The summer transfer window is open once again, running until September 1, and clubs are already stepping up their plans as they look to strengthen their squads before the new season.
Here are the latest transfer developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Former Man United coach lands new job at Stockport
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has taken on a new role at Stockport County after being named the club’s director of football methodology.
The 62-year-old Dutchman moves to Edgeley Park following his work on a World Cup campaign as assistant coach with the Iraq national team.
Fulham snap up Real Madrid stars
Fulham also made their move in the transfer market late on Monday night, announcing the double signing of £36million striker Gonzalo Garcia and £8.5million midfielder Cesar Palacios.
Fulham have completed the £36m signing of striker Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid
Both players have agreed five-year contracts, with Fulham holding an option to extend each deal by a further 12 months.
‘I’m very grateful, very happy to be here’, Garcia told the club website.
‘I have to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they’ve put in me, and I’m very, very excited to start.’
Palacios said: ‘I am very emotional to be here. I believe it is the perfect step in my career.
‘The Club is showing a lot of trust in me, and I’m going to show it on the pitch.’
West Ham in market for Spurs outcast
West Ham are among the clubs interested in signing Manor Solomon from Tottenham, as first reported in Window Watch last week.
Solomon has impressed Roberto de Zerbi during a pre season tour of New Zealand and Australia.
De Zerbi knows the Israel international well because they worked together at Shakhtar Donetsk but the winger is set to leave after failing to hold down a place in three years at Spurs.
At 27, he is only interested in a permanent move, having spent last season on loan at Villarreal and Fiorentina and the previous season on loan at Leeds, where he sparkled as they won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
Fiorentina retain an interest despite not taking up the option on a permanent deal after his loan.
West Ham are among the clubs interested in signing Manor Solomon from Tottenham
Others are also monitoring the situation, and Spurs have to sell players to clear space in De Zerbi’s squad and generate more income.
West Ham are in the market for a winger after selling Crysencio Summerville, but captain Jarrod Bowen has committed his future to the Hammers despite relegation.
MATT BARLOW
Preston boss hits out with Whiteman set for exit to Wrexham
Preston North End have accepted a £3million bid from Wrexham for their wantaway captain Ben Whiteman.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom voiced his displeasure at the weekend, saying Whiteman had crossed a line after telling them he had played his last game for the club in an effort to force through the move.
‘Ben knew there was a line I didn’t want him to cross and unfortunately he has,’ Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire. ‘There’s a valuation on him, I just hope for Ben’s sake that Wrexham are willing to pay it otherwise he’s put himself in a sticky situation. He’s made his bed. I’m not bothered as long as I get another player.’
The 30-year-old midfielder is now free to have a medical and complete the transfer, with personal terms not expected to be a problem.
The deal is expected to go through in the next 48 hours and Preston are looking to reinvest the money in another three or four new signings this summer.
Paul Heckingbottom says Ben Whiteman has ‘crossed a line’ in making his move
Hammers plot £18m bid to land Parrott
West Ham are preparing to outbid European rivals to sign former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott.
The Hammers want to bolster their attack quickly with the new Championship season looming and after being rebuffed for Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor, are targeting AZ Alkmaar forward Parrott.
The Republic of Ireland international has interest from Ajax, Como, PSV Eindhoven and Real Betis but Alkmaar are reluctant to sell to a Dutch rival.
The Hammers hope an offer of around £18million will be enough to fend off the competition.
Parrott struggled while at Spurs but after an initial loan to Excelsior Rotterdam he began to find his feet and has been prolific with Alkmaar since.
Read more on this story HERE
Troy Parrott celebrates winning the Johan Cruyff Shield with Alkmaar on Sunday
Henderson’s relish as he joins Chelsea
Chelsea have announced the signing of 36-year-old Jordan Henderson, after he was allowed to leave Brentford with a year left on his deal.
‘Given the size of the club, the manager, who I have great admiration for, and the quality of the players, this was a huge opportunity I couldn’t turn down,’ Henderson said.
‘I was also so impressed with how much the ownership want Chelsea to be successful and move in the right direction.
For more on this story click HERE
Jordan Henderson signs on the dotted line as he joins Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea revolution
Sunderland block the door to Isidor
West Ham have asked to take Sunderland winger Simon Adingra on loan, but the Wearsiders have no plans to sell forward Wilson Isidor.
