Thursday’s transfer news, rumours: Arsenal to agree deal, Man Utd and Liverpool identify new targets
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Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona remain the talk of the transfer rumour mill now that the international window has finally opened. So join us for LIVE news, rumours and done deals, throughout Thursday.
Last week Real Madrid finally announced the signing of Eden Hazard for a fee that could come to exceed £150m. And yesterday Daniel James completed his £18m move from Swansea to United.
The future of Matthijs de Ligt meanwhile remains uncertain, with the 19-year-old defender currently linked to a host of clubs eager to land his signature. And Liverpool continue to press for the signature of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe – but have a new striker in their sights.
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Arsenal are meanwhile set to push on with their first signing of the summer with a bid for Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser set to be lodged. A new centre-back is high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority list at United with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester’s Harry Maguire both options. Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another on the Norwegian’s radar.
It won’t just be incomings at Old Trafford, however, with Paul Pogba a high-profile target for Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez on his way out with Inter Milan and Juventus fighting it out for his signature – if he drops his wage demands. And Liverpool could be active too as they look to go one better after failing to win the Premier League title by just a single point.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Thursday's transfer news and rumours.
To begin, a recap of yesterday's news that Manchester United have completed the signing of Daniel James from Swansea City.
In other positive news for United, their chances of signing Matthijs de Ligt have received something of a boost in the past few hours.
That’s because the teenager’s agent, Mino Raiola, has distanced himself from rumours that the Ajax man is on the brink of a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Raiola has labelled the recent speculation ‘fake news’ and given United hope by denying that he was recently in Paris to negotiate a deal with PSG for De Ligt.
“This is the classic example of fake news,” Raiola told Italian outlet ANSA.
“The photograph of me and the French journalist in Paris? He asked me to take a picture together, but I did not know who this gentleman was.
“I have never spoken with him.”
Liverpool turn to Marega
European outlet Foot Mercato are this morning reporting that Liverpool are considering a move for Porto striker Moussa Marega.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a fine campaign in the Liga NOS last season, scoring 20 goals for the Portuguese champions.
He also starred against Liverpool in the Champions League.
It is claimed Liverpool see him as an ideal back-up striker to their preferred front three, but will face competition for his signature from West Ham.
Spurs to splash the cash
After seeing a bid for Giovani Lo Celso rejected, Tottenham have turned their attention to Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombélé, according to the Guardian.
However his price tag could prove a problem.
Spurs value the 22-year-old midfielder, who has six France caps, at around 50m euros. But Lyon are holding out for a fee closer to 75m euros, which would smash Tottenham’s current transfer record.
Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly told Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that the Lyon man would be the perfect player to replace Moussa Dembele, who left last season.
Liverpool to make goalkeeper move?
Liverpool are reportedly interested in Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen as a back-up option to Alisson.
Cillessen recently admitted that he is uncertain about his future in Spain. He said: “For the moment I don’t know what will happen, after this [Nations League] I will go on holiday with friends and we’ll see.”
And the Liverpool Echo has this morning claimed that if the Dutchman is truly unsettled, Liverpool will look to bring him to Anfield.
Latest on Mino Raiola
Main Raiola, one of Europe's most influential agents, has had a three-month worldwide ban from football activity suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after he filed an appeal.
The agent who represents Paul Pogba and Matthijs de Ligt among other high-profile stars, was banned by the Italian Football Federation before Fifa moved to make the ban worldwide.
Atletico Madrid CEO: Griezmann will play for Barcelona
It's no great secret that Antoine Griezmann will play for Barcelona at start of next season, says Atletico Madrid CEO Gil Marin.
After pledging his future to the Madrid club at the end of last season amid speculation linking him with a move to the Nou Camp, Griezmann has once again turned his attention to the Catalan club and has had a deal in place to join Barcelona for a while.
“We have known since March that Griezmann is going to Barcelona,” Marin told Spanish website Sport.
While on international duty with France earlier this week, Griezmann said his future will be resolved shortly.
"There's a need for patience, as it's still soon.
"I want my future to be decided more than anyone, but there's a need to wait."
"I don't know if I'll remain in Spain. Maybe in two weeks we'll know something. I just want to play football and have fun."
Could Torreira leave Arsenal?
In signing Lucas Torreira it finally appeared that Arsenal had found a central midfielder with a bit of backbone, some fight or 'cojones' as Troy Deeney would say.
However, the Uruguayan has admitted he has struggled to settle at his new club.
"I don’t know if there are many things that I enjoy," he told Uruguayan outlet Ovacion.
"I think it was better in Italy. England is a totally different world, a very large country.
"The language [barrier] has stopped me, to be able to relate with my teammates and with the people. It is very difficult when you can't have dialogue.
"And so is the climate. You go out in the morning and it is cloudy, you arrive late to your home and it is cloudy.
"It is strange a little bit, the sun, the more of us that we are here and we are accustomed to having always or almost always the sun.
But as the years pass, I’m going to be adapting."
Nobody tell him it's raining in June...
Pep: I'm staying put
Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions he is considering taking a break from football.
Reports have claimed the Manchester City manager could take a sabbatical if he guides his side to Champions League victory next year.
Guardiola has had an extended break before, enjoying a year off after leaving Barcelona before taking over at Bayern Munich in 2013.
Yet with two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, the 48-year-old insists such thoughts are not in his mind.
Speaking in Spain, Guardiola said: "No. I do not take sabbatical years. I am young and I have desire.
"The news comes out and many things are not true. If they do not kick me out, I'll stay there."
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