Premier League Daily Report - 2026-06-25

Manchester City are on the brink of one of the biggest Premier League transfers in history after reaching an agreement with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. Reports on June 25 said the England midfielder is set to move after weeks of negotiation, with Forest pushing hard for maximum value. Fabrizio Romano reported City believe the fee will be £116 million with no add-ons, while other outlets suggested the total could still challenge the British transfer record. Either way, the deal would underline City’s determination to refresh their midfield with elite domestic talent.

The move matters because Anderson has emerged as one of the most coveted young midfielders in English football, and City have moved decisively before rivals could intervene. Forest’s stance shows how highly they rate the 22-year-old after his rise, while City’s willingness to spend such a sum reflects the scale of their rebuild under a new era at the Etihad. If completed, the transfer would reshape the market for homegrown midfielders and set a benchmark for the rest of the summer window.

The agreement also adds another layer to City’s aggressive recruitment drive, with the club already working on other major targets. In a market where elite English players command premium fees, Anderson’s move would be a statement that City are still prepared to outmuscle domestic rivals for top-tier talent. It would also leave Forest with a huge windfall and a difficult replacement task as they prepare for the next season.

Tottenham Hotspur have moved into pole position to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with reports on June 25 saying Spurs are prepared to meet an £80 million valuation. The 21-year-old Portugal international has become one of the summer’s hottest midfield targets after a strong Premier League breakthrough, and Tottenham are now said to be accelerating talks while Manchester United consider stepping away from the bidding. One report also claimed Fernandes has given his green light to join Spurs, boosting confidence that a deal can be struck quickly.

The significance is clear: Tottenham are trying to land a high-upside midfielder who fits Roberto De Zerbi’s possession-heavy, progressive style, while United’s hesitation suggests the fee is already stretching their budget. Fernandes has been valued not just for his technical quality but for his composure and ability to move play from deep areas into attack, traits that have made him a priority across the league. If Spurs win the race, it would be one of the clearest signs yet of their ambition in the new window.

West Ham’s relegation has strengthened their negotiating position only in the sense that Fernandes is now a saleable asset at peak value, and the club are expected to demand a major fee. For Tottenham, landing him would add another premium midfield option and potentially reshape their summer spending plans. For United, pulling out would leave them searching elsewhere for a long-term replacement in central midfield.

Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen, adding another major piece to Mikel Arteta’s squad as they prepare to defend the Premier League title. The Ecuadorian defender’s move was confirmed on June 25 after a successful spell convinced the club he can play a central role in the long-term project. Arsenal’s hierarchy see the versatile 23-year-old as a player who can strengthen the back line immediately while also offering tactical flexibility across the season.

The transfer is important because Arsenal are not standing still after winning the league and reaching the Champions League final. Hincapié gives Arteta another high-level defender capable of operating centrally or wider in the back line, which is crucial for a team competing on multiple fronts. In a title race where depth often decides the outcome, securing a proven international defender before the new campaign is a major statement of intent.

The signing also reinforces the idea that Arsenal are building for sustained success rather than a one-off peak. Hincapié arrives with top-level European experience from Leverkusen and a reputation for composure and athleticism, qualities that fit Arteta’s system. For supporters, it is another sign that the club’s recruitment remains aligned with the manager’s long-term vision.

Trevoh Chalobah has emerged as a major summer target in Italy, with Inter Milan joining Como in the race for the Chelsea centre-back. Reports on June 25 said Como have already submitted an official offer, while Inter’s entry has intensified the battle for the 26-year-old England international. Chalobah is currently away with the national squad at the World Cup, but his club future is increasingly uncertain as Chelsea continue reshaping their squad under incoming manager Xabi Alonso.

The story matters because Chelsea are open to offers as part of a broader defensive rebuild, and Chalobah’s situation is a clear sign that no place in the squad is guaranteed. Como’s rapid rise under Cesc Fàbregas has made them an ambitious destination, while Inter’s involvement shows the defender’s value at the top end of Serie A. If Chelsea sell, it would free up room in a squad overhaul; if they keep him, it would suggest Alonso still sees him as part of the plan.

Chalobah’s profile makes him attractive to clubs seeking a ready-made Premier League-calibre defender with international experience. For Chelsea, the decision will be about balancing squad depth against the need to streamline the group. For the player, the next move could define whether he remains part of a rebuilding project at Stamford Bridge or becomes a key figure abroad.

