The Guardian

Football transfer news: Arsenal seal Merino signing, Man Utd agree Ugarte deal – as it happened

By Sarah Rendell,

2024-08-27

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2E6nLi_0vBEr2uP00 — Mikel Merino is a Gunner. Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

4.59pm BST

Thank you so much for joining me for today’s transfer news. A lot of moves were confirmed including Mikel Merino’s deal with Arsenal and Angelo Ogbonna’s free move to Watford. There were other reports that came through like Wojciech Szczesny’s retirement from football. You can track those back on this blog. Below you can have a read of today’s top stories and we will be back with more transfer news tomorrow. Until then, have a good evening.

4.54pm BST

Watford have made a great signing as Angelo Ogbonna has joined them on a free. The defender left the Hammers at the end of last season and has now signed a one-year deal with Watford. Ogbonna told the club website:

It is very important to bring in some experience, like with Moussa [Sissoko].
I have spoken with the manager a couple of times, so I know his style of play. I am here to try my best and to try to help the team.

4.44pm BST

Raheem Sterling knows he is not a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans this season and it is now thought Chelsea have had exploratory talks with Manchester United about the winger.

Earlier reports suggested Sterling wanted to look at his Chelsea contract further before engaging with a move away from the club.

4.35pm BST

All is not lost for Aaron Ramsdale though with reports over other moves already being promoted in light of the Wolves deal being taken off of the table.

Two clubs are in the spotlight in Sky’s report with Ajax and Southampton both interested in the goalkeeper. There isn’t much time before the deadline window closes though so a deal will have to be sewn up quickly.

4.26pm BST

Ramsdale's Wolves move is off

Deals are falling through left, right and centre right now. BBC Sport are reporting Aaron Ramsdale’s potential loan move to Wolves is off.

The England international is too expensive for the west midlands side and so the deal cannot move forward. Ramsdale was looking for a loan move after losing the number one shirt at Arsenal to David Raya, who the Gunners signed on a permanent basis this summer.

4.21pm BST

Bijlow's Southampton move falls through

Justin Bijlow had been expected to join Southampton from Feyenoord but a complication in the medical has seen the deal fall through.

Goalkeeper Bijlow took to social media to explain what happened and that he will be staying at Feyenoord this season:

Dear Feyenoord fans, I was on my way to the Premier League. After a very special day last Sunday, for which I am very grateful to you, I prepared myself to leave Feyenoord.
I did not find that easy and it was not my first choice, but it had to be in the interest of my career.
The medical examination showed that Southampton has a different vision than Feyenoord about the treatment of an old injury. I am fully fit and this does not hinder me, but I respect the vision of the Southampton medical staff.
This is why I am returning to Rotterdam, to my club Feyenoord. My bond with the city and the club is very strong. I will continue to fight for a place in the goal of Feyenoord and the Dutch national team.
Feyenoord fans, thank you for the support you always give me.

4.16pm BST

Dan has got in touch to share who he would like to see reunited:

Grealish – the Villa. Some Villans might not like it but I’d have him back like a shot.

I don’t know Villa fans, would you want to see Grealish return? Get in touch and let me know.

4.10pm BST

Mikel Merino is Arsenal’s fourth first team signing of the window. They have already brought in goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent deal, goalkeeper Tommy Setford and defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard has also joined the club but in its academy ranks.

4.05pm BST

Arsenal’s sporting director Edu added on the 28-year-old:

We are so happy to have completed the transfer of Mikel Merino. This has been another great team effort from many people at the club to finalise the transfer of a player who attracted interest from a number of clubs over the summer.

Mikel was a key target for us this summer, and we identified him as a player who can fit perfectly into our squad and profile to improve us, as we aim to build on our strong performances of last season. With Mikel’s arrival, he brings us an added high quality of experience, physicality and athleticism as we look forward to this season ahead.

We welcome Mikel and his family to the club, and look forward to seeing him play in the Arsenal shirt.

4.01pm BST

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about new player Mikel Merino, saying:

Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility. He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.

As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can’t wait to start working with him.

3.55pm BST

Arsenal confirm Merino move

Arsenal have confirmed the arrival of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad for a fee that could rise to £31.6m, with the Spain midfielder having signed an initial four-year contract.

More to follow.

3.48pm BST

Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes has attracted interest from clubs like Liverpool and Newcastle after making 17 appearances for the Premier League holders in his debut season.

