Transfer News: Real Madrid to Wait for Top Target, Arsenal Want £53 Million Defender

Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr. at the State de France, Saint-Denis, Paris, France, May 8. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty

The season is finally over, and now the real fun can begin.

Manchester City were champions of England, the mass record-breakers, but can Pep Guardiola's club succeed this summer?

Arsenal may have finished sixth, bottom of English football's so-called super-clubs, but will a new manager overhaul their squad?

And where do Chelsea go from here? The free-spending club from the King's Road looks set for a new manager who will be without Champions League football, but will he have Roman's roubles to spend?

Here, Newsweek takes a look at all the news and rumors swirling around European football today, starting in the French capital:

According to the Daily Express, Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar Jr., who signed for the club last summer for £199 million, has said he will wait until after the World Cup to discuss any transfers. The 26-year-old Brazilian is expected to join Real Madrid at some point.

Arsenal are considering making a bid for Napoli's 26-year-old center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, according to the Daily Express. However, the club may be put off as the Italian club has stuck a £53 million price tag on the Senegal international's back.

In West London, Chelsea are expected to replace Antonio Conte with Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri this summer who, according to Tuttosport, wants to bring Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain with him.

The champions Manchester City will look to strengthen this summer. According to the Leicester Mercury, Guardiola's team has already renewed its interest in Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez. The 27-year-old winger was expected to move in January but the deal broke down.

Down the road at Old Trafford, Manchester United have an offer to consider. Newly-promoted Wolves want to sign United center-back Victor Lindelof on a season-long loan as they prepare for their first year back in the top-flight, according to The Sun.

And finally, there's good news for fans at Selhurst Park as, according to the Daily Express, star man Wilfried Zaha has said he does not want to leave Crystal Palace.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go