Six transfers set to be completed imminently – including Spurs and Arsenal deals

The only constant in life is change, and many among football’s elite are eager for a change of scenery in 2023.

A raft of high-profile deals have already been struck barely a fortnight into this summer’s transfer window, with Jude Bellingham’s blockbuster move to Real Madrid topping the billing. Inter Miami’s capture of Lionel Messi also made global headlines, but it’s unsurprisingly Premier League teams conducting huge business at increasing pace.

Christopher Nkunku’s £52million move from RB Leipzig to Chelsea is the biggest arrival on English shores so far this summer, while Alexis Mac Allister swapped Brighton for Liverpool. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s super spenders have acquired a host of top-tier talents, with Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves and N’Golo Kante among those to join the Pro League.

There are a number of rumoured deals in the pipeline that are yet to be made official, however, as Daily Star Sport breaks down the best of the business expected to be announced any day now.

READ MORE: Bayern Munich make Harry Kane bid but Spurs fans think price is ‘disrespectful’

1. Kai Havertz to Arsenal

Germany utility Kai Havertz is a safe bet to swap London allegiances this summer following reports a £65m deal has been agreed for Chelsea to sell their asset to Arsenal. Signed by the Blues for £72.5m in 2020, the former Bayer Leverkusen star could yet reach the heights expected of him under Mikel Arteta, with Chelsea seemingly content to recoup almost all their initial investment in the player.

Arsenal fans were convinced the move is as good as done after allegedly leaked photos showed Havertz smiling wide in an Arsenal shirt this past week. His departure would fit with the fire sale trend emerging at Stamford Bridge this summer, with Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly each leaving for Saudi Arabia, while Mateo Kovacic is set to be announced as a £25m signing for Manchester City.

What’s the one transfer you’d like to see materialise above all others this summer? Let us know in the comments section below.

2. James Maddison to Tottenham

One of the ‘sure things’ of the summer transfer window, it was always a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ James Maddison would leave Leicester City following their relegation to the Championship. And it appears Tottenham have won the chase for the 26-year-old England international despite long-held links to Newcastle United.

Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reported Spurs were ‘cautiously optimistic’ of closing a deal for the attacking midfielder on Tuesday, with only a ‘small gap’ to overcome in agreeing a fee. The Coventry native will indeed be back among the Premier League ranks in the campaign to come, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy looks to be backing new manager Ange Postecoglou with an early flurry of summer business.

2. Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United

Despite reports the 14-time Italy international ‘broke down in tears’ after learning a move to Newcastle was nigh, Sandro Tonali looks bound for Tyneside this summer. It’s to be expected after AC Milan received a massive €80m (£68m) offer for the 23-year-old, a sum that could bankroll their entire summer of spending if they play their cards right.

“When such an important offer is received it is difficult to refuse both for the club and the player,” Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, said after news of an agreement emerged, per Sky Sport Italia.

Eddie Howe’s interest in the Rossoneri anchor could indicate why the Magpies lost ground to Spurs in the race for Maddison, with Newcastle having previously been linked with Inter‘s Nicolo Barella. Tonali’s move may have already been announced were it not for his participation at the Under-21 European Championship.

4. Mason Mount to Manchester United

After nigh on 20 years of association with Chelsea, Mason Mount looks likely to join the list of high-profile departures at Stamford Bridge in the very near future. After seeing his 2022/23 season disrupted by injuries and a carousel of managers in west London, a new adventure appears to be on the horizon for the 36-cap England midfielder.

And Manchester United are the ones expected to win his signature amid a sea of midfield movers across Europe. It was recently reported the Red Devils could walk away from talks after having a third bid worth £55m turned down, though the gap between the two teams doesn’t look substantial enough to suggest a deal won’t get done soon.

5. Declan Rice to Manchester City

Although Arsenal are very much still in the tug-of-war for West Ham‘s Declan Rice, it’s Treble champions Man City who will almost inevitably win what could be the biggest deal of the summer. The transfer remains in the balance for the time being, however, with the Hammers turning down City’s opening £90m offer while the Gunners prepare a retort of their own.

That being said, following Ilkay Gundogan’s free transfer to Barcelona and with Bernardo Silva seemingly eyeing the Etihad exit, it makes sense City would pull out all the stops to buff their midfield with a new world-class name. Rice certainly fits that bill after his performances for West Ham and England in recent years, and City will feel some duty to capitalise after winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup this term.

The Guardian reiterated Rice’s preference is to remain in London if possible, but City will surely offer to pay the 24-year-old so handsomely and challenge for so many trophies, he forgets all about that small grievance.

6. Nicolas Jackson to Chelsea

Not content with Nkunku alone as an attacking addition this summer, Chelsea will pay Villarreal around £31m to sign Nicolas Jackson. It was reported on Monday the Senegal international has already had his medical with the Blues, and Havertz’s expected departure should help satisfy the financial details.

It was actually a medical issue that prevented Jackson from joining Bournemouth this past January, only for a late spurt of form in La Liga to boost his prospects considerably. Owner Todd Boehly has spent so freely in west London that just about any arrival at Chelsea seems realistic at present, but Jackson should be the next arrival officially announced.