Transfer rumours ranked: Sorting the bona fide from the bullsh*t

There’s encouragement from Europe for Arsenal and Manchester United fans, but Manchester City’s urgency is evident…

With so much transfer talk doing the rounds, we’re here through the summer to sift through the bullsh*t and highlight the whispers that might have some substance.

Each day we’re ranking the top 20 rumours involving Premier League clubs, the higher the link, the more likely we feel they are to becoming done deals.

So we start with the tittle-tattle…

20) Nico Williams – Athletic Bilbao to Arsenal

Owing to Williams’ not-prohibitive release clause, this should be relatively simple if Arsenal really want to do it. But their interest is complicated by other costs that might be involved in signing the winger, for whom a new deal in Bilbao is not out of the question. This one seems to be getting further away, not closer. And it’s hard to ignore the spectre of Barca here.

19) Hugo Ekitike – Eintracht Frankfurt to Chelsea

Liverpool were linked with the France forward but Chelsea have made an approach to Eintracht Frankfurt. The Blues’ problem: the Germans want £85million and they have little motivation to dramatically lower that demand.

18) Mohammed Kudus 🆕 – West Ham to Chelsea

There’s a lot of noise around Kudus in recent days, the most recent suggesting he’s been offered to Chelsea for £85million. Kind offer, but not one the Blues are likely to take West Ham up on without a hefty discount. Robert Sanchez could be a makeweight.

17) Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United to Napoli

Ruben Amorim has made it painfully clear that Garnacho has no future at Old Trafford, which is a problem when they are asking for £60million. Napoli will not pay that. We await the awkwardness of Garnacho returning to United for pre-season before the serious conversations start.

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16) 🔽 Viktor Gyokeres – Sporting to Arsenal

Arsenal seemed to be heavy favourites to land Gyokeres but the Gunners are faffing while they suss out which striker they can do a better deal for. Right now, it’s gone a little quiet between Arsenal and Gyokeres and there seems to be more noise around the other fella.

15) 🔼 Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa to Manchester United

Martinez seems to have said his goodbyes to Villa and though he was linked with Barcelona, it seems the Catalans are pushing forward on a deal for Joan Garcia. There is renewed speculation of United’s intent to move for Martinez, for whom they made an offer in January, according to one report.

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14) Viktor Gyokeres 🆕 – Sporting to Manchester United

With Arsenal yet to make a decision, there are plenty of reports that Gyokeres is open to a move to Old Trafford after all. Which may be a consequence of the queue at Sporting’s door being more sparse than many of us expected. But if United can get it done, it would be a step on the road to regaining some credibility.

13) Rodrygo 🆕 Real Madrid to Arsenal

There was the odd whisper but the chatter has increased in recent days, to the point that Sky Sports claim the Brazilian is one of Arsenal’s top targets. The fact Rodrygo can play across the front line is said to appeal since Arsenal need reinforcements wide and centrally. One potential sticking point: Real are said to want in the region of £80million.

12) 🔼 Luis Diaz – Liverpool to Barcelona

Our reading on this: Barca want Diaz, who would be happy to move to the Nou Camp. Liverpool might be interested in a deal, but only on their terms. Which Barca won’t meet, and Diaz knows it so he won’t kick up a fuss – yet. If this is going to happen, someone needs to change tack.

11) Aaron Ramsdale – Southampton to West Ham

Given Ramsdale’s habit of getting relegated, do West Ham really want to do this? Apparently so. Talks have taken place, with the Hammers set to be liable for £20million unless they can play on the fact Saints want the keeper’s £100k-a-wages off their books.

10) Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford to Manchester United

Apparently unmoved by the Champions League, Mbeumo has stated his preference for United over Newcastle, Arsenal and Spurs, but Brentford, not unreasonably, want a similar fee to that the Red Devils gave Wolves for Matheus Cunha. A first bid went in – £45million plus £10million – which was doomed to fail. A second ‘take-it-or-leave-it- offer is imminent.

9) 🔼 Benjamin Sesko – RB Leipzig to Arsenal

The Slovenia striker has overtaken Gyokeres as the favourite to fill the gaping chasm in the centre of Arsenal’s attack. After much deliberation, it seems the Gunners favour a deal with RB Leipzig over whatever they could get out of Sporting. Talk have taken place ‘in the last 48 hours’ and seem to be progressing nicely.

8) 🔼 Mike Maignan – AC Milan to Chelsea

Chelsea have made it clear to Milan they are keen on the France keeper, but they won’t pay the £25million the Rossoneri want for a player entering the final year of his contract. Chelsea are said to be offering £10million for now, so there is some talking to be done. But whatever they pay up, it will be worth it.

7) Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool

Liverpool may have had one bid worth £109million turned down but the Reds have gone balls out for Wirtz and they won’t walk away over a few euros, especially when the player has matched their intent by stating he wants Anfield over the Allianz Arena. Once Wirtz gets international duty out of the way this weekend, we can expect some progress.

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6) 🔼 Martin Zubimendi – Real Sociedad to Arsenal

This one got the ‘Here we go’ treatment over a month ago but then it all went a bit quiet. Reports suggest there is no reason for Arsenal fans to panic, with agreements in place between all parties. We’ll see next week after the international break.

5) 🔼 Rayan Cherki – Lyon to Manchester City

City got the easy part – they have agreed personal terms with Cherki – done early and have reportedly struck a deal with Lyon. City are in a hurry, so expect this to be one of three deals confirmed in the next week.

4) Milos Kerkez – Bournemouth to Liverpool

Word is it’s happening. For around £40million. Which represents decent business for both sides.

3) 🔼 Kepa – Chelsea to Arsenal

Yet another Chelsea cast-off wanted by the obsessed Mikel Arteta but £5m for a back-up keeper is not bad business and a deal is close.

2) Tijjani Reijnders – AC Milan to Manchester City

It’s pretty much done, apparently. City have agreed a fee of £46million to sign the midfielder, with Milan hoping to net another £12.5million in add-ons. Reijnders and Rodri in midfield? City won’t be sh*t again next season.

1) 🔼 Rayan Ait-Nouri – Wolves to Manchester City 

Everyone seems to be going with the line that a deal is done for what looks like a knockdown £33.7million fee. City want it done before next week and a medical is said to have passed by without issue.