Transfer News: Done Deals, Man City and Chelsea battle for Lavia, Mendy, Arsenal to offer Odegaard new deal

Man City ahead of Chelsea for Lavia

According to Football Insider, Manchester City have an edge over Chelsea for the signing of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia due to them having a £40m buyback clause. Lavia has excelled for Southampton this season despite the club being in a rut. Chelsea will reportedly have to pay more to convince him to choose them over his former team and before the clause activates next summer.

 

Arsenal to offer Ødegaard new deal

Arsenal are willing to tie down club captain Martin Ødegaard by offering him a fresh deal till 2030, according to Football Transfers. The Norwegian playmaker has been in fine form this season, helping the Gunners build an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. With Ødegaard’s contract with Arsenal set to expire in 2025, there is a real sense of desire from both sides to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

Chelsea ready to offload Édouard Mendy

Chelsea will witness a major exodus in the summer and one of the players on his way out could be goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, according to Football Insider. The Blues are willing to sell the Senegalese international after he hasn’t been able to replicate the form he showed during Chelsea’s Champions League-winning run in 2021. The 31-year-old has also fallen behind Kepa Arrizabalaga in the pecking order and would be keen to leave the club in order to have a more prominent role elsewhere.

DONE DEALS

OFFICIAL: Ex-Hull City, Bournemouth and QPR man Marc Pugh signs for new club

Former Hull City loan man Marc Pugh has signed for Clitheroe. The winger has joined the Northern Premier League Division One West side on a deal until the end of the season. The 35-year-old has been out of the game since leaving Shrewsbury Town in the summer of 2021. However, he has decided to put his boots back on now in non-league.

OFFICIAL: Memphis 901 FC signs goalkeeper Bill Hamid

Memphis 901 FC announced on Monday the club has signed former United States Men’s National Team and MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Bill Hamid for the 2023 USL Championship season. The signing is pending league and federation approval, and completion of Hamid’s medical.