Chelsea have initiated contact with Lyon's Malick Fofana, while Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in signing former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
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TRENDING RUMORS
- Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in signing former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte from Al Nassr, says AS. Laporte, 31, made 180 appearances for City after moving from Athletic Club for €65m in 2018 but left for Saudi Arabia in 2023 for a fee of €27.5m. The Spain international has several options as he considers a move back to Europe, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Marseille, Inter Milan, Napoli and Athletic Club all interested.
- Chelsea officials have contacted Lyon over a move for winger Malick Fofana, reports L'Equipe. While their interest in the 20-year-old is "still in its infancy," he is viewed as a potential alternative target should the club fail to secure a deal for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens. Fofana, who had nine goal involvements in 29 Ligue 1 matches last season, is highly rated and his transfer is valued at around €50 million. Chelsea's efforts to sign the Belgium international could intensify in the weeks ahead, after their pursuit of Gittens hit a roadblock with Arsenal also keeping tabs on the Dortmund youngster.
- Discussions are ongoing between Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea over winger Jamie Gittens, Fabrizio Romano reports. According to the transfer insider, Gittens isn't willing to entertain proposals from other clubs, as he has already agreed personal terms with the Blues. As per various reports, Chelsea's most recent bid for the 20-year-old was knocked back by Dortmund, prompting suggestions that the West London club could instead turn their attention to Lyon's Malick Fofana.
- Son Heung-Min could leave Tottenham Hotspur after their summer tour of South Korea, according to TalkSPORT. The 32-year-old is wanted by three unnamed Saudi clubs, despite previously knocking back offers from the Saudi Pro League. Talks are now set to take place between Son and new Spurs boss Thomas Frank, with offers in excess of €40 million expected to arrive in the coming weeks. The forward, who has been in North London since 2015, has one year left on his current contract.
- Liverpool are exploring the possibility of signing Victor Osimhen following direct talks with Napoli, according to TeamTalk. While contact between the two clubs was initially established to discuss the futures of Darwin Núñez and Federico Chiesa, it is reported that Osimhen's name has also come up. The Reds are ready to include all three players in a potential swap deal, although talks are still in the initial stages.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Fernando López in a €23 million deal, Sky Sports News reports. The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in LaLiga last season, scoring twice in 17 appearances. The proposed transfer could rise to €25 million if a series of add-ons are met.
CONFIRMED TRANSFERS
- Brighton have signed 21-year-old centre-back Diego Coppola from Serie A club Hellas Verona for an undisclosed fee on a contract until 2030. Read
- Real Betis have signed goalkeeper Álvaro Valles on a contract until 2030.
- Real Madrid women have announced the appointment of 32-year-old manager Pau Quesada as replacement for Alberto Toril.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN's resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen tells us what we need to know about Lyon's Malick Fofana.
Among the most promising wingers in Europe, Fofana joined Lyon from Gent two years ago for €19.5 million as a developing player and it's fair to say that he hasn't yet escaped that label. Though last season marked a mini-breakthrough of sorts, he started just over half of Lyon's Ligue 1 games and, despite significant flashes of inspiration, consistency and defensive application are still work in progress.
Usually deployed as a left winger, Fofana doesn't quite match the skillset of the traditional inverted wide attacker; sure, he cuts infield on to his stronger foot but he's equally likely to utilize his dribbling ability while hugging the touchline. In fact, last season's return of 1.57 successful crosses (per 90 minutes) places him in the top five of Ligue 1 wingers.
Fofana is also a great impact player. His late goals proved crucial on four occasions last season (scoring four within the last five minutes of games) and having the young winger running at defenders with tired legs proved a smart tactical plot. While technically strong and equipped with impressive acceleration, his off-the-ball running is another of his core strengths. Only PSG star Ousmane Dembele recorded more progressive runs than the Belgian (5.2 per 90), which underscores his busy, agile nature.
