Mourinho Wants Zubimendi, Osimhen Stays Hot and the Delap Race Heats Up

The summer window is moving fast and today's gossip column is packed with moves that matter. From a Real Madrid revolution under Jose Mourinho to a Premier League striker battle that's getting messier by the day, there's plenty to dig into.

Mourinho's First Big Statement at Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has wasted no time at the Bernabeu. His first reported target is Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi, the 27-year-old Spain midfielder who spent last season quietly becoming one of the best holding midfielders in European football. Mourinho loves a disciplined, positionally sharp midfielder who protects the backline and keeps things ticking, and Zubimendi fits that profile almost perfectly. Arsenal will not want to lose him cheaply, and this one could drag on into late August. For Real Madrid, it sends a clear message about the kind of football Mourinho wants to play, controlled, structured, and hard to break down. Worth watching closely.

The Delap Situation Is Getting Interesting

Liam Delap is available, Chelsea have told him so, and now it sounds like half the Premier League is queuing up. Everton lead the race, which makes sense given their need for a physical striker who can carry a line. Nottingham Forest have now entered the picture too, which adds real competition and could push the fee higher than Chelsea might have expected. Delap is 23, English, and proved last season he can handle Premier League football. Everton feel like the logical destination right now, but Forest under Nuno have shown they're willing to move quickly and spend decisively. This deal will be done before the window closes, we're fairly confident about that.

Osimhen's Next Move and Arsenal's Ambition

Victor Osimhen refusing to rule out a summer exit from Galatasaray is the kind of quote that keeps agents busy and clubs on edge. Arsenal are mentioned as an interested party, and while that might surprise some given the price tag involved, it actually makes a lot of sense. They've been short of a truly dominant centre-forward and Osimhen, when fit and motivated, is one of the best in the world at pressing and finishing. The question is always the fee and the wage structure. If Galatasaray want top dollar, it could be a sticking point. Still, this is a Premier League-level story whether Arsenal pull it off or not, because wherever Osimhen ends up, it shifts the balance of power somewhere.

Neto, Mikautadze and the Moves Bubbling Under

Pedro Neto to Manchester City is a genuinely exciting prospect. He's quick, direct, and offers something different to what Pep Guardiola currently has wide. The Al-Hilal competition is real though, and Saudi money makes these deals unpredictable. We'd back City to get their man if they push hard enough.

Georges Mikautadze to Newcastle for around 47 million pounds is the kind of move that could define their window. He's electric on the ball and at 25 should be entering his prime years. Barcelona also sniffing around only adds to the pressure on Eddie Howe's side to move fast.

The Joel Piroe to West Ham deal being close is relatively low-key but smart business. He's a reliable Championship and Premier League-level forward who gives Julen Lopetegui more options. Not glamorous, but useful.

Our Read on the Window So Far

The Premier League is dominating this summer's transfer conversation and that's no surprise. The Delap race, the Osimhen links, Neto's future, Mikautadze's potential arrival at Newcastle, they all point to a window where English clubs are spending with real intent. Real Madrid under Mourinho will be the wildcard on the continent, and the Zubimendi link tells us exactly what kind of squad he wants to build. If that deal goes through, it reshapes the midfield market overnight. Keep an eye on how Arsenal respond if Zubimendi does leave for Madrid, because that could trigger a chain of moves nobody has fully predicted yet.