Mbappe bombshell, Messi problem and Hojlund twist - FootballTransfers’ recap

Robin Bairner

• 21 Jul 2023 23:20 BST
• 4 min read

Kylian Mbappe created football transfer news headlines on Friday when it was announced that he would not take part in PSG’s upcoming tour of Japan.

PSG drop Mbappe over ‘Real Madrid agreement’

PSG have effectively put superstar Mbappe on the transfer market with the revelation that he will not take part in the club’s forthcoming tour of Japan

.The Parisians believe that Mbappe has already agreed to a transfer to Real Madrid next summer.

Man Utd’s Hojlund transfer threatened

One of the outcomes of PSG’s decision to leave Mbappe out of their plans for next season is that they have opened talks with Atalanta stroller Rasmus Hojlund.

This spells bad news for Man Utd, who have made the No.9 their big summer target. They were already struggling to agree terms with the Serie A club.

Messi causes ‘MAJOR’ problem

Ahead of his debut for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi is causing ripples in MLS because of his insistence that he will not play on artificial turf.

Three clubs that play in the Eastern Conference use the surface – including two that David Beckham’s MLS franchise will visit before the end of the current season.

Chelsea get mixed Brighton news

Chelsea’s prospects of keeping Levi Cowill have been boosted thanks to the news that Brighton are on the verge of signing a like-for-like alternative.

Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi, though, appears to have shot down claims that Moises Caicedo has been promised an exit pass.

Lukaku rejects Saudi Pro League move

Romelu Lukaku’s future remains in limbo, with the Belgium international striker having rejected the chance to move to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal.

The Chelsea striker continues to be a magnet for criticism, with former Inter captain Beppe Bergomi slamming his attitude.

EXCLUSIVE: West Ham target Tah

West Ham want to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah. The player has previously admitted that he would like to play in the Premier League, while the healthy windfall the Hammers gained from selling Declan Rice to Arsenal could fund the move.