The Mirror are reporting Pep Guardiola would allow Nunes to leave the club. It is thought the midfielder has fallen down the priority list after Ilkay Gundogan returned to the club.

3.36pm BST

Southampton have had a tricky start to the season but they are looking to boost it by signing Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto. The newly promoted club are in advanced talks to bag the star, according to Football Insider.

They may still struggle for top-flight survival this season but a good strike won’t hurt.

3.25pm BST

There have been rumours swirling that Jadon Sancho may head to Chelsea this summer after a rough season with Manchester United last campaign. Sancho and manager Erik ten Hag had a disagreement which saw the England international left out of the United squad. Sancho went on loan to former club Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the season to get game time and the star has re-joined United for this season. Former United player Louis Saha is against Sancho going to Chelsea, telling Betfred:

That’s going to be a really bad piece of business, for sure, because it’s really hard to see how it can work due to all the other young attacking players already at Chelsea.
I don’t see why he would be excited to go there and I don’t see him going to Chelsea anyway, but I could be wrong. There’s still space for him on Manchester United’s team, but the manager may want to sell him. I do understand though that Jadon’s looking for a solution to find first-team football elsewhere.

3.14pm BST

Kepa is understood to be having his medical at Bournemouth today before signing for the club on loan. Manager Andoni Iraola was a bit cagey when asked about the goalkeeper in a press conference, saying:

We have to wait and see where the situation finishes.
I think we have not played together any game, but I know him. He was an academy player when I was a first team player [at Athletic Bilbao] - I don’t think we have ever played together.
Obviously he’s come from Chelsea and from Real Madrid, both very big clubs, and I think he is used to the pressure of playing for those kind of clubs.
But right now he is not our player so I can’t say any more.

3.03pm BST

The former England goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson has returned to the Wales staff under Craig Bellamy. Last week Bellamy confirmed Brighton coach Andrew Crofts as his assistant, alongside former Newport manager James Rowberry. Margetson, who worked under Gary Speed and Chris Coleman, including at Euro 2016 under the latter, has previously worked at West Ham, Crystal Palace and Everton. Margetson left the England set up after Euro 2024. He will combine the Wales role with his job as head of goalkeeping at Swansea City. “Getting him involved was a no-brainer,” said Bellamy, whose first match in charge is against Turkey next Friday.

2.55pm BST

Juan Musso is officially an Atlético Madrid player after signing on loan to the Spanish giants from Atalanta. The Argentina international will spend the entire season in Madrid.

There is a buy option clause in the deal.

2.47pm BST

Romelu Lukaku is still on Chelsea’s books after signing for them in his second spell in 2021. The move did not go to plan and the Belgium forward has been loaned out to Inter Milan and Roma in recent seasons. He is now set to have a medical at Napoli tomorrow with a permanent move away from the Blues on the table.

2.38pm BST

Everton have some confirmed business as they have announced goalkeeper Harry Tyrer has joined League One side Blackpool on loan for the entire season.

The 22-year-old is a product of the Everton academy and has been at the club since he was seven.

2.30pm BST

There is so much talk around Chelsea’s transfer window and their signings have been a topic for discussion since Todd Boehly bought the club. He has signed a lot of players on lengthy deals and this summer has been no different. Here’s a summary of Chelsea’s summer window:

In: Pedro Neto, João Félix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Omari Kellyman, Mike Penders, Aarón Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu, Tosin Adarabioyo

Out: Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, Michael Golding, Bashir Humphreys, Lesley Ugochukwu, Mason Burstow, Eddie Beach, Alfie Gilchrist, Andrey Santos, Malang Sarr, Hakim Ziyech, Jamie Cumming, Ted Sharman-Lowe, Charlie Webster, Thiago Silva, Dion Rankine.

You can get a breakdown of your club’s signings here:

2.17pm BST

Neal Maupay has had a “tough” time at Everton , manager Sean Dyche says. The star is one who may leave the club if the right offer comes along in the closing stages of the summer’s window. Dyche told the BBC:

He’s had a real tough run at Everton Football Club.
They know that, he knows that, we have to wait if something new comes for him or see if he stays here and see what he can give us but he has had a tough run at Everton Football Club.

2.07pm BST

Merino to sign for Arsenal

Fabrizio Romano is reporting Mikel Merino’s move to Arsenal is all agreed and he will join the Gunners on a four-year deal.

The club are yet to officially confirm.

2.04pm BST

Robin has been in touch to follow up on Michael Butler’s comment on Szczesny’s son’s name. Robin says:

His kids are named Liam and Noelia - the man’s clearly a die-hard Oasis fan!

