sport news Man United line up moves for Vlahovic and Osimhen; Chelsea eye midfielders - ... trends now
Hello and welcome to another edition of our transfer newsletter, brought exclusively to you.
My name is Simon Jones and, as well as writing regularly for the Daily Mail and MailOnline, I'm aiming to give you insight, news and the latest chat from across the globe on all the deals taking shape ahead of this summer's transfer window.
It promises to be busy once again in the Premier League as the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea look to splash further millions in a bid to close the gap on champions Manchester City while those at risk of relegation will be in fear of the proverbial vultures preparing to swoop for their best players.
Below, I bring you the latest news from across the globe.
Man United are one of a number of top clubs that look set to be busy in the transfer window
Senior Manchester United staff have checked on Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus in recent weeks.
It's no secret that United's priority is to sign a ready-made striker and, if their budget allows, they'd like to add another young one.
We told you last month that their ideal plan was to sign Brighton's Evan Ferguson and Tottenham's Harry Kane. Ferguson, 18, will stay at Brighton while signing 29-year-old Kane this summer threatens to be a complicated and expensive business.
Vlahovic, who has scored 20 goals this season, would be cheaper, around £80m, while Osimhen would cost £130m. Both are on Chelsea's list too.
Manchester United have put in the groundwork for Dusan Vlahovic (left) and Victor Osimhen (right) ahead of a potential move this summer
Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, again as Mail Sport told you last month, has also been discussed by United, the club he supported as a boy, and Chelsea. However, Atalanta want at least £60m for the 20-year-old Dane who cost them £15m from Sturm Graz last summer.
United have long held interest in Vlahovic. They made a raft of detailed reports on the 23-year-old Serbian prior to him leaving Fiorentina, when Arsenal also made their play, but the 6ft 3ins striker wanted Juventus.
For all their groundwork, United's bidding plans are stymied by ongoing takeover talks.
They will look at a new contract for the returning Amad Diallo, following his loan at Sunderland, and for Facundo Pellistri. They want to find a similar level loan for the young Uruguayan to gain competitive game time next season.
United have yet to open talks with Lisandro Martinez over a new deal. The 25-year-old, currently recovering from a fractured metatarsal, has been back in Argentina after being given permission to return home for a week and is in the running to be voted the club's player of the year.
They would like to sign Tottenham's Harry Kane but it threatens to be a complicated move
Tottenham have some ground to make up in their initial valuation of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
After clutching thin air for Harry Kane's free-kick, the 27-year-old recomposed himself to give a more than competent display at Tottenham on Saturday. Afterwards, Brentford boss Thomas Frank was, typically, frank, that the price on his goalkeeper's head was £40million. 'Absolutely, it's realistic,' said Frank. Yet, with one year left on contract, Tottenham consider £20m the more realistic price, cue some interesting negotiations.
Raya, who is also admired by Chelsea, is understood to favour Tottenham with Hugo Lloris considering an offer from Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Brentford have lined up Dutch keeper Mark Flekken of Wolfsburg for around £11m, after considering Liverpool's price for Caoimhin Kelleher, er, unrealistic and would also need to pay a sell-on percentage of Raya's profit to his former club Blackburn Rovers.
Tottenham have been told to double their valuation of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya
Liverpool are advancing in their efforts to sign Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton with the hope it can be wrapped up by next month.
Sporting director-to-be Jorg Schmadtke is due in Liverpool this week to finalise terms on his initial short-term deal and he wants to deliver swiftly for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool's boss ideally wants new signings in early as he looks to correct this season's failings. Klopp, who remains keen on adding Chelsea's Mason Mount too to boost his homegrown quota, wants to start pre-season on July 8 with his squad scheduled to go out to a training camp at Donaueschingen in Germany's Black Forest for July 17.
Brighton, braced to lose Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, hope to sign Liverpool's James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud as a free agent from Borussia Dortmund. They have also looked at Southampton's Carlos Alcaraz and Christoph Baumgartner of Hoffenheim.
Liverpool are closing in on a move for Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister as they look to strengthen
Arsenal's desire to sign Declan Rice from West Ham is well documented but they have other options on their list.
A structured £90m offer for Rice is expected soon though West Ham want considerably more and believe Manchester United will offer it.
Arsenal hope Rice wants to stay in London but still retain their interest in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Ruben Neves of Wolves and Moises Caicedo at Brighton. They also want creative support for Martin Odegaard, hence talks with the representatives of Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan and Chelsea's Mason Mount.
The departure of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen will open up room and they will look to offload
