Transfer Rumours: Chelsea surprise as Rio Ngumoha agreement 'expected'

16 Aug 2026 06:32 BST |
5 min read

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FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 16 August, including the latest updates on Kendry Paez, Rio Ngumoha and Pedro Neto.

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Paez set for surprise Salah link-up

Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez is “close” to joining Trabzonspor on loan, TyC Sports writes.

Having already had his loan at Strasbourg cut short in January, Chelsea will also prematurely end his stint at River Plate after he yet again failed to impress and nail down a regular starting spot.

Reports at the end of last month indicated that Trabzonspor were interested in signing Paez, and it is now claimed that an agreement could soon be struck. The Ecuador international would link up with former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah at the Turkish club.

Ngumoha in line for new deal

Liverpool are set to hand Rio Ngumoha an improved contract, TEAMtalk claims.

Due to his age, he was only able to sign a three-year deal when he put pen to paper on his first professional terms in 2025. Ngumoha turns 18 at the end of the month, which will give Liverpool the opportunity to tie him down to a longer contract.

Despite links with a spectacular move to Bayern Munich earlier this summer – and claims of an agreement on personal terms – it is not expected that Liverpool will have any issues striking a deal with the teenage sensation.

Neto agrees Al-Hilal terms

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has agreed personal terms with Al-Hilal, as per Sacha Tavolieri.

The Portugal international has been linked with Man City and Tottenham in recent weeks, but it is now Al-Hilal who are making a strong push for him. Neto has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea after the signings of Morgan Rogers and Geovany Quenda.

It is claimed that the Blues would be willing to sell him if they can recoup the €60m fee they invested when they signed him from Wolves in 2024. Talks over a deal are in full swing.

Aston Villa swoop for Suzuki

Aston Villa have informed Parma that they are willing to match the financial package the Italian side had agreed with PSG for Zion Suzuki, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The highly-rated goalkeeper was set to join the Parisians in a €35m deal, but a late increase in commissions saw PSG pull the plug on the transfer on Saturday. Villa used the opportunity and quickly made their move.

The Birmingham club are looking for a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who has had latent interest from Juventus all summer. The Serie A giants could make a fresh move for the Argentine if Villa sign Suzuki.

Arsenal eye Hinshelwood

Arsenal are “leading the race” to sign Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood, The Sun asserts.

The England U21 international is fielding interest from various clubs, including Man Utd and Man City, but the Gunners are believed to be in pole position if he is to leave Brighton this summer.

The Seagulls are said to be demanding as much as €60m for the versatile midfielder, who can also play at full-back. Signing him has become a “top priority” for Arsenal.

More transfer rumours

AC Milan have lowered their asking price for Rafael Leao from €50m to €40m. (Sky Italia)

Newcastle have opened talks with Bayern over a permanent deal for Joao Palhinha after the German club rejected a loan offer from Aston Villa. (Sky Sports)

Man Utd are prioritising the signing of a left-back over a third new midfielder. (Manchester Evening News)

Atletico Madrid have informed Racing Santander that they will not trigger the €16m release clause of Man Utd target Jorge Salinas, but they are willing to offer a cash-plus-player deal. (AS)

Borussia Dortmund are the frontrunners to sign Barcelona full-back Hector Fort. (Mundo Deportivo)

Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Balazs Toth is a target for Celtic. (Daily Record)

Jonathan David has turned down three transfer offers because he wants to stay at Juventus. (Nicolo Schira)