He retirement couldn’t have come on a better day then! I bet he’ll be waiting by his laptop on ticket sale day for the Oasis reunion tour.

2.01pm BST

Thank you Michael, so much has happened in the last hour. Another story to drop is Maya Le Tissier’s appointment as Manchester United captain following the exit of Katie Zelem earlier this summer. Le Tissier said:

“It’s an honour to be named captain of this great football club and I will wear the armband with real pride, to help drive this team to success on and off the field.”

Ella Toone has been named vice-captain of the club.

1.58pm BST

Sarah is back from her break , she’s missed all the fun! Have a good Tuesday, everyone.

1.54pm BST

I just found out that Szczesny has a son named Liam, born in 2018. I really hope that he’s named after Liam Brady, who also played with distinction for Arsenal and Juventus. Szczesny signed for Juve in 2017, remember.

1.52pm BST

Wojciech Szczesny retires from football

Something of a shock, with the goalkeeper being just 34 years old, relatively young! Szczesny and Juventus mutually terminated his contract this summer and it looked like he would find a new club, but he has admitted that “though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore”. And he wants to spend more time with his family. Fair enough! Go well, Wojciech.

Szczesny announced his retirement on Instagram with this message.

I left Warsaw, my hometown in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream - to make a living out of football. Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime.
Little did I know that I would get to play for the biggest clubs in the world and represent my country 84 times. Little did I know that not only would I make a living out of the game but the game would become my whole life. I didn’t just realise my dreams, I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me.
I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior. I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football…

But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses. Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family - my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia.

Therefore I have decided to retire from professional football.

Updated at 1.56pm BST

1.46pm BST

A penny for the thoughts of Marc Guiu , the teenage striker signed by Chelsea from Barcelona this summer. What a terrible move that has turned out to be for the 18-year-old.

1.43pm BST

Chelsea reportedly make a move for Ivan Toney

It’s insane Chelsea they still have the money to do this . But *sighs*, Toney is a good signing for around £30-40m, and a different profile of player to the ones they currently have (assuming that Lukaku leaves for Napoli). The Brentford striker is more of a target man than Jackson (although I rate the Senegalese highly) and would lead the line for Nkunku and Felix to float about as a second striker. There are still wayyyyyy too many attacking players, but Chelsea are stronger with Toney, no doubt.

Updated at 1.44pm BST

1.37pm BST

Arsenal's Fábio Vieira loaned to Porto

The midfielder returns to the club where he started his career. It’s a straight loan, no buy option, with Porto covering his wages.

1.28pm BST

Stefan Bajcetic is a lovely little player , and just 19 years old. After his injury troubles last season, though, he can’t seem to get a game at Liverpool, and has not featured in either of Arne Slot’s squads this season. To be fair, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott are only picking up a few minutes, while Curtis Jones is also in contention for a midfield spot (although currently injured). A loan deal seems sensible for all parties: RB Salzburg look like they might pounce again for a Liverpool youngster (after signing Bobby Clark permanently last week ), while a loan deal to Celta Vigo has also been spoken about. Bajcetic was born in Vigo and left the Spanish club for Anfield in 2020.

1.20pm BST

Chelsea continue to baffle . Another goalkeeper, Mike Penders, has been signed from Genk, while arguably their best stopper, Kepa, is on the verge of a loan deal to Bournemouth. A reminder that Kepa played 20 times for Real Madrid last season, including in the Champions League.

I am fairly unimpressed with Robert Sánchez, haven’t seen enough of either Filip Jorgensen or Lucas Bergstrom to truly comment on, and thought Djordje Petrovic did a decent job in net last season. But it seems that the No 1 jersey is up for grabs at Stamford Bridge. Against that backdrop, Kepa must surely have thought he would get another chance to impress the new manager this season.

That said, you can easily imagine Kepa having a good season at Bournemouth, raising his value for a permanent sale next summer. Not the worst strategy, if Chelsea are determined not to have him in their squad.

1.05pm BST

Not a new signing of course , but Tonali’s return from his betting ban must feel like a new signing, etc. Some fresh quotes here from Eddie Howe …

… and here’s Louise Taylor on the wider context for both player and club.

1.04pm BST

Hello everyone! Here is more on that potential Nketiah move to Palace, courtesy of Ed Aarons.

12.58pm BST

Well I am going to grab a bite to eat and potentially make my second coffee of the day. Michael Butler will take you through the next hour of transfer magic.

