Arsenal Pursue Jack Hinshelwood as Summer Transfer Market Heats Up

Arsenal are moving aggressively to the front of the queue for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Jack Hinshelwood, with the Premier League champions preparing an official bid for one of the most coveted young players in England.

The Sun reports that the Gunners have already made contact with the 21-year-old’s camp and now see him as a priority signing. Hinshelwood’s versatility – comfortable in central midfield and at right-back – and his emergence with England’s Under-21s have only sharpened that interest.

They are not alone. Manchester United have made enquiries and are weighing up their own move, while Manchester City are keeping a close eye on developments. Brighton, who brought Hinshelwood through their academy and would prefer to keep him, are expected to demand more than £43 million before even thinking about a sale. Any club that wants him will have to pay for the privilege.

Chelsea clear the decks as Delap and Neto near exits

At Stamford Bridge, the focus is on outgoings. Liam Delap could be the next to leave, at least temporarily.

The Daily Mail says ambitious Serie A side Como are exploring a loan move for the 23-year-old forward. Delap has found life difficult since his £30 million transfer from Ipswich Town in 2025, scoring just two goals in 41 appearances last season. Como, coached by former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, have turned to Delap after talks for Fiorentina striker Moise Kean collapsed.

The reshaping of Chelsea’s attack doesn’t stop there. Pedro Neto is also heading for the exit.

Sky Switzerland reports that Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal have reached an agreement on personal terms with the 26-year-old winger. Neto had been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City, but Al Hilal are ready to trigger the €60 million needed to sign him. The Portugal international is prepared to leave Stamford Bridge, clearing the way for another high-profile departure from west London.

Newcastle target Baleba as midfield rebuild gathers pace

Newcastle United’s midfield is being rebuilt on the fly, and Carlos Baleba has emerged as a central piece of that plan.

TalkSPORT reports that the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder, 22, is now a key target for new manager Matthias Jaissle after the exits of Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali. Baleba had previously been on Manchester United’s radar, but their interest cooled following the arrival of Andrey Santos and suggestions of a £120 million fee.

Newcastle, though, are pushing on with their own business. Fabrizio Romano says the club are set to complete the signing of Benfica full-back Amar Dedić. The 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international has already agreed terms with the Magpies and is expected to bolster Jaissle’s options on the right.

PSG close in on Ajax star Godts

Paris Saint-Germain’s recruitment drive continues to lean heavily on young, high-ceiling talent, and Mika Godts is the next in line.

According to L'Équipe, PSG have reached an agreement with Ajax for the 21-year-old winger in a deal worth around €55 million. The Belgium international has agreed personal terms after a long courtship from the French champions.

The numbers behind the move explain the urgency. Godts was outstanding in the 2025-26 Eredivisie season, scoring 17 goals and supplying 13 assists. A medical in the coming days should clear the final hurdle before he completes his move to Paris.

Completed deals: Torres, Romero and Irankunda on the move

The market is not just rumour and negotiation. Some of Europe’s bigger moves are already over the line.

• Ferran Torres has left Barcelona for European champions Paris Saint-Germain after the clubs agreed a €50 million fee. The Spain international becomes part of PSG’s reshaped forward line as they continue to refresh their attack.
• Cristian Romero has completed his switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Atlético Madrid. Sources told ESPN that Spurs will receive €35 million plus a further €5 million in variables for the centre-back, who now steps into Diego Simeone’s defensive structure in LaLiga.
• Australia international Nestory Irankunda has joined Sporting CP from Watford. The deal is worth an initial €15 million and could rise to just over €18 million with add-ons. Bayern Munich are in line for 40% of that package due to a clause inserted when he moved from Bavaria to Vicarage Road in 2025.
• Chelsea have also sent teenage forward Dastan Satpayev to Burnley on a season-long loan, shortly after tying him down to a six-year contract. The club keep control of his long-term future while giving him a clearer path to minutes this season.

Barcelona, Arsenal circle defensive targets

Barcelona’s pursuit of midfield authority has led them back to a familiar name: Rodri.

A source told ESPN that Barça will return with a renewed offer for the Spain international as talks with Manchester City continue. City value the 30-year-old at more than €70 million, and the overall package of Barcelona’s latest proposal is expected to land in that region. The Catalan club are pushing, but City’s stance remains firm.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are scouring the market for defensive reinforcements. They have added Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah to their shortlist, with ESPN reporting that no direct talks have taken place yet between the clubs. The north London side have instead explored the possibility of a deal through intermediaries as they weigh up their options at the back.

Other whispers across Europe

The rumour mill is spinning hard, and some of the biggest names in Europe sit right at the centre of it.

• Manchester City midfielder Rodri is said to be on the verge of joining Barcelona after a breakthrough in talks between the clubs. (Matteo Moretto)
• Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are considering joining Arsenal in the chase for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, though none of the three Premier League sides have submitted formal bids or entered advanced negotiations. (TeamTalk)
• Crystal Palace are close to finalising a deal for Real Salt Lake teenager Zavier Gozo, a versatile midfielder already capped 16 times by the United States Under-20s. (Sky Sports)
• Everton have been informed they must pay up to £25 million to sign Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Muñoz. (Football Insider)
• Tottenham remain intent on landing Manchester City winger Savinho, with the player keen on the move. (Standard)
• Paris Saint-Germain are standing firm on their £145 million valuation of Bradley Barcola, a figure Liverpool are currently unwilling to match. For any deal to happen this summer, PSG would have to soften that stance. (Sky Sports)
• Bayer Leverkusen insist defender Jarrel Quansah is not available this summer, despite reports linking him with Arsenal. (Sky Germany)
• Coventry City are weighing a move for Chelsea youngster Josh Acheampong, with the London club open to letting him leave this month. (TalkSPORT)
• Borussia Dortmund are exploring a deal for Barcelona right-back Héctor Fort, with preliminary talks already underway. (Florian Plettenberg)
• Galatasaray have opened talks with Lyon over winger Malick Fofana as they look to add more pace in wide areas. (Nicolo Schira)
• Southampton are among the clubs keen on defender Anel Ahmedhodžić, who could depart Feyenoord in this window. (Fabrizio Romano)
• Brentford have reached an agreement with Independiente del Valle to sign 18-year-old midfielder Darwin Guagua. (Fabrizio Romano)

From Hinshelwood’s tug-of-war to Rodri’s future and PSG’s spending power, the next few weeks will decide whether these names define the coming season – or remain the ones that got away.