Manchester United and Arsenal Target Alex Scott Amid Transfer Buzz

The market hasn’t exploded yet, but the big hitters are already drawing battle lines.

At Bournemouth, a 22-year-old midfielder is suddenly at the centre of a tug of war. According to The Daily Mail, both Manchester United and Arsenal have set their sights on Alex Scott, the standout of the Cherries’ campaign and now a £60 million problem for his club and suitors alike.

United, planning to move on Manuel Ugarte, want fresh legs and craft in midfield. Arsenal, forever fine‑tuning the balance behind their forwards, see the same qualities. Bournemouth, who watched Scott grow into a key figure last season, are pushing to tie him down to a new contract. The fee being discussed tells its own story: this is no speculative punt, this is “build the midfield around him” money.

City’s right-back succession and the Gusto question

Up the table and across the city, Manchester City are already plotting life after Kyle Walker.

Nicolo Schira reports that City have turned their attention to Chelsea right back Malo Gusto, the 23-year-old who arrived at Stamford Bridge in January 2023 for £30 million. He is viewed as a long-term successor to Walker, but there’s another twist: a potential reunion with Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea assistant now edging closer to confirmation as Pep Guardiola’s successor.

If Maresca walks into the Etihad, Gusto could follow. The profile fits: aggressive, technically sharp, comfortable high and wide or tucking inside. City don’t often miss with this kind of move.

Liverpool, Newcastle and the race for emerging firepower

Liverpool’s attack is already stacked, but the recruitment team keep hunting for the next wave.

The Daily Mail says the club have identified Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo as a serious option after his 13 direct goal contributions in 29 Ligue 1 matches last season. With RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande rated at €120 million, Fernandez-Pardo represents a more realistic alternative, and a chance to outmanoeuvre another Premier League rival.

That rival is Newcastle United. The Magpies, fresh from beating Liverpool to Víctor Muñoz from Osasuna for €40 million, are again in the same lane, also tracking the Lille forward. Their rebuild out wide hasn’t stopped there. Newcastle are reported to be monitoring FC Cologne winger Said El Mala, who has already drawn interest from Brighton and Brentford, as they search for a replacement for Anthony Gordon after his €70 million move to Barcelona.

Liverpool, Newcastle, Lille, Cologne, Barcelona. One vacancy on the left, and a web of deals that could define two attacks for years.

Villa’s ambition meets West Ham’s reality

Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery has changed the way they shop. They are no longer browsing; they are hunting.

The Athletic reports that Villa are keen on West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, a player Emery admires and a proven Premier League goalscorer. West Ham want to keep him as they aim for promotion back to the Premier League, but money talks. Proposals around the £50 million mark could at least bring them to the table.

At the same time, Villa are drawing a firm line of their own. Sky Sports says the club have informed Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain that Morgan Rogers is not for sale this summer. The attacking midfielder, who impressed after arriving in January, has suitors across Europe, but Villa are building, not dismantling.

Ambition cuts both ways. Bowen is the statement signing; Rogers is the statement refusal.

Real Madrid look to Enzo Fernández as Olise door closes

In Spain, Real Madrid’s search for another attacking spark has taken a sharp turn.

AS reports that, having decided that a move for Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise is highly unlikely, Madrid have turned their attention to Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández. The 25-year-old is understood to be keen on leaving Stamford Bridge and has expressed a desire to live in Madrid, but the numbers are daunting: a fee in excess of €130 million will be needed.

Chelsea, under pressure to balance the books yet reluctant to strip their core, hold a powerful card. Madrid, fresh from another era-defining season, must decide whether Fernández is the next piece worth that kind of outlay.

Chelsea close on Palestra as Álvarez shakes up the market

While others circle their players, Chelsea are closing in on one of their own targets.

ESPN sources say the club are nearing a deal worth around €55 million for Atalanta full back Marco Palestra. Talks are progressing well, with an agreement expected soon, though the final fee is not yet settled. Palestra, 21, was named Serie A’s defender of the year after a standout season-long loan at Cagliari, where he made 37 appearances. Inter Milan had been in negotiations, but Chelsea have moved decisively.

The bigger shockwave, though, comes from Spain. Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez told ESPN he wants to leave this summer, throwing open the door to Europe’s elite. Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have all been linked, and Real Madrid previously saw a €150 million bid for the Argentina international rejected last month.

One forward, four giants, one already failed nine-figure offer. The next step in Álvarez’s career will reshape more than just one squad.

Record-breaking move in the women’s game

On the women’s side, Real Madrid have made a statement of their own.

Sweden forward Felicia Schröder has joined the club from BK Häcken in what her former side and her agent, Linus Gunnarsson, describe as the “biggest transfer” in women’s football history. The fee remains undisclosed, and it is not yet clear whether the deal sets a new record, but the language around it is unmistakable: Madrid are intent on being a dominant force in the women’s game as well.

The rest of the market: pressure points emerging

Beneath the headline deals, the market is already humming.

• AS Monaco and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun is expected to leave Ligue 1 this summer, with Premier League clubs circling, according to The Athletic.
• Football Insider reports that Liverpool will only consider selling Cody Gakpo if a significant offer arrives, amid links to Tottenham Hotspur.
• Roma want to move quickly to tie forward Paulo Dybala to a new contract extension, says Corriere dello Sport.
• Mundo Deportivo states that Real Madrid remain interested in Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck despite an ankle injury that will keep him out for around two months.
• El Chiringuito reports that Barcelona are preparing a fresh €150 million offer for Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, keeping the saga firmly alive.
• Arsenal have opened talks to sign 16-year-old Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, according to The Athletic.
• TEAMtalk says Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz, who has been linked with a €9 million return to Real Madrid.
• Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus are in discussions with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for striker Randal Kolo Muani.
• Atalanta are looking at Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Kerim Alajbegovic, who spent last season on loan at FC Salzburg, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.
• And Fabrizio Romano says Roma have dismissed Chelsea’s interest in full back Wesley Franca.

Names, numbers, and negotiations are already stacking up. The window hasn’t yet hit full speed, but the pattern is clear: this summer won’t just be about who spends the most, but who dares to move first.