West Ham have asked about both players but after initial conversations Sunderland have made it clear that they want to keep Haiti international Isidor.
Discussions are ongoing between the clubs over a straight loan for 24-year-old Ivory Coast international Adingra.
Despite interest from a host of clubs, however, Sunderland will not entertain offers for Isidor. The 25-year-old remains an integral part of their squad ahead of their season in European competition and the club believe he can build on an excellent World Cup with Haiti.
West Ham are continuing to discuss AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott while Lazio are interested in the Hammers’ German international forward Niclas Fullkrug.
Wilson Isidor is back after the World Cup and Sunderland say he is not for sale despite interest
Como agree £26m Chalobah deal… as Napoli eye Badiashile
Chelsea and Como have agreed a £26million fee for defender Trevoh Chalobah.
The deal will include a further £5.2m in add-ons for the 27-year-old England centre-back who is expected to travel to Italy on Wednesday evening.
Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile continues to attract interest from Napoli. The Blues are looking to recoup funds for the French centre-back as well as for Axel Disasi who has been the subject of talks with Crystal Palace and West Ham – both are discussing offers.
Disasi had a spell on loan at West Ham last season but ideally wants a top flight offer.
Chelsea hope to make progress with Rayo Vallecano over the purchase of left wing-back Pep Chavarria.
Trevoh Chalobah is on his way to Como, managed by former Blues star Cesc Fabregas
Newcastle reject Arsenal bid for Bruno as he joins Magpies in La Manga
Arsenal’s opening bid for Bruno Guimaraes has been rejected by Newcastle. As reported earlier, the clubs are now in direct talks over a deal for Brazilian.
Guimaraes has landed in Spain and is travelling to report back for Newcastle’s pre-season camp in La Manga today.
Newcastle’s new manager Matthias Jaissle is at La Manga with the squad and wants to meet the captain.
Bruno Guimaraes is subject of interest from Arsenal but they have not yet made a formal offer
Guimaraes confirmed his arrival in Spain on Instagram on Monday evening
Bernardo gets shirty at Real
Bernardo Silva has arrived at Real Madrid as he joins up with Jose Mourinho’s side. The 31-year-old left Manchester City at the end of last season.
The Portugal star, who has returned from the World Cup, was seen signing shirts for fans after medical tests.
Man United would loan out Chido Obi for game time
Manchester United are willing to send striker Chido Obi Martin out on loan this summer.
The 18-year-old Denmark U21 international had interest from Cologne earlier in the window, but they have moved to sign Jaiden Heskey from Manchester City and are lining up Tottenham winger Mikey Moore.
Chido Obi joined United from Arsenal’s academy in 2024 and has made seven first-team appearances though failed to score.
United want to ensure his next club is one where he can develop properly with competitive game time.
Join the queue for Everton’s Tim
Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is attracting increasing interest from rival Premier League clubs and from abroad.
Coventry City, Hull City and Ipswich Town have all made enquiries while two Italian clubs have also asked about the 23-year-old.
Lazio tried to sign the former England U20 international in January.
Everton are continuing to discuss a deal for Arsenal’s Christian Norgaard which, if completed, could pave the way for Iroegbunam to depart once a suitable offer comes in.
Everton paid around £9million to Aston Villa for Iroegbunam in 2024.
Tim Iroegbunam joined from Aston Villa two years ago
Coventry keen on Mudryk
Chelsea have received multiple approaches about Mykhailo Mudryk from clubs following the news of his return to football – including three from the Premier League.
Coventry City, managed by Frank Lampard, who worked with Mudryk at Stamford Bridge in 2023, are believed to be among those to have enquired, sources have told Daily Mail Sport.
All options are open between Mudryk and Chelsea this summer, including whether to send him out on loan after his sudden comeback from a doping suspension.
Read more on this story HERE
KIERAN GILL
Click below for all the transfer developments over the last few days…
SUNDAY: Chelsea seal deal for England’s Argentine nemesis
SATURDAY: Man United star becomes target for Spanish club
FRIDAY: Newcastle agree deal for goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek
THURSDAY: John Stones seals Inter Milan move
WEDNESDAY: Man City push for World Cup wonderkid amid doubts over Rodri’s future
TUESDAY: Man United open to offer for four academy graduates
