Transfer news live: Arsenal take key step towards Gyokeres deal, Liverpool latest, Mbeumo update – UK Times

Manchester United are apparently closing in on their third signing of the summer.

According to CalcioMercato.com, Valencia star Javi Guerra is close to joining the Red Devils and although the fee is unknown, he does have an £87m release clause in his contract.

The 22-year-old midfielder impressed for Spain at the recent U21 Euros and Ruben Amorim is said to be a fan.

Tottenham have signed Japan international defender Kota Takai from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale.

The 20-year-old has agreed a five-year deal and will compete in central defence with Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin. Tottenham have not disclosed a fee.

The Premier League club said: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Kota Takai from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale, subject to international clearance and work permit.

“The Japan international defender has agreed a deal with the club that will run until 2030.”

Takai made his international debut in September in a 7-0 World Cup qualifying win over China having helped his club side to an eighth-placed finish domestically last season.

Takai, who has made four senior appearances for his country, was named Japan’s young player of the year in 2024 having broken into Kawasaki’s first team two years previously.

Russell Martin has refused to be drawn on reports linking Rangers with a move for former England and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy.

The 38-year-old forward, who has seen a move to Genoa fall through, has now been heavily touted for a switch to Ibrox after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season.

Recently appointed Rangers boss Martin remained coy but refused to dismiss the prospect, when asked after his side’s 2-2 pre-season friendly draw at home to Club Brugge on Sunday if Vardy was a target.

“I think I’ve been asked about so many players,” he said. “Some miles away, some on the money. So basically, I’m not going to give you an answer on that.

“But I guess you’ll find out who’s real and who’s not in the next few weeks.”

Crystal Palace are keen to add to their full-back ranks this summer and former AC Milan star Davide Calabria is top of their list.

That’s according to Sky Italy, who say that Palace are targeting the 28-year-old, who was on loan at Bologna last season, while Spanish sides Celta Vigo, Real Betis and Mallorca are also being linked.

Calabria is out of contract, so the seven-cap Italy international would be available on a free.

The mooted Arsenal deal for Christian Norgaard is done and will be officially announced later this week.

David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that the 31-year-old Brentford midfielder will cost £10m will additional bonuses of up to £2m.

The medical and personal terms are completed with the official announcement over the next few days.

Anthony Elanga will become a Newcastle player after the Magpies agreed a deal with Nottingham Forest to sign the forward.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who says a £55m deal has been agreed and that Elanga will sign a long-term contract.

Romano also reports that a medical has been booked in so the deal should be completed soon

Arsenal are working on a payment structure for a bid that could allow them to sign Eberechi Eze without a substantial sale this summer.

Mikel Arteta went into the window with a budget for Martin Zubimendi and a forward – currently expected to be Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres – as well as one or two less expensive signings like Brentford’s Christian Norgaard, with any further signings expected to be funded by outgoings to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) rules. Arsenal are nevertheless serious about doing Eze and this summer, and there is a hope that a suitable deal can be worked out.

AC Milan have already lost Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City, and Theo Hernandez may be bound for the Saudi Pro League, but new boss Massimiliano Allegri is hopeful that Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao will remain at the club.

“While Reijnders and Hernandez won’t be part of the team next season, (goalkeeper) Mike Maignan and (forward) Rafael Leao seem willing to stay,” Allegri said. The pair have both been linked with moves away, with Maignan connected particularly with Chelsea.

Real Madrid’s Luka Modric will join AC Milan after the Club World Cup, the Serie A club’s newly-appointed manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.

The move means the 39-year-old midfielder, who announced in May that he would be leaving Madrid after the Club World Cup, will bring his 13-year spell at the Spanish giants to a close.

“Modric will arrive in August. He is an extraordinary player,” Allegri said in his first press conference as Milan manager.

We reported yesterday that Arsenal face stiff competition to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid this summer with Paris Saint-Germain entering the fray.

But now Spanish website Defensa Central say that Real Madrid have agreed agree to Rodrygo’s move to PSG – that being having Vitinha be included in the deal, as he is a player that Xabi Alonso is targeting.