The 2023 summer transfer window is unrelenting. Money is flying around Europe. Records are being broken. Club presidents are setting precedents. Within the same week, two English midfielders have been signed for over €100m!
Below, 365Scores discusses all of the latest transfer rumours and reports all of the latest confirmed transfers.
Rumoured:
Harry Kane to Bayern Munich: The Bavarian giants have already bid €70m for the English striker. The interest is certainly concrete. Bayern have lacked a ruthless striker since the departure of Robert Lewandowski. Kane is most definitely ruthless. For Kane, this move would give him the opportunity to win trophies, although he may prefer to stay in England where he and his family are settled. With Alan Shearer’s all-time goals record in his eye line, he’ll be keen to stick around and beat the record.
James Ward-Prowse to West Ham: With Declan Rice seemingly on his way out, West Ham have quickly lined up replacements. Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is far too good to play in the Championship. The second-highest direct free-kick scorer in Premier League history offers incredible versatility to a team’s dynamic. He may not be able to break up opposition attacks with the effectiveness of his potential predecessor Rice, but his set pieces keep the opposition constantly on their toes.
Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City: Manchester City are unrelenting. They just won the treble. You’d think they might enjoy the break and stick to the script next season, right? Wrong. Out of the club go key players Ilkay Gundogan and potentially Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker. In comes the Croatian contingent of Mateo Kovacic and now Josko Gvardiol. RB Leipzig value the Croat at over €100M, so it won’t be easy to prise him out of their hands. The 21-year-old centre-back is strong, tenacious and possesses an extraordinary passing range and ability to progress the ball up the pitch. It is no surprise that Pep wants him.
Progressing:
Jurrien Timber to Arsenal: Arsenal mean serious business. They have addressed all of the shortcomings of last season. When Saliba got injured last year, they faltered as their squad depth, especially defensively, was inadequate. Now, with Jurrien Timber on the cusp of joining, Arteta has assembled Arsenal’s version of the Avengers, versatile and powerful. Timber is an adept passer of the ball and is very comfortable in the centre-back, or full-back positions.
Andre Onana to Manchester United: Manchester United have placed their first bid for Andre Onana. Their €40m bid is short of Inter’s €60m valuation of the Cameroonian goalkeeper, but there is confidence that a deal can be made. There is no doubt, David de Gea is a fantastic shot-stopper. Regardless, his distribution and cross-claiming are subpar at best. Erik ten Hag wants to play a possession-based style of football and that starts at the back with the goalkeeper. Onana is excellent with his feet, exemplified by his exceptional distribution in the Champions League Final against Manchester City. Ten Hag knows that all too well, he managed him at Ajax.
Deal Agreed:
Kim min-Jae to Bayern Munich: At one point it looked as if the South Korean centre-back would be heading to Manchester United. Yet Bayern Munich moved quickly and the 6ft3 colossus will be making the switch from Naples to Munich. Bayern Munich now have a remarkably strong defence, comprised of Kim min-Jae, Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt.
Declan Rice to Arsenal: Arsenal have had to hustle to get Declan Rice. With three bids, staving off interest from Manchester City, and record price tags, it is clear that this is the man Arteta needs. He will become the most expensive British player of all time, his €105m beating the fees paid for Jack Grealish, Jude Bellingham and Gareth Bale. Expect this transfer to be completed in the next couple of days.
Confirmed:
Kai Havertz to Arsenal: An interesting transfer this one, the ‘Silky German’ has left Chelsea for London neighbours Arsenal. Questions have arisen about where Havertz will play for Arsenal. Upfront? As a second striker? As a left-sided eight? I’m sure Mikel Arteta has a plan for Havertz. He is a bright player, he just lacks the ruthlessness needed to thrive as a striker in the Premier League. As an eight, however, he could be much more exciting. Last season, only one player made more off-ball runs into the box than Havertz (334).
Mason Mount to Manchester United: Mount is an excellent player and physically, although not necessarily technically, will be an upgrade on the ageing Cristian Eriksen in the number eight position for Manchester United.
Sandro Tonali to Newcastle: Newcastle are not messing about! They have spent €60m on all-action midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan. Partnering star player Bruno Guimaraes in the centre of midfield, Newcastle are going to be a force to be reckoned with next season.
James Maddison to Spurs: The second signing of the Ange Postecoglou era has been announced, James Maddison. Signing from Leicester, the attacking midfielder will add a much-needed creative spark to Spurs’ play.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek to AC Milan: Todd Boehly’s clearout is unwavering. Ruben Loftus-Cheek makes his first permanent move away from Chelsea. He joined the club in 2004 as a youth player and played for the club at every level since. He will join ex-Chelsea player and close friend Fikayo Tomori at AC Milan.
Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona: Ilkay Gundogan is a fantastic player. I discussed his transfer to Barcelona in this article, examining how both Barca and Real Madrid are making serious statements of intent with their new midfield signings.
Dominik Szoboslai to Liverpool: The tricky Hungarian attacking midfielder has signed for Liverpool for €70m. At just 22 years of age, Szoboslai captains the Hungary national team, and has scored well over 50 career goals. Expect him to liven up Liverpool’s midfield significantly.
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter
