Wednesday transfer news, rumours LIVE: Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs latest plus gossip and deals
All the day’s latest news, rumours, gossip and done deals
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Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and more are set to be busy in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal are set to push on with their first signing of the summer with a bid for Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser set to be lodged following this week’s Europa League final. A new centre-back is high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority list at United with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester’s Harry Maguire both options. Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another on the Norwegian’s radar.
It won’t just be incomings at Old Trafford, however, with Paul Pogba a high-profile target for Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez on his way out with Inter Milan and Juventus fighting it out for his signature – if he drops his wage demands. And Liverpool could be active too as they look to go one better after failing to win the Premier League title by just a single point.
Review all the day’s transfer stories:
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We have an update in the proposed Newcastle United takeover
Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has insisted he has provided proof of funds in his bid to buy the club. The Dubai-based businessman sparked excitement on Monday when he claimed to have "agreed terms" with current owner Mike Ashley and was working to "complete the transaction at the earliest opportunity".
Sources on Tyneside were quick to insist that - while talks had taken place over a deal understood to be worth in the region of £350m - any sale was some way from being finalised, sparking scepticism over Sheikh Khaled's ability to push home his interest.
However, the Bin Zayed Group, of which he is chairman, moved to clarify his position with a statement issued on Wednesday.
It said: "In consideration of the numerous speculations in regards to the timelines of the acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club by Bin Zayed Group, we feel the need to issue this statement.
"Terms have been agreed between us and Mike Ashley; these terms have been reflected in a document, signed by both parties, which has been forwarded to the Premier League.
"The proof of funds statement was forwarded to Mike Ashley's lawyers on April 17 2019.
"The so called fit-and-proper Premier League process is a standard procedure which will take time, and we are doing all we can to assist the Premier League during this process.
"We feel the need to clarify this point in order for the fans and the general public to understand the timelines."
BREAKINGThe news is coming thick and fast today as West Ham have announced their released list, which features three very high-profile names.
Leading them is the England striker Andy Carroll, who is on the look out for yet another club after failing to find a permanent home at Newcastle, Liverpool and now West Ham.
Joining Carroll in heading for the exit is long-serving goalkeeper Adrian, as well as short-term signing Samir Nasri who joined the club in January but has decided to move on.
Jurgen Klopp is chasing a new goalkeeper this summer.
The Liverpool Echo report said goalkeeper will be 16-year-old Pole Jakub Ojrzynski.
He'll arrive from Legia Warsaw from £200,000.
Here's the full story from developments at Newcastle this afternoon...
Over to Manchester now to champions City where they are set to make their first signing of the summer.
Portuguese newspaper Record report that they are closing in on right-back Joao Cancelo from Juventus.
The deal is apparently nearly done with the Portuguese international set to arrive for £52m.
Remember AVB?
Yes, Andre Villas-Boas is back and this time it's in France after being unveiled as the new Marseille manager.
But perhaps the Portuguese has learnt from the errors of his ways as he used his first press conference to insists that he will not make the same mistakes that he did at Chelsea and Tottenham.
Could this be the making of him?
Manchester United may have to double their valuation of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to sign the full-back, as there currently remains a huge difference between their stance and Crystal Palace's.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified the 21-year-old as a key signing this summer, but initial hopes that the player's openness to go to Old Trafford could lead to an uncomplicated deal have been misplaced.
Palace feel under absolutely no pressure to sell Wan-Bissaka, and would want a fee of over £70m to even consider the prospect.
United had been hoping to complete the signing for at most £40m, but that now looks way off.
It is understood other clubs have already been put off by such a high valuation, but United will persist with the pursuit.
Arsenal identify defensive target
Unai Emery will need to bolster Arsenal's defence if he stands any chance to get Arsenal into the top four next season, and it seems the club are targeting youth over experienced players.
The Gunners are said to be interested in RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot , according to ESPN.
The 20-year-old Frenchman made 24 appearances in the Bundasliga's tightest defence last season, which means it is of little surprise that Leipzig are determined to renew his contract after learning of Arsenal's interest.
That's a wrap
That's all from the transfer mill this Wednesday evening as we turn our attention to the Europa League final.
Arsenal's transfer budget, and perhaps attraction, will increase considerably, you imagine, if they get a decent result this evening.
You can follow all the live action by clicking the link here.
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