If you're new to following football off the pitch, the transfer rumour cycle can feel like chaos. Here's the quick version.
Clubs can only buy and sell players during set transfer windows — a long one in the summer and a shorter one in winter. A move can happen for a fee, on a season-long loan, or as a free transfer when a player's contract has expired. Some contracts include a release clause: a fixed price that forces the selling club to negotiate.
As for the rumours themselves: treat anonymous "sources" with caution, and learn which reporters actually break confirmed deals. A useful habit is to wait for the medical and the official club announcement before believing anything. Most "done deals" online are still just speculation — half the fun is guessing which ones are real.