Summer 2026 Transfer Whispers: Ranking the 20 Deals Most Likely to Happen

As the summer transfer window churns on and the rumour mill works overtime, it's time to separate the wheat from the chaff and identify which whispers actually carry some weight.

We're filtering through the noise to bring you the top 20 transfer links involving Premier League sides, ranked by likelihood. The higher they sit, the better the odds of them becoming genuine signings.

20. Manuel Ugarte – Manchester United to AC Milan

United have reportedly shopped the Uruguayan midfielder to Milan, who conveniently just helped the Red Devils save on Ruben Amorim's severance. Amorim knows Ugarte from their time together, so Milan might fancy the midfielder – though the United boss isn't always known for making the wisest decisions. Still, this would be monumentally foolish. Ugarte isn't going anywhere.

19. Darwin Nunez – Al-Hilal to Liverpool

Liverpool's pedestrian football last season had supporters yearning for the chaos of yesteryear, which could theoretically return if Nunez tears up his Saudi contract. The Uruguayan was left out of Al-Hilal's squad for the second half of the campaign, but we simply don't see it materialising – though we'd be delighted to be proved wrong.

18. Marcus Rashford – Manchester United to Barcelona

Barcelona have already knocked back the chance to sign Rashford for £26million, then spent three times that on a rival for his England spot. That's quite the snub. Barca reckon they can squeeze United's finances, but the Red Devils aren't biting – and frankly, they'd be mad to. The England winger will end up elsewhere.

17. Lewis Hall – Newcastle to Chelsea

Chelsea are circling after Cucurella's departure to Real Madrid, and Hall has caught the eye of various predators circling St James' Park. A return to his boyhood club would make sense on paper, yet we suspect Chelsea might attempt to look slightly more sophisticated than simply repurchasing a player they flogged three years ago.

16. Enzo Fernandez – Chelsea to Real Madrid

Fernandez must be kicking himself watching Cucurella get his dream move. Real could come calling for the Argentine midfielder, but they're unlikely to stump up the £107million Chelsea handed over in 2023. How Fernandez conducts himself as the window progresses could prove telling.

15. Adam Wharton – Crystal Palace to Chelsea

The Palace midfielder has been surprisingly quiet despite expectations of a busy market for his services. Liverpool and Chelsea have shown interest, but both clubs need to sort their own house first before Palace will take them seriously.

14. Crysencio Summerville – West Ham to Manchester United

Fresh intel suggests United are negotiating with West Ham over the winger as they eye left-wing reinforcements. It's not their top priority, but they're sniffing an opportunity with the Hammers' relegation. Summerville's valued at £50million whilst currently turning out for the Netherlands at the World Cup, though United can afford to be patient and let the Irons' desperation work in their favour.

13. Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa to Arsenal

Half the Big Six want Rogers, and Villa will sell – for the right price. That price, they reckon, sits above £80million. This feels like his most probable destination come summer's end.

12. Sandro Tonali – Newcastle to Tottenham Hotspur

Tonali's representatives have been engineering an exit from Newcastle since at least January, with Spurs now in the frame. It could be another agent smokescreen to stir activity elsewhere, but these reports seem grounded in reality – even if Spurs haven't yet tackled the genuine headache of dealing with Newcastle.

11. James Trafford – Manchester City to Newcastle

The England goalkeeper needs out from City's bench after arriving a year ago under Pep's watch. Newcastle harbour no ill feeling despite being turned down previously, though they're not alone in the queue. Spurs are also lurking. This might hinge on who frees up their goalkeeping spot quickest.

10. Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough to Everton

This looked nearly wrapped up before negotiations stalled over the fee. Boro rejected Everton's £18million package, holding out for around £20million plus £5million in add-ons – enough daylight for other suitors to muscle in.

9. Guglielmo Vicario – Tottenham Hotspur to Juventus

Juve have cast their net across Alisson, Jordan Pickford, and Emiliano Martinez before settling on Vicario – possibly because he's the most gettable of the quartet. Villa have shown they're no pushovers with Martinez, but Spurs would entertain offers for Vicario following a dreadful campaign for the Italian.

8. Yan Diomande – RB Leipzig to Liverpool

Liverpool may rue not wrapping this up pre-World Cup, as his market value could spike if he maintains the form he displayed in Ivory Coast's opener. PSG are sniffing around, but Liverpool's financial muscle reportedly edges them ahead. That should suffice unless Diomande's tournament exploits tempt another big spender to throw silly money at it.

7. Jack Grealish – Manchester City to Everton

Grealish's loan spell at Everton last term pleased everyone involved, making another year at Goodison Park the path of least resistance for all parties. A surprise move can't be entirely ruled out for the England star, mind.

6. Mateus Fernandes – West Ham to Manchester United

The more likely of West Ham's two midfield targets to pitch up at Old Trafford, given United's greater need for reinforcements in that area. Fernandes represents the shrewder acquisition. West Ham initially demanded £100million before dropping to £85million – they'll need to budge considerably further still.

5. Luka Vuskovic – Tottenham Hotspur to Brighton

We reckoned Brighton and Spurs would find agreement given their mutual interest in poaching each other's players. Spurs rejected Brighton's £35million bid for a player who hasn't kicked a ball for them yet, and the Seagulls won't increase their offer. Stalemate.

4. Victor Munoz – Osasuna to Newcastle

Newcastle have earmarked Munoz as their top target to replace Anthony Gordon and want the deal done before Spain's World Cup campaign puts him on every top side's radar. Real Madrid's involvement complicates matters, but the appetite exists for a move around £35million.

3. Elliot Anderson – Nottingham Forest to Manchester City

City have had a couple of bids rebuffed, most recently a £106million-plus-add-ons package that could reach £120million. We reckon City will see this through – they've invested too much to walk away now. Don't expect it to be quick, though.

2. Jan Paul van Hecke – Brighton to Tottenham Hotspur

Third time's the charm for Spurs, with Brighton apparently accepting a £52million offer. Whether the Seagulls will make life difficult whilst Spurs hold firm on similar money for Vuskovic remains to be seen.

1. Ederson – Atalanta to Manchester United

Essentially done, pending the formalities. United have landed themselves a quality midfielder who could prove instrumental in their summer overhaul.