Strikers are the main talking point across the transfer market as we head into its final month, with Darwin Nunez set for a Liverpool exit, whilst Rasmus Hojlund could be heading back to an old side. Here are some of the main stories over the last few days of the transfer market from TribalFootball's transfer expert Rudy Galetti.
Nunez said yes to Al Hilal move
Nunez has given the green light to a potential transfer to Al Hilal, with the Uruguayan striker open to making the move if Liverpool and the Saudi club reach an agreement. The forward has been impressed by Al Hilal’s ambitious long-term project, especially with the recent appointment of Simone Inzaghi as head coach.
Talks between Nunez’s camp and Al Hilal began in late April and have grown more serious in recent weeks, especially after the club’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen came to an end.
At this stage, Nunez has reached a verbal agreement with Al Hilal. Some final contract details still need to be discussed, but both sides are confident of finalising terms soon. Now, the next step is club-to-club negotiations. Liverpool are hoping to recover close to what they paid Benfica in 2022.
With the player's approval secured, formal talks between the clubs are expected to begin in the coming days. After the arrival of Joao Felix to Al Nassr, Al Hilal now want to respond to the rival club with another big name to join the Saudi Pro League this summer. Anything is possible now in Darwin's future, it all depends on the agreement between the clubs.
Battle rages for Sesko
Manchester United are still working on their first official offer for Benjamin Sesko. RB Leipzig have set a price tag of €90m for the striker, plus a sell-on clause for any future transfer. United are still finalising the structure of their proposal, but internal talks suggest they are considering a bid worth €83/84m, including bonuses.
This would slightly surpass Newcastle’s offer of €80m, bonuses included, but still falls short of Leipzig’s asking price by around €6/7m. The German club are not planning to lower their demands, and will only negotiate seriously if they receive a concrete and competitive bid. United's offer is expected to be submitted later this week.
While it may not be enough to close the deal, it could help speed up talks and start the crucial phase of the race with Newcastle. Both Premier League sides are in constant contact with Sesko’s representatives, and the player is expected to decide soon.
The player, in fact, is in no rush to make a decision, but at the same time, he doesn't want to wait too long before finding out which club he will play for in the upcoming season.
Premier League clubs interested in Amine Adli
Amine Adli is one of the names to watch in the final weeks of the transfer window. The Bayer Leverkusen player is attracting serious interest from Premier League clubs, with Wolves, West Ham, and Sunderland all in the race. The 25-year-old made 42 appearances across all competitions in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic 2023/24 campaign.
Adli helped Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title, while the DFB Pokal was also won. Adli is keen on a move to England, and the Premier League is his top priority.
His price tag is around €30m, and Bayer Leverkusen are open to letting him go this summer. Sunderland are fully in the mix, especially after completing the signing of Granit Xhaka, and they are ready to compete directly with Wolves to land the Moroccan winger.
Adli, known for his speed, creativity, and technical ability, is seen as a strong addition for any attacking line. While West Ham remain interested, Wolves and Sunderland appear to be the most active right now. The competition is wide open, but one thing is clear: Adli wants the Premier League, and the next weeks will be decisive for his future.
Atalanta interested in bringing Hojlund back to Serie A
Atalanta are considering a move to bring Rasmus Hojlund back to Serie A, just two years after his departure. The Danish striker is no longer in Manchester United’s plans, and the club is open to letting him go this summer. Hojlund’s agent is pushing for a return to Italy, believing Serie A is a better fit for the striker’s development and playing style.
While Juventus, Milan, and Inter have all made informal inquiries, it was the player's entourage that encouraged Atalanta to take a step forward. Manchester United have told interested clubs they’re open to a loan deal with a buy option that would become obligatory under achievable conditions.
The English club is also willing to cover part of Hojlund’s salary to facilitate his exit. Atalanta’s project offers more playing time than other top Serie A clubs, which could be key for Hojlund.
The Bergamo side - who are now handling the Lookman exit issue as a priority - is now evaluating the opportunity, but this will not be a quick negotiation. Talks are expected to continue into the coming weeks as all sides assess the conditions.
Newcastle have recently explored multiple striker options in parallel with Sesko
Benjamin Sesko remains the top option for Newcastle, but in recent weeks, behind the scenes, the English club explored other profiles as well, as the RB Leipzig striker has not made any decision on his future. Among the names considered is Samu Omorodion, with recent contacts taking place to understand the player's availability and the potential deal conditions, both on personal terms and for a possible transfer fee from Porto.
Newcastle has been following him for a long time and appreciates him. The English side also approached Marcus Thuram to gather information. However, the French striker has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Inter this summer. For this reason, there is - and there will be - no progress in that direction. Then there is Ollie Watkins, another much-appreciated name who is open to leaving Aston Villa if a club presents a project he likes.
Despite competition from Man United, Sesko remains the main target, and negotiations are ongoing with his camp. The striker has yet to make a final decision, but both Premier League clubs hope for his green light. Meanwhile, the future of Alexander Isak remains uncertain, adding another layer of intrigue to Newcastle's attacking plans.
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