Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news and rumours, including Sergi Roberto to West Ham United, Youssoufa Moukoko to Marseille and Desire Doue’s future.
West Ham United are supposedly plotting an audacious move for former Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto.
The 32-year-old is currently a free agent after ending his glittering 18-year spell with the Spanish giants, whom he made 373 appearances for while winning 22 pieces of silverware.
Barca boss Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco were apparently keen to keep Roberto on the books in Catalonia, but an agreement over a new contract ultimately could not be reached.
Following claims that an unnamed Premier League side were working on a deal for Roberto, Football Insider claims that West Ham are working to bring him to the London Stadium.
Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui supposedly feels that Roberto’s experience will be incredibly useful in the dressing room, in addition to his versatility, having played as both a right-back and central midfielder for Barcelona.
West Ham confirmed the signing of Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United on Saturday evening and are also working to close deals for Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug and Argentine midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
Marseille targeting Bundesliga striker as Eddie Nketiah alternative?
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On the other side of the English Channel, Marseille could supposedly turn their attention to Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko after being knocked back in their efforts to sign Arsenal‘s Eddie Nketiah.
The French giants have apparently failed with two proposals for the Nketiah, whom Arsenal are after £30m for, and it is unclear whether they plan to go in with a third offer.
An alternative has apparently been identified, though, as journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Marseille are working on a deal to bring Dortmund teenager Moukoko to the Orange Velodrome.
The 2004-born starlet is just one game shy of making 100 appearances for Dortmund, whom he has scored 18 goals for in 99 senior matches since coming through the youth system.
Moukoko’s opportunities last season were often limited, though, and the 19-year-old is now said to be on the verge of joining Marseille on loan with an option to buy.
The striker supposedly made it clear that he only wanted to join the French giants, who lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer.
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From one attacker potentially moving to Ligue 1 to another on his way out, Rennes protege Desire Doue is said to be leaning towards a switch to Bayern Munich.
The 19-year-old is thought to be on the radar of several top clubs across Europe after a successful 2023-24 campaign, in which he managed four goals and six assists in 42 games across all tournaments.
Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have all been tipped to battle for Doue’s signature, although the latter two clubs have now emerged as the frontrunners.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Doue is favouring a move to Bayern over PSG and has already agreed personal terms with the German giants, who are now trying to strike a deal with Rennes.
The Bavarians are supposedly prepared to pay as much as €60m (£51.2m) to sign Doue, but they will need to offload some unwanted players first in order to raise the required funds.
Doue is contracted to Rennes until 2026 and is currently competing with France at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Thierry Henry‘s men will meet Egypt in the semi-finals.
Nottingham Forest ‘win race’ for 15-year-old sensation
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Continuing with the theme of talented teenage prospects, Nottingham Forest have reportedly won the race to sign 15-year-old Dundee starlet Ally Graham.
Having already made appearances for the Dons’ Under-18s side while representing Scotland at youth level, goalkeeper Graham has naturally attracted glances from Premier League clubs.
The 15-year-old is said to have already trained with Southampton and Newcastle United, two clubs keen on his services, but Football Insider claims that he is instead bound for the City Ground.
The Garibaldi have extremely high hopes for the future with Graham in between the sticks, and he will join up with their academy side with a view to first-team progression in the coming years.
Graham could be one of a few goalkeepers to join Santo’s ranks this summer, as Forest have already signed 6ft 8in Brazilian giant Carlos Miguel and are said to be interested in Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale.