Transfer rumour ranking: Guimaraes to Arsenal imminent amid midfielder exit

Arsenal are signing one midfielder and selling another as we rank all the summer transfer rumours.

With so much transfer talk doing the rounds, we’re here again through the summer to sift through the bullsh*t and highlight the whispers that might have some substance.

Each day we’re ranking the top 20 rumours involving Premier League clubs, the higher the link, the more likely we feel they are to become done deals.

So we start with the tittle-tattle…

20) Felix Nmecha – Borussia Dortmund to Newcastle United

With another big-name Newcastle midfielder looking increasingly likely to leave, they need to replace him. Nmecha is one of their options after he was linked with Man Utd earlier in the window, while they have also made contact over a cheaper alternative.

19) Cody Gakpo – Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham plan to ‘step up their efforts’ for Cody Gakpo, according to Fabrizio Romano, with the Netherlands international seen as an ‘option in addition to Savinho’. This one could come down to Liverpool’s asking price and whether the Reds are willing to entertain offers for the Dutchman, which they reportedly don’t want to.

18) Vinicius Jr – Real Madrid to Arsenal

It still seems likely that Vinicius Junior stays at Real Madrid and signs a new contract – but fresh reports in Spain are insisting that Mikel Arteta has now ‘spoken. with the Brazil international in order to explain his vision. The Arsenal head coach is insisting that the Gunners’ project ‘would largely revolve around him’ which is something Vinicius Jr doesn’t currently feel at Real Madrid. Expect this one to roll on…

17) Manu Kone – Roma to Manchester United

Because of Mason Mount, Man Utd reportedly may not make a third midfield signing this summer, but Manu Kone remains a standout option if they do proceed with recruiting a more defensive option to replace Casemiro.

16) Nicolas Jackson – Chelsea to Aston Villa or Tottenham

Unai Emery likes Jackson from their time together at Villarreal, but this one is complicated. If Villa buy Jackson, under UEFA’s 45-day rule, this would be seen as a player exchange coming so soon after the Morgan Rogers sale, meaning any profit on the books from selling the England star would take a serious hit. Could Villa get around this by loaning Jackson? Nope, because Premier League clubs can only loan one player from any other Prem club and Villa have just signed Alejandro Garnacho on such a deal. It’s difficult, but both clubs seem motivated to find a way to get this done. And now there is ‘interest’ from Tottenham…

15) Lewis Hall – Newcastle United to Manchester United

Eddie Howe’s exit has sparked renewed links between Hall and Man Utd because, well, that’s just how these things work now. But given the instability and others who’ve made for the exit, we could see Hall pushing a little harder than he might have done had Howe not gone and we all know how that will end.

14) Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye- PSG to Liverpool

Liverpool have spoken to Barcola’s representatives, who have intimated the France winger’s eagerness to move to Anfield. Which is all well and good, but PSG have made it known they intend to drive a hard bargain, starting at £145million. Which is obviously ludicrous. Liverpool have now made a bid, apparently, but this failed to charm the European champions.

And now there is the tantalising prospect of a ‘double deal’.

13) Savinho – Manchester City to Tottenham

It feels as though this one has been doing the rounds for far too long, and even Tottenham are sick of it. They have issued a deadline of the weekend for City to decide whether or not they are interested in a deal, with the player keen to go. Finally, we’re set for some movement, with £60million the figure being thrown around.

12) Rodri – Manchester City to Real Madrid

The Spain star wants to join Real; Jose Mourinho would be happy to have him; and Florentino Perez seems to be coming around to the idea too. Real are ready to ay anything up to £51million for the midfielder with a year on his contract. City have a decision to make…

11) Ayyoub Bouaddi – Lille to Manchester City

City are leading the race for the Morocco World Cup star but plenty remains unresolved. Our colleagues at TEAMtalk are reporting that he has now agreed terms with the Premier League side who are keen to have him this season, but Lille want him back on loan.

10) Ousmane Diomande – Sporting Lisbon to Nottingham Forest

Forest are said to be involved in advanced talks with Sporting over a £30million move for the centre-back as Oliver Glasner seeks a stopper to slide in alongside Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic to form a back three. Glasner wanted Diomande at Palace and finally looks set to work with the Senegal international in what could be a very astute move for Forest. This deal has stalled in recent days, but it should still go through.

9) Cristian Romero – Tottenham Hotspur to Inter Milan

Romero was always going to leave Tottenham this summer; it was just a matter of where he went next. Inter Milan have been there for him all summer and it is now being reported that this move is practically done.

8) Geronimo Rulli – Marseille to Manchester City

With James Trafford off to Leeds, City are looking for a new back-up goalkeeper. That signing will reportedly be Marseille’s Rulli, with their first bid lodged, per Fabrizio Romano.

7) Nobel Mendy – Rayo Vallecano to Hull City

Acun Ilicali’s incredible post about Hull’s transfer business included a Senegalese player given a 70% chance of joining. Now that a €20m deal for Mendy has been agreed, we can presume that player is him. Capable of playing centre-back or left-back, Mendy is only 21 and looks like a solid addition for the newly-promoted Tigers.

6) Pep Chavarria – Rayo Vallecano to Chelsea

This deal looked off for a while, but Chelsea have now returned with a new offer for the Vallecano star, who has been their top target to replace Marc Cucurella. They have already agreed personal terms with the player, and have now reportedly agreed a fee with his current club (around £22m plus add-ons).

5) Christian Norgaard – Arsenal to Everton

The most David Moyes signing ever? After a season on Arsenal’s bench, Norgaard will become Everton’s midfield general. A medical has begun and the deal will be announced this week.

4) Trevoh Chalobah – Chelsea to Como

Como and Chelsea have been in talks for months and an agreement was sealed on Monday for around 36 million euros including add-ons. Chalobah will play in the Champions League under Cesc Fabregas once the deal goes through.

MORE Arsenal could offer Tonali money and Bruno Guimaraes may still be a bargain…

2) Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle to Arsenal

Guimaraes to Arsenal was likely before Eddie Howe’s exit from Newcastle United, but the head coach’s departure has expedited this move. They have now agreed a £75m transfer which will be completed within the next few hours/days.