Transfer rumour ranking: London calling for Camavinga?
Eduardo Camavinga might reluctantly have to accept a move to the Premier League this summer, while Aston Villa are linked with a Newcastle star…
With so much transfer talk doing the rounds, we’re here again through the summer to sift through the bullsh*t and highlight the whispers that might have some substance.
Each day we’re ranking the top 20 rumours involving Premier League clubs, the higher the link, the more likely we feel they are to become done deals.
So we start with the tittle-tattle…
20) Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid to Chelsea
There have reports that Real are open to selling Camavinga, even if the midfielder is intent on staying put. But if Jose Mourinho wants you out, it’s usually time to make for the exit. In which case, Chelsea are said to be keen to take Camavinga because it seems they can only be linked with players Xabi Alonso has previously worked with. However, if there is genuine interest, Camavinga could help pave the way for…
19) Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea to Real Madrid
You just know Fernandez was green with envy when Marc Cucurella got the move he craves, and Real could yet come back for the Argentina midfielder. Apparently, Fernandez is Jose Mourinho’s ideal midfield signing but we cannot see them stumping up the kind of cash Chelsea would demand for a player they paid £107million for in 2023. If this drags, Fernandez’s behaviour towards the end of the window could be interesting…
18) Julian Alvarez – Atletico Madrid to Arsenal
From a safe distance across the Atlantic, Alvarez has gone public with his desire to leave Atletico, prompting the rehashing of some links with Arsenal. But it probably won’t be them. The Spanish media reckon Barca, Real and PSG are most interested, but Atletico are playing a blinder. Their public stance towards Barca is ‘no chance’ for less than Alvarez’s huge buyout clause, having teamed up with Florentino Perez recently around a supposed €150million bid from Real. Which was only designed to fulfil Perez’s election promise of a huge offer for a Champions League star while driving the price up for Barca. Given Arsenal’s priorities elsewhere, we’d be stunned if they get involved here with a straight cash offer, but there are noises around a part-exchange deal including Viktor Gyokeres.
17) Nick Woltemade – Newcastle United to Aston Villa
There are claims that Villa might be willing to pay Newcastle’s asking price of £56million for the striker they signed last summer to replace Alexander Isak. All of which feels unlikely. Villa will be more wily this summer and even if Newcastle wanted to give up on Woltemade so soon, they might struggle to find a cash buyer at that price.
16) Adam Wharton – Crystal Palace to Chelsea
Liverpool were being linked with Wharton last week amid a surprisingly quiet market for the Palace midfielder, but it seems things are starting to move. One report suggests Chelsea are ‘close’ to an agreement worth £75million, which seems bloomin’ cheap to us. If Newcastle are turning down £80million for Sandro Tonali, Palace should be hanging up on Chelsea for offering anything less.
15) Savinho – Manchester City to Tottenham Hotspur
It’s 2025 all over again as Spurs chase Savinho, who was always out of reach last summer. And if City are asking for £50million, he will be again. The Brazilian, who missed out on the 55-man squad for the World Cup, never mind the final 26, needs game time badly which City don’t look willing to offer. Arsenal might, but Spurs look his most likely destination if City don’t price him out of a move again.
14) Marcus Rashford – Manchester United to Tottenham Hotspur
Having been custard-pied by Barcelona, who could have signed the England winger for less than anyone else, Rashford is now searching for another new club. United have agreed to let him go for £40million – just not to their two main rivals – and Tottenham are sniffing. But Spurs, apparently, aren’t willing to pay the £40million – a position somewhat weakened by their extravagance elsewhere. United want Rashford’s wages off their books, so sitting tight makes sense to a point. There is plenty of interest elsewhere but all suitors seem to be taking a similar approach. This one will drag.
13) Mike Maignan – AC Milan to Chelsea
This one’s back, is it? Apparently so, according to reports in Italy, which suggest Chelsea are talking again to the France keeper’s agent. Just as they were last summer but the Blues refused to pay what seemed a quite reasonable fee. Maignan, though, is a year from becoming a free-agent so Milan’s bargaining position is even weaker. Chelsea need a keeper: Maignan wants a new challenge; and Milan don’t want to lose him for nothing. All the signs point towards a deal but Chelsea shouldn’t overplay their hand here. They tried to make do and carry on last season and it cost them.
12) Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough to Everton
This one appeared to be almost done but Boro and Everton still seem some way off on the fee, with the Toffees seeing the offer of an £18million package rejected. Boro, apparently, want something closer to £20million plus £5million in add-ons, which puts enough distance between them and Everton for other clubs to swoop. Boro are also said to be willing to take Everton’s Harrison Armstrong as part of any deal, or at least adjacent to it, which could bring the two clubs closer together.
