The summer transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for another month, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Man City, Newcastle eyeing Neto
Manchester City and Newcastle United are both hoping to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto, according to The Telegraph.
There has been plenty of discussion about Wolves’ financial situation, and while they need funds to reshape manager Gary O’Neil’s squad, they will only accept a club-record fee for the 24-year-old and are demanding £60 million.
Wolves finished 14th in the Premier League in the 2023-24 campaign, not being threatened with relegation as they finished 20 points above 18th-placed Luton Town. Even so, that came after they had lost a raft of fort-team players, including midfield trio Rúben Neves, Matheus Nunes and Joao Moutinho alongside Nathan Collins, Conor Coady and Raúl Jiménez.
It seems as though there will also be outgoings this term and Neto will be among the first players that those higher up the table look to bring in.
Man City will aim to strengthen again after securing a fourth consecutive Premier League title, while Newcastle finished seventh and will hope to fight for Europe again after getting a taste of Champions League football this term.
Neto has provided a number of electric performances for Wolves since joining them from Lazio in 2019 and recorded a total of three goals and 11 assists from 24 appearances across all competitions this term.
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PAPER GOSSIP
– Bayern Munich are interested in a move for Xavi Simons, whose loan from Paris Saint-Germain to RB Leipzig is coming to an end, reports Sky Sports Deutschland. A move for the €70m-rated attacking midfielder will be difficult to complete, however, as Bayern need to make room in their squad and the 21-year-old wants his immediate future sorted before the Euros, with Leipzig interested in another loan.
– Florian Plettenberg reports that Bayern Munich have a good chance of signing Schalke 04 midfielder Assan Ouédraogo, with the plan being for the 18-year-old to go back to the Königsblauen on loan, although the final decision will depend on whoever replaces Thomas Tuchel in the Bayern dugout.
– Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund — the body that owns Newcastle United, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal — intends to bring a top-level goalkeeper to the Saudi Pro League and have identified Liverpool custodian Alisson Becker as a priority, reports Rudy Galetti. They are now preparing a large contract offer in an effort to convince the 31-year-old to make the move.
– While Barcelona have been linked with various big names, AS reports that sporting director Deco is looking at more realistic options due to their financial situation with Real Betis forward Ayoze Pérez being one of the players scouted. The 30-year-old has a contract that runs until 2027, but his release clause is only €4m.
– Australia international Keanu Baccus has played his last game for St Mirren and will leave the club on a free transfer, reports The Herald. The midfielder, who has previously been linked with Norwich City, Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town, confirmed on Monday that his «dream has always been to play in England.» Keanu’s older brother, 32-year-old Kearyn, was implicated in the spot-fixing scandal that rocked the A-League last week.
– Borussia Dortmund are hoping to make loanee left-back Ian Maatsen their first signing of the summer, reports Sky Sports Deutschland, although the Champions League finalists will try to bring in the 22-year-old permanently for €25m rather than paying Chelsea the €35m clause in his loan. Dortmund are also interested in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Groß but face competition from Eintracht Frankfurt for the 32-year-old.
– VfB Stuttgart are considering AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis as a possible replacement for Serhou Guirassy, reports Matteo Moretto, Pavlidis, 28, reportedly has a €17.5m release clause that the Roten will look to trigger. Guinea international Guirassy is being tracked by the likes of Dortmund and Atlético Madrid.