The temporary transfer window opened for clubs participating in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup has come and gone. The official summer market will kick off in just under a week, but clubs are already making moves.
Several transfer sagas are already building up, with top teams slugging it out for the best players on the market. Here are a few of the major transfer sagas making the headlines across Europe.
Real Madrid – William Saliba
Real Madrid have set their sights on Arsenal’s William Saliba as their next blockbuster signing and are willing to play the long game to lure him to Santiago Bernabeu.
According to reports, Saliba has eyes only for Madrid as he views the Spanish powerhouse as the pinnacle of club football.
Los Blancos have been in consistent contact with Saliba’s representatives, laying the groundwork for a potential summer transfer.
Arsenal are aware of Madrid’s interest in Saliba and are understandably keen to ward off interest.
Saliba still has two years left on his contract, but Arsenal are keen to secure his future and have opened talks over a new long-term contract.
However, the Frenchman is hesitant to commit his future to Arsenal. He wants assurances that spending his prime years in North London will be matched with major honours.
That’s something Arsenal haven’t been able to guarantee, with the Gunners’ trophyless streak now stretching to four years following last season’s disappointment.
Arsenal are reluctant to part with one of their most vital players and have not set an asking price.
But Madrid are patient. They’re prepared to wait until 2026 and, if needed, until his contract runs out in 2027 to land him for free – if Arsenal continue to resist offers.
Signing a player of Saliba’s calibre will undoubtedly lead to a surge in demand for Real Madrid tickets from Seatsnet.com, especially among fans eager to see what he brings to the table.
Tottenham – Bryan Mbeumo
Tottenham Hotspur have made a major statement in the transfer market, tabling an initial £65 million bid with a further £5m in add-ons for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
This comes after Spurs announced Thomas Frank as their new head coach, with the club now looking to reunite the Danish manager with Brentford talisman.
Mbeumo was electric last season, notching 20 goals and eight assists in 38 Premier League games.
He also created 17 big chances. His form saw him lead the Premier League in expected assists (9.3 xA) and stand out as one of Europe’s most effective ball-carriers.
No other player across the continent’s top five leagues recorded more goal-ending carries than the 25-year-old.
Mbeumo’s off-the-ball work is just as impressive. With 1,038 forward runs made while a teammate was in possession, Mbeumo was the most active attacker in the league in that regard.
Only Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz covered more ground across the season, while his 32 final-third recoveries placed him among the Premier League’s top three for winning possession high up the pitch.
Tottenham will rival Manchester United for Mbeumo’s signature. Before Frank’s move to Spurs, the Cameroonian was poised for a move to Old Trafford, but recent events have changed his course.
The added lure of Champions League football could be a deciding factor, although it remains to be seen if Spurs can match his wage demands.
Arsenal – Rodrygo
Arsenal are planning a summer shake-up in attack, with a new striker at the top of their wishlist. But manager Mikel Arteta also wants a versatile winger and has his eyes on a marquee addition.
The Spanish manager is a huge admirer of Madrid star Rodrygo.
The Brazilian is said to have captured the Arsenal manager’s full attention, with Arteta convinced the 24-year-old could become a “superstar” in North London, especially on the left wing.
Rodrygo is coming off one of his more frustrating campaigns at Madrid, having been forced to ply his trade on the right wing to accommodate his countryman Vinicius Junior on the left.
Nevertheless, he racked up 14 goals and 10 assists in 51 games. But he was at his sparkling best whenever he lined up on the left flank, notching 12 goal contributions in 12 games.
Rodrygo’s future at Madrid is up in the air. It has been a major talking point since Kylian Mbappe’s arrival, but a new head coach at the helm could push him closer to the exit.
It doesn’t help that Madrid have also signed teenage prodigy Franco Mastantuono, who will likely take over the right wing.
Arsenal are ready to take advantage of the situation, but Rodrygo won’t come cheap. They must also be ready to match his wage demands.
Rodrygo is exactly the kind of marquee signing Arsenal need to finally give them the edge in their pursuit of a Premier League title. You’d expect a spike in the demand for Arsenal tickets on Seatsnet.com if the Gunners can pull off a move.
Bayern Munich – Nico Williams
Once again, Athletic Club’s Nico Williams is at the centre of a transfer saga. Last summer, he was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League but ended up sticking around.
That interest hasn’t waned. The Premier League duo are still in the mix, but Bayern Munich now seem to be leading the race for the Spanish prodigy.
Williams is a top target for Bayern. The 22-year-old notched 11 goals and seven assists in 45 games last season. He also created six big chances in La Liga.
The Spain international is considered one of the finest talents on the continent, and Bayern are hoping to lure him to the Allianz Arena this summer.
Bayern initially wanted Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, but the Ligue 1 champions weren’t interested in discussing a deal.
The Bundesliga champions have since turned their attention to Williams, whose €65 million (£55.3m) release clause wouldn’t pose much of a problem. However, his wage demand is where the problem lies.
Williams currently takes home over €200,000 (£170k) per week, so any interested club may have to double his salary, which has left Arsenal and Chelsea hesitant.
Bayern are unfazed, but Athletic are reluctant to part ways with Williams and have opened contract talks with the Spanish forward.
Manchester United – Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford is expected to leave Man United this summer. It’s anyone’s guess where he will end up, but he’s not short on interest from clubs across Europe.
After an impressive loan spell at Aston Villa, United have set their price at £40m. Villa are open to signing him permanently but will struggle to squeeze his outrageous salary demand into their wage structure.
The Villans are already walking a tightrope with the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR), so they need to raise funds through player sales to make room for Rashford.
Rashford made a good impression at Villa with 10 goal contributions from 17 appearances. However, the ex-United Academy graduate has his heart set on a move to Barca.
Manager Hansi Flick has acknowledged Barca’s interest in Rashford, and the player is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to facilitate his dream move.
