Here We Go: Barça keep busy; Real Madrid land gem; Man United and Newcastle latest; Chelsea exodus looming?

We’re inching ever closer to the start of the summer transfer market and the movements between top clubs in Europe never stop. In particular, Barcelona have a lot of negotiations already opened as the work of Xavi Hernández as new manager has so far been excellent, with the club in a three-way tie for second place in the Spanish league table with a goal differential edge over Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, who they beat on Sunday. As a result, the club has already two signings prepared for the summer, and although Barça president Joan Laporta is not ready to reveal their names, we can safely confirm that both Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen will suit up for the Blaugrana side next season.

Kessié’s contract, which will keep him in Spain until June 30, 2026, has already been signed and the medical tests have been completed in Lugano as he’s ready to leave AC Milan at the end of the season. As for Christensen, it will be necessary to wait for the signatures — the paperwork will soon be ready — though the verbal agreement has already been made by the Chelsea defender.

More Chelsea players leaving?

So what happens now when it comes to Antonio Rudiger? The player wants to wait for the dust to settle on Chelsea’s ownership status in order to make a clear decision his future, but his agents, meanwhile, have been talking for months with Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus and even Barcelona have had a direct meeting with his representatives. No decision made and no agreement has been reached yet as Rudiger will wait and choose in the coming weeks. 

Meanwhile, the automatic contract renewal clause has been activated until June 2023 for César Azpilicueta. Chelsea hope to convince him to stay and Xavi would like him at Barcelona. The Blaugrana offer remains on the table for a two-year contract, with an option to extend until June 2025.

Real Madrid land Brazilian gem

Real Madrid have completed the agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for the loan of the Brazilian right back Vinicius Tobias, born in 2004. The 18-year-old signed a deal that will be valid until June 30, 2023, and will include a buy option of around €18 million ($19.77 million). This is viewed as a big opportunity for the Spanish club as Vinicius get his feet wet with Real Madrid Castilla, their second team.

Manchester United and Newcastle latest

Let’s head to the Premier League, where these days, the most active club has certainly been Manchester United. They’re in the midst of their search for a new manager and Bruno Fernandes has signed a new contract until June 30, 2026, with an option until 2027. The club strongly wanted to believe in Fernandes for the future, while there are no chances for Spain national team head coach Luis Enrique to become the new manager. The two candidates to date are Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino. The club will decide soon and will also speak with Luke Shaw’s agents about his contract.

Finally, Newcastle are closely following the progress of talented fullback Aaron Hickey, a young Scottish star who plays for Bologna. The Magpies will sign a left back in the summer and Hickey is an appreciated player with other clubs who have already asked for information about him. He’s definitely a name to remember this summer.

Forget Mbappe to Barça

And forget about the rumors on Barcelona option for Kylian Mbappé. Stories around the world about Mbappé will continue but there is only Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain. During a Sunday post-game interview with Amazon Prime, he confirmed that there’s a chance he stays put in Paris: “I haven’t made my choice on the future, everyone knows that. I’m thinking, there are new elements and a lot of parameters. If I had made my decision, I would’ve announced it.”