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.
On top of that, the summer is beginning to see its annual haul of transfer rumours seasoned into our football digest, with many Premier League players linked with big money moves around Europe.
We analyse the biggest potential moves below.
Declan Rice
It was revealed recently that West Ham United captain and England midfielder Declan Rice had a gentlemen’s agreement with club owner David Sullivan to allow the 24-year-old to leave the London Stadium this summer. With some of Europe’s biggest clubs being briefed on the availability of one of the highest-rated defensive midfielders on the planet, it will take a big bid for the east Londoners to feel the need to accept.
Perhaps the biggest of those bids will come from another London club in Arsenal. They are the overwhelming favourites at 1/8 to land Rice’s services this summer after already having a bid rejected by David Moyes’ side. With Manchester City (9/2) and Bayern Munich (25/1) also reportedly interested, Mikel Arteta’s side may need to wrap up the deal quickly despite it being the early stages of the window.
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.
This summer sees some of the giants of European football join the queue alongside some of the ever-present big Premier League clubs, with Real Madrid in particular looking for a new striker after Karim Benzema departed for Saudi Arabia. Los Blancos are the 5/2 favourites to secure the England captain’s signature this summer, with Manchester United also in the running at 4/1.
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 season, 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 at 6/4 despite already confirming the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, whilst there is also deemed to be competition from Manchester United at 5/1. With Arsenal supposedly the next likeliest club to sign the former AS Monaco forward at a massive 25/1, it seems it will likely only be one or two sides that see a transfer of this magnitude feasible.
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 £35m back in 2020 and if reports are anything to go by, the Naples outfit will want at least three times 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. Manchester United are the 3/1 favourites after trying to plug the gap by signing Wout Wehorst on loan in January, whilst Chelsea – always seemingly in need of an attacking spark – also lurk in the background at 5/2.
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