Transfer news live: Manchester United close in on Alvaro Morata as Liverpool prepare to make club-record signing

All the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours throughout the day from around the Premier League and across Europe

Premier League transfer round-up: Liverpool clinch Salah deal

It's nearly here ladies and gentlemen, the summer transfer window will officially open next week!

The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Alvaro Morata, Andrea Belotti,Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez have all been linked with moves in what promises to be another summer of bumper signings.

Still, a number of clubs have set about their business early.Manchester City are the summer’s early pace setters, having already signed both Bernardo Silva and Ederson, while Mohamed Salah recently joined Liverpool in a £34.3m move from Roma.

Everton are the other big spenders so far in the window, signing Jordan Pickford from Sunderland for £30m and Ajax’s Davy Klaassen for £23.6m.

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

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[30 June 2017 08:37 · Jack Austin]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live transfer blog for Friday 30th June. 

Join us throughout the day to keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news, rumours, updates and gossip.

[30 June 2017 08:49 · Jack Austin]

Here's the top stories making the back pages today:

ANDER HERRERA has no desire to join Barcelona this summer, writes the Daily Mail, with the midfielder eager to concentrate on his Manchester United career. Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Verratti remains top of the Catalan giants' wishlist this summer but should they fail to land the Italy international, Herrera has been earmarked as a back-up option. The 27-year-old Herrera is fully focused on next season in the Premier League, however, and is unmoved by Barcelona's interest in him.

Staying in Manchester and United have been given a setback in their efforts to sign IVAN PERISIC for a reduced fee, claims the Daily Telegraph. Inter Milan, the Croatian forward's club, allegedly need to break even for the financial year or face UEFA sanctions. But Inter are confident they will narrowly avoid punishment without having to sell Perisic, scuppering United's hopes of taking advantage of Inter's predicament.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror reports KIERAN GIBBS has become a target for new Watford boss Marco Silva. The Arsenal left-back is out of contract in 12 months' time so the Hornets are unwilling to meet the Gunners' £15million valuation. Gibbs started just eight Premier League matches last season and may find his opportunities at the Emirates Stadium this season limited following the arrival of Sead Kolasinac from Schalke on a free transfer.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss ANTONIO CONTE is frustrated the club have prioritised the signing of ROMELU LUKAKU over ANDREA BELOTTI, says the Daily Star. Conte would prefer to bring Torino ace Belotti to Stamford Bridge but is unhappy owner Roman Abramovich and technical director Michael Emenalo would prefer to land Everton striker Lukaku.

Finally, Southampton have joined the race to sign Manchester City's £25m-rated striker KELECHI IHEANACHO, according to The Sun. Iheanacho is already on the radars of Saints' Premier League rivals West Ham, Everton and Leicester, but the south coast club may hold the edge in the race to land the 20-year-old if they are willing to include Ryan Bertrand as part of any deal, with City boss Pep Guardiola a huge fan of the England left-back.

[30 June 2017 16:00 · Jack Austin]

Stop me if you've heard this one before but Gerard Deulofeu is a Barcelona player... again.

[30 June 2017 16:18 · Mark Critchley]

Everton complete the signing of one-time Arsenal target Henry Onyekuru.

The young Nigerian striker will spend the new season on loan at Anderlecht, having enjoyed a prolific season in Belgium with Eupen last term.

[30 June 2017 17:13 · Mark Critchley]

Konrad Laimer's on the move. 

"Who?", you may ask.

Well, Laimer is a dynamic, box-to-box 20-year-old midfielder moving from Red Bull Salzburg to one RB Leipzig - the very same move that Naby Keita, a very similar player, made this time last year.

Could it be that Leipzig are preparing to let go of their €70m-rated Guinea midfielder? It is an interesting move, nonetheless...