Transfer news live - Sesko makes Arsenal decision and Man Utd want Chelsea star

Goodbye!

That's all we've got time for on the transfer front this afternoon.

BUT that does not mean we're going anywhere. Tune into our coverage of the Champions League final throughout the afternoon.

Arsenal set Sesko deadline

Arsenal want to complete a quickfire deal for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, after he gave his approval to a move.

According to Sky Germany, the Gunners want to seal a deal in the next fortnight. It is suggested that all parties want his future resolved by Euro 2024.

Benjamin Sesko (Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images)

Van den Berg demands exit

Liverpool star Sepp van den Berg has told the Reds hat he wants to leave this summer.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, he said: "(Liverpool) didn't exude confidence in me all this time, but you do want to hinder my future. I want to keep playing every week and develop myself further. In Germany, I enjoy Dortmund away with 70,000 people, Bayern Munich away against Harry Kane, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Leverkusen, against clubs like that I am challenged every week."

Modric pens new deal

Luka Modric has already committed his future to Real Madrid, with an announcement on a new contract forthcoming.

Modric sees his current deal expire at the end of the season and would be free to leave for nothing. As per reports in Italy, the Croatian midfielder has already put pen to paper on a new deal.

World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow

Kimmich opens up on future

Barcelona and Liverpool target Joshua Kimmich has admitted there is uncertainty regarding his future eith Bayern Munich.

“That‘s not just up to me, but also on the club,” he said to Sky Sports Germany.

“The situation isn’t uncertain for me; I still have a year left on my contract. My focus is on the Euros. After that, I’m sure there will be a discussion. Bayern is my first point of contact."

Ten Hag refuses to take blame for Man Utd failures

Erik ten Hag has given his say on Man United's transfer business over recent yars - and does not believe he is to blame.

Ten Hag said: “The prices paid for players are indeed very high - but I am not responsible for that. The club did all the negotiations, including with very good potential players who didn't come in the end.

“So it is all a bit more nuanced than the picture that is being painted that the purchase policy is disastrous. It's all negative, but despite all the problems, the foundation at the club has grown stronger. That may not all be visible to the outside world now, but everyone internally will make that analysis.

“With talents like (Kobbie) Mainoo, (Alejandro) Garnacho, Hojlund and also someone like Amad Diallo, who has developed very strongly, the future looks bright.”

Van Dijk drops brutal Man Utd and Everton dig

Virgil van Dijk has torn into Man United and Everton by claiming he would never play for either of them.

Asked by ProDirect which of the two he would chose to play for, he replied: “Haha, I’m not even going to answer that question because it would never happen."

(PA)

Podolski wanted 'impossible' Kane move

Former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski wanted to see the Gunners move for Harry Kane last summer.

Speaking to Mail Online, he said: “They’ve made a huge step forward, but at the moment they are playing with Kai Havertz up front.

“They brought in Declan Rice but if they really want to compete next year they need a No 9, a target striker who scores goals.”

Asked which striker he wanted to sign, the German added: “Harry Kane was the one who wanted to change, but with his history of Tottenham, of course it is not possible to move to Arsenal.

“That is why he moved to Bayern Munich. It was a good move for Bayern Munich and him. He was the only option on the market.”

Arsenal to battle Chelsea for Hartman

Arsenal are ready to take on Chelsea for Feyenoord defender Quilindschy Hartman.

The left-back has long been linked with switch away from to the Eredivisie but an injury has stalled his hopes of leaving. The Telegraph reports that Mikel Arteta has been keeping tabs on the young defender with Oleksandar Zinchenko potentially leaving the Emirates.

Juve leading Greenwood race

Juventus are now heading the queue for Mason Greenwood, who is poised to leave Manchester this summer.

His impressive year with Getafe has got top clubs circling and, whilst Barcelona were thought to be a likely destintation, the Italian giants are now in pole position, reports The Sun.

Chelsea may have to sell homegrown talent

Transfer expert Dr Dan Plumley has admitted that Chelsea, who are yet to get back to the heights they've enjoyed for so long, may have to sell their homegrown players in an effort to remain compliant financially.

