Transfer news live: Zubimendi throws Arsenal move into doubt, Liverpool get £18m boost for Wirtz signing – UK Times

Bruno Fernandes has revealed that he rejected a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal to stay at Manchester United.

The United captain said he wants to carry on playing in the major competitions and said that manager Ruben Amorim kept asking him to remain at Old Trafford.

And Fernandes, who could reportedly could have quadrupled his wages, said his wife and Amorim persuaded him to stay as he preferred to carry on competing for trophies in Europe.

Some injury news concerning Chelsea and Liverpool target Hugo Ekitike.

The Eintracht Frankfurt forward has withdrawn from France’s squad for the Under-21s Euros this summer, with the French Football Federation citing back pain that “will prevent him from being fit for the start of the competition”.

The 22-year-old is one of the most sought-after forwards around this summer and showed his class when scoring a hat-trick for France’s U21s in a 5-3 win over England in March.

It had been thought that Benjamin Sesko would cost Arsenal €100m (£84m) this summer but Fabrizio Romano is now reporting that he is likely available for less.

The RB Leipzig star is one of the Gunners’s top targets in the priority No 9 position and Romano says the club are already aware of the potential contract terms and Leipzig’s demands, which are believed to be lower than his previously reported €100m price tag.

The Slovenia international, who signed a new, four-year deal with Leipzig last summer, enjoyed a career-best season, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists across all competitions.

At the other end of the pitch there’s less good news for Arsenal, as they’ve reportedly missed out on goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

Garcia, 24, was hugely impressive in helping Espanyol avoid relegation from LaLiga and Arsenal were said to be interested in bringing him in.

But Spanish outlet Sport are reporting that Garcia will instead join Espanyol’s local rivals Barcelona on a five-year deal after Barca agreed to pay his £21m release clause. The deal is set to be completed next week.

Manchester United appear to be holding on to Bruno Fernandes, in good news for Ruben Amorim – for now.

The Portuguese midfielder had been mulling a lucrative offer from Al-Hilal, but Fabrizio Romano reports that the club captain has rejected their proposal as he wishes to stay in Europe.

Could that mean a move elsewhere, though?

Manchester United appear to be active players in the early market despite missing out on European football next season.

A deal for Matheus Cunha has already been agreed with Wolves and now it appears that another Premier League forward is being targeted following a standout campaign.

The Athletic report that Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is keen on a move to Old Trafford with talks underway between the two clubs.

Newly-promoted Sunderland have dipped into the transfer market with the permanent signing of Enzo Le Fee from Roma.

Le Fee had been on loan at the Stadium of Light since January and played a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

The move from loan to permanent, on a four-year contract, was reliant on the Black Cats gaining promotion and the fee is understood to be in the region of £20m, which is a club record.

Le Fee said: “I said before the play-off final that my heart was in Sunderland – I wanted to stay, and this made it the most important game of my life. Together, we did it.”

Simone Inzaghi has left his role as Inter Milan head coach just three days after his side succumbed to a historic demolition in the Champions League final at the hands of PSG.

Inzaghi failed to guide the Nerazzurri to the fabled European crown in Munich, his second attempt having previously lost to Manchester City in the 2023 final.

The 5-0 defeat to PSG compounded Inter’s devastating season climax after missing out on the Serie A title to Napoli just eight days prior.

Inzaghi is now expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Newcastle have expressed an interest in signing Brighton forward Joao Pedro.

Pedro has a number of admirers in the Premier League and Europe, with Newcastle having him on their shortlist of striker possibilities.

According to Sky Sports News, Pedro would only consider a move to a club where he was first-choice striker, which could be a stumbling block given the presence of Alexander Isak. However, the prospect of Champions League football is a positive.

Tottenham skipper Son Heung Min could be set to leave the club this summer as they seek to reshape their squad ahead of their Champions League return.

The Telegraph are reporting that there are Saudi Pro League clubs prepared to make big offers for the 32-year-old forward.

He has one year left on his contract, so would generate a fee for Spurs, and Saudi clubs are particularly interested in the South Korean given his profile in Europe and Asia.

A club legend, he finally won a trophy with Tottenham when lifting the Europa League last month, and the speculation comes with boss Ange Postecoglou also expected to depart this week despite brining cup success.