Celtic, Real Oviedo and Haissem Hassan
Wednesday

Celtic have officially signed Egypt winger Haissem Hassan from Real Oviedo on a four-year contract with an option for another season. The 24-year-old becomes Martin O’Neill’s third summer addition after impressing during Egypt’s World Cup knockout run.

Reports place the initial transfer fee around £6m with performance-related additions potentially taking it to £9m. Hassan gives Celtic another direct wide attacker before their Champions League play-off against LASK and will wear the number 23 shirt.

Arsenal, Aston Villa and Ezri Konsa
Wednesday

Arsenal have revived their pursuit of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa after an earlier approach failed to progress. Villa value the England international around £60m, while Arsenal’s initial willingness to pay roughly £30m left the clubs significantly apart.

Arsenal have accelerated their defensive search after completing Bruno Guimaraes’ signing and value Konsa’s positional versatility. They accept a substantially improved proposal would be required, although Villa have not indicated they are prepared to compromise on their valuation.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Enzo Fernandez
Wednesday

Chelsea have set a 17:00 BST Friday deadline for any club willing to pay at least £120m for Enzo Fernandez. Manchester City are the only known active suitor after Real Madrid ruled out a move, while Chelsea remain willing to keep him.

The deadline gives City a narrow window to make their interest concrete and ends prolonged uncertainty before the season starts. Fernandez remains contracted until 2032, giving Chelsea substantial leverage despite stalled contract discussions and his previously expressed openness to leaving.

Al Ahly, Al-Shamal and Akram Tawfik
Wednesday

Al Ahly have officially re-signed Egypt midfielder Akram Tawfik on a three-year contract after he mutually terminated his deal with Qatar’s Al-Shamal. The 27-year-old returns to Cairo only one season after leaving the club in 2025.

Tawfik becomes Al Ahly’s fifth signing of the summer as the Egyptian club rebuilds before the new domestic and continental campaigns. His free-agent status allowed Al Ahly to complete the return without negotiating a transfer fee with Al-Shamal.

Julian Alvarez, Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona
Wednesday

Julian Alvarez met Diego Simeone and again expressed his desire to leave Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona remaining his preferred destination. Simeone told the Argentina striker he remains a key player and that any transfer decision belongs to club executives.

Atletico have maintained that Alvarez is not for sale after rejecting major interest, while Barcelona still consider him their priority replacement for Robert Lewandowski. The face-to-face meeting leaves Alvarez needing either to escalate his position or remain in Madrid.