Transfer news live: Arsenal linked with Julian Draxler, Liverpool firm on Philippe Coutinho, Diego Costa in Chelsea row

Follow the latest from the summer transfer window

Premier League transfer round-up: Sigurdsson finally signs for Everton

Liverpool’s hopes of keeping Philippe Coutinho appear to hang in the balance heading into the final two weeks of the transfer window, with the Premier League club determined not to sell him and Spanish side Barcelona ready to ‘fight’ for his signature.

Coutinho has made it clear that he would like to join Barca and handed in a transfer request this time last week, albeit one that was immediately rejected.

Chelsea meanwhile have been told by unhappy striker Diego Costa that he will not come back to London to play for the club and wants to be sold to Atletico Madrid immediately as his stand-off with the club continues.

Tottenham, who face Chelsea this Sunday in their first Premier League encounter at Wembley Stadium, are close to completing their firs signing of the summer after agreeing a deal in principle for Ajax’s Davinson Sanchez, which will cost £28m and could rise to as much at £42m for the 21-year-old defender.

Arsenal are being tentatively linked with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler, with conflicting reports emerging out of France over his future. The Germany international, who Arsenal have prior interest in, has apparently been told he can leave PSG, but others claim he remains one of Unai Emery's favoured players and is a part of his plans.

Finally, Manchester City are expected to make a second offer of around £22m for West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans, having already seen an £18m offer rejected for the former Manchester United centre-back.

Follow the live news below...

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[18 August 2017 07:21 · Jack de Menezes]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's transfer live blog, where we'll bring you all the latest news, done deals and breaking rumours as they happen, as well as preview this weekend's Premier League action.

[18 August 2017 07:24 · Jack de Menezes]

Before we bring you all the latest transfer stories that are doing the rounds, it's worth taking a moment to read Miguel Delaney's analysis of the transfer window and the 'out of control' market that has been created, not least due to the move this summer for Neymar as well as the pursuits of Philippe Coutinho and Virgil van Dijk.

Give it a read here:

[18 August 2017 07:30 · Jack de Menezes]

Tottenham remain the only club yet to make a signing this summer, but they look like they are closing in on their first target after agreeing a deal in principle for Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez. While that may be good news for the club, the deal could rise to as much as £42m, which is a large fee for someone as unproven as Sanchez.

Jack Pitt-Brooke has the latest:

[18 August 2017 07:45 · Jack de Menezes]

Philippe Coutinho's future remains very much in the air at Liverpool, with the midfielder set to miss yet another match for the club with the 'back injury' that has kept him out of their 3-3 draw with Watford last weekend and 2-1 win over Hoffenheim in mid-week. With Barcelona poised to launch another offer for Coutinho, it could be a busy fortnight ahead for the Reds.

Mark Critchley has the latest:

[18 August 2017 08:00 · Samuel Lovett]

Rumours round-up:

The Philippe Coutinho transfer saga could rumble on until the end of the window with Barcelona admitting it will be difficult to prise the Brazilian playmaker away from Anfield, the Liverpool Echo reports.

However, according to the Daily Telegraph, the LaLiga giants are prepared to "fight" all the way to land their man.

Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Diego Costa has made it clear that he has intention of returning to Stamford Bridge as he pushes for a move to Atletico Madrid.

But with the Spanish club under a transfer embargo, Everton could seek to land the Spain international on a short-term deal, according to the Sun.

Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer is a man in demand. The Stoke Sentinel reports that Potters boss Mark Hughes wants to bring him to the bet365 Stadium.

However, according to the Telegraph they will face competition from West Brom.

The Baggies' interest does not, however, mean that Jonny Evans would be allowed to join Manchester City.

Players to watch

Davinson Sanchez - The the Ajax man looks to become Tottenham's first signing of the summer

Gabriel - The Arsenal defender is heading to Valencia in a £10million deal, according to the Evening Standard.

Fabinho - Paris St Germain fancy taking the Brazilian midfielder off the hands of their Ligue 1 rivals Monaco, L'Equipe reports.

[18 August 2017 08:15 · Jack de Menezes]

Could Diego Costa remain in the Premier League this summer? Ronald Koeman believes so, as he admitted he's "open" to the possibility of the striker joining Everton on a loan deal this season in order to play football away from Stamford Bridge.

Watch this space...

[18 August 2017 08:30 · Jack de Menezes]

Brighton have already broken their club-record transfer fee three times this summer, but the good news kept coming on Thursday as they tied down three players who helped them to Premier League promotion to new contracts at the Amex Stadiuum.

Find out who here:

[18 August 2017 08:45 · Jack de Menezes]

Arsenal are already making plans over the prospect of up to five players leaving the club at the end of the season, with the biggest name being that of Alexis Sanchez. However, manager Arsene Wenger stressed this week that losing Sanchez for nothing could actually make more sense that giving him a new contract.

However, he also added that if Sanchez leaves the club next year for nothing, it will be a sacrifice that he has to make.

Read the full story here:

[18 August 2017 09:00 · Jack de Menezes]

[18 August 2017 09:15 · Jack de Menezes]