He told instantcasinos: “There’s certainly a valid narrative that Chelsea will need to shift some of their homegrown players such as Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah for pure profit in the short term,” he said.

“In terms of a worst-case scenario if they continue to miss out on the Champions League in future seasons, they will definitely have to sell even more players to balance the books a little – even those that they’ve brought in as part of that high-risk strategy. I think that’s how it would play out."

Liverpool join Guimaraes chase

Liverpool have joined the race for Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal too are keen but the Reds, having lost Thiago, are in the market for reinforcements, as per AS.

The Brazilian is thought to have a release clause worth around £100m in his contract active until the end of June and the Magpies have been linked with a big-money sale.

Mbeumo's future hint

Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is on Liverpool’s transfer radar and has said he wants to play in the “biggest competitions, at the best clubs”.

The forward has impressed at the west London outfit, stepping up in the absence of Ivan Toney, but looks keen to move on and seek a new challenge.

Everton open to sales, no mass exodus

Everton will listen to offers for their top stars after their takeover agreement expired on Friday.

The Sun reports that the club will be open to bids for every member of their squad. Everton are understood to be open to potential sales but senior figures have rejected the idea there will be a mass exodus.

Sporting open to Diomande offers

Man United are weighing a move for Ousmane Diomande with Sporting prepared to compromise on their asking price in order to attract summer bids.

The Portuguese outfit were originally demanding a huge sum with the player thought to have a release clause, but may consider accepting a lower bid.

Ederson will have to force Man City exit

Ederson will have to hand in a transfer request if he wants to leave Manchester City. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been offered a lucrative deal to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad and is weighing up his future.

It's understood Ederson would like a fresh challenge elsewhere, having won all there is to win with Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions. But Guardiola does not want to lose Ederson - and the club are not actively looking to sell him.

It means Ederson will have to force the issue to engineer an exit route from the Etihad - and ask for a transfer.

Shearer calls on Arsenal to land two "quality players"

Alan Shearer believes Arsenal still need to bring in two 'top-quality' players if they are to win win the Premier League next season. The Newcastle legend insisted that the Gunners are capable of 'big things' but a successful summer window is needed.

"We got it spot on," Shearer gloated on the Rest is Football podcast, referring to his pre-season prediction that Arsenal would finish second. "Pushing City all the way, that's what they did, until the last game of the season.

"They've improved, Declan Rice improved them, and he's had a good season. I think big things are to come from Arsenal if they can get two top-quality players to add to what they have already got, I think they could do it next season."

Bayern eyeing Zinchenko

Bayern Munich are sizing up a move for Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the Ukranian having dropped down the pecking order at Arsenal. The 27-year-old slipped behind Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior under Mikel Arteta.

That has led to suggestions that he could depart the Emirates Stadium this summer, just two years after he joined for £34million. He has now emerged as a target for Bayern, who are set to lose Alphonso Davies to Real Madrid.

Konate dismisses PSG links

Ibrahima Konate admits it is "logical" that links would be drawn with PSG but he has no plans to leave Liverpool.

The French centre-half was dislodged as first choice towards the end of last season with youngster Jarell Quansah coming in and establishing himself alongside Virgil van Dijk. Konate was signed in 2021, but a reduction in his minutes has fuelled talk of a move away.

He told RMC Sport: "I'm happy at Liverpool so my head is there. I don't even think about it. I am focused on the pitch and the Euros this summer. It's a bit logical because I was born in France and in Paris. I have six older brothers and they all support PSG. We watched a lot of matches together and I went to the stadium a lot when I was younger.

"There is a little story with PSG but I made my own. I played at Sochaux, then Leipzig before Liverpool. I am happy there and I am not paying too much attention."

Martial's three options

Anthony Martial is being eyed by three clubs after finally leaving Manchester United.