12.54pm BST

Scott McTominay is close to his Manchester United departure as the terms in his Napoli move are being finalised.

The fee is £25.4m, according to Sky Sports, and the personal terms are being agreed. It is thought United do not want to lose McTominay but the Scotland international wants regular first team football.

12.47pm BST

Ivan Toney has agreed personal terms with Al-Ahli , according to Give Me Sport . The deal would be three years long but the Saudi club have not yet agreed terms with Brentford.

Brentford have so far turned down a bid of £35m with add-ons with the English club wanting £50m for the English forward.

12.38pm BST

Let’s recap some of the day’s top stories for those just joining us:

Kepa is undergoing a Bournemouth medical ahead of a loan move
Cristiano Ronaldo says he will “probably” retire in Saudi Arabia
Manchester United agree a deal with Manuel Ugarte
Crystal Palace are confident about Nketiah deal

12.30pm BST

Fancy taking a look at a football cartoon?

12.21pm BST

The international players’ union Fifpro has launched a Return to Play guide to help players, club staff and other football stakeholders better understand and manage pregnancy and the return to playing amid a “fairly barren” research landscape.

The guide takes players from the first steps involved in planning for pregnancy as a professional to a return to high-performance play, with details on regulations, methods of delivery and the impact those can have, the support needed at each stage, and more.

The 48-page document was put together by professional female players and medical experts. Kirsty Elliott-Sale, a professor of female endocrinology and exercise physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport, said: “The research landscape is fairly barren but it’s sort of beginning to pick up some momentum. We’re really grateful for those female athletes who allow us to sort of study them and research them in situ.

Read the full story:

12.13pm BST

Kepa undergoing Bournemouth medical

Kepa Arrizabalaga is undergoing at medical at Bournemouth before of a season-long loan from Chelsea. In 2018, Kepa became the world’s most-expensive goalkeeper after Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao £71.6m for him, signing him on a seven-year contract. The arrival of Kepa is a major boost to Andoni Iraola, who could allow captain and current No 1, Neto, the 35-year-old Brazilian, to depart before Friday’s transfer deadline. It would see the Kepa and Iraola reunite nine years on from when they were both at Athletic Bilbao.

The deal for the Spaniard is a straight loan, with Kepa poised to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge so Chelsea retain value of the player.

Updated at 12.14pm BST

12.09pm BST

Aston Villa have announced Samuel Iling Jr is going out on loan to Bologna. The forward arrived at Villa this summer from Juventus and he played a part in pre-season but has now been loaned out.

He was a product of Chelsea’s academy and has represented England at youth level.

12.02pm BST

Back to our reunion discussion now, with Oasis back together I am intrigued to see who else you think should reunited, and Martin has emailed:

I would like to see Eddie Niedzwiecki and Dave Beasant reunite as Chelsea goalkeepers, thereby giving us a full 11 for an entire shot-stopper team for Sunday’s home game against Palace.

What a sight that would be! I’m wondering if the formation would be 0-0-0-11 or if the goalkeepers would have to play in different positions?

11.53am BST

Crystal Palace are confident of completing a deal worth up to £30m for Eddie Nketiah after holding more talks with Arsenal over the England striker. Nketiah had looked set to join Nottingham Forest last week after they agreed a fee but that move collapsed over personal terms. Palace are long-term suitors of the 25-year-old and acted after a second defeat of the season, against West Ham, on Saturday.

It is understood they have agreed terms with Nketiah that would make him one of their highest earners, with Arsenal expected to accept their offer of £25m with a further £5m in bonuses.

11.47am BST

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed the club are interested in signing Chelsea star Armando Broja. It has widely been reported a loan move may be on the table but the boss has confirmed talks are happening.

“Armando is a player we have spoken to, I think that is pretty well known,” McKenna said. There are discussions going on with Chelsea at the moment. the discussions are ongoing so we will see if that is right for the club and player before Friday.”

Updated at 11.48am BST

11.40am BST

In case you missed it this morning , Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Jeremy Lee has emailed me and said:

I really hope Ugarte proves to be the player everyone seems to think he is – he certainly looks like the sort of player we have needed for a while. As various new players have come in, got injured, not been started even if fit, you do start to wonder what ETH is thinking?
Mind you, we buy a striker then don’t start him, buy a new centre back and don’t start him so I hope Ugarte is ready for a spell on the bench before he becomes the saviour of our season

Yes Erik ten Hag hasn’t started new players who he has signed this summer but they have still had impacts, Joshua Zirkzee scored against Fulham. It may be a bedding in issue, making sure the new signings are fitting into the system and the team? That’s just my guess, I wish I knew what Ten Hag was planning.

