Tottenham are edging closer to two new signings as Ange Postecoglou slowly but surely begins to mould his squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Meanwhile, a Manchester City star has snubbed the club’s offer of a contract extension to join a European giant while a Chelsea forward is set to move to a London rival.
Catch up on the biggest transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!
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DEAL FOR NEW GK ‘VERBALLY AGREED’ AS ANGE GETS TRANSFER WHEELS ROLLING
Tottenham have wasted little time in moving on from their pursuit of David Raya as the club narrows in on an Italian goalkeeper instead.
According to Sky Sports, Spurs have “verbally agreed” a $AUD32 million fee with Empoli for Guglielmo Vicario, with the formal bid expected to arrive imminently.
Vicario has made 71 appearances for Empoli since joining in 2021 and was called up to the Italian squad in September 2022, although he is yet to make an appearance for the Azzurri.
Tottenham’s decision to shift direction from Raya to Vicario comes after Brentford refused to lower its $75 million valuation of the Spaniard despite having one year left on his deal.
The goalkeeper position has emerged as a high priority for Spurs in the transfer window given skipper Hugo Lloris’ stated desire for a new challenge.
But Postecoglou isn’t done with adding to his spine just yet.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims Tottenham have “started concrete contacts” for Bayer Leverkusen centre back Edmond Tapsoba.
Romano stated the deal isn’t advanced just yet, but the player is “keen on the move.”
Given Eric Dier has a year remaining on his deal with Spurs and a raft of other centre-backs headed out the exit door, Tapsoba would add quality and depth to a position of great importance.
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CITY HERO SNUBS OFFER AMID IMMINENT EURO GIANT MOVE
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is set to leave the treble winners to join Barcelona on a free transfer, according to reports on Wednesday.
Gundogan is believed to have been offered a three-year deal by Barcelona and is expected to complete his move to the Spanish champions when his City contract expires at the end of June.
City were reported to have been willing to give their 32-year-old captain a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
But Gundogan’s impending move to the Camp Nou was revealed on the same day City agreed a £30 million ($38 million) deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Kovacic’s versatility and experience would help compensate for the loss of the influential Gundogan, whose leadership and knack for scoring crucial goals played a key role in City’s success in Pep Guardiola’s reign.
CL HERO SET FOR SURPRISE LONDON SWITCH
Arsenal are set to sign Chelsea forward Kai Havertz after reportedly agreeing a £65 million ($82 million) fee for the German on Wednesday.
Havertz will be allowed to discuss contract terms and undergo a medical at Arsenal after their London rivals accepted the lucrative offer.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a top target for the Gunners in recent weeks as they look to improve a squad that finished second in the Premier League last season.
After three inconsistent years with Chelsea, Havertz is on course to become Arsenal’s first signing of the close-season.
It is believed Chelsea’s owners want to avoid letting players enter the final two years of their deals and Havertz, whose contract runs out in 2025, has not agreed an extension.
Having joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, Havertz has scored 19 goals in 91 Premier League appearances.
Despite some erratic finishing and diffident performances at times, Havertz will always have a place in Chelsea fans’ hearts after scoring the winner in their Champions League final victory against Manchester City in 2021.