Transfer news live: Chelsea to move for Serie A duo as Kylian Mbappe is warned off Arsenal
All the latest news, rumours and gossip from around the Premier League and the rest of Europe
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The summer transfer window is just around the corner but clubs up and down the country are already getting their business done early.
Manchester United have money to spend - and have already signed Victor Lindelof for £35m - but may be forced to shell out as much as £70m for both Alvaro Morata, while Andrea Belotti looks like he will stay at Torinio.
Chelsea's main man, Diego Costa, looks like he will be on his way after being told he is surplus to requirements by manager Antonio Conte.
Manchester City already have two players with Monaco's Bernardo Silva and Benfica goalkeeper Ederson in through the door, while Arsenal have snapped up Schalke's Sead Kolasinac on a free.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Mohamed Salah as they continue to negotiate with Roma over a fee but won't be adding Virgil van Dijk after being forced to apologise to Southampton for an illegal approach.
We will have all the latest throughout the day here so don't touch that dial.
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Hello and welcome to The Independent's live transfer blog for Thursday 15th June.
Stay with us throughout the day to follow all the latest transfer news, updates, gossip and rumours from the Premier League and around the rest of Europe.
Here are some of the best stories doing the rounds this morning:
Manchester United transfer news
Looks like the roundabout is beginning to move after that Victor Lindelof signing!
Chris Smalling is set to leave Manchester United this summer after the £31m signing of Victor Lindelof from Benfica.
Although Jose Mourinho has not yet explicitly told Smalling whether he is part of his plans for the 2017-18 season, he is expecting to be able to leave.
Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United are at the front of the queue to sign the 27-year-old.
Chelsea's interest in Insigne
The agent of Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne has poured cold water on his client’s move to Chelsea by saying they will need to bid a lot more than the £45m bid they are reported to have made.
Chelsea are rumoured to have made a joint bid for both Insigne and his Napoli teammate Kalidou Koulibaly.
Insigne’s agent Della Monica said: “I would start by saying the offer reported in The Sun would be low and he has always been in the sights of many clubs.
“The priority for Lorenzo, though, is to be wearing the Napoli shirt and to be rewarded in an important way by his team. Now he has both and he is happy as well.”
Koulibaly to Chelsea?
The agent of Chelsea’s other big summer target Kalidou Koulibaly has also been speaking on a potential move to Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte tried to sign him before settling on David Luiz last summer.
His agent said: “Koulibaly? The transfer market is long as it will be open until August 31, something might happen before then.
“Chelsea? They are a world class team that many players would like to join but I don’t want to talk about this now.”
Mbappe latest
PSG boss Unai Emery (somewhat unsurprisingly) has urged in-demand Monaco star
Kylian Mbappe to turn down Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid and return to his hometown in Paris.
Monaco are looking for more than £100m for him this summer but are hopeful they can hang onto the 18-year-old for at least another season.
PSG are one of the favourites as they attempt a complete overhaul of their squad this summer following a disappointing season.
“When we speak of Mbappe here in Spain, we talk about Real or Barca. But I’m at PSG and I say: ‘What could be more beautiful than representing a French team?
“With all respect to Monaco, he should come to Paris, he has family here. His parents live here, he went to an academy here.
“We spoke of feeling, passion, desire – and what could be more beautiful than representing your city and being important?
“Obviously, I am biased, but that’s the feeling I had when I debuted for Real Sociedad.
“I don’t know if Real like him, or if Barcelona do or Tottenham or Arsenal do. But if he has to leave Monaco, I say: ‘What is better for him, for France, for PSG, that there be a union between the player and his city.' I say it as I feel it.”
Lemar to Tottenham?
Hugo Lloris has backed France's next generation of stars to make it big in the Premier League but refused to say whether he has encouraged Monaco's Thomas Lemar to join Tottenham.
The Spurs 'keeper was away on international duty this week but would not reveal whether he used his position as club and country captain to influence the young midfielder.
"You are right to ask the question, but I cannot reply," he told reporters after France's 3-2 victory over England.
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