Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al-Hilal, Ivan Fresneda to Bournemouth, Josef Martinez to Luton Town

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 18 July 2023

Transfer rumours: Mitrovic to Al-Hilal, Fresneda to Bournemouth, Martinez to Luton

Sports Mole rounds up some of the latest transfer rumours, including Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al-Hilal, Ivan Fresneda to Bournemouth and Josef Martinez to Luton Town.

Al-Hilal are reportedly confident of finalising a deal for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer.

The Saudi Arabian club have already seen two bids, including their latest offer worth around £30m, rejected by the Cottagers for the 28-year-old, who is believed to be keen to swap the English capital for the Middle East.

Nevertheless, Football Insider reports that Al-Hilal are refusing to give up in their pursuit of Mitrovic and could therefore table a third offer for the Serbia international.

Fulham have no interest in selling their star striker, who has scored 111 goals in 205 appearances for the West London club since joining from Newcastle United in 2018, including 14 strikes in 24 Premier League games last season.

Mitrovic, who still has three years left on his Fulham contract, could become the fourth high-profile name to join Al-Hilal this summer after fellow Serbian Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Real Valladolid's Ivan Fresneda in action with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior on December 30, 2022 © Reuters

Staying in the Premier League, Bournemouth are reportedly looking hijack Barcelona's move for Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda.

The Catalan giants are allegedly nearing an agreement with Valladolid to sign the highly sought-after 18-year-old, who has also been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle this summer.

However, Football Insider reports that Bournemouth are plotting an ambitious move for Fresneda, who is "likely" to leave Valladolid this summer following the club's relegation to the Spanish second tier.

The report adds that the Cherries were left impressed with Fresneda after sending scouts to watch the defender represent Spain at the European Under-19s Championships earlier this month.

Fresneda enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Spanish club in 2022-23 season, making 22 La Liga appearances including his professional debut in September of last year.

It is thought that a fee in the region of £20m would be enough to prise Fresneda away from Valladolid, but it remains to be seen whether he would prefer a switch to the reigning La Liga champions Barca or a move to a different country at such a young age to link up with Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Inter Miami's Josef Martinez in action on June 3, 2023 © Reuters

Meanwhile, newly-promoted Luton Town are reportedly planning to lodge a club-record bid to sign Inter Miami striker Josef Martinez.

The 30-year-old has established himself as a proven goalscorer in MLS, netting 104 times in 154 appearances over the last six years with Atlanta United and now Inter Miami, who he joined in January.

Martinez is out of contract with the Herons in December 2023 and it remains to be seen whether the American side have plans to keep hold of the striker after recently announcing the marquee signing of Lionel Messi.

While Martinez could be tempted to stay at Inter Miami and continue his career in MLS alongside Messi, The Sun reports that the Venezuela international may consider a Premier League move should Luton table a bid this summer.

The report adds that the Hatters would be required to fork out a club-record £10m to lure Martinez away from David Beckham's American franchise.

Luton are understood to have already broken their transfer record twice this summer, with the £3m addition of defender Mads Andersen from Barnsley followed by the £4m acquisition of attacker Tahith Chong from Birmingham City last week.