Milos Kerkez to Liverpool
Liverpool are on the verge of signing Bournemouth’s 21-year-old Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez for £40m, with the player arriving in Merseyside on June 24, 2025, to undergo a medical, per The Athletic. The deal, facilitated by Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, who signed Kerkez for Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar in 2023, is set to be finalized on a five-year contract. Kerkez, who scored 2 goals and provided 5 assists in 38 Premier League games in 2024/25, is seen as a long-term successor to Andy Robertson, though Phil McNulty notes Robertson’s competitive nature may delay a seamless transition. Liverpool’s £185.6m summer spend, including Florian Wirtz (£116.5m) and Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), reflects their ambition to defend their Premier League title. Kerkez’s versatility (85% pass accuracy, 1.8 tackles per game) strengthens Arne Slot’s squad, but a potential £35m move for Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen and interest in Marc Guehi signal further defensive reshuffling.
Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United
Manchester United are closing in on Brentford’s 25-year-old Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo after submitting an improved bid exceeding £60m, with add-ons potentially reaching £65m-£70m, per The Independent and talkSPORT. Mbeumo, who has prioritized a move to United despite interest from Tottenham, has held private talks with United goalkeeper Andre Onana, a Cameroon teammate, and is set to triple his £45,000-weekly wages. His 20 Premier League goals and 8 assists in 2024/25, praised by Sebastien Bassong for his “football IQ” and movement, make him ideal for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 as a right-sided No. 10 or winger. United, having signed Matheus Cunha for £62.5m, need sales to balance the books, with Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Marcus Rashford on the transfer list. Tottenham’s interest, leveraging new manager Thomas Frank’s past with Mbeumo, has waned as they target Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. United aim to finalize the deal before pre-season begins on July 7, 2025.
Alejandro Garnacho’s Potential Exit
Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain following his Instagram post on June 15, 2025, wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name, prompting Rashford’s “My brother” comment. The 20-year-old Argentine, dropped for the Europa League final and earlier for a Manchester derby due to poor training, vented frustration over his 19-minute cameo in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham, stating, “The final will influence my decision.” Chelsea have proposed a swap deal involving Christopher Nkunku, who has struggled since his £52m move from Leipzig, but United are reluctant to lose Garnacho (11 goals, 9 assists in 2024/25). Aston Villa and Napoli also monitor him, with a £50m+ fee expected. Phil McNulty dismissed the swap as “unlikely” but noted United’s need to sell to fund Mbeumo’s deal, per BBC Sport.
Other Transfer Updates
- Arsenal’s Christian Norgaard Interest: Arsenal are exploring a £10m deal (plus £5m add-ons) for Brentford’s 31-year-old captain Christian Norgaard to replace Thomas Partey, whose contract expires in July 2025. Norgaard’s 201 interceptions since 2021, the most in the Premier League, and 844 recoveries make him a defensive midfield anchor, though he lacks Partey’s dynamism, per BBC Sport. Arsenal’s recent signings include Martin Zubimendi (£51m) and Kepa Arrizabalaga (loan), with fans urging a striker signing like Viktor Gyokeres.
- Chelsea’s Left-Wing Pursuit: Chelsea have reopened talks for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens (£50m) and are considering Lyon’s Malick Fofana as alternatives to replace Jadon Sancho, who returned to United. Noni Madueke emerged as a surprise Arsenal target, while Liam Delap competes with Nicolas Jackson for the No. 9 role, per The Guardian.
- Liverpool’s Additional Targets: Beyond Kerkez, Liverpool retain interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak (£100m+) and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi (£70m), though Ibrahima Konaté’s rejection of a new deal adds complexity. Darwin Núñez’s potential move to Napoli fuels striker speculation, per Sky Sports.
- Club World Cup Reaction: Chelsea’s 3-1 win over ES Tunis in the Club World Cup on June 22, 2025, highlighted Cole Palmer’s form (2 assists), but Enzo Maresca faces a Delap vs. Jackson dilemma, with fans on X favoring Delap’s physicality (1.2 aerial duels won per game).
What’s Next?
Liverpool aim to announce Kerkez’s £40m transfer before their Club World Cup match against Al-Hilal on June 26, 2025, while United push to finalize Mbeumo’s deal by July 7 to integrate him into pre-season. Garnacho’s future hinges on bids from Chelsea or Villa, with United’s financial constraints necessitating sales. Arsenal’s Norgaard pursuit may accelerate if Partey departs, but a striker remains their priority. Fans on X are buzzing, with @LFC praising Kerkez’s “dynamic” play and @MUFCRumours hailing Mbeumo as a “game-changer.” The transfer window, open until September 1, 2025, promises further drama as Premier League clubs prepare for the August 15 kickoff.
