Transfer Centre

Transfer news and rumours: Jaden Philogene to Everton, Simon Elisor to QPR, Santi Cazorla future

By Ben Sully | 28 June 2024

Transfer news and rumours: Philogene to Everton, Elisor to QPR, Cazorla future

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news, including Jaden Philogene to Everton, Simon Elisor to Queens Park Rangers and the future of ex-Arsenal man Santi Cazorla.

Everton have reportedly joined the race to sign Hull City winger Jaden Philogene.

The attacker is attracting significant interest after registering 12 goals and six assists in 32 Championship appearances last season.

Philogene, who joined Hull from Aston Villa last summer, has been linked with a sensational move to Catalan giants Barcelona this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur have also been mooted as a potential destination, and it appears that they could be rivalled by at least one other Premier League side.

According to the Daily Mail, Everton are considering a possible move after identifying Philogene as a summer transfer target.

Everton are willing to spend around £16m to sign the England Under-21 international, who is currently under contract until the summer of 2026, with an option for an additional 12 months.

The report also claims that West Ham United are among Philogene's admirers and are weighing up whether to submit an official bid

Metz's Simon Elisor in action on October 1, 2023 [IMAGO] © Imago

QPR lining up Elisor move

Meanwhile, Championship side Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing 24-year-old forward Simon Elisor from French club Metz.

Elisor spent the second half of last season on loan at Ligue 2 side Troyes, where he scored six goals in 18 appearances.

Although he is set to return to his parent club, the striker is now being linked with a move to the second tier of English football.

According to The Sun, QPR are keen to sign the Frenchman this summer and have already made contact with Metz to discuss his availability.

The R's have enquired about Elisor's release clause and want to gather more information about his current contract details.

However, there is a belief that it will take a 'very good offer' for Metz to sanction Elisor's departure due to the uncertainty surrounding Georges Mikautadze's future.

The Georgia international is attracting significant interest after netting three goals in the Euro 2024 group stage to establish himself as the tournament's leading scorer.

If Mikautadze were to depart, Metz may be reluctant to part ways with another striker, especially as they look to build a squad that can fight for an immediate return to Ligue 1 following their relegation last season.

Real Oviedo's Santi Cazorla in action on May 20, 2024 [IMAGO] © Imago

Cazorla decides against retirement

Over in Spain, former Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla has opted to sign a new one-year deal with Segunda Division side Real Oviedo.

Cazorla spent six years with Arsenal until he bid farewell in 2018 after registering 29 goals and 44 assists in 180 appearances.

The former Spain international returned to Villarreal for a third spell, before he spent three years with Qatari club Al Sadd.

Fittingly, Cazorla went back to Spain last summer to join his hometown side Real Oviedo - the club where he spent most of his youth career.

Cazorla planned to help Oviedo win promotion to La Liga, but that dream was quashed by the recent 2-1 aggregate defeat to Espanyol in the playoff final.

However, the 39-year-old is still seemingly keen to play a role in Oviedo's promotion bid, having signed a new one-year deal to keep him at the Estado Carlos Tartiere for the 2024-25 season.

Cazorla has ultimately committed to extend his playing career beyond the age of 40, showcasing his drive to help Oviedo return to the top flight for the first time since 2000-01.