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

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.

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal fans have nothing to worry about over contract situation

Mikel Arteta said he is feeling “comfortable” about his contract situation at Arsenal and told fans they have nothing to worry about.

Arteta, who led Arsenal to Premier League glory last season, has entered the final 12 months of his deal but expects to extend his deal soon.

“They don’t have to worry about any of that, because I want to be here,” he said last night.

“I am extremely happy. I feel very grateful to work with the people that I work with and when we have the possibility, we will resolve that. And that’s it.

“There is always another priority, I think! That’s the way we have been treating it, I think because everybody feels comfortable that the time on the contract is not going to be an issue.

“I think because my will, certainly, is to be here and I am very happy here. My feeling from the club is the same one. That is why everyone is doing things in a really organic way.”

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 '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.

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Jamie Braidwood15 August 2026 08:25

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.

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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.

Jamie Braidwood15 August 2026 08:15

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.

Harry Latham-Coyle15 August 2026 00:30

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.