Transfer news live: Wirtz taking Liverpool medical, Mbeumo’s shock Man Utd U-turn, Arsenal eye Chelsea star

Chelsea lead the race for Borussia Dortmund’s talented young winger Jamie Gittens.

The 20-year-old Gittens has impressed at Dortmund, scoring 12 goals in 49 games this season and playing an integral role in the campaign.

He has already agreed personal terms on a long contract at Stamford Bridge, reports Fabrizio Romano, and is refusing to speak with other clubs. Now it is up to Chelsea to meet Dortmund’s price tag.

Sky Sports reports that Jadon Sancho is under consideration at Napoli, though the winger would need to take a significant pay cut if he were to join the Italian champions.

Napoli “will formally approach Man Utd if they believe a move is realistic”, and they have reportedly been in touch with Sancho’s representatives over personal terms.

United are said to prefer a permanent sale to any other type of deal, and it is thought their valuation is around £25m.

Chelsea and England winger Noni Madueke is being linked with Arsenal as the Gunners look to improve their forward options this summer.

Madueke is seen as the ideal wing complement to Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka but Blues boss Enzo Maresca has poured cold water on the speculation, insisting Chelsea have no plans on selling him.

Speaking at the Club World Cup, Maresca told reporters: “Noni is our player, you can read a lot of speculation at the moment but we consider Noni our player for the coming season.”

Manchester United remain confident of sealing a deal for Bryan Mbeumo but a new update could have thrown a spanner in the works, with the Brentford star said to have done a U-turn on an Old Trafford move.

The word all along has been that the player himself prefers a move to United but journalist Duncan Castles has said on The Transfers Podcast, that Tottenham could now be viewed as a more attractive option for the 25-year-old.

Should both teams submit offers worth £70m, Brentford’s reported asking price, it’s suggested that Spurs could win the battle thanks to the prospect on Champions League football and reuniting with Thomas Frank.

With much of the rest of the squad seemingly in top shape ahead of 2025/26, Liverpool continue to be linked with a range of strikers.

Alexander Isak has been touted as the club’s “dream” target, though with Newcastle having qualified for the Champions League it is seen as unlikely that they let their star player leave.

Nevertheless, Reds fans can hope – Isak has transformed into one of the best strikers in world football in recent months, and his signature would certainly make Liverpool favourites for back-to-back league titles (and probably a European Cup to add to it).

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and have agreed to pay the Spanish club more than the player’s €60m release clause.

Fabrizio Romano says that is because Sociedad have allowed the Gunners to fund the transfer in installments rather than an upright payment.

Both clubs are happy with the deal and the necessary next steps, such as a medical for the midfielder, will take place soon.

Florian Wirtz has landed in England for his Liverpool medical ahead of a British record £116m move to the club.

He landed at Manchester Airport on Thursday afternoon, from where he will travel to Merseyside to finalise a deal, with a medical penned in for today

Arsenal have reportedly “agreed personal terms” with their prime No 9 target Benjamin Sesko, according to Sport Bild via sportwitness, but there remains a major stumbling block in the shape of his huge price tag.

Sky Sports Germany reports that Leipzig are holding out for €80-100m (£68-86m), and Arsenal are reluctant to go that high. Even so, several reports have said the Gunners are preparing a first solid bid for the striker.

It is clearly a delicate operation, with Viktor Gyokeres waiting on hold to see how the situation progresses.