Open and shut case for transfers
This unusual two-part summer transfer window has seen its first half come to an end.
The reason this year’s summer market is different is the revamped Club World Cup, which will begin this coming Sunday.
To accommodate clubs wanting to sign players ahead of the controversial tournament, the transfer window opened early on June 1.
But due to FIFA’s rules stipulating the transfer windows in a calendar year when combined cannot be greater than 16 weeks, a break had to be inserted – therefore the first window closed tonight at 7pm BST.
The initial 10-day period applied only to the 20 national associations with teams playing in the Club World Cup to allow them to register players for the group stages of the competition.
That includes England, with Manchester City and Chelsea set to compete in the tournament.
The summer transfer window reopens on June 16 and will remain open until September 1.
Teams participating in the Club World Cup who sign players from this date can register them for the knockout stages of the competition.
Mini window shuts tonight
The mini transfer window will slam shut this evening at 7pm.
But it will reopen before the start of the Premier League season.
Clubs will be able to be active again from June 16.
It will then shut again for the summer on September 1.
Top Arsenal and Man Utd target ‘wants transfer’
Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly made it clear he wants to leave Sporting Lisbon.
The in-demand striker believes it id the right time to move on and make the next step.
The claims have come from Portuguese outlet A Bola, which revealed he had better proposals last summer before choosing to stay.
The Swede is heavily linked with Manchester United but Arsenal have also been tipped with an interest.
The Gunners could move for the striker should they miss out on Benjamin Sesko.
Athletic step up bid to keep Gunners target
Athletic Bilbao are trying hard to persuade Arsenal target Nico Williams to sign a new deal.
Spain’s Euro 2024 has long-been the Gunners’ preferred option as a new winger.
But Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also reportedly monitoring the 22-year-old.
Williams is under contract until 2027, with a reported £40m release clause.
Reports in Spain suggest that fee is a stumbling block.
And now it’s claimed Athletic are working harder than ever to extend their star man’s stay.
Al-Hilal join Sesko race
Arsenal’s status as favourites to land Benjamin Sesko is wobbling.
Al-Hilal are reportedly joining the hunt for RB Leipzig’s goal machine.
The Saudi big-spenders had a £63millin-plus bid for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen rebuffed.
And now Al-Hilal have reportedly turned to Sesko.
The Slovenian 22-year-old has also been mentioned in connection with Manchester United.
But it’s understood the Gunners have been in pole position for several weeks.
Arsenal are said to have held talks with Leipzig over their star man.
But competition to sign Sesko just got a lot tougher.
Zubimendi still likely
The rumours swirling around Martin Zubimendi over the past few days have, understandably, worried Arsenal fans.
Reports claimed that the Spanish midfielder could be snatched from under their noses amid interest from Real Madrid.
But Gunners supporters can breath a collective sigh of relief after David Ornstein of the Athletic confirmed that the Arsenal move is still set to go ahead.
While Real Madrid correspondent Mario Cortegana extinguished any concern when he revealed that, as much as Madrid admire Zubimendi, they did not actively work on recruiting him this summer.
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