcelona is considering a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and remains in contact with his representatives. Jules Koundé is planning discussions with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick to clarify his role for the upcoming season, with Arsenal reportedly interested in the French player. Moving in the opposite direction, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres has been identified as a potential replacement for Ferran Torres at Barcelona.
Real Madrid saw Rodri walk away from negotiations due to concerns about his playing style fitting with the squad and a lack of contact from manager José Mourinho. Mourinho reportedly turned down the chance to bring Jacobo Ramón and Chema Andrés back to Real Madrid this summer, instead asking club officials to monitor the youngsters for potential moves in 2027.
Promoted Clubs’ Spending and Other Developments
Newly promoted clubs have shown significant spending this summer. Ipswich Town and Coventry City have each spent more than £100 million net. Ipswich’s recruitment of Julio Enciso and Abdoul Ouattara from Strasbourg pushed their spending past the £150 million mark, marking only the second time a club has surpassed this barrier after promotion. Coventry’s signing of Taiwo Awoniyi also tipped their team past the £100 million mark, including permanent moves for former loanees Carl Rushworth and Frank Onyeka, and the return of Gustavo Hamer after a three-season spell with Sheffield United.
Sunderland, one of last year’s big spenders, is the only Premier League club yet to make a payout this summer, though this is expected to change with the imminent signing of Dayann Methalie from Toulouse.
Only five clubs have received more in sales than they have spent, with Newcastle United being one of them. Newcastle has recouped more than £200 million in sales this summer, with Aston Villa’s sales also approaching that mark. The expected signing of Amar Dedic will take Newcastle’s gross spend to the third-highest overall.
Liverpool has agreed personal terms with Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, who are awaiting decisions from Paris Saint-Germain regarding their futures. Barcola was absent from PSG’s loss to Lens in the Trophee des Champions, fueling speculation about his departure. Mbaye was also left out of that match. Reports suggest Barcola is valued at an eye-watering sum, while Mbaye could be transferred for a significant fee.
Manchester United has also shown interest in Lewis Hall, with talks potentially accelerating. However, Newcastle previously rejected an approach for Hall, who has been priced at around a considerable sum. United has also been interested in centre-back Kim Min-jae, but the South Korean international is reportedly keen to stay at Bayern Munich.
Arsenal is reportedly in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen for Jarell Quansah, though the German club is hesitant to sell. It is suggested that a fee considerably higher than the sum Leverkusen paid Liverpool last summer would be required, with some reports earmarking a substantial amount. Arsenal is also reportedly determined to sign Victor Osimhen despite a warning from Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek.
Tottenham Hotspur has accepted an offer from Juventus to sign goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan with an option for a permanent move. Additionally, Richarlison is reportedly open to leaving Tottenham for Everton, who have made an initial offer to reunite with the Brazilian striker.
Source: nytimes.com