According to Sky Sports, a return to his homeland appears to be the most likely destination. It is claimed that Ligue 1 rivals Lyon and Marseille are both interested in bringing in Martial this summer. The other frontrunner is Besiktas, with the Turkish Super Lig side said to be contemplating a move.

Mbappe announcement imminent

French media are claiming that Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid will be announced at the start of next week.

That is all due to Real being involved in tonight's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund with the PSG star set for a blockbuster move after his contract ran down in Paris.

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Martial attracting interest

Anthony Martial is being eyed by three clubs after his departure from Manchester United.

According to Sky Sports, a return to his homeland appears to be the most likely destination. It is claimed that Ligue 1 rivals Lyon and Marseille are both interested in bringing in Martial this summer.

A move to Lyon would see Martial return to the club where he started his career, having joined their academy at the age of 14. The other frontrunner is Besiktas, with the Turkish Super Lig side said to be contemplating a move.

Leeds star demands answers on future

Leeds star Maximilian Wöber has demanded an answer to the question of his future, having spent the season on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

“My goal was to answer the club question before the Euros. But it is what it is now. I told my manager that he didn’t need to call me or tell me anything for the next four weeks. I want to play the European Championships now. After that we’ll see where it goes," he said.

“It will also depend on what they (Leeds) say. But they will probably have to digest this playoff defeat for a week or two. We’ll see how they want to line up and whether I’m in their plans or not.

“If you are in contact with the manager the whole time, you automatically deal with it, start looking for an apartment, organize the move and talk about it with family and friends. I just want to ignore it and not worry about it.”

Lazio chief hits out at Kamada

Lazio sporting director Angelo Fabiani hit out at Daichi Kamada as he tries to force though a move to Crystal Palace.

“When there is the wind of change, either you have solid foundations or you are swept away,” Fabiani told Lazio Style Channel.

“It is the members who are at the service of the club and not the other way around. Last year we focused on Kamada because we were looking for a player with the characteristics of Luis Alberto who had not shown up for training camp and wanted to leave annual contract to be rediscussed on May 30th.

“Yesterday the time for renewal expired and they asked us to propose the same conditions again, but we found ourselves faced with something unexpected great rudeness.

“I don’t let anyone blackmail me, I calmly said that I wasn’t interested in discussing this ‘extortion’. These gentlemen, agents and footballers, must understand that whoever comes to Lazio must embrace the project and love Lazio.”

Arsenal's two needs

Arsenal require two players to finally lift them above Manchester City's individual quality after finishing Premier League runners-up for a second season running - according to Jamie Carragher.

Another crucial summer transfer window awaits the Gunners as they bid to craft a squad capable of eclipsing Pep Guardiola's behemoths. City have clinched an historic four Premier League titles on the bounce and six in seven years since the former Barcelona boss arrived in Manchester.

To end that dominance, as well as Arsenal's 21-year league title drought, Carragher believes Arteta needs to sign a new left-back this summer and a "great attacker" to support Bukayo Saka further forward.

And the ex-Liverpool defender explained exactly why.

United on brink of signing Australian teen

Manchester United are reportedly on the brink of securing a deal for young talent James Overy, who has been playing non-league football in Devon.

The 16-year-old, who is eligible to play for both Australia and England, left Australian team Perth Glory last year when his family moved to England.

Since then, he's been playing for Newton Abbot Spurs' first team, but he has attracted Premier League attention after impressing in a pre-season friendly for Perth Glory against West Ham.

Catch the full story.

Window so far

The window is still in its very, very early stages but across Europe more than 70 deals have been completed worth north of £400m.

How many billion will that figure reach and how great a majority of the spending will come the Premier League round the chatter remains focused on themerry go round rather than player transactions.

A flurry of moves could arrive in the coming days but there is certain to be a lull during the Euros before it picks back up again when pre-season rolls around in late July.

Mbappe announcement soon

French media are reporting that Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid will be announced at the start of next week.

That is all down to Real being involved in tomorrow night's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

Confirmation of the French star's arrival may have been a distraction as Carlo Ancelotti's side build up to that game - even though the world has known about the transfer for weeks.