Liverpool have ruled out signing Moises Caicedo, Manchester City are preparing a superstar bid, and Arsenal want Everton star
Welcome to the most recent edition of my biweekly column, in which I bring you exclusive transfer and contract news and news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership, and elsewhere.
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Mikel Arteta is pressuring Arsenal to sign a new striker this summer.
The Spaniard is pleased with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah’s contributions this season, but believes his team would benefit from a more physical and powerful forward.
Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus has been identified as the club’s top target, while Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also on Arsenal’s radar.
Arsenal’s search for a new striker may be accelerated if Folarin Balogun leaves at the end of the season.
While on loan at Reims, the 21-year-old has been in scintillating form, scoring 18 goals in Ligue Un.
He is set to return to North London in the summer, but has informed Arsenal that unless Mikel Arteta guarantees him first-team action, he will seek a move away.
The Gunners have made it clear that if Balogun decides to stay and fight for his place in the team, he may be offered a new and improved contract.
If Balogun decides to leave, Arsenal will only sell him permanently if he is worth £30 million or more.
Balogun is already generating a lot of buzz in the Premier League and throughout Europe.
Red Bull Leipzig, Marseille, Lyon, Villarreal, and Sevilla have all expressed an interest in him, while Brentford, Wolves, Everton, and Crystal Palace are also keeping an eye on his availability.
Manchester City believe they have taken the lead in the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer.
Liverpool were heavy favorites to sign the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder, but the Merseyside club withdrew from the race earlier this week.
City have a good relationship with Dortmund after signing Erling Haaland last summer, and Bellingham is also said to be interested in reuniting with the Norwegian striker.
City is willing to pay the £100 million-plus asking price set by Dortmund, and they believe they have a financial advantage over rival Real Madrid.
Dortmund has offered Bellingham a contract to stay in Germany for another year, and the England international has not ruled out signing it.
City are already preparing a world-record deal to sign Bellingham and are awaiting his final decision before submitting a bid to Dortmund.
City expects more midfield changes this summer, with club captain Ilkay Gundogan set to leave at the end of the season to join Barcelona.
The Spanish giants have long admired the 32-year-old and are prepared to make an offer when his contract expires this summer.
According to my understanding, Gundogan is eager to move to Barcelona, and it now appears that he will accept their offer.
City have also offered Gundogan a contract extension, but Pep Guardiola does not want to stand in his way if he decides to leave.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping an eye on Gundogan’s situation, but they are far behind Barcelona.
Barcelona have long been interested in signing Bernardo Silva, but signing Gundogan has made a deal for the Portuguese playmaker impossible, with City adamant that they will not lose both stars in the same transfer window.
To fend off any summer bids, the Premier League champions have set a £70 million asking price for Silva.
City have also offered Gundogan a contract extension, but Pep Guardiola does not want to stand in his way if he decides to leave.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping an eye on Gundogan’s situation, but they are far behind Barcelona.
Barcelona have long been interested in signing Bernardo Silva, but signing Gundogan has made a deal for the Portuguese playmaker impossible, with City adamant that they will not lose both stars in the same transfer window.
To fend off any summer bids, the Premier League champions have set a £70 million asking price for Silva.
Despite dropping out of the Bellingham race, the Reds are still looking for midfielders.
Jurgen Klopp discussed the situation with the Liverpool board and recruitment team, and they decided that the £100 million required to sign Bellingham would be better spent on multiple signings to fill a variety of positions.
If the 19-year-old decides to stay at Dortmund for another season, Liverpool are ready to re-enter the race for him next summer.
This summer, however, the Merseyside club has focused entirely on Brighton midfielder Alexis MacAllister.
The 24-year-old World Cup winner is seen as a less expensive alternative to Bellingham, and Liverpool’s confidence in signing him was boosted by his father’s media comments.
According to Mac Allister’s father, “Alexis will most likely be playing in another team by next July.”
Man United and Chelsea are also interested in signing Mac Allister, but Liverpool is determined to outbid their rivals.
Mac Allister is valued at £60-70 million by Brighton.
Klopp is a huge fan of Mac Allister’s versatility, and the German coach is excited about the creativity he can bring to his Liverpool squad.
Mac Allister is one of five midfielders on Liverpool’s summer wishlist, along with Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha, and Nicolo Barella.
Moises Caicedo is no longer being considered by Liverpool, with the asking price deemed too high in the face of strong interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
It is believed that Barella will try to leave Inter Milan this summer if they do not qualify for the Champions League, which could provide an opportunity for Liverpool to pounce.
This season, Liverpool scouts have paid close attention to the Italian midfielder.
The Red Devils’ top priority this summer is to sign a new center-back.
After breaking his foot against Sevilla last week, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, and Eric Bailly all face uncertain futures at Old Trafford, and Lisandro Martinez faces a race to be fit for the start of the new season.
Erik ten Hag may need defensive reinforcements, and Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi has emerged as a top target.
The 25-year-old is in the final two years of his contract, and Monaco is willing to sell him for £40 million if his valuation is met.
United has sent scouts to watch Disasi several times this season, and reports have been positive, with the French international regarded as a star with enormous potential.
This summer, Disasi has risen to the top of United’s wishlist, with Napoli’s Kim Min-Jae the other defender on the club’s radar.
A marquee striker remains the club’s top priority, but Ten Hag is also emphasizing the importance of a new center-back.
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