11.32am BST

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will “probably” retire in Saudi Arabia. He did not put a time frame on when he would hang up his boots but he said he was happy at Al Nassr. The 39-year-old Portugal international joined the Saudi club in 2022 from Manchester United.

“I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr,” Ronaldo told Portuguese channel NOW. “I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.”

11.24am BST

Manchester City have agreed to sell Joao Cancelo to Saudi club Al-Hilal in a deal that is thought to be worth £21.2m.

The 30-year-old has spent time on loan to Bayern Munich and Barcelona in recent seasons. If the star agrees to go to Saudi the deal is understood to be three years long.

11.17am BST

Bristol City women’s manager Lauren Smith has stepped down her role to pursue an exciting career opportunity. The west country side are said to be sad she is leaving but that she leaves on good terms. The new opportunity for Smith has not been revealed.

Loren Dykes is the interim boss for the Championship team who were relegated from the Women’s Super League last season.

11.10am BST

I can’t quite wrap my head around Chelsea signing another goalkeeper and so while that news settles in let’s have a look at who you want to reunite. Jaivir has emailed and said:

Harry Kane back to Spurs. Happening in 2 years anyway.

That is a deal I could see happening but I think it could be hinged on if he wins a trophy with Bayern Munich.

11.04am BST

Chelsea sign goalkeeper Penders

Chelsea have signed Mike Penders from Genk with the goalkeeper remaining at his former club on loan for the 2024/25 season. When he joins the Blues next summer he will have a deal until 2032.

Penders becomes the ninth goalkeeper on Chelsea’s books.

11.00am BST

I would love to hear from you. The news is all abuzz about comebacks with Oasis reuniting and so who else would you like to see get back together? It could be a player and a club, a music artist or any other pairing. Get in touch via email or X (@rendellx)

10.53am BST

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the women’s team will play three WSL games at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium this season. Those will be against Arsenal on 17th November, Manchester United on 2nd February and Chelsea on 4th May.

This follows announcements by other clubs including Arsenal and Man Utd already announcing women’s matches at their main stadiums.

10.44am BST

Brighton’s Evan Ferguson has won the hearts of fans with his performances and he also seems to have attracted the interest of Arsenal.

Football Insider are reporting the Gunners may make a late move for the forward. It’s thought the initial move would be a loan.

10.34am BST

Would you like a succinct article with many of the overnight rumours in one place? Of course you would. Here’s today’s rumour mill:

10.24am BST

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso wants to sign Liverpool midfieder Tyler Morton on loan for this season.

Liverpool are thought to be open to allowing the 21-year-old out temporarily, according to the Times .

10.14am BST

Man Utd agree Ugarte deal

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.

The deal is worth €50m (£42.3m) plus €10m in add-ons. If Ugarte comes as expected the 23-year-old will be Erik ten Hag’s fifth major signing of the market, after Leny Yoro , 18, a second centre-back, Matthijs de Ligt , 25, the striker Joshua Zirkzee , 23, and Noussair Mazraoui, a 26-year-old full-back. The club believe all have their peak years ahead.

10.05am BST

Raheem Sterling plans to resolve his contractual situation at Chelsea before switching his focus to finding a new club this week. Sterling’s £325,000-a-week deal, which expires in three years, has been described as an obstacle to him moving after his exclusion from the first-team squad.

The winger would be open to joining Manchester United – there have been suggestions that he could be included in a swap deal with Jadon Sancho – but nothing is advanced.

10.00am BST

Hello and welcome to today’s live blog tracking all of the transfer moves as the deadline day comes ever closer. There are still a myriad of deals to be struck and the rumour mill is in overdrive for who could swap clubs.

One of the biggest rumours this morning is Raheem Sterling potentially moving to Manchester United. The Chelsea man has been told he is not a part of the first team plans at the London club and so may sign elsewhere. The latest report has detailed that Sterling is open to a move to United but wants further Chelsea discussions first.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace are closing in on a move to sign Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah. It is thought the deal is worth £25m plus £5m in add ons.

Another rumour swirling this morning sees Newcastle confident about bringing in Marc Guehi before the window closes. Palace’s Guehi has been a target for Eddie Howe all summer.

We will look at more rumours throughout the day and bring you any moves that are confirmed. Let’s get stuck in.