June 2023 Round-up: The BIGGEST confirmed and rumoured transfers

We know you’re on top of the BIGGEST deals and transfer rumours around Europe on a daily basis, but here’s a recap of all of them in one place. There are also a few which slipped under the radar a little. For example, did you know Edin Džeko moved to Fenerbahçe? Let’s get into it.

BIGGEST confirmed deals

Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid)

When Birmingham City retired their number 22 jersey after then-17-year-old Jude Bellingham moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, people mocked them for doing something so bizarre. Perhaps they knew something most others didn’t, because he’s now a €103m signing for the mighty Real Madrid.

It’s refreshing to see an English player carve out an unconventional path like this, and Bellingham truly has all of the tools to become one of the finest players on the planet.

That Madrid midfield looks particularly stacked now with Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde looking to lock it down for a decade.

Bellingham will don the number 5 jersey at the Bernabéu, once worn by Zinedine Zidane. No pressure.

Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig to Chelsea)

Chelsea will want to forget 2022/23 as quickly as possible. One of their major issues was goalscoring, so that's where Nkunku comes in. Apparently he’s been earmarked for the “number 10” role but his Bundesliga numbers (he was the division’s joint-top scorer with 16 goals) suggest he could also do a serious job up front. Mauricio Pochettino will be excited to get to work with the versatile 25-year-old at Stamford Bridge.

Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton to Liverpool)

With a reported initial fee in the region of €41m, Jürgen Klopp seems to have got himself a bargain. Everyone knows Liverpool’s midfield has come to the end of a cycle and needs replenishing, and World Cup winner Mac Allister is a wonderful start to that process. He’s also Premier League proven after starring for Brighton and has great mastery over set-pieces and striking the ball from range.

Having had stints with Argentinos Juniors and the great Boca Juniors, it’s time for another BIG step in his football education.

Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus to Tottenham)

2022/23 wasn’t the Swede’s best campaign with just 2 goals and 7 assists from 30 league matches, but there’s no doubt Spurs have a gem of a player on their hands. Still only 23, they’ve made his move permanent after an 18-month loan from Juventus. Not since Gareth Bale have the Londoners had such a talented operator on the right-hand side of their attack.

Edin Džeko (Inter to Fenerbahçe)

After a sensational goalscoring career in Europe’s BIGGEST leagues, legendary Bosnian striker Edin Džeko is off to Turkey to test his abilities at Fenerbahçe. He’s earned it. Although, don’t for one second think there won’t be immense pressure for him to perform from a demanding fanbase.

Everyone talks about THAT Sergio Agüero goal against QPR, but Džeko also scored in stoppage time in that match. Truly underrated. Did you know he was the first player in history to score 50 goals in the Bundesliga, the Premier League and Serie A? There’s only one Edin Džeko.

Lionel Messi (PSG to Inter Miami)

The 36-year-old great had eye-watering offers to move to Saudi Arabia, but has opted to link up with David Beckham at Inter Miami instead. He’ll enjoy some unprecedented player benefits there which include an option to buy a stake at the club when he retires. Inter’s Instagram following jumped from 1.1m to 8.1m in the week following his announcement, and it’s only rising.

İlkay Gündoğan (Man City to Barcelona)

Fresh off winning the treble and producing clutch displays in BIG games, the German midfield maestro is moving to Barcelona. He’ll rightly go down as a Man City legend, garnishing his time there with an FA Cup final double against Man Utd and a sensational strike against Everton in the run-in.

Who’s moved to Saudi Arabia so far?

The Saudi Pro League is well and truly shaking things up in the world of football. With Cristiano Ronaldo already doing his thing there, a few BIG names are joining him, with more likely to follow:

Karim Benzema: Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad

N’Golo Kanté: Chelsea to Al-Ittihad

Rúben Neves: Wolves to Al-Hilal (club record fee received)

Hottest transfer rumours doing the rounds

Declan Rice

For months, it’s seemed as though Arsenal would certainly be Declan Rice’s next destination. However, treble-winners Man City have reportedly entered the bargaining table. The Gunners will be hopeful the West Ham skipper wants to remain in the English capital city for now and, if he does, they’ll need to come up with a club-record fee to get the Three Lions midfield man on board.

Kai Havertz

Still on Arsenal, and many eyebrows were raised when in-the-know journos David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano dropped exclusive stories on their interest in Kai Havertz. Most of the questions surround where he’ll play, but this deal sounds as good as done for around €75m. Will Mikel Arteta deploy him as an attacking midfielder like he was at Bayer Leverkusen? It’s an exciting subplot to watch when Arsenal face Nottingham Forest on 12th August.

Jurrien Timber

The Gunners are also in talks with Ajax for their versatile Dutch defender. According to recent reports, they’ve lodged a second bid and could be coming closer to sealing a move for the 22-year-old who can play an inverted midfield role but is a specialist centre-back by trade.

Moisés Caicedo

Football Twitter took it upon themselves to coin the phrase “Ricedo” to discuss Arsenal’s dual pursuit of both Declan Rice and Moisés Caicedo. Apparently, Chelsea are now leading the race for the excellent, all-action Brighton midfielder. With N’Golo Kanté having left for Saudi Arabia, Blues fans are excited that Ecuadorian Caicedo could be his successor in their engine room. If Chelsea don’t meet the Seagulls’ asking price of €80m, Man Utd just might.

Roméo Lavia

Another talented young central midfielder who could be on the move. Relegated with Southampton, there’s surely no way someone of the Belgian’s ability will stick around in the Championship and, with his old club Man City inserting a buy-back clause in his contract that becomes active in 2024, the 19-year-old is one to watch before the window closes.

Harry Kane

Where on earth will the legendary Spurs striker be playing his football next season? We’ve been hearing rumours of an exit for years that never materialise, with Real Madrid, Man Utd and Bayern Munich circling. Just 48 goals away from going above Alan Shearer as the most prolific goalscorer in Premier League history, the England skipper might want to remain in his homeland.

Victor Osimhen

Can Scudetto winners Napoli fend off offers for the talented hotshot who spearheaded their first Serie A title win in 33 years? Nigeria’s Super Eagle bagged 26 goals in the league last season and he might want to spread his wings elsewhere on the continent. If Man Utd’s pursuit of Kane ends in failure, perhaps Osimhen is their next target.

Randal Kolo Muani

No player directly contributed to more Bundesliga goals last season than the supremely talented Frenchman. 15 goals and 11 assists is a wonderful return, and his rangy running style could make him a threat anywhere in Europe. Eintracht Frankfurt are said to be demanding €100m for their prize asset.