Leeds United are closing in on a £40 million deal, plus £5 million in add-ons and a sell-on clause, for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. Talks are continuing and are expected to reach the final stages imminently, though the deal is not yet complete.
The 23-year-old is keen on the move and sees it as a chance to play regularly and establish himself as England's No. 1. Discussions have taken place over a release clause, with other top Premier League sides monitoring his development.
Newcastle United had discussed an offer for Trafford but have switched their sights to Sporting Braga's Lukas Hornicek and other targets. Newcastle also held a meeting over Brighton's Carl Rushworth but were understood to have reservations about his top-flight experience. Leeds' previous record signing was Georginio Rutter, bought from Hoffenheim for around £35.5 million in January 2023. Torino remain keen to sign Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri once terms are agreed on Trafford, while Manchester City are also working to add a new goalkeeper.
Stones Nears Inter Milan Move
England defender John Stones is close to agreeing a two-year contract with Inter Milan. The 32-year-old is a free agent after leaving Manchester City and has drawn interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus.
Inter are proposing a two-year deal and want to pair him with Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, whose agent held talks with the Italian club over the weekend. Inter had also considered Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah and sounded out Tottenham's Djed Spence. Stones proved his fitness at the World Cup, and Inter believe his experience and reading of the game will complement their style as they challenge for the Serie A title and the Champions League. He is keen on trying a new culture and is leaning towards an agreement as talks reach an advanced stage.
Chelsea Move for Henderson and Welbeck
Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Jordan Henderson on a free transfer from Brentford. After missing out on Sunderland's Granit Xhaka, the Stamford Bridge club have turned to the 36-year-old to fulfil a role on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Manager Xabi Alonso has determined that the squad dynamic needs to change to help Chelsea maintain a successful challenge to their rivals, and Chelsea are already closing in on a move for Danny Welbeck as he looks to add older heads to a young squad. Henderson is still recovering from a fractured arm suffered at the World Cup. Two other Premier League clubs are also interested in him, but Chelsea are favourites to sign him.
Welbeck, 35, has scored 46 goals in 176 Premier League games for Brighton & Hove Albion, having previously played for Manchester United and Arsenal.
Celtic Close Club-Record Hogh Deal
Celtic are finalising the club-record £11 million signing of Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh. The Denmark international completed a medical in London on Monday and is due to finalise a four-year deal on Tuesday, with Celtic holding the option to extend by a further year.
Sunderland Chase Methalie, Barcelona Track Kroupi
Sunderland are continuing talks with Toulouse over full-back Dayann Methalie. The 20-year-old was a target for Newcastle United at the turn of the year but picked up an untimely knee injury. Now fully fit, Toulouse want around £25 million for the France Under 21 international.
Barcelona remain attentive to Eli Junior Kroupi's situation as their proposed deal for Julian Alvarez continues to prove tricky to conclude. Bournemouth insist the forward is not for sale, but he is also on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Wrexham Land Imray, Birmingham Sign Vazquez
Wrexham are closing in on signing full-back Danny Imray from Crystal Palace in a £4.5 million deal. The 22-year-old, who had loan spells with Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion last season, was wanted back by West Brom, while Stoke City also expressed interest.
Wycombe Wanderers made a £750,000 bid for Imray in January 2025, which Palace rejected. Wrexham are now set to land him for a fee seven times higher, 18 months on, as they push for promotion from the Championship.
Argentine striker Luis Vazquez is joining Birmingham City from Anderlecht for around £3 million. The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Getafe.
Wolves Sell Arokodare, Forest Chase Read
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare is joining Ajax on loan with a view to a £17 million permanent deal. Ajax must cover his salary in full on top of a £1 million loan fee, with further bonuses agreed if the Dutch club qualify for European competitions. Last week, Arokodare forced the cancellation of a Wolves training session after he refused to leave the pitch.
Nottingham Forest are continuing negotiations with Feyenoord over a £21 million deal for Givairo Read. The Netherlands Under 21 international right-back has agreed a five-year contract with Forest, but the clubs have yet to finalise terms after Forest improved their offer on Sunday. Feyenoord would ideally like to keep Read for another season, but he wants the move to the Premier League and the pay rise that comes with it.
Goalkeepers on the Move
Former Nottingham Forest and Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is in advanced talks with Olympiacos. The 33-year-old left Forest in June after his short-term contract expired. The Greek club, also owned by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, are selling Konstantinos Tzolakis to Hull City.
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Kit Margetson from Swansea City. The 20-year-old was on loan at Welsh Premier League side Connah's Quay Nomads last season, keeping 10 clean sheets in 34 appearances. Margetson, the son of former Manchester City goalkeeper Martyn Margetson, made his debut for Wales Under 21s against Belarus in March. The move to Old Trafford is subject to registration after the two clubs agreed a compensation deal.
Ipswich Town have agreed a fee of around £11 million for 6ft 9in Dutch goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, who had his medical on Monday ahead of becoming their sixth new signing of the summer. The fee with his club, Union Saint-Gilloise, is £8.5 million plus a further £2.5 million in add-ons. Brighton hold a 40 percent sell-on clause from Union Saint-Gilloise as part of the deal.
Villa's Nedeljkovic Wanted by Osasuna
Aston Villa defender Kosta Nedeljkovic is wanted on loan by Osasuna. The 20-year-old Serbia international right-back has been on loan at RB Leipzig but has not had much game time because of back and knee injuries. He returned to full fitness in March and played for Serbia against World Cup winners Spain, and was back in Villa's team for their pre-season friendly win over Walsall last week.
Fiorentina also made enquiries for Nedeljkovic earlier this year, but Villa are ready to send him out for what they hope will be a more beneficial loan season, with La Liga side Osasuna wanting him to join. Villa have been trying to add another right-back and held talks with Flamengo over former Tottenham defender Emerson Royal. They are still to receive another approach from Arsenal for Ezri Konsa, and the offer of a new contract is on the table; Villa do not need to sell following Morgan Rogers' £117 million departure.
Leicester Eye Hardy, Al Hilal Chase Ndiaye
Tottenham defensive prospect Malachi Hardy has emerged as a potential loan target for Leicester City. The League One side are exploring a move for the England Under 18 international, who has impressed Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi in pre-season with his composure and ability. Following a 2-0 win over Auckland, De Zerbi said of the central defender: "Malachi is another good player for the future of the club." The 18-year-old was given a contract extension earlier this year after impressing staff enough to step up and train with the first team.
Al Hilal are targeting Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye. The 26-year-old Senegal international has three years left on his contract, and Everton have been trying to tie him down to an improved deal, which he has so far rejected. The club's stance is that he is not for sale amid interest from Premier League rivals, but Al Hilal's presence and financial power may bring greater concern. Much will depend on the offer put on the table, and the Saudi club have yet to submit a bid. Al Hilal, who have former Bournemouth technical director Simon Francis on their staff, signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham United last week.
