The transfer chatter this week reads like a checklist of clubs testing the waters, with a few dead‑ends and a lot of wishful thinking.
Liverpool’s late‑season push hit a snag, as Fabrice Hawkins reports that the Reds tried to secure France right‑back Malo Gusto on deadline day, only to see the loan fall through because Chelsea are demanding a permanent deal. In the same vein, ED says Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been holding ‘clear the air’ talks with the hierarchy after they turned down a Manchester City offer for his services.
Across the south coast, the Mirror claims Chelsea made a late bid for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, but the Cherries are said to have shown no interest in selling this summer. Meanwhile, the Sun notes that Arsenal turned down an enquiry from Chelsea for Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi, keeping the 27‑year‑old safely at the Emirates.
Manchester United’s summer plans are sprawling, with the Sun reporting that the club is eyeing three defensive additions for next season – Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt are all said to be on ‘trial’ this campaign. Adding a different angle, the Mirror says United’s 18‑year‑old striker Chido Obi is keen on a loan move to either the Netherlands or Denmark, with Feyenoord reportedly among the interested parties.
Everton’s interest in the Dutch market is reflected in Nice‑Matin’s claim that the Toffees were close to signing Monaco full‑back Jordan Teze before the Ligue 1 side’s management blocked the move. In Italy, Di Marzio reports that AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori will be reinstated into Ruben Amorim’s squad after resisting a possible departure from the Serie A club.
Further afield, TalkSport says Wrexham have set their sights on free agent Jamie Vardy, but they will have to compete with Brazilian side São Paulo and League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday for his signature. Finally, the Athletic notes that Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al‑Ittihad have teamed up with Diriyah to explore a move for Aston Villa and Jamaica winger Leon Bailey.
All told, the market remains a maze of near‑misses and speculative pursuits as clubs juggle immediate needs against longer‑term strategies.
- Liverpool tried to sign France right-back Malo Gusto, 23, on deadline day but the loan move did not materialise as Chelsea wanted a permanent transfer. — Fabrice Hawkins
- Chelsea made a late attempt to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott to replace Enzo Fernandez but the Cherries had no interest in selling the player this summer. — Mirror
- Arsenal rejected an enquiry from Chelsea for 27-year-old Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi. — Sun
- Manchester United are planning to make three defensive signings next summer with some of their key defenders like England duo Luke Shaw, 31, and Harry Maguire, 33, Argentina's Lisandro Martinez, 28, and Netherlands international Matthijs de Ligt, 27, 'on trial' this season. — Sun
- Manchester United striker Chido Obi, 18, is keen for a loan move to the Netherlands or his native Denmark - both countries where the transfer window only closes on Wednesday - with Feyenoord among interested clubs. — Mirror
- Everton were interested in signing AS Monaco full-back Jordan Teze, 26, but the Ligue 1 club's management vetoed the Netherlands international's exit. — Nice-Matin - in French
- England defender Fikayo Tomori will be reinstated into Ruben Amorim's squad at AC Milan after he resisted a move away from the Serie A side. — Di Marzio - in Italian
- Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo held 'clear the air' talks with Reds hierarchy after they refused to sanction a sale to Manchester City — ED - in Dutch
- Wrexham are interested in signing free agent Jamie Vardy, 39, but face competition from Brazilian club Sao Paulo and League One side Sheffield Wednesday. — TalkSport
- Al-Ittihad have joined fellow Saudi Pro League side Diriyah in exploring a move for Aston Villa and Jamaica winger Leon Bailey, 29. — Athletic