Transfer Tittle-Tattle: Anderson Auction Heats Up as Pep Snubs Arteta and Rashford Eyes Barca Permanently

Picture this: you're sinking a pint, scrolling through the latest footy whispers, and suddenly it's like Christmas come early. The summer window's already bubbling, with Pep Guardiola hilariously batting away any notion of dishing out wisdom to his old protégé Mikel Arteta. "No advice for you, mate," Pep basically shrugged in that classic deadpan style, as reported by ESPN. Fair play – why help the enemy when you're both chasing the same shiny Premier League trophy?

But let's crack on with the real juice. Transfers are where the magic happens, and this lot's got more twists than a dodgy penalty shout.

Midfield Mayhem: City and United Battle for Anderson

Right, grab your notebook because Elliot Anderson is the name on everyone's lips. The 23-year-old Nottingham Forest dynamo, who rocked up from Newcastle for £35m last summer, has been bossing it in the Prem and earning caps with Thomas Tuchel's England squad ahead of the World Cup. Manchester City are the frontrunners, per TEAMtalk's Graeme Bailey, with sporting director Hugo Viana eyeing him as cover if Bernardo Silva or Rodri (rumoured Real Madrid bait) do one.

Expect a £100m price tag to prise him from the City Ground – unless Forest tumble into the Championship, then it's bargain basement. Man United are sniffing around too, desperate for midfield grunt, but their noisy neighbours hold the aces. A former City man warned TEAMtalk to tread carefully though; Anderson's class is undeniable, but is he Pep-proof? With Forest's relegation scrap ongoing, this bidding war could explode.

Italian Flirtations and Spanish Dreams

Over in Serie A, Inter Milan are circling Liverpool's Curtis Jones again, says Corriere dello Sport. The 25-year-old England international's contract ticks into its final year this summer, so a cheeky cut-price swoop could be on. Inter eyed him in January alongside AC Milan, but now they're doubling down – and even fancy Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni on loan.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are cock-a-hoop about turning Marcus Rashford's loan from Manchester United into a permanent gig. Fabrizio Romano spills that personal terms are nearly sewn up, but Utd want the full €30m clause honoured. Rashford's notched four goals and seven assists in 21 La Liga outings – not bad for a lad on the rebound. Could this be the fresh start he craves?

Keeper Chaos and Full-Back Fancies

Goalkeepers are flying about like confetti. Aston Villa are among the Prem pack chasing Man City's James Trafford, who's been warming the bench behind Gianluigi Donnarumma with just 11 appearances. Newcastle tried last month, so expect fireworks.

Tino Livramento might wave cheerio to Newcastle too, with City admirers lurking per the Daily Telegraph. The England right-back's deal runs to 2028, but he's no mood for an extension without a top-club escape hatch or release clause. St James' Park faithful, brace yourselves.

Quickfire Rumour Mill

• Juventus covet Alisson Becker, but need Champions League cash to fund it (Football Insider).

• Norwich's Kellen Fisher has Everton, Arsenal, United and Newcastle drooling (TEAMtalk).

• Chelsea won't flog Cole Palmer for funds (Standard).

• Bayern fancy Spurs loanee Luka Vuskovic at Hamburg (Christian Falk).

• Arsenal get a leg-up on Julián Alvarez as Barca's Deco denies chats (Daily Mirror).

• Omar Marmoush dreams of Barca from City (Ekrem Konur).

• Jesse Lingard's Corinthians switch is a done deal, paperwork signed (Ekrem Konur).

Oh, and don't forget Gab Marcotti calling out the absurd delay on City's 115 financial charges – verdict still pending, like waiting for a taxi in the rain.

There you have it, lads – the transfer cauldron's simmering. Who's nabbing Anderson? Will Rashford stay put in Spain? Pour another round and keep watching this space.