Barcelona Target Van de Ven as Spurs Strengthen

The summer market has not even hit full speed, yet the game’s biggest clubs are already jostling for position around some familiar names.

At Tottenham, Micky van de Ven has become a defender others covet and Spurs cannot afford to lose. Sky Sports report that Barcelona are among a cluster of clubs tracking the Dutch centre-half’s situation, with the 25-year-old now into the final two years of his deal. Talks over an extension have taken place, no agreement yet, and that gap between intention and signature is where the vultures usually gather.

Tottenham’s stance is clear. They want him tied down. Roberto De Zerbi has already branded him one of the best central defenders in the Premier League, and the club’s transfer work under the Italian underlines that they are building around a strong spine, not dismantling it.

De Zerbi’s rebuild is already in motion. Spurs have moved for Andrew Robertson and Marco Senesi on free transfers and paid £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. Now, according to TeamTalk, they have joined Manchester United in the race for 17-year-old Anderlecht midfielder Nathan de Cat, another piece aimed squarely at the core of the team rather than the edges.

Greenwood’s future back in Premier League focus

Across north London, Arsenal find themselves linked with a far more contentious name. L’Equipe report that both the Gunners and Spurs are interested in Mason Greenwood, who left Manchester United for Marseille in 2024 and rebuilt his career in Ligue 1.

Marseille, though, are under pressure. Financial Fair Play constraints are forcing them to listen to offers, and from 1 July a release clause of around £52m will be activated in Greenwood’s contract, even though he is valued closer to £69m. At 24, with his best years theoretically ahead of him, that gap between valuation and clause will tempt someone.

Whether that is Arsenal or Tottenham is another matter entirely.

Calafiori priced out of Madrid move

Real Madrid, never shy of a marquee defender, have been watching Riccardo Calafiori after his Premier League title-winning campaign with Arsenal. Yet if Andrea Berta’s £86m valuation is accurate, the Italian will not be heading to the Bernabéu this summer.

Madrid have already committed £52m to Marc Cucurella and lodged a £78m bid for Ruben Dias. Dropping another £86m on a third defender would stretch even their appetite for extravagance. For now, Calafiori looks set to be the one that got away.

United weigh up Shaw’s next deal

At Old Trafford, Manchester United face a familiar dilemma: reward a loyal servant, or reset the wage bill. Reports claim the club are prepared to offer Luke Shaw a new contract, but on reduced terms. The 30-year-old full-back, a United player since 2014 after emerging from Southampton’s academy, has been a valuable figure this season yet is out of contract next summer. His last extension came in 2023.

United’s willingness to keep him, just not at the current salary level, is a neat snapshot of their broader attempt to reshape an expensive, uneven squad.

Maguire hails Anderson in Rice bracket

On the international stage, Harry Maguire has put a hefty spotlight on Elliot Anderson. The Newcastle midfielder, rated at £130m, impressed alongside Declan Rice in England’s World Cup win over Croatia, and Maguire did not shy away from the comparison.

He revealed that after a year out of the England set-up, he returned in March to find a raft of new faces. Anderson, he said, stood out even more in training than he had expected. Maguire described him as having “absolutely everything”, likened aspects of his profile to Rice, and praised his ability to play as a 6, 8 or 10, drive with the ball and threaten goal despite currently operating as a holding midfielder.

United had already withdrawn from the race to sign Anderson, citing the financial scale of any deal. Maguire’s words will not make him any cheaper.

Arsenal scan the future – and the present

Arsenal’s recruitment department is working across two timelines at once.

On one side sits Andria Bartishvili, the Georgia Under-21 international already drawing comparisons with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The 17-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the year, and BBC Sport report that Arsenal want to move early with a pre-contract offer. A teenager for tomorrow.

On the other, there is Bradley Barcola, a World Cup winner in waiting turned World Cup scorer. The 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain attacker found the net for France in their 3-1 victory over Senegal, adding another line to a CV that already includes a Champions League triumph with PSG.

According to the Independent, Arsenal are preparing a major bid and are currently working through the “necessary details” before going formal. This is not a speculative punt; it is a targeted move for a player ready to start now.

Ironically, Arsenal have also been linked with Kvaratskhelia in the past, but the winger is not expected to leave PSG any time soon.

Madrid’s midfield obsession, and a warning from Barcelona

Real Madrid’s fascination with Enzo Fernandez has not cooled. ESPN report that the European champions are still actively trying to prise the Argentine from Chelsea, having tracked him since his World Cup triumph with Argentina while at Benfica. He remains high on their list, even as they look to add yet another central defender to a back line already bolstered by Ibrahima Konaté and Cucurella.

In Spain, the fallout from Cucurella’s move from Chelsea to Madrid continues to ripple. His international team-mate Dani Olmo, who plays for Barcelona, admitted the switch surprised many in the Spain camp.

Speaking at the World Cup, Olmo said Cucurella had kept the move quiet and joked that his friend will “have to suffer” in La Liga now – especially when he comes up against Lamine Yamal in El Clásico. Olmo warned that the Barcelona prodigy will be “looking for him”, a tantalising subplot for next season’s first meeting between the old rivals.

Thuram back on Liverpool’s radar

Liverpool, recalibrating their midfield once again, have turned their gaze back towards Khephren Thuram. Corriere dello Sport claim the Juventus midfielder is back on the Reds’ list, with the Italian club open to sales as they try to balance the books. Thuram could be available for between £35m and £39m, a figure that will interest several clubs.

He has also been linked with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, but reports suggest he has little appetite for a move to the Middle East at this stage of his career.

Everton’s Barry attracting Bundesliga eyes

At Everton, Thierno Barry’s first Premier League season was a slow burn that ended with a respectable glow. The striker struggled early under David Moyes but grew into the campaign, finishing with eight goals in 38 league appearances. That output has not gone unnoticed.

The Times report that RB Leipzig are monitoring the 21-year-old, while the Liverpool Echo suggest Everton may be prepared to consider a sale if a formal offer lands. No bid has been made yet, but the club’s hierarchy would take a pragmatic view if serious money arrived.

Baturina on United’s list

Manchester United’s search for midfield depth has also taken them to Serie A. Sky Sport in Italy report that Croatia international Martin Baturina, now at Como, has emerged as a target. The 21-year-old caught the eye with a composed equaliser against England at the World Cup and enjoyed a productive first season under Cesc Fàbregas, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 29 league games.

His versatility will appeal to United. Fàbregas used him as a false nine, a left winger, an attacking midfielder and a deeper playmaker. A Swiss army knife in boots, and exactly the sort of profile big clubs look for when they try to stretch a squad across four competitions.

The window is not yet open everywhere, but the pattern is already clear. Europe’s elite are not just chasing stars; they are trying to lock down the spine of their future.