Transfer rumors, news: Bayern eye Brighton winger Mitoma
Manchester United are in the running to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Bayern Munich are eyeing up Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are eyeing a move to sign Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma, according to Sport Bild. Mitoma, 28, has scored 10 goals and contributed three assists in 35 games this season and was the subject of two rejected bids from Al Nassr in January, the last of which was reported to be £75m. Now, the Japan international has caught the eye of Bayern and a fee of £40m might be enough for him to depart.
– Manchester United are in the running to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, as reported by L’Equipe, which adds that the Red Devils want Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres in addition to signing Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha. Mateta will evaluate his options as he wants to be on the France national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 27-year-old returning to playing his domestic football in Ligue 1 isn’t out of the question.
– Al Hilal are holding talks with Victor Osimhen ahead of the striker’s loan from Napoli to Galatasaray ending, reports Footmercato, which adds that the Saudi Pro League club view him as an ideal recruit, even if they have to offer a large salary. Talks are currently going in a positive direction, while Manchester United are interested but struggling to establish a concrete position, with the 26-year-old wanting to sort his future quickly.
– Real Madrid are looking for a replacement for Luka Modric, who announced he would be leaving in the summer, and have targeted Man City’s Rodri, says AS. The Ballon d’Or winner missed most of the season with an ACL injury is now fit again and could play at the Club World Cup next month. Rodri, 28, has a contract until 2027 and City wouldn’t let him go for anything under €100m. Though Madrid have also been linked with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller.
– Arsenal are torn between their two striker options this summer, says The Athletic. The Gunners have been tracking RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyökeres but are unsure who to pursue as their preferred target. Sesko has 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, while Gyökeres managed 53 in 51, and both strikers would be allowed to leave for around €70m. Sesko is five years younger than Gyökeres though, which may tip the balance.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Sam Tighe explores why Manchester United would be keen on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It’s not just the goals that mark Mateta out as a top striker — it’s everything else that accompanies them, too.
He’s 6-foot-4, strongly built, has decent speed to get in behind the defence, but most impressively of all he holds the ball up and links play brilliantly. Crystal Palace’s creative midfielders, such as Eberechi Eze and Ismaïla Sarr, absolutely love playing off him, as he distracts and occupies centre-backs before laying the ball to them.
What we’re describing here is the modern target man: A hustling, bustling handful for defenders who can also run the channels, work in tandem with midfielders and chip in with his share of goals, too. Mateta has 14 from 36 league games this term, which are good numbers.
He’s exactly the kind of player Manchester United used to sign: A Premier League-proven, peak age (27) striker who needs no time to bed in and adapt. It’s been almost eight years since the club signed a No. 9 from inside the league (Romelu Lukaku in 2017), despite that strategy bringing them an assortment of brilliant players over the years, like Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
Mateta isn’t on a par with any of those names, but he is the kind of dependable forward United look badly in need of right now.
OTHER RUMORS
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How Manchester United can recruit for the rebuild
Mark Ogden talks about Manchester United’s recruitment approach to improve the squad for next season under Ruben Amorim.
– Chelsea are stepping up their search for a new goalkeeper and have identified Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Burnley’s James Trafford as their main options. (TEAMtalk)
– Monaco are leading the race to sign Barcelona winger Ansu Fati. The 22-year-old has struggled for game time amid a bad injury run and could leave for less than €25m. (Mundo Deportivo)
– Kevin De Bruyne, 33, has a straight choice to make between joining MLS side Chicago Fire or Serie A giants Napoli once his contract at Manchester City expires this summer. (BBC)
– De Bruyne’s potential replacement, James McAtee, 22, is considering a move away as his contract expires in 2026 and no new deal has yet been offered. Bundesliga duo Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are reported to be interested in signing him. (Sky Sports)
– PSG have joined the race alongside Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea, to sign Argentina teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono, 17, for his release clause of €45m. (TyC)
– Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa and Saudi Pro League clubs are closely monitoring Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena, 23, who has a €55m release clause. (Estadio Deportivo)
– Leicester City’s veteran striker Jamie Vardy, 38, will leave the club in the summer and could move to Valencia. (The Sun)
– Bayern Munich are set to start discussions with defender Dayot Upamecano over a contract extension until 2030. (Sky Germany)
– Talks are in progress between Real Betis and Manchester United regarding the LaLiga club keeping Antony once his loan has finished. Los Verdiblancos see the 25-year-old winger as a key player for their side and view keeping him past this campaign as a priority. (Nicolo Schira)
– Liverpool have reignited their interest in Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon after coming close to signing him last summer. The 24-year-old is still open to making a move to Anfield, while the Magpies are reluctant to see the England international leave but value his transfer at around £100m. (Football Insider)
– Tottenham’s success in the Europa League has given the club hope they can land Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. (GMS)
– Newcastle United are set to sign 18-year-old winger Antonio Cordero from Malaga, ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Newcastle Chronicle)