Transfer Rumours: Man Utd target Bradley Barcola deal as Barcelona battle Arsenal for Kroupi

15 Jun 2026 06:02 BST |
6 min read

FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 15 June, including the latest updates on Eli Junior Kroupi, Julian Alvarez and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

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Arsenal open talks for Bouaddi

Arsenal have opened talks with Lille to sign wonderkid midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi after his impressive performance for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

Bouaddi starred for Morocco in their 1-1 draw with Brazil which generated signicant hype, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that Arsenal had reached out to Lille over a deal prior to the World Cup.

“Even before the World Cup, some of the biggest clubs in the world started some conversations with his (Bouaddi) agents,” Romano said. “We have to mention also that English clubs started conversations for Bouaddi. For example there were direct contacts with Arsenal and direct contacts also with Liverpool. So both clubs had meetings with the agents of the player.”

Speaking about his future after the match Bouaddi said: ‘I’m really happy to know that some clubs are interested in me. But for now I’m only focused on the World Cup and we will try to give everything to do our best.”

The Times report now that Arsenal have now enagaged Lille in talks over a deal which could be worth £60 million (€69.5m.)

Arsenal get update over Calafiori future

Real Madrid moved for Marc Cucurella after accepting that Josko Gvardiol looks more likely to pen a new contract at Manchester City, while Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori was never a serious target despite reports, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Cucurella is set to join Real Madrid in a €60m deal, with Jose Mourinho settling on a natural left-back instead of a versatile option like Gvardiol, who was his top target.

Romano said: “They were looking at an ideal solution on the market—a left-footed player who can play as a left-back or center-back, so keeping options open for this.

Then, Riccardo Calafiori. My understanding is that he was never a real target for Real Madrid. They had a meeting with the agents and conversations, but they represent several players.

“Real Madrid never made a bid, never approached Arsenal, never contacted the player. So Real Madrid never started a real negotiation for Calafiori. That was only rumors from Italy but not really true—just a meeting with the agents, that’s true, that’s the only thing.

“Then on the other side, Gvardiol is a player who was really, really wanted by Real Madrid. Real Madrid were considering Gvardiol because, again, he can play center-back, he can play left-back when needed, so he can be in several positions—young, talented, top player. But what’s important to mention is that for Joško Gvardiol, Manchester City offered a new contract until 2031—so not 2032, my understanding is 2031. So a five-year deal, and everything is set also on Gvardiol’s side to sign a new contract at Manchester City.”

Man Utd want Barcola

Manchester United have joined the race to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain this summer after the French side opened the door for the winger’s exit.

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the sides pushing hard for Barcola after the winger reportedly expressed a desire to leave PSG for first team football.

According to TEAMtalk, Man Utd have held discussions over the possibility of signing Barcola, with Michael Carrick’s side keen to add quality at left wing.

PSG’s preference is to keep Barcola and tie him down to a new contract but the Frechman is described as determined to leave after failing to start in the Champions League semis or final.

Barcelona enter Kroupi race

Barcelona are considering Junior Kroupi as a ‘risky’ alternative to Julian Alvarez after a growing belief that they could be priced out of a move for the Atletico Madrid forward.

Real Madrid saw a €150 million offer rejected by Atletico for Alvarez, and SPORT report that, while Barca will ‘wait’ for the striker, they see Kroupi as a more attainable option than the likes of Joao Pedro.

Barca ‘like’ Kroupi ‘a lot’ but they allegedly would prefer to begin negotiations next season as they believe he is a risk at 19-years old.

Bournemouth are demanding €100m for Kroupi but Barca value him at closer to €70m and they are aware they would be competing with the likes of Arsenal for his signature.

More rumours

Bayern Munich’s move for PSV Eindhoven’s Ismael Saibari could be made more difficult, with his goal for Morocco against Brazil at the World Cup set to drive up his price. (BILD)

Jan Paul van Hecke says he will resolve his Brighton future following the World Cup after the Seagulls rejected two bids from Tottenham for the Netherlands international. (Sky Sports)

Brazilian midfielder Éderson was scheduled to undergo a medical on Sunday as the 26-year-old moves closer to finalizing his transfer from Atalanta to Manchester United. (Corriere dello Sport)

Bayern Munich are open to letting left-back Alphonso Davies leave this summer after growing frustrated with the 25-year-old’s repeated injury issues. (Kicker)

Nottingham Forest are keen on landing Arsenal midfielder Fábio Vieira, 26, and are preparing a move worth around £25 million for his signature. (Football Insider)

Borussia Dortmund are closely monitoring Roma’s attacking midfielder Matías Soulé, who possesses a buyout clause valued between €25 million and €30 million. (Patrick Berger)

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Suraj Radia is an NCTJ-qualified journalist and editor with more than a decade of experience at some of the biggest sportsdesks and press agencies across the industry. He has been a regular freelance contributor to FootballTransfers since April 2022.

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