Manchester United are close to sending Andre Onana back to Trabzonspor for a second season on loan, according to reports on June 25. The Cameroon goalkeeper is said to have revived his career in Turkey after a difficult spell at Old Trafford, and discussions between the clubs have advanced positively. Onana originally joined United from Inter Milan in 2023 for £47.2 million, but the latest move would effectively confirm that he no longer figures in the club’s long-term plans under Michael Carrick.

The significance is that United are continuing a major squad reset, and the goalkeeper position is one of the clearest examples of how far the club has moved from its previous recruitment strategy. Onana arrived as a modern, ball-playing No 1 expected to transform the side, but a second loan would represent a sharp reversal. For Trabzonspor, retaining him would be a major boost after a successful spell that restored confidence and form.

This development also opens the door for United to reshape their goalkeeping department before pre-season. If Onana leaves again, the club will need clarity on whether they are promoting from within or entering the market for a new first-choice keeper. Either way, the deal would be another sign that the Carrick-era rebuild is moving quickly and decisively.

Anthony Gordon has sparked fresh debate over his future after saying England want to play an 'athletic style of football' and a 'Premier League style of football' that suits his strengths. The remarks came before England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana, and they have been interpreted by some as a reminder of the qualities that make the former Newcastle United winger attractive to elite clubs. The timing is notable because Barcelona have been linked with a £70 million move for the 25-year-old, and his words have only intensified the conversation around his long-term future.

The issue matters because Gordon is now being discussed not just as an England player but as a potential transfer target at the very top of European football. His direct running, intensity and ability to thrive in high-tempo systems make him a natural fit for Premier League football, but that same profile could appeal to clubs abroad looking for pace and aggression in wide areas. Newcastle supporters will be watching closely, especially with the reported Barcelona interest already hanging over the story.

Gordon’s comments were not a transfer request, but they have given the speculation more oxygen at a sensitive moment. If Barcelona are serious, they will have to decide whether his Premier League-ready style translates to La Liga and whether Newcastle are willing to entertain a major bid. For now, the winger’s words have turned a routine England media appearance into a fresh summer talking point.

Liverpool have reportedly set a £60 million asking price for Cody Gakpo as Tottenham Hotspur monitor the Dutch forward’s situation. The 26-year-old’s market value has been boosted by his World Cup form, even though his domestic season produced seven Premier League goals and five assists in 36 appearances. Reports on June 25 suggest Spurs are among the clubs keeping tabs on him, adding another layer to a summer window already full of attacking intrigue.

The significance lies in Liverpool’s willingness to listen at the right price rather than treat Gakpo as untouchable. That does not mean a sale is imminent, but it does show how quickly a player’s stock can rise again after a strong international tournament. For Tottenham, Gakpo would offer proven top-flight output and versatility across the front line, making him an attractive option if they decide to strengthen in wide areas.

Liverpool’s valuation also reflects the broader market for established Premier League attackers, where fees can escalate quickly once elite clubs enter the race. Gakpo’s form for the Netherlands has reminded buyers of the quality Liverpool originally invested in, and any move would likely depend on whether Spurs are prepared to match the asking price. For now, the story keeps another major Premier League name in the centre of the transfer conversation.

Arsenal’s permanent capture of Piero Hincapié was one of several major Premier League transfer stories on June 25, but it stood out because it came from the champions themselves. The Ecuadorian defender’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen strengthens a squad already built to compete for the title and in Europe, and it underlines how Arteta’s side are using the market to stay ahead rather than merely react. In a window dominated by huge valuations, Arsenal’s move was a reminder that elite clubs are still willing to act early when the right player becomes available.

The deal also fits a wider pattern across the league, where top clubs are targeting younger, high-ceiling players with immediate first-team value. Hincapié’s versatility and experience make him especially useful in a season that will demand rotation and resilience. For Arsenal, the signing is less about headlines than about maintaining standards after a title-winning campaign, and that is exactly why it is significant.

With rivals such as Manchester City and Tottenham also pushing major deals, Arsenal’s business shows the scale of the arms race at the top of the Premier League. Hincapié may not be the most expensive move of the day, but he is one of the clearest examples of a champion reinforcing from a position of strength. That makes the transfer strategically important even without a blockbuster fee attached.