The January transfer window might seem like a distant memory, but that doesn't mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up, so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
TOP STORY: Barcelona keen on Juventus legend Buffon
Barcelona have made contact with Italy's veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon about joining them in the summer, according to Foot Mercato.
The 43-year-old is on the books at Juventus but announced on Tuesday that he will be leaving when his contract comes to an end this summer. This means he will be a free agent, something Barcelona have been scouring the market for ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
A plethora of names have been linked with a move to Camp Nou, including Manchester City pair Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, Lyon forward Memphis Depay and Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum -- all of whom are out of contract at the end of the season.
Barcelona's plan could be to allow goalkeeper Pedro Neto to leave, while bringing in a fee for the Brazilian, before signing Buffon for free as back-up for Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
It is also felt that the veteran's presence could help nurture La Masia graduate goalkeepers Inaki Pena and Arnau Tenas, who have already featured in Ronald Koeman's squads this season.
If the move does come to fruition, it is likely to involve a short-term contract and one last experience for Buffon in his playing career.
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- ESPN+ viewers guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more
LIVE BLOG
22.30 BST: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!
22.00 BST: Chelsea and Barcelona are in talks over a potential swap deal involving Jorginho and Miralem Pjanic, Spanish outlet Sport claims.
A deal would seem to make sense for both parties, as Chelsea are looking for a more creative midfielder, while Barcelona could use a pivot, especially given Pjanic has barely featured since being passed by youngsters Ilaix Moriba and Pedri. The 29-year-old Jorginho has been revived under Thomas Tuchel but with Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante also in the fray, a swap for the 31-year-old Pjanic, a different type of player could be worth it.
Stay tuned...
21.09 BST: Former Man United star Antonio Valencia has announced his retirement from professional football.
To Manchester United fans 🔴👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/0HKWscZO9F
— Antonio Valencia (@anto_v25) May 12, 2021
The Ecuadorian, now 35, was a key cog at United from 2009-19, winning six major trophies and twice being named the club's Players' Player of the Year. Valencia returned home to his native Ecuador with Liga de Quito in 2019, and most recently played with Mexican outfit Queretaro.
As an international, Valencia made 99 appearances for Ecuador and appeared at both the 2006 and 2014 World Cups.
20.33 BST: Man United, Arsenal, and West Ham are all reportedly in the race for teenage Slavia Prague striker Abdallah Sima, the Mirror writes.
The 19-year-old, who has bagged 19 goals this season, including four in the Europa League, is quickly becoming a target for some of Europe's top clubs. The Evening Standard says Slavia Prague have already received a £25 million offer for the Senegalese, but that Prague value him at £50 million.
19.52 BST: Could Douglas Costa return to Brazil?
With rumours swirling he could join Gremio, there seems to have been a breakthrough.
"Douglas gave us a great opening, given what he earns in Europe. We have improved our proposal and we have moved closer to the agreement. He will now try to free himself from Juventus. If he breaks free, I'm sure we will find an agreement, " Brazilian vice president Marcos Herrmann told the GZH newspaper.
The 30-year-old, on loan at Bayern Munich from Juventus, has been out since February with a foot injury and is reportedly keen for a new challenge. While Gremio would be unable to match Costa's European salary, the winger has reportedly agreed to Gremio's proposal, with Gremio agreeing to spread out the salary and add bonuses and further merchandising opportunities to try and make up the difference.
Now the ball is in Juventus' court, who will have to sign off on any move and figure out a compromise with the Brazilian regarding his current deal.
19.03 BST: OL Reign have acquired France international striker Eugenie Le Sommer on loan through the completion of NWSL season from Lyon.
"I want to play as best as possible, win as many games as possible, and why not win the title too?" - Eugénie Le Sommer
— OL Reign (@OLReign) May 12, 2021
See what @ELS_9_FRANCE has to say about joining OL Reign: https://t.co/kELSFEzgBY
One of the top strikers in world football, Le Sommer, 31, has scored 86 goals in 175 appearances for Les Bleues and has won the Champions League seven times with Lyon.
"I'm really excited to join OL Reign, it's a new challenge for me and I'm ready to take it! I have been following the league for many years and it's one of the best leagues in the world," said Le Sommer. "I can't wait to play my first game and meet the OL Reign fans at Cheney Stadium. I'm also really happy to enjoy the connection between OL and OL Reign that allows me to stay in OL family."
