Transfer news live: Liverpool target Aubameyang, Manchester United and Chelsea in tussle, Everton bid £40m
All the latest transfer news from the crazy world of the summer transfer window
The summer transfer window may not have opened but that hasn't stopped the rumour mill from working into overdrive.
Every man and his dog has been linked to Manchester United in the last few weeks while Arsenal’s search for a much-needed forward continues.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Alvaro Morata, Andrea Belotti, and Alexis Sanchez have all been linked with moves in what promises to be another summer of bumper signings.
Rather impressively, a number of clubs have already set about their business early. Manchester City were the summer’s early pace setters, having already signed both Bernardo Silva and Ederson, but rivals United have caught them up landing the summer's biggest deal so far, Romelu Lukaku from Everton. The Toffees meanwhile Everton have signed six new faces including United's Wayne Rooney.
Chelsea finally got their hands on Antonio Rudiger while Alexandre Lacazette joined Arsenal. Liverpool's pursuit of Naby Keita is beginning to annoy Leipzig with lots of talk but little action.
We will have all the latest transfer news and reports throughout the day right here so don't touch that dial.
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Good morning transfer fans! Here is your morning round-up:
What the papers say...
Chelsea are favourites to sign PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG, claims the Daily Mail, after Tianjin Quanjin pulled out of a move for the Gabon forward, although AC Milan remain interested. The Mirror reports that Borussia Dortmund are weighing up a move for Arsenal's OLIVIER GIROUD as a replacement for Aubameyang.
Remaining with Chelsea, the Daily Express reports that EDEN HAZARD has contacted Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane to tell him he will be remaining at Stamford Bridge for at least one more season.
The Daily Telegraph says that Leicester are planning a clear out of last summer's transfer failures, with ISLAM SLIMANI, AHMED MUSA, NAMPALYS MENDY and BARTOSZ KAPUSTKA all set to follow Ron-Robert Zieler in leaving the Foxes. The paper reports that Musa has attracted interest from the Premier League and abroad, while Bordeaux are pursuing Mendy.
Real Madrid have given up on their attempts to sign Manchester United goalkeeper DAVID DE GEA, and will now turn their attention to Athletic Bilbao's KEPA ARRIZABALAGA, according to the Daily Star.
Online round-up...
FabrizioRomano: Bakayoko-Chelsea, agreement is getting closer tonight with Monaco: here we go! £CFC £transfers
DailyStar-Sport: Finally! Spurs reportedly nearing FIRST signing of the summer with Juan Foyth deal close
Players to watch...
NATHANIEL CHALOBAH: The England Under-21 midfielder is wanted by Swansea and Watford, according to the Sun, with Chelsea ready to listen to offers of £5million.
DANILO: The Mirror reports that Chelsea and Juventus are both keen on the Real Madrid full-back.
THOMAS LEMAR: Arsenal are preparing a £45million raid for the Monaco winger, reports the Daily Mail.
Giroud speaks out on future:
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is unsure about his immediate future at the Premier League club but remains focused on preparing for the team's pre-season fixtures, the France international said.
Manager Arsene Wenger used Giroud primarily as a substitute last season as the 30-year-old made 18 of his 29 league appearances off the bench and started in just three of Arsenal's eight Champions League matches.
The North London club's new signing Alexandre Lacazette will increase competition for starting places up front and while Giroud welcomes the added pressure, he remains uncertain about extending his five-year stay at the Emirates.
"At the moment I'm still an Arsenal player so I'll try to be professional like always and prepare well for next season," Giroud told Sky Sports in Sydney.
"Obviously, there will be more competition, even more than last year, but it's always nice for a striker to feel the pressure and I always deal with it.
"I've been through some difficulties these last years but always succeeded to bounce back, but this one I don't know. I don't know about my future so I can't tell you more. I'm focused on my pre-season."
Brighton bolster their squad:
Brighton have announced the signing of Austria left-back Markus Suttner from Ingolstadt.
The 30-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Seagulls having moved from the German second-tier side for an undisclosed fee.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton told the club's website: "Markus is someone we have been aware of for some time, and I am pleased we have managed to complete the transfer at this stage.
"He has a great level of experience internationally, and in the top divisions in both his native Austria and Germany, where he has played the last two seasons with Ingolstadt, and that experience will serve us well.
"He will add competition at the back on the left side of defence, and I'm now looking forward to working with him."
Former Austria Vienna defender Suttner scored four goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances as Ingolstadt were relegated last season and he was an unused member of Austria's Euro 2016 squad.
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Perisic to United 'not happening'
Manchester United will be left disappointed in their attempts to sign winger Ivan Perisic according to Internazionale’s sporting director, who insisted the move is “not happening”.
The Independent revealed this week that United were still a few million short of Inter’s £50m asking price for the 28-year-old, despite personal terms having already agreed between player and club.
Old Trafford sources felt a deal would be struck eventually though, for somewhere between £45m and £50m, and that it would be done over the coming days so Perisic could fly out to the United States to join his new teammates on their preseason tour.
READ MORE:
Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on their first signing of the summer with Juan Foyth, according to ESPN.
Spurs are reportedly confident of a deal for the 19-year-old centre-back from Estudiantes, with Spurs expected to meet Estudiantes president and former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron in the coming days.
The Argentinian club are said to want £15m for the player, although the Londoners are not willing to bid higher than £10m.
Manchester City are on the verge of sealing a deal for Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker, according to The Telegraph.
The Manchester club have reportedly raised their bid in the last few days, with both clubs now expecting a deal, that could reach £55m, to go through.
Walker is now unlikely to report for pre-season training with the North London club tomorrow.
Reports in Italy are claiming that Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci may be on his way to signing for rivals AC Milan.
Last year's Champions League finalists are said to be demanding 40 million euros for the 30-year-old from Il Rossoneri, and despite being offered full-back Matteo De Sciglio as part of the deal, will not settle for anything less.
Juventus are however believed to be interested in negotiating a separate transfer for De Sciglio.
Staying with AC Milan, Leonardo Bonucci does not seem to be the Italian's side only major summer transfer target.
Sky Italia are reporting that Milan have made an undisclosed bid for Torino striker Andrea Belotti.
The 23-year-old has an exclusive 100 million-euro release clause for foreign clubs, which the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, who are believed to be interested in the Italian, would have to pay.
Spurs have sounded out Lyon and former Manchester United right-back Rafael as a replacement for Kyle Walker, who is on the verge of a move to Manchester City, according to L'Equipe in France.
Lyon are said to have responded with a definitive no at the time, however.
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