Transfer news: Man Utd risk Liverpool hijack, Tottenham move announced, Sesko twist

That's all for today, folks.

Come back and join us tomorrow morning for a brand new transfer blog, where we'll keep you up to date on the latest comings and goings on the first day of the transfer window!

Leeds United have explored a deal for Aston Villa attacking midfielder Emi Buendia, according to TBR Football.

The Argentine spent the second half of the season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen and may find it hard to secure a place in Unai Emery's starting line-up once he returns to Villa Park.

Leeds have also made enquiries about Gabriel Sara of Galatasaray and Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United, the report adds.

The newly-promoted Whites are determined to bag themselves a new No. 10 before the start of next campaign.

West Ham have reportedly engaged in promising discussions with the representatives of Club Brugge's defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika.

The Nigerian international has been a standout performer for the Belgian side both domestically and in the Champions League this season, even scoring against Manchester City in January.

Recently, Onyedika has become a significant target for the Hammers, although they are likely to face fierce competition from several clubs across Europe's top-five leagues.

West Ham also hold an interest in Onyedika's colleague Ardon Jashari, who was recently crowned the Belgian Jupiler Pro League Player of the Year after an exceptional season.

READ MORE

Nottingham Forest have agreed on a £17million fee with Botafogo for striker Igor Jesus, according to GE Globo.

The 24-year-old has scored 14 goals in 53 goals for the Brazilian side and previously enjoyed a prolific stint in the UAE.

It is said that Forest and Botafogo have 'reached an understanding' on the sum, and contractual discussions are currently underway.

Antony has bid an emotional farewell to Real Betis after his half-season loan in Spain.

The Brazilian international rediscovered some of his best form in La Liga after a hugely frustrating spell at Manchester United.

He will head back to Old Trafford, but talks are expected to take place between United and Betis chiefs over a permanent transfer.

Part of Antony's statement read: "Today one of the most beautiful chapters of my life closes.

"When I arrived here, I didn't know what to expect. But not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine finding what I found. From my first step at this club, I felt something different.

"It was like coming home, like reconnecting with a part of me I thought I'd lost. With you, I smiled again.

"My home. My people. Mucho Betis. Always."

Manchester City are advancing in their pursuit of Rayan Cherki, according to Ben Jacobs.

A host of clubs have been tracking the Lyon playmaker, who is expected to cost in excess of £25million.

But City have stolen a march on the rest of the pack, and talks appear to be progressing ahead of their first bid being submitted, which has been tipped for next week.

City are said to be 'leading the race' and 'advanced talks are taking place'.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham have also been linked.

Cherki scored eight goals and assisted 11 in Ligue 1 last season.

Ex-Manchester United and Tottenham full-back Sergio Reguilon has admirers at AS Monaco, according to L'Equipe.

The Spaniard will be released by Spurs this summer after coming to the end of his contract.

And he will be keen to get back to playing regular football after making just six appearances across all competitions this season.

The report states that Monaco have entered into negotiations with the Reguilon camp and their wish is to sign him.

Tottenham are leading the race to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer, according to Foot Mercato.

The Bayern Munich winger is coming to the end of his contract, and he is yet to sign an extension at the Allianz Arena.

Sane has options in a range of countries, and Arsenal have also been credited with interest.

But it's Spurs who have emerged as 'the most serious candidate from England', as Sane flirts with a possible Premier League return.

Up to now, all signs have been pointing towards Arsenal signing Benjamin Sesko.

But the Slovenian is also admired by Manchester United, who are 'particularly interested' in the Slovenian, says Bild's Christian Falk to CaughtOffside.

United's director of recruitment Christopher Vivell watched Sesko at RB Leipzig's 3-2 win at Wolfsburg in mid-April.

Vivell took the centre-forward to Red Bull Salzburg at the age of 16 in 2019 and is now hoping to bring him to Old Trafford.

Sesko will cost over £59million and potentially as much as £84m.

Manchester United are looking at Sporting's attacking midfielder Pedro Goncalves as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes, say the Mirror.

Fernandes could join the Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal for £100million in the coming days.

If the captain does leave, Goncalves, 26, is being eyed as the successor to his countryman.

Any deal would cost United £70m.

Liverpool could hijack Manchester United's interest in Atalanta midfielder Ederson, it has been claimed.

GiveMeSport report that Liverpool could swoop in for the £50million-rated Brazilian with United currently unable to bid until they sell players, as they near the signing of Matheus Cunha.

Ederson turns 26 this summer but is an excellent ball-winning midfielder who also offers attacking threat.

He scored five goals and added two assists for Atalanta this season after winning the Europa League with the same club last term, scoring seven goals that year.

Everton have made loanee Charly Alcaraz's move from Flamengo to Goodison Park permanent for just shy of £13million.

The Toffees have snapped up the Argentine, 22, on a two-year contract.

In his loan season, he contributed three goals and three assists in 18 games.

Another update on Kevin De Bruyne. He is due to undergo a Napoli medical potentially as early as Monday.

The documentation for his transfer will be exchanged tomorrow between Napoli and the player's lawyers, per Sky Sports.

If he does not have a medical on Monday, the Serie A champions will wait until the midfielder has completed international duty for Belgium in mid-June.

Bruno Fernandes has only seven days to decide whether or not he will quit Manchester United to make the move to Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hilal are ready to pay £100million to United to take the Portuguese captain to the Saudi Pro League, and will pay him wages of around £650,000 a week.

Fernandes is thought to be seriously considering the proposal after a dismal season at Old Trafford.

But the Saudis have given Fernandes just seven days to make his decision ahead of the Club World Cup, and will withdraw their offer if they do not hear back before then.

