Football
Biggest transfer rumours of the summer
Despite the 2023 summer transfer window only opening on 14th June, there have been several deals completed in the preliminary stages of the off-season.
With Mason Mount joining Manchester United and Declan Rice on the verge of signing for Arsenal, some deals have already been hauled over the line, but the future of some big names in the Premier League and beyond remain in doubt.
We analyse the biggest potential moves below.
Harry Kane
The future of Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been almost impossible to call over the past few seasons. From golf course interviews with Gary Neville to the stubbornness of club owner Daniel Levy, Spurs’ all-time top goalscorer always seems on the verge of leaving north London, only to continuously show up on the first day of the season with a Lilywhite shirt on.
Spurs have recently rejected a bid from German champions Bayern Munich, with rumours circulating that Thomas Tuchel’s side will be back with another proposal before the end of the window. Bayern are deemed to be Kane’s likeliest destination at 11/8, with PSG (9/2) curiously in with a shout as well.
Kylian Mbappe
In what seems to be an annual demonstration, Kylian Mbappe once again ‘shocked’ the football world by announcing that he wanted to leave PSG this summer, in the form of a letter for the club’s directors. Having almost joined Real Madrid last season, the 24-year-old committed to the Parisian club this campaign, but after getting dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich, the French forward clearly wants a new challenge.
Real Madrid unsurprisingly lead the market for this one again, and have shortened from 6/4 to 1/2 in recent weeks. With Manchester United supposedly the next likeliest club to sign the former AS Monaco forward at a massive 16/1, it seems it will likely only be Los Blancos who can make a transfer of this magnitude happen.
Victor Osimhen
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen took European football by storm last season after bagging 31 goals in all competitions and leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 23 years. The Nigerian forward was signed from Lille for roughly £65m back in 2020 and if reports are anything to go by, the Naples outfit will want at least double that figure to even consider cutting ties with their star forward.
The list of rumoured clubs once again feature sides who are arguably lacking a striker to match the quality of their respective squads. PSG have had to contend with the departure of Lionel Messi and are the 9/2 favourites to secure the Nigerian’s signature, whilst Chelsea and Manchester United are each 5/1 to bolster their attacking options before the end of the window.
David De Gea
Manchester United finally parted company with goalkeeper David De Gea on a free transfer after 12 long years with the club, with Erik ten Hag keen to add a ballplaying keeper to his ranks after some notable errors from the Spaniard towards the end of the season.
With De Gea now a free agent, any side will have a free shot at him (if they can match his wages, of course). Any Saudi Pro League club predictably leads the market at 2/5, though a return to Atletico Madrid for De Gea also can’t be ruled out at 4/1. From the Premier League, Chelsea are deemed to have the best shot at him after parting ways with Edouard Mendy recently, and can be backed at 12/1 to make a move for the Spaniard.
