July 1 – With Euros drama stealing the headlines, the curtain officially lifted on the opening of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham are already in a battle for the signature of 22-year-old Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori (pictured) but will have to pay in excess of £40 million to prise him away from Bologna.
The Italian international impressed during the Serie A season but established himself at Euro 2024, despite the Azzurri’s early exit at the hands of Switzerland on Saturday, in which the player was sidelined due to injury.
Able to play comfortably as a left back or centre back in either a back three or four, the 22-year-old would make a great addition to Arne Slot’s side as the club gears up for the exit of 32-year-old talisman Virgil Van Dijk in the coming seasons.
A number of Barcelona’s directors reportedly remain unconvinced about the merits of signing Spain’s Euro 2024 star winger Nico Williams, 21, from Athletic Bilbao.
The rocket-powered attacker has played a vital role in Spain’s flawless tournament opening, tallying a goal and assist in last night’s Round of 16 victory over Georgia, and is available for £50 mill this summer if his release clause is met.
Also linked with Arsenal and Chelsea, Williams has reportedly put a number of clubs off due to his contract demands which Arsenal feared would disrupt the contract hierarchy at the club.
Manchester United have cooled their interest in FC Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, with their eyes now fixed on 24-year-old FC Bayern centre back Matthijs de Ligt.
The Dutchman played a key role in manager Erik Ten Hag’s stint at Ajax and would mark the latest in a string on signings inspired by the Red Devils boss’s success in Amsterdam, joining Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Antony.
Marcus Rashford has been linked with a transfer to Paris Saint Germain. With the Parisians losing talisman Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid this summer, the search has begun for his replacement.
The 26-year-old England forward failed to produce his best form last season for the Red Devils but still has a market value of €60 million according to Transfermarkt, and four years left on his current deal.
Chelsea have set their sights on 21-year-old Brazilian defender Murillo, but would have to part ways with £70 million to prize him away from Nottingham Forest.
Blues defender Trevoh Chalobah could move in the other direction to leverage a deal.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732329549labto1732329549ofdlr1732329549owedi1732329549sni@g1732329549niwe.1732329549yrrah1732329549