Transfer season is here! The Premier League and EFL Championship transfer window opened June 14th with the rest of the European leagues opening July 1st, the window will close August 30th. The excitement surrounding players moving is reaching an all-time high. Clubs are on the hunt for new talent, while players and agents look to make important negotiations. With many high-profile moves around the corner, here is a list of the top 10 transfer rumors for the upcoming season.
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Top 10 Football Transfer Rumors
Leny Yoro
Current Club: Lille
Rumored Transfers: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United
18-year-old Leny Yoro has become one of the most sought-after players this transfer season after a breakthrough season this year. Yoro currently has a contract with Lille that is set to end in June 2025 however Lille’s president confirmed that Yoro will be available to sign this summer. Yoro is reported to only want a move to Real Madrid, and feelings are mutual from the club. Despite this, Madrid is not necessarily ready to meet Lille’s financial demands and may want to wait till Yoro’s free agency next summer. Other teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, and PSG have pushed hard to entice Yoro due to his young talent and potential.
Michael Olise
Current Club: Crystal Palace
Rumored Transfers: Chelsea, Manchester United
Michael Olise is a hot prospect in the transfer portal and has gotten a few offers from major clubs. Chelsea has been the frontrunner for the 22-year-old, with Chelsea reportedly having positive conversations with Olise. However, this is not the first time Chelsea and Olise have agreed on terms for a move, last summer after agreeing on a move Olise ended up signing a new contract with Palace until 2027. This contract includes an approximate €70 million release clause but Chelsea and Manchester United are prepared to cover it.
Douglas Luiz and Alisha Lehmann
Current Clubs: Aston Villa, Aston Villa (W)
Rumored Transfers: Juventus, Juventus (W)
Couple Douglas Luiz and Alisha Lehmann currently both play on the Aston Villa teams. Both players are linked to Juventus in a package deal. Luiz is set to move to Italy in a deal with Aston Villa including Juventus players Weston KcKennie and Samuel Iling. Part of the deal included that the Juventus Women’s team would also bring in Alisha Lehmann. If the transfer goes through the duo would make history as the first couple to transfer.
🚨Aston Villa couple Alisha Lehmann and Douglas Luiz set for first ever ‘couples transfer’ as negotiations ‘confirmed’ 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kaXDBJAjYV
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) June 15, 2024
Xavi Simons
Current Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Rumored Transfers: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United
Xavi Simons is currently playing at RB Leipzig on loan from PSG. While Paris seems reluctant to part permanently with Simons, many clubs are interested in permanent or loan deals. Barcelona has been interested in signing Simons for years but may be unable to make a deal due to financial constraints. Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Manchester City have also entered into conversations with Simons. Currently, there is no clear outcome as to where Simons will end up next season or if it will be permanent.
Mason Greenwood
Current Club: Manchester United
Rumored Transfers: Lazio, Juventus, Valencia
Currently, Mason Greenwood is playing for Getafe under a Manchester United loan, United is looking to auction Greenwood to the highest bidder. The first club to make a move was Lazio offering a €23 million bid. Juventus, Valencia, and many other clubs have shown interest in Greenwood but United is looking to get at least €35 million and are in no rush to sell.
Joshua Zirkzee
Current Club: Bologna
Rumored Transfers: AC Milan, Manchester United
Joshua Zirkzee is a talented young player with many clubs looking to sign him for the 2024-2025 season. Zirkzee is under a contract with Bologna that concludes June 2026, Bologna is looking to keep Zirkzee but it is an unlikely possibility. Zirkzee’s contract includes a €40m release clause which is a major drawback for previous front-runner AC Milan. This has opened the floor for Manchester United to potentially make a deal for themselves, looking to add depth to their current roster. United hopes to use the funds made from Mason Greenwood to fund a deal with Zirkzee.
Nico Williams
Current Club: Athletic Bilbao
Rumored Transfers: Arsenal, Barcelona
Nico Williams has attracted significant interest from many top clubs including, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, United, and Tottenham. Arsenal is particularly interested in Williams after being rejected by their target striker, Benjamin Sesko, and is open to triggering his €50 million release clause. Overall, while Arsenal is ready to step up their pursuit, the competition for Nico Williams remains fierce, with several clubs closely monitoring his situation. Barcelona also sees high value in Williams but is likely unable to manage the financial costs of buying out his contract. Williams has expressed interest in playing for Barcelona and waiting for his contract to expire in 2027 may be a potential option.
Ian Maatsen
Current Club: Chelsea
Rumored Transfers: Aston Villa, Dortmund
In early June Dortmund attempted to sign Ian Maatsen to their roster permanently after playing at Dortmund on a loan from Chelsea. However, they were unwilling to pay Maatsen’s full asking price of €40.6 million. This has opened the playing field for Aston Villa to sign Maatsen, at first there was discussion to include Maatsen in a swap deal but currently, Aston Villa plans to acquire Maatsen alone. The deal with Chelsea and Aston Villa is close to completion and all parties hope to be finished within the week.
Victor Osimhen
Current Club: Napoli
Rumored Transfers: Arsenal, Chelsea, PSG
Napoli player Victor Osimhen currently has a €130 million release clause, this has made him an expensive acquisition for any club. Originally, Arsenal seemed interested in Osimhen but have made it clear they will not make a deal at that price point. Chelsea and Paris-Saint Germain are other clubs interested in Osimhen. Napoli is keen on signing Romelu Lukaku which may give Chelsea the upper hand in the fight for Osimhen. Currently, deals are moving slowly due to no urgency in meeting Osimhen’s high financial costs.
Jarrad Branthwaite or Matthijs de Ligt
Current Clubs: Everton (Branthwaite), Bayern Munich (De Ligt)
Rumored Transfers: Manchester United
Manchester United is currently pursuing Jarrad Branthwaite, making an initial offer to Everton for €53.25m. Everton declined that offer, looking to get ~€82.83 for Branthwaite. United has already agreed to personal terms with Branthwaite but does not plan to spend anywhere close to what Everton is asking. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has begun looking elsewhere for defenders and former teammate Matthijs de Ligt is one of the front runners.
