As Jordan Henderson heads to Saudi Arabia to coin it in, where he will likely be joined by apparent fellow money-enthusiast Fabinho, Liverpool need to find some midfield reinforcements. The latest, in a long line, of potential targets for Jürgen Klopp is Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti, who would be allowed to leave the perennial Ligue 1 champions if they right offer came along.
Riyad Mahrez is another Saudi Pro League signing that will need replacing. Manchester City think they know just the man for the job: Raphinha. Barcelona need to get a few quid into the coffers in order to carry on with their summer dealings, so a deal could make sense for a fee of £40m.
In recent weeks, João Félix made it abundantly clear to Atlético Madrid that he fancies a move to Barcelona to reignite his career after a tough season in the capitals of Spain and England.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has headed on to Fulham’s pre-season tour to USA with a frown. The striker is not happy that he is still at the club, who are unwilling to sell him to Al-Hilal for anything less than £52m because he is a decent Premier League striker with his best years ahead of him. Mitrovic has, supposedly, told relatives he will never play for the club again. Interestingly, Al-Hilal are still pushing to make Fulham’s Marco Silva their new head coach.
On Fulham’s own radar is Ajax defender Calvin Bassey, who they have offered £15m for, which is less than the fee the Dutch club paid for him 12 months ago, so seems unlikely to succeed.
There is still plenty of back and forth to be had between Chelsea and Brighton over the sale of Moisés Caicedo. The Seagulls rejected an opening bid in the region of £70m but the Blues are set to return with an offer of £80m in the hope they can procure the midfielder.
With Harry Kane’s future up in the air, it would be sensible for Tottenham to make a contingency plan or two. One player they are monitoring is Flamengo’s Pedro. The Brazilian once had an underwhelming spell with Fiorentina but is willing to give Europe another go. What is the latest with Kane? Well … supposedly he is “50/50” about staying or going.
Spanish full-back Iván Fresneda is, supposedly, wanted by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund … but Bournemouth have somehow stolen a march on them and could nab the 18-year-old Real Valladolid defender for around £15m.
With Harvey Barnes Newcastle-bound, Leicester are continuing to clear the decks after relegation and midfielder Boubakary Soumaré is another player they are willing to sell. Napoli and Torino are keen on the Frenchman, but do not expect much of a bidding war.
Change is certainly needed at Everton and one man they have earmarked to provide that is Ajax forward Brian Brobbey. The 21-year-old is in his second spell with the club, scoring a respectable 13 in 32 league matches last season.
