Djed Spence has completed a £30 million move to Inter Milan from Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract. The 26-year-old full-back travelled to Italy on Thursday evening before undergoing medical tests at the CONI Sports Medicine Institute on Friday morning.
Spence is scheduled to join his new teammates as Inter Milan prepare to face Real Betis in a friendly on Saturday. Tottenham have retained a 10 per cent sell-on clause as part of the agreement for the defender, who had also arrived in Milan on Thursday night ahead of what was initially reported as a £26 million transaction.
Tottenham have begun assessing potential replacements for Spence, with Crystal Palace full-back Daniel Munoz under consideration. Tottenham are also generating further funds following the departure of centre-back Cristian Romero, who completed his medical on Thursday ahead of a £34.6 million move to Atletico Madrid. That transfer includes additional performance add-ons and a 15 per cent sell-on clause for Spurs.
Tottenham remain eager to sign Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo. Although Liverpool have not received a formal offer, they are aware of Tottenham's interest and would demand a considerable fee to consider a sale. Tottenham also remain in talks for Manchester City winger Savinho, who missed training on Thursday with a slight illness, while City forward Omar Marmoush is also on their target list.
Arsenal Transfer Discussions and Osimhen Interest
Arsenal have discussed potential terms for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen during negotiations over the potential sales of Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri. Galatasaray submitted a £38.5 million verbal offer for Martinelli, but the 25-year-old Brazilian forward is reluctant to leave London. Martinelli previously attracted tentative interest from Paris Saint-Germain, but the French club have turned their attention to Ajax's 21-year-old winger Mika Godts.
Nineteen-year-old midfielder Nwaneri, an England Under-21 international who was frustrated by a lack of game time last season, is assessing his future options. He has drawn interest from AC Milan, Fulham, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund. As it stands, Arsenal's talks regarding Osimhen have not progressed.
Arsenal have made contact with the representatives of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah. Bayer Leverkusen do not wish to sell the 23-year-old England defender, but Arsenal want to understand the parameters and know Quansah would be open to joining them. Liverpool hold an option to match any offer for Quansah under the terms of his move to the Bundesliga last year, but Liverpool have no intention of activating that clause. Arsenal are also continuing talks for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, though Villa's valuation has proven prohibitive.
Arsenal remain in talks with West Ham United over the £3 million sale of 26-year-old winger Reiss Nelson, who is hesitant about dropping to the Championship. Marseille have also inquired about Nelson. Napoli want Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, Hamburg hold interest in midfielder Fabio Vieira, and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has midfielder Martin Zubimendi on his radar.
Barcelona Draft New Proposal for Rodri
Barcelona are drafting a new transfer proposal for Manchester City midfielder Rodri after seeing a second offer rejected. Manchester City are holding out for a fee closer to £68 million for the Spain captain after turning down two bids, the second of which was worth around £55 million.
Rodri was spotted by supporters traveling back to Liverpool airport on a Ryanair flight from Madrid on Thursday evening as talks between the two clubs continue.
West Ham Break Championship Record for Engels
West Ham United have agreed a Championship record transfer fee worth £22 million to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels. The 22-year-old Belgium international is scheduled for a medical in London on Friday after West Ham had two previous bids rejected by Celtic last month. The fee surpasses the previous Championship record of £17.5 million paid by Ipswich Town to Nordsjaelland for Sindre Walle Egeli.
Italian side Como have registered an interest in Chelsea forward Liam Delap on a loan basis. Chelsea value the 23-year-old forward at around £55 million. Meanwhile, Napoli have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign defender Benoit Badiashile on an initial loan for £2.5 million, which could rise to £3.4 million with an option to purchase permanently for around £23 million. Celtic are also closing in on a loan deal for Chelsea full-back Landon Emenalo.
Manchester City defender Finley Burns has completed a permanent move to League One side Wigan Athletic. The 23-year-old England youth international joined City at age 13 and made 16 appearances for their 2020-21 Premier League 2 winning side. He made his senior debut under Pep Guardiola in a 6-1 Carabao Cup win against Wycombe Wanderers in September 2021 before a loan stint at Swansea City.
Goalkeeping Movements Across the Leagues
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is attracting interest from Championship clubs, including Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic. The 24-year-old Nigerian international will be allowed to leave on loan or permanently after Wrexham broke their club transfer record to sign goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from Sunderland for £10 million. Patterson is expected to become Wrexham's primary goalkeeper, while Okonkwo has less than 12 months remaining on his contract.
Marseille are pursuing talks for Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri. The Brazilian, who arrived at Leeds from Lyon, was previously scheduled for a medical with Torino before Marseille entered negotiations following the sale of Geronimo Rulli to Manchester City. Rulli was acquired as cover after James Trafford moved to Leeds. Leeds are also closing on an £8.2 million deal for Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi, a 29-year-old Switzerland international who can also play at right-back.
Nottingham Forest are completing the free transfer signing of Fulham goalkeeper Steven Benda, who is scheduled for a medical on Friday. Elsewhere, Juventus have revived talks with Tottenham regarding goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Midfield Deals and Lower League Transfers
Hull City have paused their pursuit of Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam after the 23-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in a friendly against Stuttgart. Hull had formalised an offer in excess of £15 million for the midfielder, who has one year remaining on his contract. Everton sources expect Iroegbunam to miss no more than three weeks with a minor injury, though he remains doubtful for the season opener against Crystal Palace. Ipswich Town, Coventry City, and two Italian clubs have made contact with Everton, while Lazio had a £15 million bid rejected in January.
Hull City's 18-year-old left-back Calvin Okike is expected to leave on loan, with Barnsley, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, and Oldham Athletic showing interest. The academy player of the year previously scored on his senior debut during a loan at Hartlepool United and featured in pre-season wins over Konyaspor and Caykur Rizespor. Hull have also completed a medical for Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt ahead of his £4.5 million move.
Liverpool left-back Calum Scanlon is expected to finalise a loan return to Cardiff City, where he spent the second half of last season, despite enquiries from Sheffield Wednesday. Liverpool midfielder James McConnell is a loan target for Preston, with interest also coming from Leicester City and other Championship sides. Wrexham are hoping to complete a £7.5 million deal for Leicester defender Harry Souttar this weekend ahead of rival bidders Sheffield United.
Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has emerged as a target for Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli. The 23-year-old will be allowed to leave Spurs and has drawn additional interest from Brentford, Aston Villa, and other European clubs. West Bromwich Albion are targeting free agent midfielder Will Smallbone following his exit from Southampton, as midfielder Alex Mowatt prepares to leave West Brom for Derby County.
In additional moves, Manchester United and Everton are discussing 20-year-old striker Ethan Wheatley, while United winger Ethan Williams has signed for Peterborough United on a deal that includes add-ons, a 50 per cent sell-on clause, a buy-back option, and matching rights. Brazilian side Palmeiras have signed Fabio So from Burnley, free agent Wilfried Zaha is training alone at former club Crystal Palace, and Brighton midfielder Harry Howell has joined Leicester City on a season-long loan.
