Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea Lead Bidding War for England Stars
The transfer window is heating up as the Premier League’s top clubs battle it out to secure the services of some of England’s most talented players. Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a joint £50m bid for Leicester City’s James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, while Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all vying for West Ham’s Declan Rice. Meanwhile, Arsenal have pulled out of the race to sign Moises Caicedo, who has decided to join Chelsea instead.
James Maddison and Harvey Barnes
Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a joint £50m bid to Leicester City for England midfielder James Maddison, 26, and 25-year-old England forward Harvey Barnes. The bid is a sign of Tottenham’s ambition to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2021/22 season. Maddison is one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League and has been linked with a move away from Leicester for some time. Barnes, meanwhile, has been a key player for the Foxes since joining from West Bromwich Albion in 2017.
Declan Rice
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea could all enter the bidding war for West Ham’s 24-year-old England midfielder Declan Rice after Arsenal’s initial £90m bid was turned down. Rice has been a mainstay in the West Ham team since making his debut in 2017 and has been tipped to make the move to one of the Premier League’s top clubs. He has been linked with a move to Manchester United in particular, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly keen to add him to his midfield.
Moises Caicedo
Arsenal are continuing to prioritise a deal for Rice and have therefore pulled out of the race to sign 21-year-old Brighton and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo. Caicedo has decided to join Chelsea, with the final negotiations now taking place. The Ecuadorian midfielder has impressed since joining Brighton in January and is seen as one of the most promising young players in South America.
Kai Havertz
Chelsea and Germany forward Kai Havertz, 24, has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, who are yet to finalise a deal with the Blues. Havertz is one of the most highly rated young players in Europe and has been linked with a move away from Chelsea since last summer. Arsenal are reportedly keen to add him to their attacking options and are hoping to complete the deal soon.
Andre Onana
Chelsea face competition from Manchester United for the signing of Inter Milan’s Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, 27, although United have also shortlisted Porto’s Portugal keeper Diogo Costa, 23. Onana is seen as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and has been linked with a move away from Inter Milan for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and could be an ideal replacement for David de Gea at Old Trafford.
Kieran Tierney
Newcastle United remain in pole position to sign Scotland full-back Kieran Tierney, 26, with Arsenal braced for bids in the next couple of weeks. Tierney has established himself as one of Scotland’s best players since joining Celtic in 2015 and is seen as a potential long-term replacement for Hector Bellerin at Arsenal. He has been linked with a move away from Celtic for some time and Newcastle are reportedly keen to add him to their squad this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund
Atalanta will demand a figure “well in advance” of their club transfer record of £45m for Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, with Manchester United and Chelsea interested in the 20-year-old. Hojlund is one of the most highly rated young strikers in Europe and has been linked with a move away from Atalanta for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and could be an ideal addition to either United or Chelsea’s attack this summer.
Warren Zaire-Emery
Liverpool are interested in Paris St-Germain’s 17-year-old French midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery, who is also admired by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and could be targeted in a swap deal for Portugal forward Bernardo Silva, 28. Zaire-Emery is seen as one of the most promising young players in Europe and has been linked with a move away from PSG for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and could be an ideal addition to either Liverpool or City’s midfield this summer.
Ilkay Gundogan
Arsenal remain in the race to sign Ilkay Gundogan this summer but the 32-year-old’s former club Borussia Dortmund have withdrawn their interest in the Germany midfielder, who is out of contract at Manchester City this summer. Gundogan is seen as one of the most experienced midfielders in Europe and has been linked with a move away from City for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and could be an ideal addition to Arsenal’s midfield this summer.
Kim Min-jae
Bayern Munich are leading candidates to sign Napoli’s 26-year-old South Korea defender Kim Min-jae, who has also been linked with Manchester United. Kim is seen as one of the best defenders in Europe and has been linked with a move away from Napoli for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and could be an ideal addition to either Bayern or United’s defence this summer.
Alvaro Morata
Saudi club Al-Tawoon has offered 30-year-old Spain striker Alvaro Morata 50m euros per year (£42.8m) to join them from Atletico Madrid. Morata is seen as one of the most experienced strikers in Europe and has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to Saudi Arabia and could be an ideal addition to Al-Tawoon’s attack this summer.
Keito Nakamura
Liverpool are among several clubs interested in signing Japan striker Keito Nakamura, 22, from Austrian side LASK. Nakamura is seen as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe and has been linked with a move away from LASK for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and could be an ideal addition to any of Liverpool, Aston Villa or Burnley’s attack this summer.
Tahith Chong
Luton Town have made a move to sign Dutch winger Tahith Chong, 23, from Birmingham City this summer. Chong is seen as one of the most exciting young players in Europe and has been linked with a move away from Birmingham City for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move to the Championship and could be an ideal addition to Luton Town’s attack this summer.
Enzo Maresca
Manchester City assistant coach Enzo Maresca is being linked with the vacant Leicester City manager’s job. Maresca is seen as one of the most experienced coaches in Europe and has been linked with a move away from City for some time. He is reportedly keen on a move into management and could be an ideal addition to Leicester City this summer.