Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Transfer news, rumours as they happened: Unai Emery set for Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and more

All the latest Premier League transfer news plus gossip, rumours and done deals

Monday 21 May 2018 10:39 EDT
Comments
January transfer window 2018 shuts: Ten of the top moves

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Premier League’s summer transfer window is open with Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal set to be busier than ever.

For the first time in over two decades Arsenal will head into the off-season with a new manager at the helm. That man looks set to be Unai Emery, who has beaten Mikel Arteta to the job. At United Jose Mourinho looks set to spend big again as he targets reinforcements in his bid to haul in record-breaking Manchester City next season. A new left-back and central midfield player are high on his list.

Liverpool have enjoyed success in the Champions League this term and their quest to end their league title drought in 2019 will be bolstered by the arrival of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig – he will not be the last new face on Merseyside, however. Chelsea could well be looking for a new manager themselves with the future of Mauricio Pochettino across London at Tottenham Hotspur less certain than ever before.

We will have all the latest news, views, rumours, gossip and done deals right here so don’t touch that dial.


Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

Good morning and welcome to today's Independent transfer live blog.

Manchester City are Premier League champions and everyone else are getting set to spend, spend, spend to catch them.

For the first time in 22 years there will also be a new manager in charge at Arsenal with Mikel Arteta set to be announced as Arsene Wenger's successor.

We'll bring you all the latest news, done deals and breaking rumours throughout the day right here so don't touch that dial.

Without further ado, off we go.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 07:26

There's only one place to start and that's north London.

Only the make-up of Mikel Arteta’s backroom team stands between the 36-year-old and the Arsenal manager's job.

Even beyond Arsene Wenger’s departure, it has been a close-season of deep change at London Colney, with a number of long-serving staff leaving.

That was something that was going to happen regardless of what manager came in, but it has meant that Wenger’s replacement - now fully expected by current employees to be Arteta - will have to put together a new coaching set-up.

Some sources have also stated the Emirates hierarchy are conscious of supporter doubt about appointing a man - albeit a former player - whose only coaching experience is two years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, so want to be able to announce what can be billed as a high-quality coaching team.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 07:33

Manchester United will face a battle to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, the Daily Mirror reports.

The Brazil star is looking to a future outside of Ukraine, with Paris St Germain also interested in signing the 25-year-old according to the paper.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 07:42

Antonio Conte insists he has never considered leaving Chelsea during his time at the club, despite speculation linking him with an imminent departure from Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Italian’s position at Chelsea has been cast under scrutiny this season amid reports of disharmony between him and the club’s board.

In spite of lifting the FA Cup with his men on Saturday afternoon, having beaten Manchester United 1-0 in a flat final at Wembley, Conte is still expected to step down from his position in the coming months as the Chelsea hierarchy plots a fresh overhaul at the club.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 07:53

An overhaul at Tottenham could see Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose heading for the exit door, the Mirror reports.

Spurs are ready to listen to offers for the pair, as well as Mousa Dembele, Fernando Llorente and Moussa Sissoko, the paper says.

Mauricio Pochettino is said to be seeking backing from the club's hierarchy with a more unrestricted wage structure to bring in new talent.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 07:58

Nemanja Matic has admitted that Manchester United need to recruit “a few more players” during the coming summer transfer window in order to mount a genuine challenge for next season’s title.

United ended the season trophy-less following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Chelsea in the FA Cup final, a result which saw the side’s campaign end on a sour note.

Despite finishing second in the Premier League, a 19-point gap separated Jose Mourinho’s men from champions Manchester City in a damning indicator of the difference in quality between the two teams.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 08:06

After nine goals and a hand in keeping Crystal Palace in the top flight, Wilfried Zaha is said to be on the radar of a number of clubs - most notably Manchester City, the Star reports.

The paper says Pep Guardiola wants to be one of the first to know if the Ivory Coast winger decides to depart Selhurst Park this summer.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 08:14

Manuel Pellegrini is preparing for talks with West Ham United, and his willingness to take over the east London club make him the most likely person to replace David Moyes as Hammers boss. 

A Premier League-winning coach, Pellegrini has a glittering CV which includes taking Villarreal and Manchester City to the final four of the Champions League for the first time in their respective histories as well as guiding Malaga to the quarter-finals of European football's premier club competition. 

The only significant blot on Pellegrini's career was his sacking by Real Madrid, largely the product of a Copa del Rey elimination by third-tier Alcorcón, but the Chilean also managed to guide the Bernabeu club to their highest-ever points total in La Liga. 

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 08:20

Malcom has been lighting up Ligue 1 for Bordeaux, and has now caught the attention of Liverpool who could be tempted to make a move for the £40m-rated winger in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 08:25

Thibaut Courtois may not know where his or manager Antonio Conte’s future lies, but the goalkeeper is sure that Chelsea need to spend big to compete in the Premier League next season.

Eden Hazard’s first-half penalty saw the west Londoners beat Manchester United 1-0 to lift the FA Cup on Saturday evening at Wembley.

It was the best moment in a frustrating season as Chelsea failed to build on last season’s league triumph, with a tepid title defence underpinned by background tension that leaves many speculating that Conte will soon leave.

Ben Burrows21 May 2018 08:33

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in