The transfer rumour mill is in full swing with daily stories of players arriving and leaving.
Here we bring you the best transfer gossip and the likelihood of those transfer stories materialising.
West Ham United are looking to use money raised from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal to boost their midfield, with James Ward-Prowse top of David Moyes’ shopping list. That’s according to The Guardian, who also believe the Hammers are looking at Fulham’s Joao Paulinha and Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofanaas in a bid to revamp their starting line-up ahead of the new season. Ward-Prowse, the 28-year-old dead-ball specialist, is available following Southampton’s relegation from the Premier league, and would cost around £45 million.
More good news for Hammers fans, as the East London club are also closing in on a deal for Manchester City youngster Carlos Borges, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Borges, 19, looks set to move to the London Stadium on a permanent deal for around £14 million. City will insert a buy-back clause in the Portuguese winger's deal, but the move could be announced before the weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby is a man in demand, and Transfermarkt believe Aston Villa are leading the race ahead to sign him ahead of Saudi club Al Nassr. Leverkusen were looking for a club-record fee of €65 million for the 24-year-old winger, but a deal looks to have been agreed closer to the €55-60m mark. Both Villa and Al Nassr had fallen short with their initial bids, but with Diaby keen on a move to the Premier League, a deal now appears to be in place.
Top Saudi Pro League signings so far
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Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr): The transfer that started it all. The Portuguese superstar moved to the Saudi Pro League in January after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United. Ronaldo scored 14 goals in his first 16 Saudi Pro League games. AFP -
Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad): The first statement signing of the summer transfer window, Ballon d'Or holder Benzema joined the Saudi champions after agreeing an exit from Real Madrid. The French striker was welcomed with a fittingly grand ceremony. Reuters -
N'Golo Kante (Al Ittihad): The French midfielder soon followed Benzema to Ittihad once his Chelsea contract expired. Kante, a two-time Premier League winner and World Cup champion, adds further glamour to the Saudi Pro League. AFP -
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal): By far the most expensive player in Saudi Pro League history. While Ronaldo and Benzema are the bigger global names, both arrived on free transfers. Portuguese midfielder Neves shattered the transfer record by moving to Hilal from Wolves for £47 million. AP -
Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal): After completing the record-breaking move for Neves, Hilal turned their attention to Koulibaly, recruiting the Senegalese centre-back for £20m. Despite a difficult season at Chelsea, Koulibaly has been one of the standout defenders of his generation. AFP -
Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli): Before his long-term shoulder injury, Mendy was one of the best goalkeepers in the world, winning the Champions League with Chelsea and Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. His £16m move to Ahli can help revive his career. AFP -
Jota (Al Ittihad): The Saudi champions are making major moves this summer, and the £25m acquisition of Portuguese winger Jota boosts an attack led by Benzema. PA -
Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr): Arriving to provide support to Ronaldo at Nassr, Croatian midfielder Brozovic joined the Saudi club for £15m after another impressive season for Champions League finalists Inter Milan. AFP -
Steven Gerrard (Al Ettifaq): Major arrivals are not only happening on the pitch but in the dugout. Former Rangers and Aston Villa manager Gerrard was appointed by Ettifaq and will aim to revive his career in Saudi. AFP -
Roberto Firmino (Al Ahli): The former Liverpool forward left Anfield after eight successful seasons to lead the attack at Ahli. @ALAHLI_FC / Twitter -
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal): Arguably the most eye-catching deal of the summer. The 28-year-old Serbia midfielder has frequently been linked with Europe's biggest clubs but has opted to join Hilal in a €40m deal. His midfield partnership with Ruben Neves would be the envy of many European teams. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson (Al Ettifaq): The former Liverpool captain is expected to wear the armband following his move from the Premier League giants. The midfielder departed Anfield after 12 years, seven major trophies and 492 appearances. Reuters -
Alex Telles (Al Nassr): The Brazilian defender linked up with former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr this summer. Telles spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Sevilla, helping the Spanish club win the Europa League. He joined Nassr for a reported fee of £4 million. Getty -
Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahli) - Algerian winger Mahrez left Manchester City after five years at the Etihad Stadium in which he won 11 major trophies. In all, he made 236 appearances, scoring 78 goals. Reuters -