11) Guglielmo Vicario – Tottenham Hotspur to Juventus
Juve are said to have looked at Alisson and Jordan Pickford, then cast their eye over Emiliano Martinez. But Vicario is now in the Old Lady’s sights, perhaps because he’s the most available of the four Premier League stoppers. Villa have proven themselves to be no pushovers when it comes to Martinez but Spurs would be receptive to an offer for Vicario after a wretched season for the Italy keeper. Handily for Spurs, Napoli are also interested, but they have keepers to sell first, which could prompt Juve to move.
10) Lucas Bergvall – Tottenham Hotspur to Nottingham Forest
The Sweden international has apparently told Spurs he wants to leave this summer amid a flurry of midfielders being linked with Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Forest are keen on Bergvall as a replacement for Elliot Anderson, which all tallies up quite nicely. Will Forest pay the £45million Spurs are said to be demanding? The massive fee they trouser for Anderson will make negotiating down from there very difficult. Other clubs have been interested in Bergvall in the past too – Villa and United among them – while Dortmund and Chelsea are keen now, but Forest certainly seem to have the initiative.
9) Jack Grealish – Manchester City to Everton
Grealish enjoyed his season at Everton, who certainly enjoyed having him. So another year on loan with the Toffees seems to suit all parties. Though we also aren’t ruling out something coming out of the blue for the England star.
8) Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa to Arsenal
This one is just starting to bubble up amid whispers from both clubs. Villa were playing hard to get by putting it out there that Rogers was considered ‘not for sale’, but that hasn’t deterred Arsenal, who The Times says are confident of beating Chelsea and Manchester United to the England star. Arsenal are said to be Rogers’ preferred destination. Once the Gunners make some room in their squad and budget, we can see this one happening.
7) Mateus Fernandes – West Ham to Manchester United
Spurs interest complicates things for United, who were hoping to get West Ham down even further as the window goes on. But the Red Devils still appear to be at the front of the queue for the Portugal midfielder having been dealing with the Hammers and Jorge Mendes. They just need to hope that Spurs – or Real Madrid – don’t move decisively because United seem set on playing the long game here.
MORE: Six reasons why Man Utd want £80m-rated Mateus Fernandes…
6) Sandro Tonali – Newcastle United to Tottenham Hotspur
Tonali’s agent has been trying to manufacture a move out of Newcastle since at least the start of the year, with Spurs the latest Premier League club to be linked with the Italian. Manchester City are said to be ‘undeterred’ and fancy themselves to pull off the deal, but Spurs are on manoeuvres. They have had one bid rejected and, apparently, they are willing to smash their wage structure for Tonali. Which seems… bold.
5) Yan Diomande – RB Leipzig to Liverpool
Liverpool’s first offer of £86million received a curt ‘no’ from Leipzig, which was inevitable. Apparently, the Germans would accept £112million but £26million is a big gap to bridge. Especially with PSG lurking. The Parisians, though, are said to be even more reluctant to go near Leipzig’s valuation and they have a chain involving Bradley Barcola to work through. Our feeling: this gets done, but Liverpool will have to come around more to Leipzig’s thinking than the other way around.
4) Luka Vuskovic – Tottenham Hotspur to Brighton
Our assumption was that Brighton and Tottenham would find common ground over Vuskovic given the two clubs’ motivation to sign the other’s player. But Spurs have got their hands on Jan Paul van Hecke while simultaneously rejecting an offer of £35million for a player yet to wear their colours competitively. Brighton, it was said, did not intend to go any higher – but they have. Their latest offer is claimed to be worth £45million including add-ons, which ought to be enough to make Vuskovic a Seagull.
3) Elliot Anderson – Nottingham Forest to Manchester City
City have seen a couple of offers rejected, the latest being £106million plus add-ons that could take the fee to £120million. We cannot see City getting this far only to walk away. This will get done, we reckon, but it might not be swift.
2) Marco Palestra – Atalanta to Chelsea
Somewhat out of nowhere, Chelsea appear to have themselves a new right-back. The Blues have hijacked a deal Inter were working on to agree a package with Atalanta worth in excess of £43million. A good deal for Chelsea, according to those who should know in Italy.
1) Ederson – Atalanta to Manchester United
“Certainly, everything is almost done,” said Ederson after Brazil’s win over Haiti at the weekend. United seem to have got a good deal for a midfielder who could prove to be one of their most important signings of a busy summer.