There’s always so much transfer news to sift through at this time of the year, but we’ve put together ten deals that genuinely look like ones to watch out for very soon, if Fabrizio Romano and other top journalists are anything to go by.
While there’s still plenty of time left until Deadline Day, and we’ve seen more than a few twists and turns in some major sagas in recent times, here’s a look at some signings that should go through soon due to being at an advanced stage, or that are at least being worked on at the moment.
Read on four our pick of ten transfer deals to watch out for next this summer…
Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal
After weeks of speculation, it now looks like the Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal transfer deal is more or less a done deal, with just some formalities remaining before it can be made official, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his Daily Briefing column earlier today, Romano said: “Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal – the ‘here we go’ is coming because there is an agreement between Arsenal and Bologna on a €40m fixed fee, €5m in add-ons, and a sell-on clause for Bologna.
“Calafiori had already agreed a contract with Arsenal back in June, which would be until 2029, so everything is ready for him to go to Arsenal.
“Despite some reports that the deal had stalled, the reality is that the negotiations never stopped. It was not easy, but they kept going, and now there’s an agreement.”
Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United
After some exciting early deals for young talents Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, Manchester United could make another smart move to strengthen their squad as they’ve agreed personal terms with PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
As also reported by Romano, Ugarte wants to join Man Utd, and the Uruguay international looks like he could be an important upgrade on inconsistent performers like Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat, who looked far from good enough for much of last season.
This perhaps isn’t as advanced as something like the Calafiori to Arsenal deal, as United still need to agree a deal with PSG, but one imagines they’ll be prepared t let him go as they have a midfield signing of their own in the works. More on that next…
Joao Neves to PSG
Although it’s not done yet, PSG are accelerating their efforts to sign Benfica midfield wonderkid Joao Neves, as French football expert Jonathan Johnson exclusively told us for his column last week.
Neves is one of the most exciting young players in the world in his position, and it makes sense that the Ligue 1 giants seem keen to offload someone like Ugarte and bring in this exciting long-term addition who perhaps looks a better fit for Luis Enrique’s style of play.
“Joao Neves to PSG looks to be accelerating at the moment, with PSG stealing a march on other European competitors,” Johnson said on Thursday.
“PSG are looking to negotiate a deal with Benfica, with Neves happy to make the move to the Parc des Princes. It’s now down to the two clubs to reach an agreement.”
Victor Osimhen to PSG
Another big name to watch for PSG will be Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is another concrete target for the French champions as they look for a big-name signing up front to replace departing star Kylian Mbappe.
Osimhen to PSG looks to be advancing, as Romano recently told us, and it’s fair to say the Nigeria international will be one of the biggest names to move this summer if this deal does go through.
Napoli aren’t an easy club to negotiate with, so this one can’t be considered a done deal yet, but it seems there is serious intent there from PSG, who surely need upgrades on last summer’s unconvincing new attacking duo Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.
Romelu Lukaku to Napoli
If Osimhen does leave Napoli for PSG, Romano has made it clear that Romelu Lukaku to Napoli would be one to watch, with the Belgian striker surely having no future at Chelsea.
Lukaku has been out on loan for the last two seasons, first at Inter Milan and then at Roma, and it seems he could now be set for a spell with a third Serie A club.
Even if Lukaku has flopped at Chelsea, Napoli would surely be pretty happy with him as a replacement for Osimhen up front, especially as one imagines he probably wouldn’t be too expensive.
Dani Olmo to Bayern Munich
As per Romano’s Daily Briefing column from earlier today, Dani Olmo is on the radar of both Bayern Munich and Barcelona in this summer’s transfer window.
The Spain international had a fine Euro 2024, playing a key role for Luis de la Fuente’s side as they won the tournament, and it wouldn’t be surprising to now see him leave RB Leipzig for a bigger club.
Romano notes that Olmo is someone Bayern have been looking at for a while, and that Barcelona also like him but have another priority in mind ahead of him. More on that below…
Nico Williams to Barcelona or Chelsea
Romano has made it clear just how much Barcelona want Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who was, like Olmo, another star of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning campaign this summer.
The 22-year-old is an exciting talent who could be a great fit for Barca right now, with the Catalan giants surely needing an upgrade on unconvincing attacking players like Raphinha and Ferran Torres in their squad.
Still, Williams also continues to be linked quite strongly with Chelsea by Simon Phillips, so it could be that we can’t rule the Blues out of this deal just yet either, in what could prove to be an intriguing race for someone who’ll be one of the best players in the world for many years to come.
Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus
Teun Koopmeiners has been strongly linked with Juventus for some time now, and Romano has posted about an official bid possibly coming soon, even if it also depends on player sales, with Matias Soule the name expected to make way for the Atalanta star…
Juventus have already had a strong summer by bringing in Douglas Luiz in midfield, so adding Koopmeiners to that could make them a real force again in Serie A after a difficult few years.
Eddie Nketiah to Marseille
The Eddie Nketiah Marseille links are hotting up now after we reported on interest from the Ligue 1 giants last week, and it shouldn’t be too long now before the Arsenal striker’s future is decided.
Marseille have shown plenty of ambition this summer and it seems they want to make Nketiah their next big-name signing.
Arsenal need to sell before they can make more signings, so this exit makes sense, while there could also be one other high-profile departure to watch out for. More on that next…
Emile Smith Rowe to Crystal Palace or Fulham
Emile Smith Rowe could also be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal likely to be delighted if they can make pure profit on the sale of two academy players like him and Nketiah.
As reported by Romano earlier today, Crystal Palace look set to try their luck with a bid for Smith Rowe, while Fulham have already tried but seen an offer turned down by AFC.
Smith Rowe would no doubt be an exciting signing for Palace or Fulham, but Arsenal won’t want to let him go on the cheap as he’s arguably still someone who could have an impact for the Gunners if he just has a bit more luck staying fit and takes any chance he can get to stake his claim for a place in the starting XI.