Transfer Centre

Transfer news and rumours: Gross to Dortmund, Coutinho Villa exit, Wilson to Saudi

By Carter White | 24 June 2024

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news and rumours, including Pascal Gross to Borussia Dortmund, Callum Wilson's potential Newcastle exit and Philippe Coutinho's future.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross is reportedly prepared to join Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

The 33-year-old has been a key figure on the South coast for the Seagulls since joining from German outfit Ingolstadt during the summer of 2017.

Gross has featured in 261 competitive matches for Brighton, finding the net on 32 occasions while helping the seaside club to their first-ever European berth in 2023.

According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, the midfielder's seven-year stay in the Premier League is edging towards its conclusion this summer.

The report states that the former Hoffenheim man is closing in on a move to Borussia Dortmund, who are looking to challenge for the Bundesliga crown once again after a fifth-placed finish in 2023-24.

It is understood that Gross is keen to join last season's Champions League finalists, with one year remaining on his current deal at Brighton.

There are said to be some question marks over the length of the contract that he will be on at Dortmund, either a two-year deal with the option for a further 12 months or a simple three-year deal running to 2027.

With Gross's valuation sitting at €10m (£8.4m) at the top end, it could be a relatively cheap deal for a player who is representing Germany at Euro 2024 this summer.

Newcastle United's Callum Wilson celebrates scoring against Burnley on May 4, 2024 © Reuters

Newcastle to sell Wilson to Saudi?

Moving onto other player who could be leaving the Premier League this summer, talkSPORT are claiming that Newcastle United will consider offers for Callum Wilson ahead of the new term.

Due to a multitude of injury issues and the form of Alexander Isak, the ex-Bournemouth man was limited to just 20 top-flight appearances last campaign, scoring 10 times.

Wilson is heading towards a critical junction in his Newcastle career, as his contract in the North-East is set to expire at the end of the new season.

Therefore, it is believed that the Magpies are willing to listen to offers for the 32-year-old as they look to recoup as much as possible from the £20m that they paid for the striker in 2020.

There are set to be plenty of potential suitors for Wilson, who is said to be attracting interest from West Ham United during this window.

Alongside the Hammers, there is supposedly admirers of the nine-time England international in Saudi Arabia, where the former Cherries marksman would be in line for a lucrative pay day as he enters the twilight of his career.

Philippe Coutinho in action for Aston Villa on October 2, 2022 © Reuters

Aston Villa star set to depart?

Completing the trio that could be departing from the English game this summer, Philippe Coutinho is a player who is not expected to have a future at Aston Villa.

The former Liverpool great spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan in the Qatari Stars League at Al Duhail, doing little to showcase his extraordinary talents.

Coutinho still has two years remaining on his current terms at Villa Park, however, according to Football Insider, the 32-year-old is likely to leave the West Midlands outfit imminently.

It is understood that the Brazilian and Unai Emery's men are exploring ways to terminate the midfielder's contract in order to end the working relationship between the two parties swiftly.

A permanent move to the Middle East could be on the cards for Coutinho, however it is said that a switch back to his native Brazil could be attractive for the ex-Barcelona man.