Manchester United and Arsenal Target Alex Scott as City Eyes Gusto
The window has not exploded into life yet, but the big hitters are already drawing their lines on the board. Midfielders, full-backs, wide forwards – the same positions, the same clubs, but a fresh cast of names.
At the centre of it all, a 22-year-old who has quietly become one of the Premier League’s most coveted young midfielders.
United and Arsenal move on Scott
Manchester United and Arsenal are both pushing their way into the race for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, with The Daily Mail reporting that any conversation starts at around £60 million.
United’s interest is pointed. With plans in place to offload Manuel Ugarte, they are looking to remodel the middle of the pitch again, this time with a player who can knit play rather than simply break it up. Scott, a standout for the Cherries last season, fits the modern profile: technically clean, brave under pressure, and already proven in the league.
Bournemouth know exactly what they have. The club are keen to tie him down to a new contract, and that stance – plus his age and trajectory – is driving the price. Arsenal, always alert to young, Premier League-ready talent, are watching closely. For Mikel Arteta, Scott would represent depth and evolution in a midfield that has carried a heavy load over the past two seasons.
If the bidding really starts, this could become one of the defining internal Premier League battles of the summer.
City line up Gusto as Walker heir
Across Manchester, the focus is on the right flank of the defence. Manchester City are tracking Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto, with Nicolo Schira reporting that the 23-year-old has emerged as a serious option.
The subtext is clear. City are planning for life after Kyle Walker.
Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon for £30 million in January 2023 and, despite the chaos around him at Stamford Bridge, has shown why he was so highly rated: aggressive in the press, sharp going forward, and comfortable in a back four or as a wing-back. At City, he could potentially reunite with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who is edging closer to being confirmed as Pep Guardiola’s successor.
For a club that plans years ahead, identifying a long-term replacement for Walker is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Gusto fits the age profile, the style, and the tactical flexibility that City demand.
Liverpool and Newcastle clash paths again
Liverpool and Newcastle are set to collide in the market once more, this time over Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, according to The Daily Mail.
The 21-year-old produced 13 direct goal contributions in 29 Ligue 1 games last season, the kind of output that inevitably draws Premier League attention. For Liverpool, he has been identified as a potential alternative to RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, whose €120 million valuation makes any deal a major financial decision.
Newcastle, still reshaping their attack after Anthony Gordon’s €70 million move to Barcelona, are also in the frame. They have already gone head-to-head with Liverpool once, beating them to Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna for €40 million. Now they could do it again.
Their recruitment drive does not stop there. Newcastle are also tracking FC Cologne winger Said El Mala, who has already attracted interest from Brighton and Brentford, as they search for a Gordon replacement with pace and end product.
The message from Tyneside is obvious: one big sale will not slow their ambition.
Villa test West Ham’s resolve over Bowen
Aston Villa, now firmly operating as a Champions League club in the market, have turned their attention to Jarrod Bowen. The Athletic reports that Villa have expressed their interest in the 29-year-old West Ham forward, who is a long-time admirer of Unai Emery.
West Ham would prefer to keep him as they aim to fight their way back to the Premier League, but the reality of the market bites hard. Proposals around £50 million could bring them to the table.
Bowen’s work rate, versatility across the front line and proven Premier League scoring record make him a near-ideal Emery player. Villa know that adding another high-output wide forward could tilt tight European nights in their favour.
At the same time, they are drawing a hard line elsewhere. Sky Sports reports that Villa have informed Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain that Morgan Rogers is not for sale this summer. In a market full of movement, that is a rare and emphatic “no.”
Real Madrid turn to Enzo Fernández
Real Madrid’s search for another major midfield piece has taken them back to the Premier League. AS reports that, after accepting that a move for Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise is highly unlikely, Madrid have turned their attention to Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández.
The 25-year-old is understood to be keen on a move and has expressed a desire to live in Madrid, but the numbers are daunting. Any deal would require a fee in excess of €130 million.
Chelsea’s position is strengthened by the size of the investment they made and the length of his contract. Madrid, though, have rarely shied away from paying top-tier prices for players they believe can define an era. If they decide Fernández is that player, this story will not go away.
Chelsea close on Palestra as Álvarez pushes for exit
On the incoming side, Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Atalanta full-back Marco Palestra, with ESPN reporting that a fee of around €55 million is being discussed. Talks are progressing well and an agreement is expected soon, though the final figure is not yet settled.
Palestra, 21, comes off a breakout season. On loan at Cagliari, he made 37 appearances and was named Serie A’s defender of the year, a distinction that put him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite. Inter Milan had been in negotiations to sign him, but Chelsea have moved decisively.
In Spain, one of the market’s biggest stories has taken another twist. Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez has told ESPN he wants to leave this summer. Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are all interested, and Real Madrid previously saw a €150 million bid rejected last month.
The tug-of-war for a World Cup-winning forward in his prime is exactly the kind of saga that can reshape the top end of European football.
On the women’s side, Sweden forward Felicia Schröder has completed a major move from BK Häcken to Real Madrid. Häcken and her agent Linus Gunnarsson have described it as the “biggest transfer” in women’s football history, though they have not disclosed the fee or confirmed whether it is a record. Even without the exact figure, the intent from Madrid is loud and clear.
The rest of the market
Behind the headline moves, the board is crowded with subplots:
- AS Monaco and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun is expected to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer, with Premier League sides circling, according to The Athletic.
- Liverpool will only consider selling Cody Gakpo if a significant offer lands on the table, amid links to Tottenham Hotspur, reports Football Insider.
- Roma are pushing to tie Paulo Dybala to a new contract extension as soon as possible, says Corriere dello Sport.
- Real Madrid remain interested in Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck despite his ankle injury, which is expected to sideline him for two months, according to Mundo Deportivo.
- Barcelona are preparing a new €150 million offer for Atlético Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, reports El Chiringuito.
- Arsenal have opened talks to sign 16-year-old Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, says The Athletic, another nod to their long-term planning.
- Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz, who has been linked with a €9 million return to Real Madrid, according to TEAMtalk.
- Juventus are in discussions with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for striker Randal Kolo Muani, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.
- Atalanta are looking at Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Kerim Alajbegovic after his loan spell at FC Salzburg, says Gianluca Di Marzio.
- Roma have dismissed Chelsea’s interest in full-back Wesley Franca, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Names, fees, and negotiations will keep shifting over the coming weeks. The pattern is already clear, though: the superclubs are not just spending, they are reshaping entire departments of their squads.
Who lands the next cornerstone – Scott, Gusto, Fernández, Álvarez – may end up defining more than just this window.
