- Arsenal signs Kai Haverts at 65 million pounds.
- Mateo Kovacic joins Manchester City.
- Manchester United eyeing Mason Mount
- Gary Neville demands Premier League ban on Saudi Arabia club transfer.
The football transfer market in 2023 is running with activity as clubs aspire to make new signings to improve their squads. Almost all clubs participating in both the Champions and Europa Leagues have shown intent to do business. Before a ball is kicked in the 2023/24 season, fans from across the world will be transfixed by transfer rumors as clubs look to strengthen ahead of the new campaign. With the FIFA international window stretching into June, clubs have been forced to tweak their preseason schedules and potentially adapt transfer plans in the coming weeks. Some clubs seem to be in a tug of war trying to keep their star players while some have launched super charm offensive campaigns to try and prize off desired players from rival teams.
Kai Havertz first signing for Arsenal
Kai Havertz is set to become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window. Arsenal have closed an agreement to sign the German international from London rivals Chelsea in a deal worth £65 million. Havertz has already agreed personal terms with his new team, meaning a medical will likely be done in the coming days provided everything else goes to plan. But there remain a number of unanswered questions surrounding this deal, including what the 24-year-old’s best position is. Some supporters have argued that he has played his best football in a deeper role but Havertz operated across the frontline in the majority of his time with the Blues, earning comparisons to Robin van Persie from Arsenal icon Thierry Henry in the process.
But midfield seems to be the position that he will be used in for the Gunners. According to the recent report, Kai Havertz is the perfect replacement for Granit Xhaka who occupied the left-sided Number eight role all season in Mikel Arteta’s line-up and has already left Arsenal for the German side Bayern Leverkusen.
Mateo Kovacic to Mancity
Man City is set to sign the Chelsea Midfield player Mateo Kovacic in a deal worth £30 million. City has agreed a fee with Chelsea to sign midfielder Mateo Kovacic and the Croatian looks set to become the first new arrival through the door at the Etihad this summer. Kovacic is set for a medical at the City Football Academy in the coming days and will link up with his new teammates in time for the club’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.
The former Real Madrid midfielder made 221 appearances in his five years at Chelsea and brings plenty of Premier League and Champions League experience to the Etihad.
Manchester United interested in signing Mason Mount
Manchester United are set to submit a new and final official bid to sign Mason Mount. The final proposal will be made as Manchester United hope to sign the player for £60m. United are nearing an agreement with Chelsea over the signing of Mason Mount this summer. The Red Devils are said to be nearing a £60million deal for the England international, with the move getting closer, though it remains to be seen when another official offer is tabled.
Chelsea’s countered offer of £60 million, with a further £5million in add-ons, for Mason Mount has become his new asking price. Manchester United sent their second bid worth £45million with £5million in add-ons but saw that rejected, however, they now know exactly how much they must pay. According to a reliable source, Chelsea is now set to accept a proposal between £60-£65million.
Mason Mount’s agents have again told Chelsea that he has no plans to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge. His current deal expires in 2024, which makes a summer sale to be the expected outcome with Manchester United preparing to table a third bid after seeing their second proposal worth £50million turned down. Other teams interested in signing Mason Mount include Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool.
Gary Neville demands Premier League ban on Saudi Arabia club transfer
Gary Neville has called for the Premier League to ban transfers to Saudi Arabia until it’s confirmed that ‘the integrity of the game isn’t being damaged’. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante have already secured moves to the Saudi Pro League this summer, with plenty more expected to follow suit. Lionel Messi was once expected to get a deal in the Middle East too, but he signed with the United States and signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Inter Miami instead. With Saudi Arabian clubs eager to get their hands on some more big names, several Chelsea and Arsenal players have been subject to be interest. According to reliable sources, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Kalidous Koulibaly are expected to depart Stamford Bridge for around 138.5million while Thomas Partey has reportedly emerged as a target for Al-Nasrr, Al Ahli, and Al Khaleej. Wolves also look set to cash in on the Saudi spending spree, with Al Hilal reportedly set to cough up £47million for Ruben Neves.
From a reliable source, in an interview, the former Manchester United defender said: “The Premier League should put an instant embargo on transfers to Saudi Arabia to ensure the integrity of the game isn’t being damaged. Checks should be made on the appropriateness of the transactions. If it comes through that process, obviously transfers could open up again. But I do believe, at this moment in time, transfers should be halted until you look into the ownership structure at clubs and whether there are beneficial transfer dealings that are improper.”
Article by Abisai Maloba and Rodgers Mwangangi.
