Arsenal are plotting an audacious move for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr and want to sign the Brazil winger this summer. The Premier League champions are preparing to offer the 26-year-old the biggest contract in their history but have yet to make contact with Real Madrid over the move, who has just one more year on his contract, while incoming boss at the Bernabeu, Jose Mourinho, would need to sanction the transfer.
It could be a busy few weeks for Mikel Arteta’s side as they also look to sign Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes and add another centre-back, with England internationals Ezri Konsa and John Stones both of interest. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe confirmed that he wants to keep Guimaraes, but added that his future at the club is out of his control.
Elsewhere, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has set out his targets for the transfer window and has confirmed the Reds “definitely need to sign a winger”, while France international Bradley Barcola is reportedly open to leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer. PSG, who are set to miss out on the signing Yan Diomande to Real Madrid, would demand a record fee, however.
Manchester United are still interested in adding another midfielder and have “reached an agreement in principle” with France international Manu Kone, according to reports in Italy. Aurelien Tchouameni remains a target, too.
Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and reports with our live blog below
Chelsea told to forget about Granit Xhaka
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has told Chelsea that they can forget about trying to sign Granit Xhaka this summer.
“No, this topic is closed,” he said when asked about Xhaka.
“He has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland.
“He wants to make the future of Sunderland. He is a good captain. A great leader.”
Will Castle27 July 2026 09:15
Jermaine Defoe row rages on after Woking exit
Woking’s director of football Jody Brown claims Jermain Defoe didn’t turn up for work as the row over his departure rages on.
“Jermain’s feedback was always positive, and he regularly expressed his enthusiasm and excitement for the season, both publicly and privately. I can therefore appreciate the surprise and subsequent speculation surrounding his sudden departure,” Brown said in a statement.
“However, in recent weeks there had been feedback from across the club, including players, staff and other departments, regarding growing concerns. To better understand the situation, I asked Jermain and Paul (Bracewell, assistant) for a brief report outlining the squad’s current depth, recruitment targets and any operational challenges, so we could provide the support required and accelerate preparations for the season. That report was requested on more than one occasion but was never received.
“A meeting was subsequently scheduled involving the directors, manager, assistant manager and head of operations to review preparations for the season. Neither Jermain nor his assistant attended that meeting or that day’s training session. Throughout his tenure, Jermain had never communicated any serious concerns directly to me, so I am not going to speculate on his reasons.
“Every football club faces challenges. Players want more game time, improved contracts or transfers. The media team might want better equipment, the medical department more interns, the strength and conditioning staff larger gym space. and the car park attendants may want more coffee. But people do not just fail to turn up.”
Will Castle27 July 2026 09:00
Arsenal ready to offer Vinicius Jr biggest contract in club’s history
Arsenal are preparing to offer Vinicius Jr the biggest contract in the club’s history to try and sign the Brazilian, according to The Telegraph.
The Brazilian currently commands a wage of £400,000 per week but Arsenal would look to improve those terms to maximise their chances of signing him.
They face a tough task to convince Real to sell, however, with manager Jose Mourinho not wanting to sell Vinicius and wants the superstar winger to line up in attack with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham next season.
Will Castle27 July 2026 08:45
Inter open talks with Spurs over Cristian Romero
Inter Milan have entered talks with Tottenham over the potential signing of captain Cristian Romero, according to the Press Association.
Romero helped Argentina reach a second straight World Cup final earlier this month, but can leave Spurs this summer for a significant fee after an eventful five-year spell.
Centre-back Romero has made 156 appearances since he joined Tottenham in 2021 and guided the club to Europa League success last year, but served four separate suspensions during a difficult 2025-26 campaign.
With Jan Paul van Hecke signed for £52million from Brighton and Marcos Senesi also joining as a free agent in June to boost the defensive options of Roberto De Zerbi’s side, Spurs will let Romero depart and his representatives have been in Milan for talks with Inter this weekend.
Will Castle27 July 2026 08:30
Celtic working on deal to sign Egypt star
Celtic are working on a deal to sign Haissem Hassan from Real Oviedo after his impressive performances at the World Cup, according to Sky Sports.
No agreement has been reached between the two clubs over the 24-year-old who has one year left on his current contract.
Will Castle27 July 2026 08:15
Juventus consider Joshua Zirkzee
Juventus are considering Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee as a potential forward option, Sky in Italy reports.
Randal Kolo Muani, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, remains Juve’s priority for the attack, but a valuation gap persists with Paris Saint-Germain.
Should an agreement with PSG not be reached, Zirkzee is among the alternative options.
Will Castle27 July 2026 08:00
Huge fee set for Liverpool target Bradley Barcola
Widespread reports suggest that Paris Saint-Germain are open to selling Bradley Barcola – but only for a fee of around £145m or more. Pricey!
The Times suggest that Arsenal and Liverpool both have interest, though may be unwilling to pay the terms PSG desire with the French capital club using the Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson deals as a benchmark.
It comes after L’Equipe reported that Barcola had shut down contract talks with PSG to try and force a move away.
Jamie Braidwood27 July 2026 07:45
Premier League Transfer Window: Top outgoings so far
1. Anthony Gordon (Newcastle to Barcelona) – £68m
2. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea to Real Madrid) – £50m
3. Rasmus Hoijlund (Man Utd to Napoli) – £37.5m
4. Donyell Malen (Aston Villa to Roma) – £21m
5. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland to Stade Rennais) – £18.8m
6. Leandro Trossard (Arsenal to Besiktas) – £15.3m
7. Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal to Porto) – £14.5m
8. Manuel Akanji (Man City to Inter) – £12.8m
9. Enzo Barrenechea (Aston Villa to Benfica) – £10.2m
10. Will Lankshear (Tottenham to Middlesbrough) – £9m
Jamie Braidwood27 July 2026 07:29
Fulham handed boost in race for Real Madrid starlet
Real Madrid are set to sell Gonzalo García to Fulham.
Marca reports that, despite Jose Mourinho admiring the striker, the pull of the Premier League side making the 22-year-old their primary target could be enough.
Fulham would need to table a big bid, but also give up a percentage of the rights.
Jamie Braidwood27 July 2026 07:15
Arsenal ‘prepared’ to go big for Julian Alvarez
Arsenal are prepared to break the British transfer record to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, according to Teamtalk.
The Independent first reported on Arsenal’s interest in Julian Alvarez in April and a three-way battle between the Gunners, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona was expected this summer. Barcelona’s approach for Alvarez angered Atletico and they have reportedly set their LaLiga rivals a deadline of July 31 to accept their offer, which will need to be around €150m.
Having missed out on Morgan Rogers, Arsenal would arguably have more resources available should Barcelona fail to land their priority target and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is prepared to take a patient approach for the former Manchester City forward and Argentina international. Alvarez’s preference would be Barcelona, and it would take a record bid from Arsenal to get the deal over the line.
Jamie Braidwood27 July 2026 07:01