His agent has already held talks with Al-Hilal representatives at the Four Seasons hotel in Riyadh.

Dwight Yorke is desperate for Manchester United not to sell Alejandro Garnacho - but appears unlikely to get his wish.

The Argentine has been told to find a new club by Ruben Amorim but Yorke told SambaSlots: "Manchester United would be crazy to think about selling Alejandro Garnacho.

"He is so young and is a super young player, there is a high expectation at United so it’s normal to see a dip in his form.

"The issue is that there isn’t really the squad to rest him because the replacements aren’t up to the same level, he is playing too much for his age and I sympathise with that.

"If he was rested he would come back with more fire in his belly, he needs that learning curve and it’s up to the manager to help that. But he’s not getting enough rest because United cannot afford to rest him.

"I think he looks a little bit burned out rather than anything else, but I think that United would be crazy to even think about getting rid of him."

Tottenham have confirmed the permanent signing of Kevin Danso with the centre-back joining from Lens for £21million.

Spurs issued a statement revealing as well as Danso's switch, several first-team players have departed.

Fraser Forster, Sergio Reguilon and Alfie Whiteman have all left upon the expiry of their contracts.

Timo Werner returns to RB Leipzig after his loan while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's loan to Marseille has become a permanent move.

Part of why Florian Wirtz decided to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich or any other club is because of Arne Slot's detailed plans for him.

That's per The Times who say Slot spelled out to the German why his development would skyrocket on Merseyside.

It is unclear yet where the player will play for the Dutchman. Wirtz can operate centrally, as a false nine or a No.10, or on the left-hand side.

Kevin De Bruyne to Napoli is all but a done deal, per reports coming out of Italy.

It is claimed the Belgian playmaker will sign a two-year contract with the option of a third season in Naples.

The Serie A champions will get the 33-year-old for free, but per Gazzetta dello Sport, will pay him a handsome signing-on fee for picking them.

Chelsea lead Liverpool for the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, claims Christian Falk.

The 22-year-old Frenchman has become a hot commodity across Europe after a 22-goal, 12-assist season for the Bundesliga side.

Ekitike carries an £84million price tag and with Liverpool already wrapping up deals for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, Chelsea have seemingly stolen a march.

Andrey Santos has made it clear he wants to play for Chelsea next season after enjoying a productive loan at Strasbourg.

The Brazil international, 21, scored 11 goals and added five assists while captaining his loan club on multiple occasions.

Santos told the Daily Mail: “Everyone knows about my love, my desire to play for Chelsea. Enzo Maresca was very sincere with me.

“I went to Strasbourg to get minutes. Now we’ll see how it goes at the Club World Cup. The affection from Chelsea fans is something very special as well.

“Ever since the news broke that I was going to Chelsea, they started sending me a lot of messages. Back when I was at Vasco, too. And I had the spell at Nottingham, where I didn’t play, but they sent me messages there too, I’d see some posts, they’d tag me on Instagram and Twitter.”

Having conceded defeat to Liverpool in the fight to sign Florian Wirtz, Bayern Munich could now get revenge on the Reds - by pinching Cody Gakpo.

The Dutch winger is one of four wide-men on Bayern's radar as they look to respond to missing out on Germany international Wirtz.

As well as Gakpo, Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze - a former team-mate of right-sided winger Michael Olise's - are also liked.

Nico Williams of Athletic Club is another possible option, says Bild's Christian Falk.

Manchester City are planning to make an opening offer for Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki next week.

City have identified the Frenchman, 21, as their next best option to add creativity to their attack after withdrawing their interest in Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz.

Cherki produced 12 goals and 20 assists across all competitions for Lyon this season and could be available for as little as £30million.

City also want to get a deal over the line for AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders who could cost £59m.

Chelsea are planning to sign Moises Caicedo to a new long-term contract at the club.

Discussions will begin soon about extending his deal beyond 2031, per Fabrizio Romano.

Sky Sport Germany have claimed other major clubs have Caicedo on their radar after the £115million Ecuadorian's outstanding season.

Many of the Premier League's big clubs are hunting for a new centre-forward - not least Arsenal who are finally hoping to get their hands on the title in 2025-26.

The Gunners are in talks with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko, per Sky Sport Germany.

Any deal would cost at least £67million, however, which could provide a stumbling block as Arsenal consider signing the 22-year-old Slovenian frontman.

Chelsea have activated Liam Delap's £30million release clause in his Ipswich Town contract and are in the process of finalising his switch.

The 22-year-old has made Stamford Bridge his first-choice destination despite alternative interest from Man United, Newcastle and Everton among others.

The Blues are thought to have asked Delap not to travel with England for the European Under-21 Championship so he can play in the Club World Cup instead.

Having announced the signing of Jeremie Frimpong last night, Liverpool's attention now turns to securing two more acquisitions.

They are in the final negotiations, per BBC Sport, for Florian Wirtz after a bid worth a total of £109million was submitted to Bayer Leverkusen for the 22-year-old German attacker.

Wirtz has already made it clear he wants to follow Leverkusen team-mate Frimpong to Merseyside.

After him, Liverpool are also wrapping up a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez expected to be in the region of £45m.

The Hungarian is eager to join compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield.

Manchester United are edging closer to their first addition of the summer after a torrid season.

Wolves have granted United permission to schedule a medical for their talisman Matheus Cunha, per the PA news agency.

The Red Devils have met his £62.5million release clause and will now finalise a deal for the Brazilian forward.

Cunha, 25, delivered 15 Premier League goals and six assists for Wolves this season.

Good morning!

Happy Saturday and welcome to Express Sport's newest live blog ahead of the transfer market opening.

We'll bring you all the best transfer news and gossip throughout the day.