Transfer Rumours: Woltemade escape route as director jets in for Chelsea talks

Updated: 15 May 2026 20:55 BST |
7 min read

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 16 May, including the latest updates on Nick Woltemade, Joao Pedro and Marcus Rashford.

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“Unhappy” Woltemade wants out

Nick Woltemade is unhappy and Newcastle and actively looking for a return to “mainland Europe,” TEAMtalk claims.

The Germany international has increasingly fallen out of favour in recent months after his strong early-season form dipped. Eddie Howe has elected to trust William Osula, who was close to leaving last summer, over the club-record signing.

This state of affairs has frustrated Woltemande, and Newcastle could reluctantly sanction a loan this summer if the conditions are right. Atletico Madrid and several Bundesliga clubs are willing to offer Woltemade an escape route.

Deco jets in for Pedro talks

Barcelona director Deco has travelled to London for talks with the representatives of Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, as per Sport.

Reports from Brazil indicated on Friday that the Blaugrana are set to step up their pursuit of the 24-year-old next week after resigning themselves to missing out on Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

This is being corrobotated in Spain, though it is acknowledged that a deal is difficult to do due to Pedro’s untouchable status at Chelsea and Barcelona’s economic situation. Deco will nevertheless explore a move and may even watch his former club in the FA Cup final today.

Meanwhile, CaughtOffside claims that Man City star Omar Marmoush has also emerged as a potential striker option for the newly-crowned LaLiga champions.

Fresh Rashford talks

Besides looking for a new striker, Barcelona are also set to hold fresh talks with Man Utd over Marcus Rashford, according to The Independent.

Deco is expected to engage in fresh discussions with the Red Devils next week, and it is posited that the Premier League giants could soften their stance on Rashford and sanction a second deal.

Barcelona have a €30 million purchase option, but they are reticent to exercise it and would prefer another loan. Rashford has made it clear that he is desperate to stay in Catalunya.

Forest won’t roll over in Anderson battle

Nottingham Forest are determined to keep all of their key players this summer, David Ornstein reports.

Forest want stability after a chaotic season and will not make life easy for the suitors of their most important players. Elliot Anderson is the club’s most in-demand player, fielding interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd, but signing him will be a struggle.

Moreover, and contrary to reports claiming that there could be another coaching change, the City Ground outfit are actually planning to hand Vitor Pereira a new contract. The dressing room atmosphere is currently “extremely healthy.”

City eye double wonderkid deal

Man City are set to sign Mathys Detourbet from sister club Troyes for €25m, Fabrice Hawkins states.

The 19-year-old will immediately be loaned to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco for the upcoming season, with the option for a second campaign. The only thing missing is the final green light from the player.

City are also looking to do a similar deal for Hertha BSC wonderkid Kennet Eichhorn, who can’t move to the UK until he turns 18 next summer. The plan would be to sign him by triggering his €12m release clause and loaning him to Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Eichhorn is also being strongly courted by various Bundesliga heavyweights, including champions Bayern, who have offered the 16-year-old a very lucrative contract and promised him regular game time next season, according to Sky Germany.

Senesi battle heats up

Bournemouth officially confirmed Marcos Senesi’s impending departure on Friday, and the battle to sign him has still not been fully decided, Ben Jacobs reports.

The Argentina international has an agreement on personal terms with Tottenham, but he will only join the North London giants if they manage to stay in the Premier League.

This has allowed Man Utd and Liverpool to get their hopes up over a deal, though both are still undecided over whether or not to try and hijack the deal. Liverpool are still waiting for a contract decision from Ibrahima Konate.

More transfer rumours

Liverpool are prepared to spend up to €86m on RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande this summer. (i Paper)

Chelsea are the favourites to sign Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe, but Man Utd are also keeping tabs on him. (TEAMtalk)

Eintracht Frankfurt are accelerating their pursuit of Arsenal-linked Victor Valdepenas, but agreeing a deal for the Real Madrid youngster is proving difficult. (Sky Germany)

Rangers are set to make a €5m bid for Zalaegerszeg defender Akpe Victory. (Ben Jacobs)

Arsenal are ready to sell Gabriel Martinelli for around €50m this summer. (Fichajes)

Coventry City are plotting an ambitious loan move for Man Utd midfielder Mason Mount. (TEAMtalk)

RB Leipzig have retained their interest in attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott, who will return to Liverpool after his humiliating Aston Villa loan. (BILD)

Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Lyon and Real Sociedad are interested in breakout Real Salt Lake youngster Zavier Gozo. (GOAL)

Liverpool are showing an increasingly strong interest in Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs amid uncertainty over Alisson’s future. (CaughtOffside)

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Tom Weber is an experienced, multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer as part of his freelance work for FootballTransfers.

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