Monday’s transfer news, rumours and done deals
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Manchester United have been the club to watch so far with completed moves for Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but they appear to be far from done in the transfer window and still have interest in Bruno Fernandes and Sean Longstaff.
However, Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has emerged as a surprise target despite appearing close to a move to Tottenham, which would upset Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Levy no end. Spurs do appear close to their first summer signing in two years though, with Jack Clarke set to join this week before returning to Leeds United on a free transfer.
In Europe, Adrien Rabiot has now left Paris Saint-Germain and is expected to join Juventus today, while Liverpool have reportedly been offered two players in the form of former midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio – however the latter comes at the cost of current forward Sadio Mane.
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Welcome to The Independent's transfer live blog where we'll bring you all the latest news, rumours and done deals from the summer window.
All of the big Premier League hitters remain active in the transfer window, with Manchester United far from done with their squad revamp, Liverpool ready to tinker with their Champions League-winning squad and Manchester City as ever looking to improve their Premier League title winners.
Chelsea are poised to sign Matteo Kovacic on a permanent deal after last season's loan move while Tottenham are close to their first summer signing in two years.
So without further ado, let's get underway.
Before we get going with the latest rumours doing the rounds this morning, we have a permanent deal to bring you from Wolves.
The club clearly likes to function early in the morning after a 7:30am announcement confirming the permanent signing of Leander Dendoncker, who spent last season on loan with the club from Anderlecht.
Weekend reports suggested that good news was on the way for Tottenham fans eager to see their side sign a player for the first time in what feels like forever.
But Monday morning has brought a dose of bad news in the form of a rival in Manchester United, who according to reports are considering challenging Spurs in the race to sign Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.
French newspaper L'Equipe reports that Tottenham have not yet reached an agreement with Ndombele with personal terms, which has interested United over a potential late move.
The report does add that Spurs have already agreed a fee with Lyon - understood to be around £55m - which united have not, but it appears that it now becomes a waiting game to see what the player himself would prefer.
The now-former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has issued a statement to the club's fans explaining his decision to leave the club following the end of his contract yesterday, which identifies a clear difference in his vision for the side compared to what the owner, Mike Ashley, and his colleagues believe.
Newcastle are yet to identify Benitez's replacement, which may make it even harder for fans to read his farewell message, but here it is in full:
Manchester United are also being linked with Sevilla forward Wissam Ben Yedder, who is available for £38m due to a release clause in his contract.
The France international is understood to have privately agreed personal terms with United, according to The Express, and a move to Old Trafford hinges on United's decision whether to sell Romelu Lukaku or not.
The 26-year-old United striker is wanted by Inter Milan, who have shown a willingness to pursue the Belgian by returning with an improved offer for him. However, United want at least the £75m they paid for him, and are refusing to let him go on the cheap.
Arsenal are attempting to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace.
The Gunners are known to be looking at ways they can fund a move for the Ivory Coast forward, but their plans have been hit by Palace's latest valuation of Zaha that prices him at £100m, almost certainly ruling out the prospect of Arsenal launching a summer move for the 26-year-old.
According to the Daily Mail, Palace chairman Steve Parish is reluctant to let Zaha leave the club and will force Arsenal to up their offer considerably or pull out of talks, even though Zaha has told the club he would like to leave for the north London side.
Another player Arsenal are keen on signing is Celtic defender Kieran Tierney.
The Scotland international returned from Celtic's pre-season training camp in Austria at the weekend, fuelling rumours that he is on the verge of moving to Arsenal.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has insisted though that his return is merely for fitness purposes, but the BBC reports that Arsenal will make another bid for the left-back after seeing two offers - the second of around £20m - rejected.
Liverpool are being linked with two players in Spain - the first of which is a very familiar face to Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho is weighing up a Barcelona exit after just one season at the Nou Camp, having failed to impress throughout 2018/19 that resulted in fans turning against him.
it is already known that Coutinho has offers from Manchester United and Chelsea - should they be allowed to sign him - on the table, but French outlet Le10 Sport is reporting that Liverpool are now considering a move to bring Coutinho back to the club.
The second player Liverpool are being linked with is a far more intriguing one.
The Express claims that Real Madrid will contact Liverpool in the coming days regarding a swap deal for Sadio Mane, which would see young Spain international Marco Asensio moving in the opposite direction.
Asensio is seen as one of Madrid's brightest prospects, but he has not yet tied down a permanent place in the first-team and could be allowed to leave if the deal is right. Mane is obviously one of Jurgen Klopp's key players, but Asensio is four years younger than Mane at 23 years old and would represent a long-term option for the club if they were to open negotiations.
Inter Milan have announced the signing of former Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin on a three-year deal.
The 33-year-old said in May he would be leaving the Spanish side after nine years when his contract expired in June.
"FC Internazionale Milano announces that a contract has been agreed with Diego Godin that will run until 30 June 2022," Inter Milan said.
The Uruguayan, who joined Atletico from Villarreal in 2010, played 389 times for the club and famously clinched their first La Liga title in 18 years with a header in a 1-1 draw at Barcelona in 2014.
Godin also won two Europa League titles, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and three Uefa Super Cups with Atletico as well as reaching the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals, where they lost both times to Real Madrid.
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