Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool set to win £125m Wirtz battle as sale confirmed, Arsenal hold first Sesko talks – UK Times

Manchester City appear to be nearing a deal for Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch international who has impressed over the last two seasons for AC Milan.

The Times suggest that the 26-year-old could be the first signing of what could be a busy summer, judging by the comments of the club chairman.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo says he has no regrets after appearing to make an obscene gesture towards supporters in Malaysia earlier this week, alleging it was in response to insults about his mother.

Footage shared on social media appeared to show Amad raising his middle finger outside the team’s hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Real Madrid could join the chase to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Florian Wirtz.

With former boss Xabi Alonso now at the Bernabeu, Wirtz could be tempted to follow the Spanish tactician to Madrid.

The 22-year-old has been strongly tipped to join Liverpool, reports AS, with Man City dropping their interest in recent days.

Joe Cole admits he would be “stunned” if Chelsea do not end up signing Ipswich striker Liam Delap.

The former Chelsea winger spoke glowingly about Delap alongside fellow TNT pundits Michail Antonio and Steve Sidwell after the Blues’ Conference League victory over Real Betis.

“He’s strong, he knows where the goal is. He’s an old-school number nine,” said Antonio.

“The amount of goals he got at Ipswich… if he was at a bigger club, he would probably be getting double that.”

Sidwell added: “He fits the bill. He’s young and hungry, he’s someone that the coach here can develop. He kind of reminds me of a young Alan Shearer when he was at Southampton then went to Blackburn. He’s robust, he’s an out-and-out number nine, he knows where the goal is, he can score a goal. I think that’s a good shout.”

And Cole concluded: “I’d actually be stunned if he isn’t at Chelsea.”

Everton could rival Man City for Lyon star Ryan Cherki, according to Caught Offside, with the report detailing how Jack Grealish could also emerge as a target.

David Moyes will be keen to bolster his squad ahead of the move into the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees could offer the 21-year-old Lyon star more gametime with Cherki potentially holding reservations over a move to the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola’s squad fiercely competitive.

Cherki scored 12 goals and made 19 more across 42 appearances in Ligue 1 and the Europa League last term.

“Liverpool FC can confirm an offer has been accepted for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid for his transfer upon the opening of the June transfer window.

“The full-back is now set to join the La Liga club ahead of the expiry of his Reds contract this summer.

“Liverpool will receive a fee for his services, with the deal to be concluded once the window opens on June 1.

“Alexander-Arnold joined the club’s Academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks to make his senior competitive debut in October 2016.

“He now departs Anfield after 354 appearances and 23 goals for the club, as well as lifting eight major honours alongside his teammates, which consist of two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups.

“Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool FC with the club appreciative and grateful for his contribution to those successes.”

Arsenal’s move for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko is moving in a positive direction.

The clubs held talks earlier in May and Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on bringing in the striker.

Sesko scored 21 goals and has six assists in all competitions this season, including four in the Champions League.

He is also said to be interested in the move hoping to challenge for league and European titles.

Real Madrid will pay Liverpool around £10m to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold before his contract expires on June 30.

The Spanish club wanted to sign the Liverpool right-back on a free transfer and have him in place before the Club World Cup begins on June 15 but needed Liverpool to release him from his contract early.

The Premier League champions were not willing to do so and have negotiated a transfer instead.

Real initially offered £850,000 to ensure an early release for Alexander-Arnold but Liverpool insisted they pay a transfer fee instead.

An offer of £20m came in December last year but Liverpool were determined to keep Alexander-Arnold as they prioritised winning the title.

The transfer will take effect on June 1 when the transfer window opens and Real will take on Alexander-Arnold’s salary from that date too.

Though it may sound ridiculous Bruno Fernandes’ potential move to Saudi Arabia is closer to happening than previously thought.

Fernandes is said to be ‘seriously considering’ a move to Al-Hilal which would be a huge fiancial boon for the Manchester United captain.

Al-Hilal were adamant that Fernandes had not turned down their offer and they remain interested in pursuing a move for the Portuguese playmaker.

After spending much of his first few months at Old Trafford delivering doom-laden predictions and talking his team down, he at least provided a shift in tone. “Today, after this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming,” he said.

It prompts a host of questions. When? How? Why? Really? And if none appear to have an easy answer, there is also a question of how Amorim would define “the good days”.