Manchester United have reached an agreement with Brighton over a £70million deal for midfielder Carlos Baleba following extensive transfer negotiations.
The 22-year-old midfielder was set on a move to Old Trafford after United initially saw an offer of £60m plus £5m in add-ons rejected. The two clubs worked towards a compromise, reaching an agreement on a fee understood to be £65m fixed with an additional £5m in achievable add-ons.
Baleba is currently recovering from an ankle ligament injury and was valued at £100m by Brighton last summer. He is due to travel to Manchester to undergo a medical scheduled for tomorrow.
Manchester United play in the Premier League and have been seeking midfield reinforcements under their transfer strategy, while Brighton are based on the south coast of England and have developed a reputation for high-value player trading.
In addition to the Baleba deal, United are monitoring options across Europe. Agent Jorge Mendes met with Barcelona on Friday to discuss a potential exit for left-back Alejandro Balde, who has drawn interest from the Premier League club.
Balde, who plays for Spanish giants Barcelona in La Liga, has emerged as a potential target as clubs assess squad options ahead of the transfer deadline.
Curtis Jones completes Inter Milan transfer
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has completed a permanent transfer to Italian champions Inter Milan for a fee of £25.6million plus around £4.2m in achievable add-ons.
The 25-year-old Liverpool-born midfielder leaves Anfield having made 228 first-team appearances for his boyhood club, including 33 appearances during Liverpool's 2024-25 Premier League title triumph. Jones joined Liverpool at the age of nine but sought a fresh challenge after failing to secure a regular place in the starting line-up.
Inter Milan had maintained interest in Jones throughout the summer window and previously had several approaches rejected by Liverpool, who had initially demanded around £30m. Jones now becomes part of an English-heavy recruitment strategy at the San Siro, following the earlier arrivals of John Stones and Djed Spence.
Liverpool are unlikely to sign a direct replacement for Jones at this stage, though the club remains open to market opportunities before the deadline.
Liverpool lodge second bid for Yankuba Minteh
Liverpool have submitted an improved second bid of around £60million for Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, though the proposal has been rejected by the south coast side.
Brighton are holding out for a fee closer to £70m for the Gambia international, reflecting recent inflation in market prices. Brighton signed Minteh from Newcastle United two summers ago for £33m and are determined to at least double their investment.
Daily Mail Sport reported that Liverpool previously saw an initial approach of around £50m turned down. Despite the second rejection, Liverpool are expected to return with a further offer as they seek to sign two new forwards before the September 1 deadline. Paris Saint-Germain attacker Bradley Barcola remains their primary target.
Brighton maintain a strong financial standing and do not need to sell Minteh, particularly with the pending sale of Baleba to Manchester United. However, the club remains willing to deal if their valuation is met. Minteh is currently sidelined with an injury and is expected to be out until at least the end of the September international break.
Chelsea reject Leeds loan approach for Mudryk
Chelsea have rejected an opening loan proposal from Leeds United for winger Mykhailo Mudryk, as the financial and structural terms were not acceptable to the London club.
Despite the initial rejection, discussions between the two teams are continuing. The 25-year-old Ukrainian winger is open to a move to Elland Road and has agreed to spend the upcoming season away from Stamford Bridge in an effort to rebuild his match fitness.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke wants to improve his attacking options, with the left wing identified as one of the areas Leeds have been working on during the transfer window.
Sunderland secure double midfield and defence deals
Sunderland have completed the signing of 20-year-old French defender Dayann Methalie from Toulouse in a deal worth up to £25.7million.
The package consists of a fixed fee of around £24m alongside £1.7m in potential add-ons. The transfer was put in doubt earlier in the week when Methalie failed part of his medical examination and returned to France. However, subsequent medical testing resolved long-term fears, prompting Sunderland to proceed with the purchase.
Methalie represents Sunderland's second signing of the summer transfer window, with Royal Antwerp defensive midfielder Jules Ahoka set to follow. Sunderland have agreed an £8.6m fee for the 20-year-old Belgian league player, who is described in Belgian media as a "technically gifted powerhouse."
Personal terms have been agreed with Ahoka, who has been granted permission to travel for his medical assessment over the weekend.
Goalkeeper and youth loan negotiations across Europe
Bournemouth are in active negotiations with Juventus to sign goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. The 29-year-old Italian goalkeeper has agreed to the move, with both clubs currently discussing the structure of a loan deal with an option to buy.
Juventus paved the way for Di Gregorio's potential departure after completing the signing of former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario earlier in the week.
Manchester United teenager Jacob Devaney is in talks to join Scottish Premiership side Hibernian on a loan deal.
The 19-year-old Republic of Ireland Under-21 international gained senior experience in Scotland last season during a loan spell with St Mirren, making 18 appearances including 16 starts. Devaney featured in Manchester United's pre-season fixtures against Wrexham and Rosenborg, playing as a central defender rather than his preferred midfield role.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Crystal Palace are closing in on a move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, while Aston Villa have completed the signing of defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Arsenal have signed defender Ezri Konsa, Tottenham Hotspur could pay up to £85million for winger Savinho, and Chelsea are eyeing American talent Rokas Pukstas.
