Transfer Rumors: Kylian Mbappe’s PSG Stay, Neymar Exit Headline Start to Season
A new season is officially underway with the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1 commencing over the weekend. While the Bundesliga and Serie A will have to wait another week, the transfer market is still in full swing.
PSG seems to be the center of attention with key actions being taken by its top superstars, but the Premier League is plenty busy getting its business done.
Here is the latest from the summer transfer window.
Latest Rumors and Done Deals
In an almost unbelievable news break, Kylian Mbappé is now in talks to extend his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. The France captain was frozen out of the team’s preseason tour and opening Ligue 1 match this weekend after expressing his desire to let his contract run out, allowing him to leave on a free transfer next summer. Instead, the club is confident in Mbappé’s stay, which doesn’t exclude him from leaving in the summer; rather, there would be a hefty fee to pay if that long-anticipated move to Real Madrid ever comes to fruition. (ESPN)
Neymar is set to leave PSG for a stunning move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. Last week, the Brazilian star expressed his desire to leave the club and will now sign a two-year deal with Al-Hilal worth £129.4 million per year. PSG is expected to recoup £86.3 million of the £200 million it paid for him in 2017. (Sky Sports)
After a long summer of negotiations and bluffs, Harry Kane completed a £104 million move to Bayern Munich over the weekend, signing a four-year contract with the German giants. Following two decades with the club, the Tottenham star leaves as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Chelsea’s summer shopping spree continues with a British transfer record for Moisés Caicedo. Brighton has accepted a £115 million bid for the 21-year-old Ecuadorian star, who just last week rejected a move to Liverpool after the clubs agreed to a deal. The midfielder is in London today for a medical before the move is confirmed. (Sky Sports)
USMNT captain Tyler Adams’s proposed move to Chelsea collapsed last week. The club had previously agreed to his £20 million release clause while Adams also completed a medical on Friday. However, Chelsea ended up pulling out of the deal before finalizing a record move for Caicedo. Brighton, along with other Premier League clubs, has now been linked with a move for the midfielder. (The Athletic)
Real Madrid has announced the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan. The 28-year-old Spaniard was once the world’s most expensive goalkeeper after his move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and now heads back to Spain after Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury last week.
PSG has upgraded its forward line with a season-long loan move (with an option to buy) for Benfica phenom Gonçalo Ramos. The 22-year-old starred for Portugal at the World Cup with a hat trick in the round of 16 against Switzerland.
Manchester City is expected to push forward with a £70 million bid for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá. The Brazilian international was West Ham’s record signing last year from Lyon and is reportedly keen on the move. (The Guardian)
The Liverpool vs. Chelsea transfer battle continues with the clubs fighting over Southampton’s Romeo Lavia. However, Liverpool has reportedly seen its £60 million bid for the 19-year-old accepted by the club, while Chelsea is still considering a similar bid. (Sky Sports)
West Ham has made a major splash with its second signing of the summer. After locking down a deal for Ajax midfielder Edson Álvarez for £32 million, the Hammers announced a £30 million deal for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.
Arsenal has turned down an initial bid from Monaco for Folarin Balogun. However, the French side is expected to make an improved offer for the USMNT striker after he scored 21 Ligue 1 goals last season. (The Athletic)
USMNT midfielder Malik Tillman has joined PSV Eindhoven on loan for the season. The 21-year-old Bayern Munich product impressed with 10 goals and four assists last season on loan at Glasgow Rangers.
West Ham has agreed to a £30 million move for former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire. The 30-year-old defender has agreed to the move and is currently working out personal terms before completing the transfer. (The Guardian)
Kyle Walker has decided to reject a move to Bayern Munich and stay at Manchester City. The 33-year-old defender had previously agreed to join the German champions, but the two clubs could not agree on a fee. (The Athletic)
Everton has signed Leeds United midfielder Jack Harrison on a season-long loan without an option to buy. The 26-year-old is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season due to a hip injury, (Sky Sports)
Manchester United midfielder Fred has completed a move to Turkish side Fenerbahçe in a £8.62 million deal. The 30-year-old spent five seasons at Old Trafford, making 56 appearances last season alone.