Allan Saint-Maximin (Al Ahli): The French winger signed for Jeddah giants Al Ahli on a three-year contract after confirming his departure from Newcastle. During his four years on Tyneside, Saint-Maximin scored 13 goals in 124 appearances. AFP -
Fabinho (Al Ittihad): An integral part of a Liverpool squad that won the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons following his move from Monaco in 2019. Capped 29 times for his country, the Brazilian midfielder joined the Saudi Pro League champions on a three-year contract. AP -
Sadio Mane (Al Nassr): After six highly successful years at Liverpool, in which he won the Premier League and Uefa Champions League titles, Mane endured a frustrating season at Bayern Munich, though he contributed to their title success. The Senegalese, 31, will be part of a fearsome attacking line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Nassr. Getty -
Malcom (Al Hilal): Not content with breaking the Saudi Pro League transfer record once, Al Hilal did so twice this summer and made Brazilian winger Malcom the most expensive player in Saudi football history. AFP -
Seko Fofana (Al Nassr): A player in demand this summer after a superb season to help Lens run PSG close in Ligue 1, the Ivory Coast midfielder opted to link up with Ronaldo at Al Nassr over moves elsewhere in Europe. AC Milan had been strongly linked. AFP -
Franck Kessie (Al Ahli): The Ivory Coast midfielder's time at Barcelona may not have worked out but he remains a top-level operator and adds more quality and star power to Al Ahli. Getty -
Moussa Dembele (Al Ettifaq): A shrewd free transfer by Gerrard's Al Ettifaq, the French striker has moved to the Saudi Pro League side on a four-year deal and should provide the goals. AFP -
Neymar (Al Hilal). The Brazilian completed his move from PSG and is one of the biggest stars in the ever-expanding Saudi Pro League. He was unveiled in front of thousands of fans in Riyadh on Saturday. Getty -
Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab). After 265 appearances across two spells at Atletico Madrid, the Belgian winger joined the Riyadh club for a reported fee of €15 million. Carrasco also spent two years in the Chinese Super League. EPA -
Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq): The Dutch midfielder enhanced the Liverpool connection at Ettifaq, joining former teammate Jordan Henderson at the Damman club coached by Reds legend Steven Gerrard. Wijnaldum, 32, has signed a three-year contract. Reuters -
Gabri Veiga (Al Ahli): Widely regarded as one of the best midfield prospects in Spain, 21-year-old Veiga signed for Ahli on a three-year deal from Celta Vigo despite interest from Liverpool and Napoli. Veiga said he opted for the Saudi Pro League to "grow the game" in the kingdom. EPA -
Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr): A vital part of Manchester City's squad that clinched a treble of league, cup and Uefa Champions League in 2023, the Spaniard switched to Nassr over the summer to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. A fee of £23.6 million makes the 29-year-old the league's most expensive defender. Getty Images -
Otavio (Al Nassr): The Portugal midfielder scored 31 goals in 283 games in all competitions for Porto after joining the team in 2014. He linked up with Riyadh-based club after Porto accepted a bid of around $65 million. AFP -
Merih Demiral: (Al Ahli): The imposing Turkey centre-back boasts Sporting of Lisbon and Juventus among his previous clubs and stood out in Serie A across two seasons at Atalanta. The 25-year-old joined Ahli on a three-year contract. Getty
Brighton & Hove Albion are reported to have beaten Fulham to the signature of Fiorentina and Brazil defender Igor, according to The Telegraph. The deal is believed to be worth £15 million, with the 25-year-old set to move to England's south coast from Italy next week. Igor has been a target for the Cottagers, who saw a £7m bid rejected. He made 27 appearances for La Viola last season.
Al Nassr are looking to add Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane to their ever-increasing rank of European-based players, according to The Athletic. The Saudi Pro League side have already signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofano, and have now added Senegal international Mane to their wanted list. Mane, 31, who is contracted until 2025, joined Bayern last summer from Liverpool but has failed to settle in Germany. Al Nassr are also looking to sign Alex Telles from Manchester United.
Manchester City are keen on bringing Raphinha back to the Premier League, but Barcelona have stated that the winger is not for sale, according to Sport. Both Barca boss Xavi and new sporting director Deco see the Brazilian as a key part of their plans for the season ahead, though they had considered selling the 26-year-old forward in an attempt to appease the club’s finances. However, despite interest from City and Saudi Arabia, the Blaugrana appear to have closed the door on any departure involving the former Leeds United star.
Southampton have turned down two bids from Monaco for 24-year-old centre back Mohammed Salisu. That’s according to Sky Sports, who believe that the French club remain interested and could return with a third bid in an effort to get their man. However, Southampton are aware of interest from Fulham and are holding out for a fee of around £20m. Salisu impressed for the Saints despite their relegation, and he also caught the eye during Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
