Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool ANNOUNCE Frimpong, Bayern ‘confident of Wirtz’, Diaz ‘wanted by Saudis’

Leverkusen's response to Frimpong exit

Frimpong first words as a Red

How does it feel to be here?: "It's a pleasure. I'm playing for Liverpool, what more can I say," the Dutch international said to the in-house club media.

"I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together," he added.

Heitinga set for Ajax mangerial hot seat

More Dutch managerial movement....

According to many Dutch media outlets, Ajax has agreed to hire John Heitinga as their new coach and former club coach Marcel Keizer as his assistant.

Heitinga, 41, is leaving Liverpool, where he assisted Arne Slot throughout their Premier League-winning campaign.

His predecessor, Italian Francesco Farioli, resigned earlier this month after Ajax squandered a nine-point lead and lost to PSV Eindhoven in the league title.

Heitinga will sign a two-year deal, according to reports from all major Dutch media publications.

Viktor Gyokeres hijack?

Chelsea are ready to hijack Arsenal’s transfer pursuit of Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners had reportedly submitted a formal offer in the region of £62million to land the Gyokeres.

However, a fresh report from Record has claimed their London rivals have now entered the race to land the striker.

The Blues are said to have submitted a formal enquiry about buying the Sweden international.

Martin Zubimendi details

Martin Zubimendi will complete a medical in the coming days ahead of his £51m switch to Arsenal.

The Real Sociedad midfielder has been in advanced talks with the Gunners since January and is on the verge of becoming Mikel Arteta’s first capture of the summer.

Personal terms and relevant documents have already been signed and agreed, as well as the payment structure around the Spaniard’s £51m release clause.

Senior Arsenal figures expect the deal to be completed swiftly as they also target landing a striker – with Sporting Lisbon’s £60m-valued Viktor Gyokeres a top priority.

Once Zubmendi, 26, passes his medical, he will be announced as an Arsenal player.

He will provide depth to a midfield that has already lost veteran Jorginho, who is heading to Brazilian outfit Flamengo on a free transfer with his Emirates deal expiring next month.

Thomas Partey is also out of contract, but the club are in talks to extend his stay after an impressive campaign, while Albert Sambi Lokonga – who spent last season on loan at Sevilla – will see a one-year extension triggered on his contract.

Maguire confirms firesale

Manchester United ace Harry Maguire admits he expects a lot of players to leave Old Trafford this summer.

We will make a lot of changes in the summer at the club.

There will be a lot of players who leave and hopefully a lot of players will come in.

And that’s down to the club to make sure they get that right and it’s down to us players to make sure that we are the ones that are involved.

Harry Maguire

Florian Wirtz update

Liverpool have submitted an offer to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.

According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, the Reds' bid is worth a Premier League record €130million (£109m).

This is an improved second bid comprised of a fixed fee and potential add-ons.

Wirtz is keen to move to Anfield ahead of next season.

More on Delap

Chelsea are closing in on Ipswich Town star Liam Delap in a major blow for Manchester United.

SunSport revealed exclusively on May 14 that the Blues were growing increasingly confident they could beat United to the £30million forward.

A deal could be announced as early as next week as Chelsea look to build on a strong finish to the season.

They won the Conference League on Wednesday just three days after securing a top four Premier League slot and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Delap, 22, scored 12 goals despite getting relegated with Town.

He has a £30m release clause in his contract and is keen to join boss Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United were interested but their lack of European football next season works against them. 

Arsenal offered Sesko

RB Leipzig would love to sell star player Benjamin Sesko to Arsenal next week.

The Bundesliga club have told the Slovenian forward, 21, they are looking for a quick sale so they can start spending the cash at the start of the transfer window.

But the situation is complicated because Arsenal are looking at Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and are extremely unlikely to sign both as they also need to strengthen elsewhere.

Arsenal could even prioritise trying to sign in-demand £70million rated Gyokeres, meaning Mikel Arteta’s search for a new striker could turn into a saga and Sesko might have to wait.