18.21 BST: New Roma manager Jose Mourinho has set his sights on Brighton centre-back Ben White, The Daily Star claims.
Mourinho is expected to turn to the Premier League for recruits, and the 23-year-old is reportedly on his wishlist. White, who previously starred on loan at Leeds, has also been linked with Man United, with centre-back Harry Maguire having recently singled out the defender as a player United should look to buy.
The Sun writes that Brighton would consider selling the youngster for around £45 million.
17.47 BST: Toronto FC have signed veteran MLS striker Dom Dwyer to a two-year contract.
Bolstering the attack 💥
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) May 11, 2021
Welcome aboard, @Ddwyer14#TFCLive
The 30-year-old, who was limited to two appearances last season with Orlando City due to injury, was previously a free agent. Born in England but a United States international, Dwyer has scored 83 goals in 204 appearances in MLS with Orlando and Sporting Kansas City.
Toronto were looking to add a striker with both Jozy Altidore and Ayo Akinola both on the sidelines injured.
17.00 BST: Could Liverpool sneak in and sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho from under the noses of Manchester United?
16.13 BST: Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is the subject of interest from basically every top club in Europe. The 18-year-old isn't going to rush into making a decision over his next move though.
"Believe me we have a lot of offers for this year, a lot of offers, and good ones. I mean top, top clubs," his agent, Jonathan Barnett, told SNTV. "We don't want to rush. There is the right time to move on and playing games is the most important thing at his age.
"Playing in a good club is nice for him. It might be this year, or he wants to have another year. He has got to talk to his family, his father. We will all sit down and decide. We will talk to Rennes as well and decide. There is no rush for him.
"He's probably the best young player in the world. He has just turned 18. He has already been a French international. He's an unbelievable talent. He could play in any team in the world. He is still going to be a great talent at 19. It's not that old you know, 19."
16.00 BST: Emil Forsberg has signed a new contract at RB Leipzig until 2025.
Forsberg, 29, has scored 47 goals in 211 games for the club and the Sweden international midfielder's deal was due to expire in 2022 before he penned new terms.
"When I came to Leipzig over six years ago, it was a very big step for me. I was 23 years young and moved abroad for the first time. An incredible amount has happened since then," Forsberg said. "After a difficult first six months, I really took off and we celebrated fantastic successes. Promotion to the Bundesliga, Champions League participation and now the DFB-Pokal final for the second time. They were great and emotional years and I would now like to continue this great time with RB Leipzig. It's simply an awesome club and I'm looking forward to the coming years!"
15.57 BST: Casey Stoney has resigned as Manchester United women's manager.
Stoney, 38, took charge of when the team was reformed in 2018. She led them to promotion in their first season, and top four finishes in the past two campaigns.
"It has been an honour to lead the women's team at this great club and this has been an incredibly tough decision," Stoney said. "Having come on board to start the team from scratch, then winning the Women's Championship in our first season, we have now successfully established the team as a force in the Women's Super League.
"I have loved leading this group and I am proud of what we have achieved together. However, after a difficult season with disruption caused by the pandemic, I now feel the time is right to take some time away and for someone else to come in and lead the team on the next stage of its journey. I want to thank the club, all of the fantastic staff, the fans, and most of all the players, for the incredible experience we have shared over the past three years."
Sources have told ESPN there is plenty of interest in Stoney from clubs in the NWSL. Stoney was also linked with the Team GB post, but that went to Hege Riise.
15.43 BST: Arsenal defender/midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is on loan at relegated West Brom this season, is of interest to Manchester United this summer, says the Daily Mail.
Maitland-Niles, 23, appears not to have a future at the Emirates and Everton, Southampton and Leeds have also been linked with the versatile England international.
15.00 BST: Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed the club are interested in signing FC Nordsjaelland's highly rated winger Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Sulemana, 19, is catching the eye of some of Europe's top clubs, with Manchester United also monitoring him, according to Nordsjaelland's chairman Jan Laursen. But Ajax's director of football Marc Overmars has visited Denmark to watch the Ghanaian winger personally and Ten Hag has confirmed to ESPN the club are keen to sign him.
"We know a lot about him of course," Ten Hag told ESPN. "It depends on the market what we can do, if we can get to be in front of the rest. But it is a very good player, that is obvious. We hope they see Ajax as a platform to jump higher."
Sulemana could be available for around €13m this summer, according to ESPN sources.
14.43 BST: Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand claims the club should target PSG captain Marquinhos.
United have been linked with a host of central defenders ahead of this summer's transfer window, with Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, Sevilla's Jules Kounde and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly among them. But Ferdinand has only one player in mind.
