Aston Villa have agreed terms to sign former Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer. Pending a medical, the 31-year-old midfielder is expected to sign a three-year contract with the West Midlands club this week.
Villa manager Unai Emery is also seeking additions elsewhere in his squad as the club hunt for a new centre-forward. Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal are pushing hard to sign striker Ollie Watkins, though Villa have offered the England forward a new contract. Villa are also ready to bid for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson and have seen an enquiry for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta turned down.
In defense, Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis was left out of his side's squad to face Stoke City amid transfer interest from Aston Villa.
Benoit Badiashile completes Napoli loan move
Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile has joined Italian side Napoli on loan with an option to make the move permanent. Napoli will pay a loan fee of £2.5million, which could rise to £3.4million with performance-related add-ons.
The option price for a permanent transfer is set at around £23million, meaning Chelsea could receive more than £26million from the total agreement. The Premier League club had valued the French defender at £30million during the current transfer window.
Napoli are also among the clubs interested in Chelsea forward Marc Guiu, who is currently weighing up options from teams in Spain and Germany. Meanwhile, Championship side Hull City are exploring a loan move for Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo, who is also wanted by French club Strasbourg.
Wrexham target Femi Azeez and Anis Mehmeti
Wrexham are exploring a move to sign Millwall forward Femi Azeez. The 25-year-old Nigeria international has also attracted interest from Premier League side Brighton and Championship team Hull City.
The Welsh club hope their ambitious project will persuade Azeez to join, despite Millwall being rival promotion contenders. Wrexham are also looking at Ipswich Town attacking midfielder Anis Mehmeti. The 25-year-old Albania international joined Ipswich from Bristol City for £3.5million in January and scored his first goal for the club against Wrexham.
A transfer to Wrexham would mean Mehmeti giving up immediate Premier League football, although Wrexham hope to reach the top division within a year. Meanwhile, Wrexham's move for free agent defender Axel Tuanzebe looks to be off.
Brighton explore move for Yeremay Hernandez
Brighton have asked about Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez. The 23-year-old has been in the United Kingdom for talks with Hull City, who have been attempting to sign him, but Brighton are now exploring a move as well.
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali said: "We have to get the club side done and Yeremay also wants to come but it is a very vital, critical decision for himself. This deal is a very hard deal but we are somewhere where it looks positive. He is young boy and it would change his life completely so he wanted to see where he would come. We will see in three, four days if this deal will be done or not. If it happens it will be a record for sure."
Brighton also remain in negotiations with Liverpool over the proposed sale of 22-year-old winger Yankuba Minteh. Although Minteh wants the move to Anfield, the two clubs are apart on valuation, with Brighton holding out for more than £70million.
Chelsea eye Francisco Conceicao as Pedro Neto alternative
Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao is back on Chelsea's radar as potential cover if they sell Pedro Neto. Conceicao, a 23-year-old Portugal international, was signed by Juventus from Porto for £36million, and the Serie A side will look for a profit on that outlay.
Neto has drawn interest from Al-Hilal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, but Chelsea are asking for £100million. Chelsea have also received an offer from Roma for Jamie Gittens, but the loan proposal with an option to buy was considered too low.
Conceicao is described as quick, technically good and robust despite his diminutive stature. If Juventus sell Conceicao, they intend to use the funds to pursue targets including Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Newcastle rekindle interest in Archie Gray
Newcastle United have rekindled their interest in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Archie Gray. The 20-year-old remains in the plans of manager Roberto de Zerbi due to his ability to cover multiple positions, having captained Spurs in pre-season while playing across midfield, centre-back and right-back.
Newcastle are also in discussions with Manchester City regarding Nico Gonzalez as they seek Premier League experience following recent squad departures. Gray, who joined Tottenham from Leeds United for £40million and has made 81 appearances, is valued at over £60million. Tottenham may consider player sales to balance summer spending, though they prefer to keep Gray.
Joao Pedro signs new eight-year Chelsea contract
Joao Pedro has committed his long-term future to Chelsea by signing a new contract until 2034. Chelsea were determined to keep the 24-year-old Brazil international after Barcelona expressed interest early in the summer window.
Joao Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton in July 2025 and made an instant impact, scoring in both the Club World Cup semi-final and final as Chelsea became world champions. He scored 20 goals across all competitions in his first full season at Stamford Bridge and was assigned the number 9 shirt last week, even as Chelsea listen to offers for strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.
Joao Pedro said: "I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea. I always dreamed of playing for a big club, and it means a lot to me to give my long-term commitment to this club. Everyone is very excited for this season. We know we can achieve a lot of things. We have a great team, we have a coach who wants to win and has won already."
Carlos Baleba set for Manchester United medical
Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is scheduled to undergo a medical today ahead of completing a £70million transfer to Manchester United. The move was agreed on Friday evening for £65million plus add-ons and a sell-on clause.
The 22-year-old is recovering from an ankle ligament injury but is expected to return to full fitness towards the end of next month.
Nico Gonzalez given green light for Manchester City exit
Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez has been told by manager Enzo Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana that he can leave the club. While Gonzalez was prepared to fight for his place, City are planning to sign two more midfielders, limiting his prospective playing time.
Newcastle United view Gonzalez as their priority target from a shortlist of three options and believe the player is open to the move.
Newcastle have also registered interest in AC Milan forward Christopher Nkunku, though RB Leipzig are currently more active in pursuing him. Manchester City are continuing talks with Lille for 18-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the French club holding out for a top price. Meanwhile, City forward Omar Marmoush is still expected to complete his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
Youngsters Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Stephen Mfuni secure loans
Liverpool defensive prospect Ifeanyi Ndukwe is joining Spanish club Levante on loan. The 18-year-old Austrian youth international does not currently qualify for a UK work permit and must play abroad to gain competitive experience.
Ndukwe, who impressed during pre-season for Liverpool, has traveled to Valencia to finalize terms after attracting interest from clubs in France, Germany and Portugal. Meanwhile, Manchester City defender Stephen Mfuni is in negotiations to join Coventry City on loan. The 18-year-old left-back and centre-back spent last season on loan at Watford, who were also interested in re-signing him.
