Transfer Roundup: Arsenal Pursue França; Chelsea Eye Fernández

Summer transfer talk is already heating up: Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Roma right-back Wesley França, Chelsea are preparing a big-money contract to try to keep Enzo Fernández amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, and Liverpool are monitoring Newcastle's Anthony Gordon as potential cover should Cody Gakpo move on. Below we round up the latest confirmed facts, contract details and performance data shaping these approaches.

Arsenal target Wesley França

Arsenal’s search for a summer right-back is accelerating around the 22-year-old Brazilian full-back Wesley França, who moved to AS Roma from Flamengo last summer and has impressed with a four-goal return from full-back duties since his arrival. The club has identified França’s athleticism, defensive diligence and attacking output as a fit with Mikel Arteta’s model; Arsenal are reportedly prepared to sanction the sale of current right-back Ben White if the right offer arrives.

França’s emergence at Roma has also attracted interest from Everton, and Arsenal are not limiting their right-back search to one name: scouts have been linked with Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins and Monaco’s Vanderson as alternative or complementary targets. Arsenal’s internal evaluation is focused on a blend of defensive metrics and attacking output — França’s four goals since joining Serie A are notable for a 22-year-old who arrived from Brazil only last summer.

For readers who want deeper context on Arsenal’s interest in França and Arteta’s full-back plan, see our earlier piece: Arsenal step up pursuit of Roma's Wesley França — Arteta's plan.

Chelsea battle for Enzo Fernández

Chelsea are preparing a major contract offer to keep Enzo Fernández at Stamford Bridge after his move from Benfica, with the club reportedly willing to make the 25-year-old their highest-paid player to fend off suitors. Fernández, who joined Chelsea from Benfica, has drawn long-term interest from European heavyweights: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and even Manchester City have been linked with moves.

Club sources indicate Fernández is not agitating for a move, but the broader market pressure — compounded by Chelsea’s willingness to upgrade his wages — illustrates how prized the midfielder is at present. Chelsea’s offer, if formalised, would be aimed at blocking interest from PSG and Real Madrid ahead of the summer window.

Manchester clubs and wider interest

Two additional market threads to watch: Barcelona and Real Madrid have reportedly shown renewed curiosity about Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, but City currently have no intention of selling the 25-year-old, who is contracted until 2031. Separately, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, 33, remains undecided over a possible move to the Saudi Pro League this summer — Liverpool would be able to sell him for a fee before his contract expires in July 2027.

Liverpool weighing Gakpo exit and Gordon target

At Anfield, Liverpool are actively gauging market interest in Cody Gakpo. Representatives have offered the Netherlands international around Europe — with reported Premier League interest from Tottenham Hotspur among others — as Liverpool attempt to assess transfer avenues. One report notes Gakpo has played 41 official matches this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists; the same source lists his Liverpool contract running through the summer of 2030.

Should Gakpo depart, Liverpool have identified Anthony Gordon, 25, of Newcastle United as a potential replacement. Gordon’s profile appeals to Liverpool’s recruitment team: he spent part of his youth development at Liverpool before moving to Everton in 2012, and Newcastle have publicly stated a desire to keep the winger, making any approach potentially costly and complicated. Newcastle’s stance on retaining Gordon makes him a target Liverpool would need to pursue aggressively if Gakpo leaves.

Tottenham’s involvement in the Gakpo sweepstakes ties into recent Premier League results — Tottenham themselves suffered a 0-3 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in a recent league match, a result that has been noted in the context of their attacking needs this season (Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Nottingham Forest — Premier League Recap).

Market dynamics and short-term outlook

The transfer market this summer looks set to be driven by three clear dynamics: clubs seeking cost-effective young full-backs (hence Arsenal’s interest in França and monitoring of Livramento, Collins and Vanderson); the financial arms race for established midfield talent (Chelsea’s bid to make Fernández their top earner); and Premier League-to-Premier League swaps or replacements (Liverpool potentially selling Gakpo and targeting Gordon). Each thread contains concrete data points: França’s four goals for Roma since his transfer from Flamengo; Fernández’s age (25) and recent Benfica-to-Chelsea move; Gakpo’s 41 appearances with eight goals and four assists this season.

Clubs will also be influenced by contract timetables: Gakpo’s reported contract through 2030 gives Liverpool bargaining power, while Mohamed Salah’s contract expiring in July 2027 opens a limited window for a fee if he opts for a summer exit. Manchester City’s long-term contract with Haaland through 2031 is likewise a key constraint on any potential move.

Conclusion and outlook

As the summer window approaches, expect Arsenal to pursue a right-back solution with Wesley França high on the shortlist, Chelsea to intensify wage talks with Enzo Fernández, and Liverpool to balance potential departures and replacements around Cody Gakpo and Anthony Gordon. The transfer storylines combine verifiable performance data — França’s four goals for Roma, Fernández’s post-Benfica profile, Gakpo’s 41 appearances this season with eight goals and four assists — with clear contract timelines to create concrete scenarios for each club.

For readers who want predictive angles on these moves, ScorePoint AI’s tools can help model likely outcomes: check our AI predictions for simulated transfer scenarios or consult the AI assistant for on-demand analysis of squad fit and financial impact. For more reading on Arsenal’s full-back search, see our in-depth report linked above.

Transfer windows pivot on verifiable facts and timing — and with França’s breakout at Roma, Fernández’s market value and Gakpo’s mixed signals this season, the coming months promise decisive, data-driven moves rather than idle speculation.