Arsenal Enters Ekitike Transfer Battle; Man United Eyes Martínez as Onana Replacement: Latest Football Transfer News and Rumors

Arsenal have set their sights on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, while Manchester United are reportedly preparing to initiate formal discussions to acquire Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. Stay tuned for the latest transfer news, rumors, and updates from across the globe.

Key Transfers and Potential Deals:

• Chelsea are reportedly close to finalizing a £60 million deal for Brighton's Joao Pedro.
• Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are eyeing Manchester City's James McAtee.
• AC Milan have reached an agreement for €25 million to sign Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci.
• Villarreal midfielder Ramón Terrats is expected to sign a new deal and join Espanyol on loan.
• Parma forward Ange-Yoan Bonny is poised to join Inter for an initial fee of €23 million.
• Real Betis are looking to sign Atletico winger Rodrigo Riquelme for €18 million.
• Atlético Madrid left-back Reinildo Mandava is reportedly heading to Sunderland on a free transfer.

Rumor Mill Heats Up

• Arsenal are reportedly joining the pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old, who tallied 22 goals and 11 assists in 47 appearances last season, is valued at €100 million by the Bundesliga side. While Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea have also been linked, the Gunners are poised to make a move after facing difficulties in securing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig or Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP.

• Manchester United are allegedly gearing up to initiate formal talks for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez upon André Onana's departure. The 32-year-old is reportedly coach Ruben Amorim's top priority. Aston Villa are said to be open to letting him leave, but United will only make a move after Onana's exit, with AS Monaco among those interested. Chelsea have also been offered a chance to sign Martinez for £45m.

• Liverpool are poised to exceed £200m in summer spending as they aim to secure Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi. The 24-year-old has one year remaining on his contract, and Palace are expected to lower their initial £70m asking price. Liverpool have already acquired midfielder Florian Wirtz, left-back Milos Kerkez, and right-back Jeremie Frimpong.

• VfB Stuttgart will reportedly only entertain offers exceeding €100m for striker Nick Woltemade, amidst growing interest from Bayern Munich. Discussions have taken place, but negotiations are expected to be challenging, as Bayern are hesitant to spend over €50m-€60m for a player who may initially be a substitute behind Harry Kane.

• Al Nassr are reportedly open to allowing defender Aymeric Laporte to leave. The 31-year-old seeks a return to Europe to enhance his chances of representing Spain at the 2026 World Cup, with Juventus and former club Athletic Club expressing interest. Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Marseille, Inter, and Napoli are also said to be in the running.

Confirmed Transfers

• Tyrell Malacia: PSV Eindhoven will not exercise their option to permanently sign the Manchester United left-back after his loan spell.

• Dominic Calvert-Lewin: The Everton striker will depart as a free agent this summer after nine years at the club.

Expert Analysis on Hugo Ekitike

ESPN's resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen provides insights into Hugo Ekitike's playing style.

Ekitike frequently drifts wide on the left, challenging the opposing right-back or exploiting space between them and the centre-back. He is also mobile across the frontline. He excels in all attacking phases and demonstrates both the penetrative ability of a second striker and the link-up play of a traditional No. 9.

His high-intensity running is a key strength. He's adept at fending off challenges and drawing fouls, with a knack for creating goal-scoring opportunities independently.

He showcases sharp tactical awareness in attacking plays and is a prolific finisher with varied techniques.

A potential area for improvement is his tendency to rush execution, sometimes opting for long-range shots from unfavorable positions instead of seeking better angles.

Other Rumors Circulating

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• Jack Grealish's future at Manchester City is uncertain after Everton, Newcastle United, and Napoli were deterred by his wage demands. Bayern Munich has also been monitoring the 29-year-old winger.

• Arsenal are reportedly seeking a new left winger and have Atalanta's Ademola Lookman on their shortlist for around €50m.

• Southampton winger Tyler Dibling is attracting interest from Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Tottenham.

• Nottingham Forest have reportedly made a move for Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze following the French club's relegation.

• Newcastle's £25m offer for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford was turned down.

• Jhon Duran will reportedly join Fenerbahce on loan just six months after moving to Al Nassr.

• Napoli are looking at Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca to partner with Romelu Lukaku; they’re also interested in PSV Eindhoven winger Noa Lang, Brescia striker Gennaro Borrelli and Bologna centre-back Sam Beukema.

• Juventus are accelerating their efforts to sign Jonathan David after the expiration of the striker's Lille contract. They are also looking to sign a centre-back, with Marseille's Leonardo Balerdi being Igor Tudor's priority. Their alternatives are West Ham United's Nayef Aguerd, Bologna's Jhon Lucumí, Stuttgart's Jeff Chabot and Barcelona's Ronald Araújo.

• AC Milan are looking to move on a host of players including: Devis Vasquez, Emerson Royal, Malick Thiaw, Theo Hernandez, Filippo Terracciano, Yunus Musah, Ismael Bennacer, Yacine Adli, Samuel Chukwueze, Marko Lazetic, Noah Okafor, and Lorenzo Colombo.

• Real Betis will work on keeping Antony after the expiration of the winger's loan from Manchester United.

• Juventus and Bayern Munich are both monitoring Flamengo right-back Wesley.

• Birmingham City have joined the race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien.

• AS Monaco will announce the signing of winger Ansu Fati on Tuesday.

• Sunderland, Leeds United, Roma and Real Oviedo are all keeping tabs on Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García.