De Ligt Man United, Arsenal Calafiori

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Matthijs de Ligt’s move to Manchester United could be a player to watch this summer, as we know the team have been exploring the centre-back market. Contacts have been made between Manchester United and De Ligt’s representatives, but it may take a little longer for something more concrete to happen.

For the moment, De Ligt does not want to be disturbed during the Euros, but Manchester United have contacted his agent to understand the situation. United are considering a transfer – nothing has been decided yet but he is one of the names on their list. There are still no offers from United or any other club.

Jarrad Branthwaite also remains on the list at United, but Everton’s £70m fee is still considered too expensive. Let’s see if De Ligt can be signed on more favorable terms, or if they are also considering other alternatives to this position.

As for Bayern, the deal for Joao Palhinha seems to be dragging on, and while there is no official deadline for it, it is clear that Bayern will not continue negotiations for another three months. Still, talks continue for Palhinha, Bayern remain confident and 100% focused on the Fulham midfielder, while Palhinha himself also wants the move.

Newcastle have started to have discussions about Anthony Gordon, but the only way he could move to Liverpool is if the asking price drops significantly. Liverpool really like the player, but they’re not going to pay what Newcastle are currently demanding for Gordon, so there’s a feeling this story is unlikely for the next 24 hours, when Financial Fair Play for English clubs expires.

The only way is to receive a crazy offer from Liverpool and at the moment they are not considering paying that amount, so it’s really complicated. It was an opportunity mooted due to Newcastle’s financial situation, but that’s it – it was never close or progressed as there was a big valuation gap. It’s also important to say that Newcastle have now sold Yankuba Minteh and Elliott Anderson, so the story is over for now, Liverpool continue to value Gordon but are not moving forward at the moment.

Another big Newcastle name that has been in the headlines is Alexander Isak, but nothing is happening with Chelsea. We know Chelsea are keen on the talented striker, but it is almost impossible as Newcastle want to keep him, and I am told that Eddie Howe, at the weekend, made it very clear to the Newcastle board and owners that he does not want Isak to leave the club.

To sell Newcastle would have required a Premier League record fee of over £120m and Chelsea were never going to pay that amount. The only way to do that would have been through a swap deal but nothing is happening at the moment and it’s really quiet at the moment.

Some fans have asked me if Nicolas Jackson could be included in a trade for Isak, but what I heard is that Jackson is considered a very important player for Chelsea. They trust him and think he will play very well under Enzo Maresca next season, and that his value will increase. Chelsea have absolute confidence in Jackson and believe he will be a key player next season, and on the player side, Jackson is very happy at Chelsea, so everything is calm about that.

Negotiations between Chelsea and Leicester City for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are still ongoing. We know that Chelsea managed to make a call and derail the deal between Brighton and Leicester City – the deal fell through because Dewsbury-Hall decided not to join Brighton and wait for Chelsea.

So now the player has given Chelsea the green light and he is delaying his holiday to see what happens. However, he also respects Leicester and is not desperate to leave the club, but if Leicester decide to sell to Chelsea then the player will be willing to make the move. Personal terms would not be a problem and the relationship between Chelsea and Dewsbury-Hall’s agent is very good, so we are now just waiting for club-to-club negotiations.

Chelsea want to include players in the deal, so let’s see if they can find the right structure for the deal, but one important detail to clarify is that this is not a player Maresca has requested from the management or owners. This deal starts with Chelsea’s recruitment team. They saw Dewsbury-Hall as a very good opportunity in the market and then they got the green light from Maresca in the second phase of the story. Maresca obviously knows the player well since they were together at Leicester, and so he agreed, but it doesn’t start with the manager, it always starts with the recruitment team – that’s the policy, that’s Chelsea’s strategy.

Riccardo Calafiori’s future could be one to watch now that the Euros are over for the Italian national team after a surprise defeat to Switzerland yesterday. In May and early June, Bologna were hoping that Calafiori would stay at the club, while in February/March, Calafiori was giving his preference to Juventus, and I understand that his preference remains Juventus. He would love to play for Juve and also for Thiago Motta, who was his manager at Bologna last season.

However, as we have always said, the relationship between Bologna and Juve is complicated, because of the Thiago Motta affair. However, Juventus are still there for Calafiori, there is an agreement with the player, and it is just Bologna who are making life difficult for Juve. Now that Italy is out of the Euros, Bologna expects Premier League clubs to enter the race for the defender’s signature.

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Arsenal are following the situation closely – it’s not a negotiation yet, but we’ll see how they evolve. Chelsea also want to sign a talented left-footed centre-back, and Calafiori is one of the best. He was scouted by Chelsea this year, so he could also be one to watch, while we wait to see if other clubs join the race. We’ve had rumours about Real Madrid, for example, but I understand they’re focusing on Leny Yoro – he’s still the player they want and he wants to go to Real Madrid. Liverpool could also be ones to watch because they want a defender and Richard Hughes knows Calafiori well, although at the moment nothing concrete is happening there.

Archie Gray – Brentford are now the hot favorites to sign Archie Gray from Leeds. There were also links with Arsenal, Liverpool and many others, but it never led to anything concrete. I’m told Borussia Dortmund are very interested in Gray, and so are Tottenham. There has been no hijacking so far, but the situation remains open until he officially signs, even though Brentford are now the favorites.

Reiss Nelson – The Arsenal winger could be one to watch this summer as departures will be high, as will signings. Arsenal are in no rush to sign new players at the moment as it will depend on the right opportunities, but they could be open to some sales, with Nelson one to watch.

Tammy Abraham – Nothing has yet been announced on the future of Tammy Abraham, despite links with AC Milan. However, I expect the former Chelsea striker to leave Roma and it could be for another club in Italy, or for a return to England. At the moment it’s calm, but there will definitely be some movement.