Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta are set to clash in the transfer market as Man Utd and Arsenal do busi (Image: GETTY)
The European Championships may well still be in full flow, but that is not stoping teams in the Premier League and around the wider European circuit from delving into the transfer window and preparing to splash the cash.
We’ve seen a slow start to the window thus far, with plenty of teams on English shores battling with the restrictions of Financial Fair Play regulations and having to adhere to the recent profit and sustainability deadline.
Yet most if not all clubs have now got their shops in order, and the time to begin pulling the trigger on big deals is now.
As always during a major tournament, we have seen an apprehensiveness from teams, who are reluctant to do early deals with the fear of premiums being added to price tags as a result of Euro 2024.
Yet it appears to be Manchester United and Arsenal who will jump into action first, with the age-old top flight rivals now on a collision course over the signature of one the top performers at the Euros.
Over on Merseyside, Liverpool appear to be in the final throes of organising a £20m sale, which will provide new boss Arne Slot with immediate additional transfer funds.
Stay with Express Sport today for all the latest action, done deals and medicals as they happen, live!
Liverpool £20m coup pending
A few pieces have moved in recent days, regarding Liverpool’s goalkeeping department.
It has recently been confirmed that veteran stopper Adrian turned down a deal on reduced terms at Anfield, and has departed the club.
In turn, reports have suggested that the Reds will soon look for reinforcements, especially given the desire of Caoimhin Kelleher to leave.
The Irishman was remarkable last season, in the absence of Alisson Becker, and is understood to have confirmed to new boss Arne Slot that he wishes to leave in order to be a confirmed first choice starter elsewhere.
Last summer, Liverpool were open to selling Kelleher but were firm on not entertaining any offers below £20m.
No such bids arrived, given many clubs had not had the opportunity to see Kelleher tested consistently at top level.
Now, after last season’s lengthy stint in the first XI in both the Premier League and in Europe, an imminent bidding war is expected.
Zirkzee ‘confirmed’
One name in the thick of all transfer talk is Netherlands starlet Joshua Zirkzee, who is the priority deal for Manchester United this summer.
The availabilty of the 23-year-old has spiked the interest of a host of top European clubs, but United’s interest and Erik ten Hag’s willingness to get his compatriot looks to have fended off all other advances.
And now, former Man United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears to have inadvertently confirmed the Red Devils’ deal for Zirkzee.
Zlatan – who holds an advisory role at AC Milan – has confirmed that his side no longer hold an interest in the Bologna forward.
“He’s [Zirkzee] the past. As Paulo [Fonseca] said, we have a player in mind, I won’t say his name,” he said this week.
“There is somebody, let’s see.”
United and Arsenal set for Ferdi Kadioglu fight
United are muscling in on Arsenal territory, with reports emerging that Ferdi Kadioglu is now very much in the sights of the Red Devils.
The flying full-back has been in inspired form for Turkey, who only recently crashed out of the Euros at the quarter-final stage.
United are understood to be set to meet on the player’s side in the coming days to discuss the possibility of a transfer.
Fenerbache are likely to demand north of £30m for the youngster, who has also agreed terms with Arsenal over a proposed switch to the Premier League.
Ferdi Kadioglu is now very much in the sights of Man Utd and Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1920655/transfer-news-live-man-utd-arsenal-hijack-liverpool-sale-zirkzee-chelsea-deadline