"If any team is in the market for a centre-back, right now, out of the top teams, with the finances, Marquinhos is the only place I'm going," the pundit told Vibe with Five on YouTube. "Big-game player. Every big game you see that guy play he turns up. Fit as you like, quick, robust, hardened, battle-hardened, understands the big-game environments.
"Top, top player, great attitude, leader, got it all. If I'm looking for a centre-back of experience who can take me to the next level, he's the one I'm going for."
14.10 BST: Are Juventus looking to move on midfielder Weston McKennie already?
13.18 BST: Arsenal and AC Milan will be on alert as Southampton have announced that defender Ryan Bertrand will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Bertrand, 31, initially joined Saints on loan from Chelsea in 2014, before making his move permanent for around £10m at the start of 2015.
A club statement said that Bertrand "was a key part of the team during one of the most successful periods in the club's history" but that "whilst that time will always be fondly remembered, the club and Ryan have agreed that now is the time to respectfully part ways and move forward on different paths."
13.05 BST: Barcelona B midfielder Nico Gonzalez has signed a new deal until 2024 with a release clause of €500m.
Gonzalez, 19, has been a key component of the side that earned promotion to the Primera RFEF and qualified for the playoffs but has yet to make his first-team debut.
12.53 BST: Chelsea striker Timo Werner is set to remain at the club beyond the summer, his agent has told Sport Bild.
Werner, 25, joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig for €53m last summer but has only scored six Premier League goals in 33 appearances. However, he has racked up a total of 12 goals and 14 assists in 48 matches across all competitions, and handed Chelsea a crucial 1-0 lead in the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid as the Blues progressed to the final against Manchester City.
And, speaking to Sport Bild, his agent Karlheinz Forster said: "Timo will stay at Chelsea. There might be rumours, but he wants to make it in England and is on a good way."
12.34 BST: Bayern Munich are hoping to sign 17-year-old FC Dallas defender Justin Che to a permanent contract.
Currently on loan as part of the relationship between the two clubs, Bayern have been impressed with Che in his six appearances for their under-23 side in the third German league.
German outlet Sport1 reports that Bayern have already started talks with Che's representatives over a possible contract.
The defender would follow in the footsteps of United States defender Chris Richards, who is now on loan at Hoffenheim and was signed by Bayern following an initial loan from Dallas.
12.11 BST: Barcelona wouldn't let United States international defender Sergino Dest leave, would they?
11.16 BST: Tottenham defender Serge Aurier is attracting attention from some other top clubs.
Aurier, 28, has had his ups and downs since arriving in London from PSG for around €25m in 2017, but has generally been a more consistent performer than many would credit. He has claimed the starting berth at right-back this season as Matt Doherty has struggled since his move from Wolves.
Calciomercato says that AC Milan are interested in Aurier, while Foot Mercato reckons that Real Madrid want him on the cheap as his contract expires in 2022.
10.51 BST: Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar said he would like to play with Cristiano Ronaldo in the future.
Neymar recently extended his stay with the Parisians to 2025 but Ronaldo's future at Juventus looks less certain with Andrea Pirlo's side facing a battle to finish in the Serie A top four and reach the Champions League.
Having been with Barcelona for four seasons and then PSG since 2017, Neymar has played alongside some of the game's best players.
"I want to play with Cristiano Ronaldo," the Brazil international told GQ. "I have already played with great players, like [Lionel] Messi and [Kylian] Mbappe, but I haven't played with Cristiano Ronaldo yet."
10.30 BST: What's next for Kylian Mbappe? It's the question on everyone's lips after his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar committed his future to the French club until 2025. With all the talk around Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland and his future, the 22-year-old Mbappe is arguably an even bigger talent and every top club in Europe is keen to sign him if he doesn't renew his contract, which expires in 2022.
Tor-Kristian Karlsen assesses his chances of moving to Real Madrid, Liverpool, Man United, or staying at PSG.
10.04 BST: Women's Super League champions Chelsea have signed PSV and Netherlands defender Aniek Nouwen on a three-year contract.
Nouwen, 22, will join the club next season after the Olympics.
"Aniek really is an exciting addition to our squad," said Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. "Not only does she bring a wealth of league and international experience for her age, she is also very composed on the ball and her physicality will certainly suit the English league.
"I've no doubt Aniek is one of the best young defenders in the world and has a very bright future ahead of her with us."
