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As it happenedended1496939667

Transfer news live: Craig Shakespeare named permanent Leicester manager plus latest gossip and rumours

All the latest news, rumours and gossip from around the Premier League and the rest of Europe

Thursday 08 June 2017 11:16 BST
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Shakespeare has turned the Foxes' fortunes around
Shakespeare has turned the Foxes' fortunes around (Getty)

The transfer window hasn't even swung open for business yet but that hasn't stopped teams up and down the country getting their business done early.

Manchester City already have one player, Monaco's Bernardo Silva in through the door, while another, Benfica goalkeeper Ederson, will soon follow 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.

Manchester United have money to spend too but may be forced to shell out as much as £70m for one of Alvaro Morata and Andrea Belotti as they chase a new No.9 while Chelsea's main man, Diego Costa, looks to be on his way after being told he is surplus to requirements by manager Antonio Conte.

We will have all the latest throughout the day here so don't touch that dial.

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Good morning everyone and welcome to our live coverage of the summer transfer window.

It's still early and the window hasn't even technically opened yet but that hasn't stopped teams from getting business done - or not getting business done in Liverpool's case.

We will have all the latest news, views, rumours, gossip and those all-important done deals for you right here throughout the day so don't touch that dial.

Without further ado, off we go.

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 08:00
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Chelsea striker Diego Costa claims Antonio Conte has told him he is not part of his plans at Chelsea.

The 26-year-old, who scored 26 goals in 46 games for the Premier League champions last season, says Conte sent him a text message informing him of his fate and Costa is now contemplating his future away from Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to reporters after Spain's 2-2 draw with Colombia on Wednesday night, Costa said: "I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there. Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that's it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.

"It's a shame, I've already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide. But it is clear that the coach does not count on me and does not want me there. You have to find a team."

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 08:10
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Manchester United have had initial approaches rejected for Torino’s Andrea Belotti and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, as they decide the next step in their pursuit of a striker, and will likely have to pay at least more than £70m for one of them.

Jose Mourinho is determined to get the club’s first major bit of summer business done by bringing in a No.9 and, amid a frustrating dearth of available players in this market, feels Belotti and Morata are excellent options but even they bring complications in terms of how the deals will be done.

The Portuguese has been especially impressed with the 23-year-old Belotti’s revelatory season, where he has scored 28 goals in 38 games, and United have already discussed a potential bid of around £57m.

The striker has a buy-out clause of £87m, however, meaning Torino are unwilling to accept anything less. United currently do not want to enact that option, because they do not want to deviate from their usual payment structure.

There are also fair questions over whether one good season at that age is worth quite that much. The Old Trafford hierarchy had initially hoped to include Matteo Darmian in any transfer, or arrange a structured deal, but Torino have so far proven reluctant.

It means Morata is likelier the smoother signing to complete, and the cheaper one given that Real currently want £78m, but even that has its issues. Real have naturally already mentioned their long-standing interest in David De Gea any time talks taken been broached, and some kind of swap remains possible.

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 08:58
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Tottenham are keen on signing Dortmund defender Matthias Ginter this summer, but face competition from Bundesliga surprise package Hoffenheim. 

Mauricio Pochettino is reshuffling his defence this summer and Kyle Walker is expected to leave with Danny Rose and Toby Alderweireld also experiencing uncertainty over their futures. 

Ginter, 23, is a German international and World Cup winner but would be available for around £15m this summer. While he is open to an exit, Ginter is expected to hold talks with new coach Peter Bosz to find out where the former Ajax boss sees him fitting into his plans. 

The Freiburg-born defender, who can also step into defensive midfield, would represent a bargain in a summer where Virgil van Dijk is expected to fetch north of £50m. 

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 09:21
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We have ourselves a done deal folks - and it's a biggie.

 

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 10:03
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Michy Batshuayi wants more playing time at Chelsea as he fears for his Belgium place ahead of next year's World Cup.

The 23-year-old joined in a £33million deal from Marseille last summer and made only a single start in the Premier League with his other 19 appearances coming from the bench.

Despite his struggles for first team football Batshuayi finished strong scoring four goals in his last three games including the winner against West Brom which sealed the title.

He has been linked with a move away this summer and he concedes that he must play more next season to avoid missing out on the tournament in Russia.

"Everyone knows that I have to play more, that I have to score goals. There's a World Cup coming up next year. I want to be ready," he said ahead of Belgium's World Cup qualifier against Estonia on Friday.

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 10:20
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Mauricio Pellegrino has impressed senior figures at Crystal Palace as they hunt for Sam Allardyce's replacement. 

The Eagles initially made Marco Silva their number one target but took a step back after the Portuguese chose to take over at Watford, a club that was more willing to be used as a stepping stone. 

Palace have been interviewing candidates this week after crunching the number on over 10 potential replacements for Allardyce, who quit in May, and Pellegrino was one of the surprise names to impress senior officials at the club. 

o is understood to still be in talks with the Selhurst Park outfit as they look to narrow their search to a final two. Sean Dyche and Roger Schmidt have also been spoken to, while former Saint-Etienne manager Christophe Galtier is also thought to be in London with a view to talking to the club. 

Galtier, who had a brief spell in charge at Portsmouth in 2005, has just left ASSE after eight years with the Ligue 1 club and is looking to test himself in the Premier League. 

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 10:43
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Liverpool chase De Vrij

Fresh from their Virgil van Dijk humiliation, Liverpool are turning their attentions towards another imposing central defender with a difficult to spell surname - at least according to the Italian media.

Transfer merchants Calciomercato report that Liverpool are in contract with Lazio and are well positioned to take advantage of the Dutch defender's perilous contract situation. The 25-year-old only has 12 months left to run on his current deal and so is available on the cheap, at least compared to £70m man Van Dijk.

Juventus are also interested in De Vrij, who could leave for as little as £20m, but are reportedly more keen on PSG man Marquinhos, paving the way for the Lazio defender to move to Anfield.

Would De Vrij be a good signing for Liverpool? Should the club go all out for Van Dijk instead? And do Lazio have the best football kit of all time? Tweet us @IndyFootball.

Vithushan Ehantharajah8 June 2017 11:13
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A former Arsenal winger is on the move.

Serge Gnabry (remember him?) has announced he is leaving Werder Bremen for pastures new.

Those pastures new are expected to be Hoffenheim, but before he goes he's taken the time to thank the Bremen fans. What a nice lad.

Ben Burrows8 June 2017 11:35
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Where now for Liverpool, then?

Well, there are several centre-halves who could a job, including one very close to home.

Mark Critchley8 June 2017 12:13

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