Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd in shock Stoke raid; Liverpool done deal, Chelsea, Arsenal

TRANSFER NEWS never stops hitting the back pages and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest throughout the World Cup.
Transfer news LIVE: All the latest from Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and more

Thursday, June 28

Milinkovic-Savic boost
08.30: Manchester United have emerged as favourites to land Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer.

The Lazio star has impressed for Serbia at the World Cup in Russia and is on Jose Mourinho’s radar.

Manchester United have already completed the signing of Fred and were targeting another midfielder before Marouane Fellaini decided the extend his contract.

Mourinho now needs to decide if he needs another or if he will look to fill other areas first.

But, after Barcelona pulled out of the race, United have become 2/1 favourites in the hunt to sign Milinkovic-Savic with BetStars.

Rooney USA bound
07:30: Wayne Rooney is expected to arrive in Washington tonight ahead of his move to DC United.

Sky Sports claim the Everton star is set to sign a three-and-a-half year deal with the club.

The former England captain is due to speak at a press conference on Monday.
Liverpool’s Asensio blow
06.35: Liverpool have been handed bad news in their rumoured hunt of Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to reports.

Stories emerged earlier this week that the Reds are interested in the Spaniard.

Indeed, it was claimed that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was prepared to pay 180 million euros (£158m) for the attacker.

Asensio is under contract at the Bernabeu until 2023 with a release clause reportedly a massive 700 millions euros (£617m).

But Spanish outlet AS now report that it doesn’t matter how much Liverpool offer – Asensio will not be leaving.

Nabil Fekir clue
05:30: Nabil Fekir’s summer transfer saga shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

The Lyon captain, currently at the World Cup in Russia representing France, almost joined Liverpool in a deal worth up to £53million at the start of June.

Fekir suffered a severe knee injury three years ago with Liverpool thought to be concerned by the quality of the surgery the player had to correct the issue. He had to have minor work conducted on the area back in March.

The attacking midfielder’s move was so advanced that images leaked on social media of an apparent interview with Liverpool’s in-house television channel, LFCTV.

And following Naby Keita’s unveiling yesterday, it appears Fekir’s move really was as close as has been suggested – with it thought he had agreed personal terms on a five-year contract.

Clement Lenglet Barcelona decision
04:30: Barcelona transfer target Clement Lenglet will make a decision on his future by the end of the week, according to reports.

Sevilla centre-back Lenglet has been linked to a move to the Nou Camp with rumours that a 35 million euros (£31m) move is nearing completion.

Seville are set to return for pre-season training on Monday and Lenglet is keen to sort his future before then.

Goal report that no decision has yet been made with Sevilla having failed to agree a new contract with the defender.

Manchester United are also rumoured to be interested in the 23-year-old with the 35m euros fee matching his release clause.

Daniele Rugani move
03:00: Chelsea’s move for Daniele Rugani hinges on when a deal for Maurizio Sarri is confirmed, according to the player’s agent.

Chelsea are set to appoint Sarri as their new manager to end speculation over Antonio Conte’s future.

With the uncertainty so far this summer surrounding the head coach, the Blues have been unable to carry out any business in the transfer window.

And Rugani’s agent, Davide Torchia, has revealed Sarri will hold the key to a deal.

He said: “It is obvious to say that the Sarri question must first be resolved, then proceed with the negotiations and make them more or less concrete.”

Kalidou Koulibaly statement
00:30: Kalidou Koulibaly has issued a transfer statement over his future, amid links to Chelsea and Manchester United.

Recent reports have suggested that Manchester United may prefer to sign Koulibaly over Alderweireld, because Mourinho is conscious of the impact African players have had at Liverpool.

Koulibaly is supposedly valued at £88million by Napoli.

But when asked whether he would be distracted by the transfer speculation, he said: “”€100m, if you tell my parents this figure I think they’ll have a good laugh!

“This price is what the market dictates, I don’t think about it, I just try and do my best on the pitch.

“I don’t think for a minute about my future because we’ve worked for three years to be here and if something may confuse me during the World Cup I will leave it aside because I want to be 100 per cent focused on the World Cup.
Wednesday, June 27

Rooney to DC United
22:31: Wayne Rooney is all set to join DC United tomorrow.

Rooney will complete his switch from boyhood club Everton just 12 months after joining the club.

The 32-year-old is not part of Goodison boss Marco Silva’s plans.

A deal with the MLS side is expected to be announced on Thursday.

United eye Grant
22:03: Manchester United want to sign goalkeeper Lee Grant.

That is according to the Telegraph.

Grant, 35, is currently at Stoke but is supposedly available this summer.

United want him as their third goalkeeper, it is claimed.

Grant has not enjoyed regular first-team football since his days at Derby County.

He was offloaded to Stoke – initially on loan – in August 2016.

Why Arsenal won’t sign Fellaini
19:30: Arsenal boss Unai Emery chose not to pursue Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini because of four players, reports have claimed.

Arsenal were tipped to sign Fellaini amid uncertainty over his Manchester United future earlier this month.

Football London say, however, that the Gunners boss has different ideas.

He reportedly never contemplated a transfer because he has four other players on his list.

Sampdoria’s Lucas Torreira, Nice’s Jean Seri, Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure and Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi are being eyed instead.
Fekir to Man Utd update
19:10: It has been claimed that Manchester United may hijack Liverpool on Nabil Fekir.

And Football Whispers have now explored why a transfer could be on the cards.

Jose Mourinho may sign the Lyon star simply to humiliate his fierce rivals.



He did the same with Alexis Sanchez in January, and Fred earlier this month.

Martial to Juventus
16:30: Manchester United could lose Anthony Martial to Juventus on a free transfer next summer.

