Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal’s shock move for Vinicius Jr hits hurdle, Man Utd close in on midfielder – UK Times

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho does not want to sell Vinicius Jr and wants the superstar winger to line up in attack with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham next season, according to The Telegraph.

Arsenal are in the early stages of exploring a move for the 26-year-old Brazil international, who has one year left on his contract.

Mourinho was controversially reappointed as Real Madrid manager this summer. Mourinho was criticised for comments he made after Vinicius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during a Champions League tie in February.

However, Mourinho is set to tell Real Madrid president Florentino Perez that he wants to keep Vinicius and does not believe there will be a problem in their relationship once he takes charge.

Free agent Julian Brandt is garnering interest from Leeds following his departure from Borussia Dortmund.

The 30-year-old midfielder is also being pursued by Ajax but Sky Sports News are reporting that he is understood to prefer a move to Elland Road because he is fascinated by the idea of playing in the Premier League.

Brandt would also be interested in a move to Serie A should a concrete proposal materialise soon.

A reminder of the big news that broke yesterday – Arsenal are keen to buy Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid.

The Gunners are exploring a blockbuster move for the Brazilian superstar and the idea has reportedly been approved by the club’s hierarchy.

There has been no club-to-club contact with Real Madrid yet, however.

It is unclear what Vinicius makes of the idea of joining the Premier League champions, and indeed leaving Madrid, although Jose Mourinho coming in as Real boss does complicate matters for the 26-year-old, who only has one year left on his contract.

Harry Kane will begin contract talks with Bayern Munich when he returns from his summer holiday

That’s according to Sky Sports News, who say that Kane is garnering interest from Barcelona but is very happy in Germany.

Kane’s deal expires at the end of the 2026/27 season and the England captain is said to be very relaxed about the situation but Bayern are keen to start negotiations given the interest surrounding him.

Winger Jack Harrison has left Leeds to join MLS side New England Revolution on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Harrison began his career in the MLS with New York City in the 2016-17 season before earning a move to sister club Man City and has also had loan spells at Everton and Fiorentina.

The 29-year-old joins as one of the Revolution’s designated players.

Cristian Romero has seemed like a good candidate to leave Tottenham this summer and Inter Milan have now confirmed their interest in buying the centre-back.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio has acknowledged that the Argentine defender is of interest to them this summer.

“We are interested for sure, it’s true,” Romano claims Ausilio said. “We spoke to the agent and Tottenham. We will see what happens.”

Talking of Chelsea, they are not actively looking to sell Pedro Neto to Liverpool or any other club.

Liverpool are interested in the 26-year-old Portuguese winger, according to The Evening Standard, but no club has yet contacted Chelsea over a possible move.

The Blues would be open to considering a proposal but would prefer to keep Neto as part of Xabi Alonso’s squad this season.

Chelsea have turned down a third offer from Como for centre-back Trevoh Chalobah as they hold out for £30m + £5m in add-ons.

According to talkSPORT, Chalobah has been a major target for the Italian club, coached by ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, but their latest proposal of £25m + £5m was deemed not enough.

The 27-year-old England international reportedly remains keen on move and is still likely to leave, with the imminent arrival of Maxence Lacroix pushing him further down the pecking order.

Yan Diomande has verbally agreed personal terms with Real Madrid, leaving just the Spanish giants and PSG in the running for the sought-after winger, with Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool having moved on.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who says that Diomande has now sorted terms with both European giants and it is now up to one of them to agree a price with RB Leipzig.

Real’s latest bid, that was rejected by Leipzig, was €90m plus €10m and the 19-year-old Ivorian while PSG have again been in contact trying to sort a fee.

Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh will have a medical with Celtic in the next 24 hours, says manager Martin O’Neill.

The Scottish champions have reported agreed a club record fee of £11m with the Norwegian side for the 25-year-old Denmark international.

Hogh will help replace Daizen Maeda, after the fan favourite Japan forward was sold to Premier League new boys Ipswich, and speaking after Celtic’s pre-season draw with AC Milan, O’Neill confirmed the move is imminent.

“Yes, I’m hoping that that will happen. I think there’s a good chance of it,” he said.

“But, until someone’s actually signed and sealed, there might be things still up in the air, but it’s certainly progressing.

“He will have [a medical] in the next 24 hours, I think.”