With the domestic leagues in Europe all wrapped up it’s now time for a summer of transfer madness with some big moves expected as teams from all over attempt to strengthen their squads in the window.
We’ve already seen some big transfer news confirmed with Erling Haaland joining Manchester City and fellow striker sensation Kylian Mbappe snubbing a move to Real Madrid by signing a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
We can expect a busy transfer window at Manchester United with Erik ten Hag taking the helm and tasked with bringing back the glory days to Old Trafford, while Chelsea will look to be busy in the market once the sale of the club goes through.
In Spain, Barcelona will be hoping to strengthen to put up a proper challenge for La Liga next year and there will be wholesale changes at rivals Real Madrid with the likes of Isco and Marcelo already confirming their exits.
Italian transfer headlines are currently being dominated by reports of Inter Milan targeting a move for Romelu Lukaku, while in the Bundesliga, Liverpool star Sadio Mane looks to be heading to champions Bayern Munich.
The Sporting News is rounding up the key updates — all day, every day — below.
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Gareth Bale confirms Real Madrid departure
Gareth Bale has bid farewell to Real Madrid after nine seasons in the Spanish capital with his contract set to expire next month.
Bale’s time in Madrid has come to a difficult end, despite some incredible moments with Los Blancos, after clinching a fifth Champions League title in their win over Liverpool in Paris.
🤍 #HALAMADRID pic.twitter.com/pogMmcLDwk
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 1, 2022
The Welsh international stated it was a honour to represent Real Madrid, as he now leaves on a free transfer, after arriving for a previous world record fee of £85m (€99m/$106.5m) in 2013.
It has been an honour. Thank you! #HALAMADRID @RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/T7FL2LNRrD
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 1, 2022
Bale has joined up with the Wales squad ahead of their crunch 2022 World Cup play-off on June 5, and he is expected to sign a short term club deal, if Rob Page’s side make it to Qatar.
Manchester United confirm Paul Pogba exit
Manchester United have officially revealed record transfer Paul Pogba will leave the club on a free transfer this month.
The French international has not been offered an extension to his expiring contract at Old Trafford and the former £89m (€104.5/$112m) man will now move on.
Once a Red, always a Red 🔴
Thank you for your service, @PaulPogba 👏#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 1, 2022
Pogba returned to United in 2016, after leaving them for Juventus in 2012, after failing to force his way into Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans despite his rave reviews in the youth ranks.
His second spell with the Red Devils has been dogged by injury and inconsistency, with 154 Premier League appearances in six seasons, alongside an EFL Cup and Europa League double win in 2017.
Arsenal set Youri Tielemans as No.1 transfer target
Arsenal’s main transfer goal this summer is to secure a move for Leicester City star Youri Tielemans according to Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal are still interested in Youri Tielemans, plans have not changed. He’s a target for the midfield – but it’s not an imminent deal as negotiations will take some time. 🇧🇪 #AFC
Two other clubs are also in the race for Tielemans, he’s gonna leave Leicester this summer.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 31, 2022
The Gunners have been tracking the Belgian international since the start of 2022 following his statement on wanting to play European football next season.
Romano hinted the Gunners are still working hard on a deal, but despite Tielemans’ desire to leave Leicester, negotiations are expected to stretch on into next month.
Real Madrid edging closer on Tchouameni deal
Real Madrid are on the verge of completing a deal for AS Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni despite late interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports from Goal.com confirm the French international has rejected alternative offers due to his desire to play for Los Blancos.
Tchouameni’s Les Bleus teammate Kylian Mbappe is rumoured to have personally reached out to him on PSG’s behalf but the 22-year-old is determined to complete an £85m (€100m/$107m) move to the Spanish capital.
There’s no stopping that strike 🤯
𝟭-𝟮 ‣ #LOSCASM | @atchouameni pic.twitter.com/kXIyJP9luz
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) May 9, 2022
The former Bordeaux man is currently on duty for the France squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League but an agreement could be wrapped up next week.
European giants eye Raheem Sterling
Manchester City star Raheem Sterling is attracting renewed transfer interest from Germany and Spain ahead of the 2022-23 season.
England winger Sterling was linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium last summer with Pep Guardiola stating he would not block an exit for the former Liverpool winger.
However, with the impending arrival of Erling Haaland at the Premier League champions, Sterling could see his game time reduced in the coming months.
Reports from BBC Sport claim Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid are monitoring the 27-year-old as he heads into the final year of his City contract.
Tottenham confirm Ivan Perisic swoop
May 31: Tottenham have confirmed their first piece of summer transfer business with Croatian star Ivan Perisic joining on a free transfer today.
Perisic opted against renewing his contract at Inter Milan at the start of 2022 and he joins Spurs on a two-year deal as a free agent.
🎙 “I’m really excited to start with the Spurs family”
Watch Ivan Perišić’s first interview as a Spurs player! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ktsbfAUEiR
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 31, 2022
The 33-year-old played a key role in Inter’s Serie A title success in 2021, under current Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, and he will add major Champions League experience to the Spurs squad ahead of 2022-23.
Arsenal linked with Everton star Richarlison
May 31: Mikel Arteta’s hunt for a new striker could lead him to Goodison Park as the Gunners boss looks to reinforce his attacking options this summer.
French star Alexandre Lacazette looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium on a free transfer next month with Arteta in the market for a replacement with Premier League experience.
Richarlison netted six Premier League goals in Everton’s final nine games of 2021/22 to ensure top-flight safety for Frank Lampard’s side, but he hinted at a move away during an interview on international duty.
“I’ve made it clear to the board. I’ve already talked to Lampard too, with my agents and they know what I want. Let’s wait for June,” said the Brazil forward, as per an interview with Globo Esporte.
Reports from the Daily Mail state Arsenal will now go toe-to-toe with domestic rivals Chelsea and Tottenham in the race for Richarlison, who is said to be valued at £40m (€46m/$50.5m).
Sadio Mane transfer latest
May 31: Reports of Sadio Mane wanting to leave Liverpool have gathered pace following the conclusion of the Reds’ 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 28.
Diario AS reported that Mane said goodbye to teammates and has his heart set on leaving, although the club are unlikely to accept any cut-price offer from Bayern.
The Liverpool correspondent for GOAL.com, Neil Jones, also reported that Mane is set to inform the club of his desire to leave, and the Daily Mail said that Liverpool want at least £35 million ($44.2 million) for him.
Sadio Mané has decided to leave Liverpool this summer 🚨🔴 #LFC
He’s ready for a new experience after many special years with Reds – it will be confirmed to the club.
FC Bayern are strong contenders – but it’s still open and not completed as Sadio wanted to wait for the final. pic.twitter.com/hr6R5NmuZ0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2022
Hours later on May 29, these reports were backed up by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who said Mane wished to wait until after the season was over to make moves on a summer transfer. He reported that Bayern are the favorites, but a move is not yet complete.
MORE: Champions League by the numbers: A look back on an action-packed season of elite European football
Romelu Lukaku transfer latest
JUN 1: Inter Milan will open talks with Romelu Lukaku’s representatives today over a potential comeback at Inter. As per reports from The Guardian, the Serie A giants are yet to contact Chelsea directly, but his lawyer Sebastien Ledure will assess the viability of a deal.
May 31: Lukaku’s struggles at Chelsea have been well documented this year, with eight Premier League goals in 2021-22, and that’s led to suggestions he could call time on his second spell in west London.
May 29: Several newspapers in Italy, including Gazzetta dello Sport, all claimed Lukaku is pushing for a return to Inter but he would need to halve his salary in order for a loan move to be considered.