Real Madrid are set to join the race for Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes, 21, after West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League, according to the Sun. The move comes as Brighton rejected a second bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Netherlands centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, 25, following their initial £70m offer, with new Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi keen to be reunited with the defender he worked with at the Amex.
Van Hecke, who has a year left on his contract, has made 131 appearances for Brighton since joining from NAC Breda in 2020 for a relatively modest sum. Chief executive Paul Barber, placed in charge of outgoing transfers after the unexpected exit of sporting director Jason Ayto, is known for Brighton’s hard-line bargaining stance, having previously extracted fees exceeding £50m for Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro. Given Van Hecke’s contract situation, it is likely Barber and owner Tony Bloom have a contingency in mind if a deal is eventually agreed.
“Real Madrid chase Fernandes after West Ham relegation; Brighton reject second Tottenham bid for Van Hecke.”
Elsewhere, Harry Maguire could be allowed to leave Manchester United this summer, just months after the 33-year-old England defender signed a new contract. Inter Milan have made an offer for Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, 25, but are currently some way short of the club’s valuation. Liverpool could use Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo, 27, as leverage in their bid to sign Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, 19, from RB Leipzig.
Bayern Munich have said they have no intention of selling Michael Olise after Real Madrid said they would offer £130m for the France winger, 24. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, 29, has emerged as the frontrunner as Juventus look to sign a new shot-stopper. In the Championship, Coventry City have submitted a club-record £20m bid for Carl Rushworth, the 24-year-old English goalkeeper who helped the Sky Blues win the Championship while on loan from Brighton last season.
Bernardo Silva, 31, said joining Barcelona is “an option” after leaving Manchester City but the Portugal midfielder is yet to make a decision on his future.