Transfer news LIVE: Newcastle sign Isak, Man Utd chase keeper, Arsenal and Chelsea latest
Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are among those chasing deals with just days left of the summer transfer window
Cristiano Ronaldo’s search for a new club is intensifying as the Portuguese forward seeks an exit from Manchester United. Reports suggest his agent Jorge Mendes is working around the clock to find a suitor, with Sporting CP extremely interested and preparing to announce according to caughtoffside, while Sky Sports says Napoli are in the running and looking to make space in their budget for the superstar striker.
West Ham United are preparing a new bid for 24-year-old Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta after Lyon rejected an offer worth around £50m. Chelsea are weighing up their next – and possibly final – bid for Leicester’s wantaway defender Wesley Fofana, while Manchester United are doing likewise as they consider upping their offer for Ajax winger Antony. Football Insider claims United are also ready to offer for PSV’s Cody Gakpo despite the Athletic’s claim that interest in the winger had cooled.
Arsenal have been linked with Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans and Wolves forward Pedro Neto, with Nicolas Pepe set to depart on loan to Nice. Chelsea meanwhile are set to let winger Callum Hudson-Odoi join Bayer Leverkusen on loan, as talks continue with Barcelona’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continue. Follow all the latest news, rumours and done deals below.
Are Chelsea done chasing Fofana?
The departures of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Malang Sarr mean that despite the signing of Kalidu Koulibaly, Chelsea are in a need of another centre-half.
The London club’s chief target appears to be Wesley Fofana, with Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers confirming that they had rejected a reported third bid from Chelsea for the Frenchman after leaving him out of the matchday squad for his side’s defeat to Southampton.
“There was an offer gone in and it’s been been rejected,” Rodgers said, before confirming that Fofana’s exclusion from the squad was due to him failing to turn up to training in the lead-up to the Southampton fixture.
Rodgers continued: “He’s training with the under-23s so he can get his football fitness and keep working. It’s so important at this stage to control any sort of distractions that may be there.”
Chelsea are expected to further test Leicester’s resolve to hold on to the 21-year-old with an improved offer before the two clubs meet in Premier League action this weekend.
Gakpo to United?
Another Eredivisie item of interest in a Dutch-infused summer of recruitment at Manchester United is PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo.
He’s a winger with significant potential and the 23-year-old may still be a target even if the Antony deal is completed with Erik ten Hag looking for plenty of options in his forward line.
The Daily Mail suggest that a bid will be submitted for Gakpo, though PSV manager, and former Manchester United striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy insists that he would like to keep hold of the Dutchman.
PSV’s exit from the Champions League could have an impact, according to reports. The Dutch club were knocked out at the play-off round by Rangers on Wednesday night, which could mean PSV find it harder to turn down an offer from United before the deadline.
Liverpool working ‘constantly’ in transfer market to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s options
Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool are working “constantly” to try and bolster their squad before the end of the transfer window but he is unsure if he will be able to bring anyone in.
The Liverpool manager had initially intended to stick with his current squad but has admitted he would like another midfielder as injuries have hit them hard.
But Klopp, who was without 10 players for Monday’s defeat to Manchester United, reiterated that he will not compromise and sign a player he does not really want.
Liverpool working ‘constantly’ in transfer market to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s options
Liverpool’s injury problems have not eased for the weekend and are in need of new bodies, particularly in midfield
Will Chelsea sign Gordon?
Well-rated by Thomas Tuchel, Anthony Gordon, the young Everton winger, has emerged as a surprise high-ticket target for Chelsea having previously been linked with Newcastle and Tottenham.
The Independent’s Richard Jolly reports that Gordon has informed his Frank Lampard that he wishes to leave Goodison Park despite having signed a five-year deal at the club in 2020.
Jolly also suggests that Everton’s interest in Chelsea striker Armando Broja could factor in to negotiations over a deal for Gordon. The Albania international spent last season on loan at Southampton.
Everton boss, Frank Lampard, says that Chelsea have not put in an offer of £60m and that the club would probably reject a bid if they did believing Gordon to be worth up to £100m.
Can Arsenal convince Wolves to part with Neto?
With Pepe leaving, Arsenal continue to be linked with a £50m move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto. The Portuguese signed a new deal until 2027 in March but is being connected with a move to London after impressing this year having returned from a serious knee injury.
Bruno Lage insisted that no bid had yet been made for the player, suggesting that he was not unduly concerned by the rumours.
“I have heard that but nothing has come to us,” the Wolves manager said of links between Arsenal and Neto. “It’s normal now, with the good players that we have. No one told me anything about any proposal.”
Arteta, meanwhile, has made no guarantees that Arsenal will sign a replacement for Pepe before the end of the window. Is this potential move a non-starter?
Latest on Antony
Manchester United are confident that they will get a deal for Ajax’s Antony over the line before the close of the transfer window on September 1st.
The club want to sign the forward and Antony wants to join Utd having already handed in a transfer request to the Dutch side. The problem is that Ajax do not want to sell.
Ajax have already rejected an offer of £72.3million last week. It is understood that it will take an offer of £84.5million to force the issue. However, United are confident of signing Antony in a deal worth up to £80million. They plan to offer to £75m up front with a further £5m due in add-ons.
The Independent’s Miguel Delaney reports that the 22-year-old has agreed personal terms, but Manchester United must up their bid to convince Ajax to part with Antony.
Pep Guardiola rules out possibility of Bernardo Silva leaving Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of Bernardo Silva being sold by Manchester City before the end of the summer transfer window.
Silva has been linked with Barcelona for several weeks while fresh reports in France suggest Paris St Germain have made a move for the 28-year-old, who is understood to be interested in a return to the continent for personal reasons.
But Guardiola said the popular Portugal international will remain a member of his squad after the window closes on September 1.
Pep Guardiola rules out possibility of Bernardo Silva leaving Manchester City
Silva has been linked with Barcelona for several weeks.
Leeds targeting another striker
Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch has not ruled out signing a new striker before the transfer window closes next week.
Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan is the lastest to be linked with the Yorkshire club and with lingering fitness doubts over Patrick Bamford manager Marschy says their search is still not over.
“Striker, yes. How likely it is is dependent on how things play out and what availabilities are of players.” he said, “We certainly don’t have a surplus of big amounts of money to go out to spend and bring in a huge transfer. But I think we’ve done a good job of evaluating players that are of high interest to us.
“Then we’re waiting to see and having good communication with different clubs and agents and players to see if there might be flexibility and what their contracts are and what their situations are, (so) that we can still add a quality piece to what we’re doing.”
Will Gallagher leave Chelsea and where will he end up?
talkSPORT understands Crystal Palace hope to sign Conor Gallagher for a second time if Chelsea allow him to leave on loan.
West Ham, Everton and Newcastle United are also keen on to sign the midfielder but the Eagles believe he would favour a move to Selhurst Park having played for the club last season.
The Blues might decide to keep him Gallagher wants first-team and game time assurances from Thomas Tuchel before deciding whether to stay or go.
Bednarek to Villa?
talkSPORT reports that Aston Villa are set to beat West Ham to the signing of Jan Bednarek from Southampton.
Villa are apparently in advanced negotiations for the Polish defender with a fee of £15m being mooted as the price to bring him to Villa Park.
It is said Diego Carlos’ Achilles injury has forced Steven Gerrard’s side into action.
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