Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal ‘lead race’ to sign £50m target, Tottenham reach Gakpo agreement, Enzo Fernandez latest

Arsenal could turn their attention to Brighton’s £51m-rated midfielder Jack Hinshelwood as they continue talks with Bayer Leverkusen over signing England international Jarell Quansah. The Premier League champions have been keen to sign a defender following the injury to William Saliba and the 23-year-old Quansah, formerly of Liverpool, would be able to cover both centre-back and right back positions.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are set to make a third bid of around £60m for Rodri, but are still set to fall £10m short of Manchester City’s valuation of the Ballon d’Or winner. The deal could yet influence the speed of any move for Enzo Fernandez, with his former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca pushing for the midfielder's signature. Chelsea’s deadline of 5pm on Friday passed without City submitting their £120m bid, and the club expect Fernandez to now stay for the upcoming season.

Tottenham have agreed personal terms with Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, according to reports in the Netherlands, while Spurs are also close to signing Manchester City winger Savinho and have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in expressing interest in Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli has rejected the chance to join the Turkish club as part of a deal.

Follow all of the latest news, rumours and done deals with our live blog below

Tottenham confirm departure of Cristian Romero

Tottenham have confirmed the departure of Cristian Romero ahead of his move to Atletico Madrid. A great player on his day, a liability as a centre-back and captain on others, Spurs will be happy to get this deal done.

He posted on Instagram: “When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club’s history. I knew the only way was through hard work, sacrifice and achieving something that had seemed so difficult for so long: lifting a trophy again. And we did it.

“The journey wasn’t perfect, but I don’t want that to define my goodbye. I choose to remember the happy moments, the lessons, the people who stood by me and, above all, the love I received during these five years.”

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli rejects Galatasaray move

Gabriel Martinelli has turned down the chance to join Galatasaray after the Turkish club explored a bid for the Arsenal winger.

It is known that Arsenal want to upgrade their attack this summer and Martinelli was reportedly part of talks for striker Victor Osimhen.

(Getty)

Arsenal 'leading race' to sign Brighton's Jack Hinshelwood

Arsenal are in contention to sign Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood.

That’s according to The Sun, who report that Mikel Arteta is a fan of the 21-year-old. Hinshelwood can play across the midfield as well as at full-back. He scored four goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season.

Brighton would value their academy graduate at around £43m, leading to the £50m range.

Tottenham reach Cody Gakpo agreement - reports in Netherlands

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has reached an agreement with Tottenham over personal terms, according to reports in the Netherlands.

The Independent understands that Tottenham could be set for a busy end to the transfer window, with a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho close and at least two more signings planned.

Voetbal now reports that Roberto De Zerbi has identified Gakpo as a major target, with an “agreement in principle” over a move.

Liverpool maintained that they would not consider letting Gakpo leave without a suitable replacement.

Cristian Romero says ‘the journey wasn’t perfect’ as he confirms Tottenham exit

Cristian Romero has confirmed his departure from Tottenham, acknowledging that he was not always perfect while maintaining the club will forever hold a place in his heart.

The defender leaves north London after a five-year spell to complete a 40 million euros (£34.1m) move to Atletico Madrid, with a 15 per cent sell-on clause included as part of the overall package.

Although the Argentina international divided opinion across 156 games due to several suspensions, he was named man of the match in the 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United, bringing Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought to an end.

“Today, I say goodbye to a place that, for five seasons, was much more than a club,” Romero said on Instagram.

Barcelona yet to meet Rodri valuation as Man City left baffled by approach

Barcelona are set to make a third bid of around £60m for Rodri but are still set to fall £10m short of Manchester City’s valuation of the Ballon d’Or winner.

The deal could also influence the speed of any move for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, with Enzo Maresca pushing for the midfielder's signature.

City are willing to allow a long-serving club legend like Rodri to fulfil a personal aspiration of playing in Spain again after this summer’s World Cup win.

Enzo Fernandez set to stay at Chelsea as deadline passes

Enzo Fernandez is set to stay at Chelsea after the club’s 5pm Friday deadline passed without any acceptable bids being received.

The club laid down terms on Thursday that they expected either to receive a written bid matching their £120m valuation of the player or they would consider the matter of his future closed, and would not entertain any subsequent offers.

It is understood that the verbal terms and conditions that were made available to Fernandez’s representatives for potential suitors at end of May are now off the table, and the club expects him to stay.

Manchester City are the last remaining club with a known interest in signing the World Cup winner, after Real Madrid publicly stated in July that they would not be pursuing Fernandez.

The 25-year-old worked with City boss Enzo Maresca during their 18 months together at Stamford Bridge and the Italian is known to admire the player.

It was thought that, with a £52m deal having been agreed to sell Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro-League outfit Al-Qadsiah, funds would be freed up for City to take Fernandez to the Etihad Stadium as a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, who looks set to join Barcelona.

However, unless Chelsea can be persuaded into a U-turn and be brought to the negotiating table, Fernandez will still be at Stamford Bridge when the transfer window closes on 1 September.

Enzo Fernandez(Getty)

Will Liverpool’s transfer budget change after Jeff Bezos investment?

Jeff Bezos, one of the world’s richest men, has bought into Liverpool as part of a consortium after reaching a definitive agreement with majority owners Fenway Sports Group to purchase a minority stake.

1892 Holdings, led by former QPR director Amit Bhatia and including the Amazon owner Bezos and Eduardo Saverin, one of the founders of Facebook, will have a share of 30 percent of the Premier League club worth £1.5bn.

Bezos’ personal wealth is in the region of $270bn, with fans anticipating the arrival of his riches will result in a spending spree at Anfield.

However, there will be no change to Liverpool’s transfer budget or policy, with no new funds being allocated for Andoni Iraola as he looks to bolster his squad before the 1 September deadline.

Will Liverpool’s transfer budget change after Jeff Bezos takeover?

The world’s third-richest man is part of a consortium that has bought a 30 per cent stake in Liverpool. While the Amazon founder may be a ‘silent partner’ in the deal, it is clear that the uncertainty at the top of global football presents an opportunity to the billionaire class, writes Miguel Delaney

Cristian Romero bids farewell to Tottenham

Cristian Romero has announced his departure from Tottenham and acknowledged he was not always perfect, but insisted the club will always hold a place in his heart.

Romero has ended a five-year spell at Spurs to sign for Atletico Madrid in a 40 million euros deal (£34.1m) with a 15 per cent sell-on clause part of the overall package, the Press Association understands.

Argentina international Romero divided opinion during his time in N17 with multiple suspensions across 156 appearances, but he was awarded man of the match for a colossal display in the 2025 Europa League final against Manchester United, which ensured Tottenham brought a 17-year trophy drought to an end.

Cristian Romero has left Tottenham(PA Wire)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies