Summary

  • Transfer news latest, done deals, gossip and analysis

  • Sunderland sign winger Chemsdine Talbi from Club Brugge

  • Everton close in on signing of Villareal's Thierno Barry

  • Gossip: Arsenal could beat Tottenham to signing of Eberechi Eze

  • Gossip: Brentford to demand £65m for Man Utd target Bryan Mbeumo

  • Get Involved: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)⁠

  1. Stick with us for more footballpublished at 14:58 British Summer Time

    Thanks for joining us today.

    Not quite the flurry of signings and transfer updates we enjoyed on Tuesday, but we did manage to sneak one in for you at the end, courtesy of Sunderland.

    Check out the summary at the top of the page to read more of today's top stories, including the latest on the Black Cats' new "speed merchant" Chemsdine Talbi.

    And don't worry, today's football is just getting started with two huge games in Euro 2025.

    Click on this link to follow England v Netherlands, with Wales v France to follow.

  2. Players 'excited' by Sunderland's 'momentum' - Speakmanpublished at 14:54 British Summer Time

    Sunderland

    Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says that players of Chemsdine Talbi's character are excited by the club's "momentum" following their promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs:

    “Our momentum and story are powerful, and I think players of Chemsdine’s calibre, who are in high demand, are excited by the prospect of playing for Sunderland AFC.

    "It’s a testament to our recent past and immediate future that he feels this we are the right club for his next step.

    "Predominantly playing wide right, Chemsdine excels in duels and possesses elite physical qualities, and he also has flexibility to play across the frontline.

    "Our supporters will rightly be excited to see him play, and we are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland.”

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - Newcastle fan approves of Talbipublished at 14:51 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    As a Newcastle fan, I don't like to see Sunderland signing players but Talbi is a very good talent that proved he can play at a good level and Sunderland is a great move for the young lad. It means he will be able to get game time as they have quite a good young squad but will not have the pressure of Europe on him.

    Sam

    Chemsdine Talbi of Club Brugge KV celebrates victory following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at Gewiss StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Everything is possible, but you need to have a focus'published at 14:47 British Summer Time

    Sunderland's new left-back, Reinildo Mandava, says it has always been his dream to play in the Premier League and is proud to be the first player from Mozambique to make it to the English top flight:

    "This isn’t something that happens every single day," the 31-year-old told Sunderland website.

    “The journey to Europe was very hard, very difficult, but I can pass this message onto the young players: everything is possible, but you need to have a focus."

    ReinildoImage source, Getty Images
  5. Sunderland's summer spending spreepublished at 14:42 British Summer Time

    Chemsdine Talbi is Sunderland's fifth signing of this summer and follows last week's club-record £30m deal for Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra from Strasbourg.

    The newly-promoted side also captured Mozambique left-back Reinildo Mandava on Tuesday on a free contract, following the expiry of his previous deal with Atletico Madrid.

    Sunderland's summer signings:

    • Enzo le Fee - from Roma - £19.3m
    • Habib Diarra - from Strasbourg - £30m
    • Noah Sadiki - from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise - Reported £15m
    • Reinildo Mandava - from Atletico Madrid - Free
    • Chemsdine Talbi - from Club Brugge - Reported £19.5m
  6. Postpublished at 14:40 British Summer Time

    Sunderland have been busy, haven't they?

    Let's take a look at some of their other business.

  7. Talbi will bring 'phenomenal' speed to Sunderlandpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time

    Noel Sliney
    BBC Sport

    Sunderland are investing in potential and pace with latest signing Chemsdine Talbi.

    The Morocco winger turned 20 in May and only made his full senior debut in October last year, but it was the first of 22 starts in all competitions. Seven of those came in the Champions League, scoring twice in an eye-catching win away to Atalanta in a knockout phase play-off.

    Only five players registered a quicker top speed than Talbi in Europe’s premier club competition last season.

    “His speed is phenomenal – it’s his best asset,” says his team-mate Simon Mignolet, the former Sunderland and Liverpool goalkeeper.

    Graphic showing Chemsdine Talbi was one of the quickest players in EuropeImage source, BBC Sport
  8. 'A great project with a talented, exciting team'published at 14:31 British Summer Time

    "I'm really excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity to play for this club," Sunderland's latest signing Chemsdine Talbi told the club website.

    "I made the decision because it’s a great project with a talented, exciting team full of young players – and that really motivated me.

    "The Premier League is the biggest and best league in the world, so I’m looking forward to getting started. I know the fans will get behind me from the start, and I can’t wait to see them at the stadium."

  9. Sunderland pay reported £19.5m feepublished at 14:29 British Summer Time

    Chemsdine TalbiImage source, Getty Images

    Sunderland reportedly agreed a fee last week with Club Brugge for Chemsdine Talbi, which was thought to be in the region of 20m euros [£17.2m] with 3m add-ons [£2.6m], although that number has supposedly been rounded down to £19.5m.

    It had also been reported that the 20-year-old arrived in Wearside on Tuesday to undergo his medical.

  10. Talbi arrives after breakthrough seasonpublished at 14:27 British Summer Time

    Chemsdine Talbi arrives at Sunderland following a breakthrough season in the Belgian Pro League, where he scored seven goals and added five assists in 44 appearances, including 11 matches in the Champions League.

  11. Sunderland sign Club Brugge winger Talbi on five-year dealpublished at 14:17 British Summer Time
    Breaking

    Sunderland

    OK, some breaking news to bring you now, Sunderland have confirmed the signing of Club Brugge's Moroccan winger Chemsdine Tallbi on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

    More to follow.

  12. get involved

    'Brentford need to be careful they don't lose Mbeumo for nothing'published at 14:15 British Summer Time

    Get Involved: WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    There's a big difference in wages between the two as well Craig. Mbuemo may only go for £10m more than Elanga, but his total contract will be far heavier on the wallet.

    Nolberto, London

    When you consider: Mbuemo is about to turn 26 and Elanga is 23. Mbuemo is possibly at his peak whereas Elanga is on the up and not yet at his 'ceiling'. Mbeumo's contract expires next year, but Elanga had longer to run on his Forest contract. Elanga's fee is £55m but they will lose £8m to Man Utd due to a sell-on clause, meaning they are only pocketing £47m. Given all that I think £60m+ for Mbuemo is good business for Brentford and they need to be careful they don't end up losing him for nothing in a year.

    Matt

  13. 'Mbeumo's level of clinical finishing has rarely proved repeatable'published at 14:15 British Summer Time

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    Brentford are reportedly demanding £65m for Bryan Mbeumo, who is a transfer target for Manchester United after scoring 20 Premier League goals in 2024-25.

    That career-best haul came despite an expected goals total for the campaign of 12.3, meaning he outperformed his xG by 7.7, more than any other top-flight player.

    Historically, that level of clinical finishing has rarely proved repeatable. In the past five Premier League seasons, just 14 players have overperformed their xG by at least five goals. The only player to do so more than once is Tottenham’s Son Heung-min, in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

    That doesn’t make Mbeumo, who consistently ranks highly for chances created, any less of an asset to potential suitors. But it could mean United have to pay a premium for his signature, which perhaps risks inflating expectations from supporters.

    The Red Devils have already signed another forward who dramatically surpassed his xG last term, spending £62.5m on Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian’s 15 goals for Wolves came from an xG of 8.6, with only Mbeumo and Chris Wood recording bigger differences in 2024-25.

    Graphic showing Bryan Mbeumo was the biggest Xg overperformer last seasonImage source, BBC Sport
  14. What is Mbeumo worth?published at 14:08 British Summer Time

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    There is an argument that while Newcastle could do with further competition for wide positions, they already have some pretty good options.

    On the other hand, Ruben Amorim's system stands or falls on having two number 10s in positions, behind a central striker.

    Manchester United are not exactly blessed in that position, so could their need be greater?

    Which begs the question, just how much is Bryan Mbeumo worth to Manchester United?

    And how much can they afford to pay?

  15. Elanga offers a natural fit for Newcastle’s style of playpublished at 13:59 British Summer Time

    Noel Sliney
    BBC Sport

    Anthony ElangaImage source, Getty Images

    It’s little surprise that Newcastle have renewed their pursuit of Anthony Elanga, after a failed move last summer, as the winger’s profile suits their high-energy and counter-attacking style under Eddie Howe.

    Most obviously, Elanga provides pace and intensity. The 23-year-old recorded the third quickest top speed in the Premier League last season, while only Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon sprinted more per 90 minutes than the Nottingham Forest winger. Gordon and Elanga on opposite flanks would be a daunting scenario for opposition full-backs.

    The Swede provides an end product too, with 17 top-flight goal involvements last season – only Mohamed Salah and Jacob Murphy, who is Newcastle’s current first-choice on the right of their attack, provided more assists than the 11 by Elanga. Five of those were from set-pieces and the other six from open-play crosses – both league highs.

    Nonetheless, Elanga’s crossing accuracy from open play last season was a lowly 17% and his dribbling stats were unremarkable: 71 attempted, with a 35% success rate.

    Anthony Elanga's 2024-25 stats
  16. Postpublished at 13:54 British Summer Time

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    The reality is that Bryan Mbeumo and Anthony Elanga play in slightly different positions, are different ages and at different points of their current contracts.

    Mbeumo turns 26 next month and has one year left on his current deal at Brentford.

    Elanga, meanwhile, is 23 and contracted to Forest until June 2028.

    Also, regardless of their qualities as a player, their worth is largely determined by how much a club needs them, how much they can afford or are willing to pay and what competition exists for their signature.

    Bryan MbeumoImage source, Getty Images
  17. How do Anthony Elanga and Bryan Mbeumo compare?published at 13:41 British Summer Time

    Anthony Elanga versus Bryan Mbeumo Games 38 38 Goals	6 20 Assists	11	7 Chances created	50	70 Big chances created	9	17 Shot conversion (%)	13.64	23.53 Big chance conversion (%)	33.33	55

    Bryan Mbeumo is heavily favoured in these Premier League stats, outperforming Anthony Elanga in all but one category last season.

    The Cameroon international scored more than double the goals and created nearly twice as many big chances in the same amount of matches as Nottingham Forest's number 21.

    Mbeumo also had a much better shot conversion rate and big chance conversion rate, which would have contributed to Brentford scoring the same number of league goals, 58, as Forest last season despite finishing three places below them.

    Elanga does stand out in the assists chart though, racking up 11 to Mbeumo's seven, which put him third in the league - bettered only by Jacob Murphy (12) and Mohamed Salah (18).

  18. get involved

    Get Involved - Is Wirtz a better comparison for Mbeumo?published at 13:35 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    I judge Bryan Mbeumo's cost by the Florian Wirtz fee not Anthony Elanga's. If a player is worth £116m for 10 goals in the Bundesliga, then Mbeumo with 20 in the Premier League has to be worth more, surely?

    Simon

    Florian WirtzImage source, Getty Images
  19. Postpublished at 13:32 British Summer Time

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    We left the question hanging earlier as to how the agreed £55m fee between Newcastle and Nottingham Forest for Sweden winger Anthony Elanga might influence Brentford's valuation of Bryan Mbeumo.

    Remember, the Bees have already turned down a £62.5m offer from Manchester United for Mbeumo.

  20. Postpublished at 13:28 British Summer Time

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    While we wait on Everton to announce the signing of Thierno Barry [it could be hours or days, who knows?], let's return to the ongoing saga that is Bryan Mbeumo's protracted transfer from Brentford to Manchester United...