Marital’s contract expires at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Juve want to sign the forward and transfermarketweb claim a move could be put on hold until 2019.

Juventus have already used this tactic to sign Emre Can from Liverpool, sounding out their interest 12 months before his contract runs down.

Can will move to the Turin club on July 1.

Balague on Asensio
14:50: La Liga expert Guillem Balague has given his verdict on Marco Asensio joining Liverpool – and it’s bad news for Reds fans.

Recent reports in Spain have suggested Liverpool are lining up a mammoth bid for the Real Madrid star.

However, Balague has rubbished the reports, claiming the midfielder is happy at the Bernabeu.

He tweeted: “On Asensio. Liverpool have not made an offer and have no intention on making one.

“Of course they see their huge potential but no indication Real want to sell (they don’t) or him wants to leave (he doesn’t).”

Firpo interest

13:00: Arsenal scouts are reportedly keeping an eye on Real Betis defender Junior Firpo.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Arsenal and unnamed Premier League clubs are keeping an eye on Firpo, who only made his debut for the club in February.

Firpo is contracted to Betis until 2021 and has a release clause of around £22million.

Keita speaks out
12:15: Liverpool have confirmed Naby Keita will complete his transfer to the club on Kuly 1.

Keita joins from RB Leipzig and has now explained the reasons for choosing to move to Merseyside.

“When you see how they performed last season it makes me want to do the same and to be a part of this team,” Keita said.

I would like to be able to achieve a similar kind of season with them next season – but even better.

“I chose Liverpool because it is a team I watched often – and I also spoke a lot about it with Sadio [Mane]. He told me a lot about the team and the club.

“I also spoke with the coach, who told me about the project for the team and that motivated me to be here.”

Courtois to Madrid odds
11:20: Thibaut Courtois is likely to join Real Madrid this summer, the bookies claim.

The Chelsea goalkeeper is a long-term target for the Spanish giants.

And according to the bookies, Courtois is off to Real in the coming weeks, with the move priced at 10/11 – shorter than they’ve ever been.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “It’s all change at Chelsea this summer and the latest odds suggest Courtois is set for a return to the Spanish capital.”

Atletico Madrid are next in line to land the Chelsea ace, priced at 6/1, while PSG are also in the running at 16/1.

Asensio to Liverpool boost
08:55: Liverpool’s chances of signing Real Madrid star Marco Asensio have been boosted with Los Blancos desperate to raise cash.

Reports in Spain yesterday claimed Liverpool are willing to pay £158m to land the 22-year-old this summer, with Jurgen Klopp a big admirer of Asensio.

And according to Spanish newspaper Sport, Asensio’s possible exit is solely down to Real president Florentino Perez’s pursuit of PSG’s Neymar.

Perez knows the French giants will demand at least £264m (€300m) for the Brazil international this summer should they decide to sell the world’s most expensive player.

And he’s willing to sell Asensio, one of Real’s prised assets, to complete his dream move for ex-Barcelona star Neymar.

It’s claimed that Neymar is considering leaving PSG this summer, with the forward keen to join a move competitive league.

And it seems Real Madrid will listen to Liverpool’s offer if the Reds make an attempt to sign the Spaniard.

Pjanic boost for Chelsea
08:00: Chelsea have seen their chances of signing Juventus star Miralem Pjanic increase dramatically.

That’s because Barcelona have pulled out of the race to land the playmaker, according to reports.

Pjanic has been tipped to join Chelsea in a £70m move by former Juve president Luciano Moggi.

He told Il Bianconero that the Bosnian will be linking up with new boss Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

But Barcelona sporting director Ariedo Braida has revealed the club are not interested in the midfielder, giving Chelsea a clear run at signing him.

He said: “There is no negotiation. It does not seem to me that we are interested in the Bosnian playmaker.

“The player is good, but here we have a Brazilian who will take that role because Barcelona wants that.

“There are those who take care of the market in Barcelona, but surely I know the strategies of the company and Pjanic does not fit in.”
Man Utd’s Bale bid
07:33: Manchester United have told Gareth Bale he must push for a transfer away from Real Madrid if he wants to join them this summer.

Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda claims United have informed the 28-year-old they want him to formally tell Madrid he wants to leave and then go public with the news.

“Bale last year wanted to go, there was an offer from Manchester United and this year that proposal comes back to life, although they ask him to say publicly that he wants to go,” Inda said.

“If the offer of €140m comes, it would be a good sale.”

Spanish publication OKDiario claim United are willing to fork out €200m (£176m) to tempt Madrid into selling.

However, for now it seems Bale is yet to make his mind up on his future.

Arsenal chasing Soyuncu
07:00: Arsenal remain in talks with Freiburg over centre-back Caglar Soyuncu as they close in on a deal for Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

That’s according to Sky Sports News, who say that the Gunners are working on deals for both defenders.

It was reported earlier this month that Sokratis is all but set to join the north London club in a £16million move from Borussia Dortmund.

Meanwhile, Soyuncu is under contract until 2021 but has been linked with a deal in the region of £35m, with the two clubs said to have been in concrete discussions since the start of the month.

Sturridge offers
06:30: Liverpool have yet to receive any official approaches for Daniel Sturridge although the Reds have effectively put the striker up for sale, say Goal.

The Merseyside outfit have put a £15million price tag on the head of the England international, who is expected to leave Anfield this summer.

Goal claim that Turkish club Fenerbahce have shown interest, as have Spanish side Sevilla, but that neither have followed that up with a formal approach.

It is thought that Liverpool could be tempted to accept lower than their £15m asking price with Sturridge entering the final year of the reported £150,000-a-week long-term contract he signed back in October 2014.

Source:www.express.co.uk