Gunners boss Arteta wanted to sign Sesko both last summer and in January. Leipzig know the north London club remain interested but there have been no further talks.

Leipzig did speak with Sesko this week and told him he can leave as soon as possible.

But the German club are hoping for £85m, although they are likely to get nearer £60m.

Trent release clause

Real Madrid have placed an astronomical release clause in Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract.

Alexander-Arnold is joining Real following a £10million deal with Liverpool that allows the player to leave before his contract runs out on June 30, in time for the Club World Cup.

According to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, Los Blancos have installed an asking price worth a staggering €1billion on the full-back's six-year deal.

Madrid want the England international to finish his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo latest

Al-Nassr are confident they can keep Cristiano Ronaldo just days after the Manchester United legend indicated he would leave the club. 

Ronaldo declared earlier this week his "chapter is over" in Saudi Arabia.

Speculation had already begun on the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's next destination with him seemingly in no mood to retire.

But Al-Nassr sporting director Fernando Hierro believes he can change the 40-year-old's mind and get him to pen a new deal. 

I have to be positive. I don’t think Ronaldo will leave Al-Nassr. In any case, we are working hard on all aspects.

Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr runs until the end of June 30.

We will work to renew his contract so he can continue with us, and there are many clubs interested in signing him.

He is a huge phenomenon in the history of football and has helped the league grow.

We are in contact to renew his contract and hope he continues with us.

Fernando Hierro

Diaz targeted by Saudis

Liverpool star Luis Diaz is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to The Guardian, Al-Nassr are considering a move for Diaz who has two more years on his Anfield contract and has yet to enter talks on an extension.

There has been no approach so far by the Saudi giants but their interest in the winger is longstanding.

And the Saudi Pro League outfit see the Colombia international as a potential replacement for the departing Cristiano Ronaldo.

Chelsea 'to pay Delap release clause'

Ipswich Town star Liam Delap could soon be confirmed as Chelsea's first major summer signing.

Delap has been linked to a string of major clubs, including Manchester United.

But the Blues have reportedly agreed to pay the striker's release clause.

And it's understood the England Under-21 international now just needs to agree personal terms.

Bayern still chase Wirtz

German giants Bayern Munich are still confident of signing Bayern Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool for a British record fee of £126m.

Real Madrid have also been interested in Wirtz in recent days, with his former manager Xabi Alonso taking the reins at Los Blancos.

Man City plan huge spree

Manchester City have warned Prem rivals they plan to build their greatest trophy-winning team.

After a first season without a major domestic trophy since 2016-17,  chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak vowed “incredible” striker Erling Haaland will spearhead a decade of glory.

In his address to supporters, the City chief also:

•   Revealed the club messed up by not being “aggressive” enough in  last summer’s transfer market
• Conceded it led to the most “challenging” campaign since their big-money 2008 takeover at City
• Promised a mega spending spree from next week to boost their Club World Cup bid
• Insisted his bond of “trust” with boss Pep Guardiola means  this season is a one-off blip.

Guardiola lifted 15 trophies before this season’s duck. But Khaldoon declared: “We will  be back and the aim is to build something even better. Erling is the most prolific striker in the world."

He admitted: "Last summer, we probably should have been more aggressive in some  changes we needed to do.

“We didn’t do that and it ended up costing us. We already started that team rebuild  in January.”

City spent £172million in the winter window on forward Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt — plus defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis and Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez.

And that will NOT be the end of their spending as Khaldoon said: “We’ve  identified who are the targets, in what positions, and have  clear No 1 and No 2 options.

“We’ll go about our business and it will be very clear, very swift.
“Our objective is to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.”

Prem rivals hover as 'Liverpool value Kelleher at £20m'

At least three Premier League clubs have been linked with Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

It's claimed Reds boss Arne Slot expects the Irishman to leave this summer.

Liverpool reportedly value the 26-year-old at £20million-plus.

And so far Brentford are the club most strongly linked with Kelleher.

West Ham and newly-promoted Leeds have also been mentioned.