Despite still being a tad unstructured tactically, the attacking threat he represents through his vivacity, willingness to take on defenders at maximum intensity, and exhilarating pace puts him in a good stead to succeed in the Premier League.
OTHER RUMORS
Julien Laurens and Gab Marcotti reveal how Arne Slot convinced Florian Wirtz to chose Liverpool over other rivals.
- Strasbourg want to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who spent last season on loan with the Ligue 1 side and has an agreement with the Blues that he can leave for £30 million this summer. The Serbia international is currently "exploring all options." (Ben Jacobs)
- A Saudi club is preparing a "huge bid" for Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, whose €52 million release clause will be activated on July 1. (Nicolo Schira)
- Idrissa Gueye is in advanced negotiations with Everton over a new contract, amid interest in the 35-year-old from Stade Rennais. (Footmercato)
- Rangers have enquired about the availability of Leicester City defender Conor Coady. Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on re-signing their former captain. (Sky Sports News)
- England star Chloe Kelly has given Arsenal the right of first refusal to agree a contract once her Manchester City deal expires at the end of the month. (The Athletic)
- Atlanta United FC are close to completing a deal to sign Albania international Enea Mihaj from Famalicão. (Tom Bogert)
- Manchester City winger Jack Grealish is of interest to Serie A champions Napoli, says The Telegraph. Grealish, 29, has struggled for game time this season and was left out of City's squad for the Club World Cup. Napoli have already landed Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer from City, and have turned the career of former Man United midfielder Scott McTominay around in a year, so will be confident they can persuade Grealish. Though he would have to accept around half of his current £300,000-per-week salary.
- Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, 23, has caught the eye of Tottenham, according to L'Equipe. The former PSG youth product has a contract until 2027 and bagged 18 goals and three assists in 34 games this season. Rennes will want to recoup the €25m they spent to sign him from Lens in 2022 but Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle are also interested.
- Barcelona are still struggling with financial issues but want to land an initial €5m deal (with another €20m in add-ons) to sign Dinamo Zagreb teenager Cardoso Varela, says Sport. Despite the fact that he recently signed a new contract until 2028, Varela, 16, could move once he turns 18 in the summer of 2026. The Portugal youth international winger, who began his career at FC Porto, also shares an agent with Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo and new goalkeeping arrival Joan García.
- Liverpool are seeking a fee of £40m from any club interested in signing striker Darwin Núñez. But while Napoli and Atlético Madrid are both keen on Núñez, their preference is to sign him on an initial loan deal. (Football Insider)
- Manchester United winger Antony, 25, could move to Real Betis permanently in a complicated joint-ownership agreement that would see the LaLiga club paying to take on percentages of his playing rights from 2026. (ABC)
- Newcastle United remain interested in signing Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga. While the club's pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion striker João Pedro is well documented, Eddie Howe is also keen to bolster his squad in wide areas and could turn to Elanga. (Telegraph)
- Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, 25, has to choose between Manchester United and Tottenham, where his former manager Thomas Frank has taken over, but his preference is to move to Old Trafford despite the lack of European football next season. (Sky Sports News)
- AC Milan have submitted an offer of €16m fee plus €4m in add-ons to sign Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra. (Gianluca Di Marzio)
- Juventus have made the first move to try and sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres on a €13m-a-year contract ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United. (Mirror)
- Aston Villa full-back Lucas Digne, 31, is a backup target for Atletico Madrid if they failed to land Liverpool's Andy Robertson. (Times)
- Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz is close to signing a new long-term contract with Real Madrid, despite interest from Premier League clubs. (COPE)
- Everton and Fenerbahce have entered the race to sign Manchester City defender Kyle Walker this summer. The 35-year-old is expected to leave the Etihad on a free transfer this month, having spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at AC Milan. (Fabrizio Romano)
- Initial talks have taken place between Granit Xhaka's management and AC Milan. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder views Milan as an "interesting option," although talks are still in the early stages. (Sky Germany)