Soccer Transfer News: Summer 2026 Made Super Simple

(Reported on Jul 12, 2026, 03:00 PM ET)

Welcome to the world of soccer transfers! Think of a "transfer" like a player switching from one school to another, but with lots of money involved. Let’s break down all the latest news in a super easy, friendly way.

Trending Rumors (The Big Gossips)

Here are the hottest stories about players possibly changing teams:

• Chelsea wants Jonathan Rowe: Chelsea (a team in England) has been chatting with the people who represent Jonathan Rowe, a "winger" (a player who runs on the sides of the field) for Bologna (a team in Italy). They need more attacking players.

  • Important to know: No official money offer (called a "formal offer") has been made yet. Bologna wants to keep him. Rowe plays for England’s under-21 team.
  • Chelsea is also looking at other side players like Crysencio Summerville (West Ham) and Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP).

• João Gomes might go to England: João Gomes plays for Wolves (Wolverhampton Wanderers). He almost went to Atlético Madrid (Spain), but that plan stopped. Now, Manchester United (who just gave up on trying to get Éderson from Atalanta for €40 million) and Liverpool are both interested in him.

  • Wolves think he is worth about €60 million. Both English teams are watching closely.

• PSG and Ferran Torres: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG, in France) might try to get Ferran Torres from Barcelona (Spain) if their own winger Bradley Barcola leaves (he might go to Arsenal or Liverpool). Torres is cheaper than another target, Yan Diomande (who costs €130 million!), and Torres is okay with leaving since Anthony Gordon joined Barcelona.

• Everton likes Jacob Murphy: Everton wants to sign Jacob Murphy from Newcastle. He is 31 and might be allowed to leave since his contract (a promise paper saying how long he stays) is in its final year. No official ask yet.

• Dortmund and a young star: Borussia Dortmund likes Konstantinos Karetsas, an 18-year-old midfielder (plays in the middle) from Genk. Genk wants €35 million. Last year, he helped his teammates score 11 times (these helps are called "assists") in 34 games. New Dortmund sports boss Ole Book really wants to sign him.

Important Point!
Money numbers like "€60 million" mean Euros (European money). Teams use this to say how much a player is "worth" to buy. Big teams often pay huge amounts!

ESPN Inside Scoop (Special Sources)

Sometimes ESPN’s own reporters find out secret info. Here is what they know:

• Chelsea and Garnacho: Chelsea wants €50 million ($57m) for their winger Alejandro Garnacho. He didn’t show up to practice before the season starts ("preseason training"). Both Garnacho and Chelsea agree he should leave for good (a "permanent exit"), rather than play for new coach Xabi Alonso.
• Gotham FC signing: Gotham FC (a women’s team) is finishing a deal to borrow (loan) Denise O’Sullivan from Liverpool, and they must buy her later (obligation to transfer) for €350,000. That’s the same price Liverpool paid for her earlier in January!

Deals Already Done (No More Guessing)

These moves are finished and official:

1. Jeremy Monga (a teenage winger) moved from Leicester City to Manchester City for £12.5 million.
2. Side note: A video clip from expert Burley was shared saying "No one can trust FIFA at the World Cup" — not a transfer, just a related watch from the same day!

Other Rumors (More Whispers)

Lots of other teams are looking at players too. Here are the bullet points:

• Chelsea and Brighton are watching Honest Ahanor (defender at Atalanta). The Italian team wants ~€60 million.
• Roma’s Matías Soulé: His agent is in England talking to Sunderland and Fulham about a €35 million move.
• Hull City will try to sign Elliot Stroud (from Sweden’s Mjallby). He already said no to Genoa.
• Ajax is talking to get Marcos Leonardo (from Al Hilal).
• Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) is working to get Francisco Trincão (from Sporting CP).
• West Ham and Coventry are watching Patrick Berg (midfielder at Bodø/Glimt).
• Fulham agreed to sign young Erskine Rennie from Celtic for about £100,000 in compensation.
• Óscar Zambrano is going back to Hull City permanently from Maribor.
• Robin Gosens (used to play for Germany) might join Schalke, but it’s hard to finish.
• Tarik Muharemović (defender at Sassuolo) has many English teams (Leeds, Sunderland, Newcastle, Bournemouth) wanting him.

Quick Reminder
A "loan" is like borrowing a player for a short time. A "permanent transfer" means they switch teams forever (or until the next transfer)!

Summary

To sum it all up simply:

• Chelsea is hunting for wingers (Rowe in, Garnacho possibly out).
• Man United & Liverpool might fight over João Gomes.
• PSG is eyeing Torres if Barcola leaves.
• Done deals: Monga to Man City, O’Sullivan to Gotham.
• Tons of smaller moves are happening with teams like Everton, Dortmund, Hull, and more!

If you want to see report cards for these moves, ESPN has a Transfers home page, Men’s summer grades, and Women’s summer grades ready for you.

FAQ (Beginner Questions)

1. What does "winger" mean in soccer?
A winger is a player who mostly plays on the left or right sides of the field. They are usually fast and help score goals from the edges!

2. What is the difference between a loan and a permanent transfer?
A loan is like renting a player for a short time; they go back to their original team after. A permanent transfer means the new team buys them, and they stay for good.

3. Why do teams pay millions for players?
Teams pay money to other teams to "buy" a player’s contract. This money is a fee for getting that player’s skills to help the team win games (and sell jerseys!).

4. What does "preseason training" mean?
It’s the practice time before the real matches start. Players get fit and learn plays. If a player skips it, it usually means they want to leave the team.

5. What does "assist" mean?
An assist is when a player passes the ball to a teammate who then immediately scores a goal. It’s a high-five moment for helping out!