10.00 BST: Bayern Munich have signed midfielder Saki Kumagai from Olympique Lyon.
Kumagai, 30, is the captain of the Japan national team and won the World Cup in 2011 and Asian Cup in 2018. With Lyon, she recently won the UEFA Women's Champions League five times in a row, as well as lifting seven French championship titles and six Coupe de France trophies.
In 2020, Kumagai was also shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
09.25 BST: Jose Mourinho is being linked with all sorts of players as he seeks to rebuild Roma next season.
Mourinho is reportedly keen to go back to his former club Manchester United to sign goalkeeper Sergio Romero, says the Express. Romero has grown tired of a lack of chances and wants first-team football again.
Meanwhile, the Sun claims that Mourinho wants to land Brighton defender Ben White.
White, 23, has been linked with every top club in England due to his performances this season, but a fee upwards of £50m is expected to be needed, which Roma may not have at their disposal.
08.48 BST: Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said that striker Erling Haaland will remain at the club next season.
Haaland, 20, is under contract at Dortmund until 2024, but a clause in his contract allows him to leave the Westfalenstadion for a fee significantly below €100 million in the summer of 2022.
This year, the transfer fee for the Norway international is subject to negotiations, but the Bundesliga club remain hopeful they will be able to hang on to the in-demand striker for another year.
Last month, sources told ESPN that BVB will only entertain an offer of €180m for Haaland this summer but CEO Watzke expects the striker to stay for another year.
"I have the clear expectation that Erling Haaland will play for us next year," Watzke told Sport Bild. "And I don't waste any thoughts on anything else."
When asked whether a phone call from Barcelona or Real Madrid could change the situation, he added: "I think they know about the contract situation and our stance there as well.
"I am just totally relaxed. Nobody believed us with Jadon Sancho last summer until deadline day, and he's still with us today."
08.30 BST: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes Lionel Messi's club future at Barcelona is already clear.
Messi, 33, has yet to sign a contract extension, with his deal expiring this summer. And, asked if he was worried that Messi's future will not be sorted before the start of the Copa America (which is being played from June 13-July 10 in Argentina and Colombia), Scaloni said: "I think it's already sorted. I have no doubt. He already knows very well what he will do. He's not going to arrive at June 30 without knowing where he is going to play."
Messi is expected to renew his contract with Barca but Scaloni did not want to speculate. He said: "I have no idea and I'm not getting involved. We have to stay out of all of that. He is mature and knows everything."
Scaloni, meanwhile, says Messi has adapted well to playing with a new generation of Argentinian players. "Leo has proved he is well, comfortable with a new generation of players he didn't know," he added. "He is now one of them and he gets on well with all of them. We have managed to create a team in which he can fit in. And now, you can see that he has found the regularity at Barca. All of that helps.
"He is very aware that in football is no longer a case of a given player but that you need your teammates. He, Cristiano Ronaldo, [Kylian] Mbappe ... The best players need a team. A star can score a goal, can win you a game ... but to win a trophy, you need much more than the best player in the world."
PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)
- Atletico Madrid are making their move to sign Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, according to Calciomercato, with Serie A giants such as AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli having already shown interest in the Argentine. Udinese will be looking to bring in €50m for the 26-year-old, but it is suggested that they may be willing to accept an offer of €40m.
- It has previously been reported that Arsenal are hoping to sign Stade Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, while rumours have also linked him with a move to Barcelona. L'Equipe, however, are now saying that Paris Saint-Germain are making contact with their fellow Ligue 1 outfit about signing the 18-year-old, with his contract coming to an end in June 2022.
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan will speak to Jose Mourinho before deciding whether his future remains at Roma, reports Calciomercato. The Armenian had been waiting to see who the club's new coach would be before signing the renewal that will take his contract past its culmination this summer. However, after the midfielder struggled under Mourinho at Manchester United, and eventually left during the Portuguese tactician's time there, he may not choose to stay in the Italian capital.
- Premier League sides Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton are all monitoring Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, according to the Daily Mail. The 25-year-old Cameroon international is likely to leave after the Cottagers were relegated to the Championship, and it is suggested that they will look to bring in £20m for the man currently under contract until 2023.
- With Sergio Ramos' contract with Real Madrid coming to an end in the summer, there have been plenty of talks between player and club regarding a renewal. However, Marca have stated that there is still no news of an agreement between the two parties. The centre-back wants a two-year extension, which Real Madrid are not willing to give him, and there is a willingness between them to part ways.