Arsenal are keen on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, while Real Madrid are lining up a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TOP STORIES
– Source: Man City waiting to make decision on Echeverri
– Source: Onana wants Utd stay, plans to rebuff SPL
– Estêvão anxious about summer Chelsea move
TRENDING RUMORS
– Arsenal have identified Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike as an alternative to Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, says The Sun. Ekitike, 22, has scored 19 goals and provided eight assists from 38 games this season and nearly moved to Newcastle in January 2022 before a deal collapsed. Since then, he has struggled at PSG but has now found a new lease of life in Frankfurt and his transfer is valued at around £60m. Isak, 25, is the Gunners’ preferred target, but Newcastle won’t let him leave for anything less than £150m.
– Real Madrid are keen on Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, reports Mundo Deportivo. The Santiago Bernabéu hierarchy are said to be willing to make an offer worth €60m for the 26-year-old in the next transfer window amid hopes of reinforcing their midfield, but it is expected that clubs in Europe could also challenge to secure his signature. Zubimendi previously rejected a move to Liverpool last summer, while he has also been linked with Arsenal.
– Newcastle United are interested in a move for Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah, reports the Times. The Magpies are reported to be preparing an offer worth £30m for the 22-year-old, and they are hopeful of persuading him to make the switch to St. James’ Park with the promise of regular first-team football. Quansah has made 22 appearances across all competitions this season, including featuring at right-back when both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley have been out injured.
– An offer of £70m will be required to land AFC Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, reports the Independent. The 25-year-old is believed to be on the radar of Newcastle amid their search for a right winger, but it looks as though the Cherries intend to dissuade interest in him by setting a high valuation. Semenyo remains contracted at the Vitality Stadium until the summer of 2029, and he has contributed to 11 goals in 28 Premier League matches this season.
– Juventus are considering parting ways with wing-back Andrea Cambiaso, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. The Bianconeri believe they could need to offload the 25-year-old to help balance their current financial situation, and there is still interest from Manchester City and Liverpool, with the Reds viewing him as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. It is said that the Serie A club could also look to move on from both striker Dušan Vlahović and winger Kenan Yıldız, who both have admirers in the Premier League.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen explores what type of player Hugo Ekitike is.
Ekitike predominantly prefers to pick up the ball wide on the left before targeting the opposing right-back for a one-vs.-one duel, or to exploit the room between them and the centre-back. Yet his mobility and roaming nature also sees him pick up the ball on the opposite flank and in central areas too. He handles himself well in all attacking phases and is penetrative as a second striker out wide, but with the link-up game of a No. 9 striker centrally.
One of the strongest features of his game is his high-intensity, pacy, determined running. His ability to fend off tacklers is impressive and generally results in the drawing of fouls, while his capacity to create goal-scoring opportunities single-handedly is priceless and makes him efficient against low blocks too.
He has smart reading of attacking patterns and is a high-volume finisher (4+ shots per 90 minutes), with his goals coming from a varied range of techniques.
One minor criticism might be his tendency to be impatient in his execution, opting for a mid-distance shot from an unfavourable position instead of moving on the ball. Case in point: Eketike is still waiting for his first goal from outside the box this season — despite 21 attempts.
OTHER RUMORS
1:55
Why Real Madrid is the ‘perfect move’ for Trent Alexander-Arnold
Steve Nicol assesses Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential free transfer to Real Madrid.
– Manchester United could move on midfielder Kobbie Mainoo if they don’t agree a new contract soon, as they have been in talks since March 2024. (Manchester Evening News)
– United have been monitoring Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio and could make a €45m move to sign him. (A Bola)
– An offer worth over £100m will be required to land Southampton’s 19-year-old forward Tyler Dibling, with Tottenham, Man United and Man City at the front of the queue for his signature. (Telegraph)
– Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, who is on loan at Chelsea with an obligation to sign permanently for £25m in the summer, is keen to return to Borussia Dortmund, with Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen also interested. (Bild)
– Newcastle United have paused contract talks with Liverpool and Arsenal target Alexander Isak after the Sweden striker turned down their initial offer. (Caught Offside)
– Bournemouth will meet this week to discuss the futures of 21-year-old left-back Milos Kerkez and forward Antoine Semenyo, 25, amid interest from Liverpool. (Teamtalk)
– Genk midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, 17, is set to be the subject of interest from numerous clubs with Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle and Napoli all interested in the Greece international. (Tuttomercatoweb)
– Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s contract is up on Jun. 30 but Liverpool could still get a fee for the England right-back if Real Madrid want to have him available for the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins Jun. 14. (Daily Mail)
– Aston Villa director Monchi says he is an admirer of Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler, who is keen to move on for more game time. (Radio Marca)
– PSG are looking to land Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck to replace either Marquinhos or Presnel Kimpembe. (Bild)
– Eintracht Frankfurt value the transfer of Brazilian goalkeeper Kaua Santos at €60m, amid interest from Man United. (Bild)
– RB Leipzig have signed Djurgardens centre-back Warren Ngana for a €1m transfer fee.
