Transfer Rumours: Mateus Fernandes twist as Chelsea agree terms with midfielder

28 Jun 2026 07:00 CDT | 5 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 28 June, including the latest updates on Mateus Fernandes, Granit Xhaka and Curtis Jones.

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Man Utd not giving up on Fernandes

Man Utd have held fresh talks with West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, as per Matteo Moretto.

Tottenham have strongly entered the race for the Portugal international and intimated that they would be prepared to pay as much as €100 million for him, which is a fee Man Utd are not prepared to match.

However, Man Utd are not deterred by this and have gone back in with a fresh contract proposal for Fernandes, who was already keen to join, in a bid to get him to snub Tottenham.

Chelsea in Xhaka bombshell

Chelsea are plotting the surprising signing of Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka.

Reports emerged on Saturday afternoon that the 33-year-old had been the subject of a shock €30m bid from the Blues at the "express request" of new manager Xabi Alonso.

Sky Germany reports that the Switzerland star has already reached a full agreement on personal terms, while Fabrizio Romano adds that Xhaka is desperate to return to London and to play for Alonso again.

Inter to return for Jones

Inter are planning to hold fresh talks with Liverpool over Curtis Jones, according to Corriere dello Sport.

After missing out on Nico Paz, Inter are ready to make another attempt for Jones after previously pausing discussions due to the vast discrepancy in valuation between the two clubs.

Inter offered just over €25m for him, while Liverpool are asking for around €40m. Inter are not yet giving up in the knowledge that Jones is keen to join after growing frustrated with his lack of minutes on Merseyside.

PSG step up Akliouche pursuit

PSG are intensifying their pursuit of Monaco attacker Maghnes Akliouche, Fabrizio Romano understands.

The Parisians are leading the race for the 24-year-old, ahead of two unnamed Premier League clubs. It is possible that one of those clubs is Liverpool, who have been strongly linked with Akliouche in recent weeks.

The Monaco star would be a replacement for Lee Kang-in, who is in talks over a move to Atletico Madrid. Personal terms with Akliouche are not thought to be an issue, as he has reportedly already told Luis Enrique that he wants to join.

More tracked

Arsenal and Man Utd are tracking Tijuana wonderkid Gilberto Mora, El Universal writes.

The 17-year-old is the youngest player at this summer's World Cup and is regarded as one of the best prospects in football. The Mexican sensation just penned a "historic" new deal with Tijuana, which the Liga MX side described as the "biggest contract in club history."

Mora turns 18 after the summer transfer window and has an "exit mechanism" in his new contract that allows him to eventually make a move to Europe that suits all parties. Numerous European giants are on alert and want to sign him next year.

Man City have tempting Bouaddi idea

Man City have strongly entered the race for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, Fabrizio Romano states.

The 18-year-old is also a key target for Arsenal and Chelsea, but Man City may have an ace up their sleeve. They are not planning to sign the Morocco international for this summer.

Instead, Man City would look to pre-agree a deal for next year or to sign him now and immediately loan him back to Lille, which could be a more attractive solution to the Ligue 1 side than losing Bouaddi this summer.