Transfer news LIVE: Fekir to Liverpool features alongside the latest updates from Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Transfer news LIVE: Fekir to Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid latest
Tuesday July 17
Chelsea consider Petr Cech
Chelsea are considering re-signing Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech should Thibaut Courtois join Real Madrid, reports claim.
Cech, 36, spent 11 successful seasons at Stamford Bridge before moving across London in June 2015.
But a returns on the cards.
Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol claims Chelsea are looking at the veteran if Courtois joins Real Madrid.
Earlier today reports in France claimed that Chelsea had agreed a £31million deal with the European champions for the Belgium stopper.
The Blues are also said to be weighing up a deal for Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel.
“Chelsea considering re-signing Petr Cech if/when they sell Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid. Chelsea also interested in Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Liverpool have made big move for other Chelsea target Alisson,” Solhekol tweeted.
Done Deal: Bissouma signs
Brighton have signed midfielder Yves Bissouma from Lille on a five-year deal.
The 21-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee and becomes the club’s sixth summer signing.
Manager Chris Hughton told the club’s official website: “We are delighted to have signed Yves and are pleased to welcome him to the club.
“We have been keen to strengthen the squad in the central midfield positions and this will add to our options in this area. I am very much looking forward to working with him.
“He is someone with good technical ability on the ball and has good experience at a relatively young age after playing regularly in a competitive French league for the past two seasons.”
Chelsea desperate for Alisson
Chelsea are desperate to sign Roma star Alisson this summer.
Reports today claimed Liverpool had made a £62m bid for the Brazil international, with the goalkeeper agreeing terms with the Reds.
However, Liverpool have since denied they have tabled an offer for the 25-year-old stopper.
And according to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea are prepared to pay Roma £70m for Alisson this summer.
They say the Blues will send transfer chiefs to Rome to open talks with the Serie A giants.
The Mirror also claim that Roma are keen to spark a bidding war between Chelsea and Liverpool for Alisson.
Alisson’s arrival at Stamford Bridge would push Thibaut Courtois towards Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo claim
Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother has denied reports she wanted her son to rejoin Manchester United this summer.
The attacker was finally unveiled by Juventus on Monday after completing his £88m move from Real Madrid earlier this month.
And soon after numerous reports suggested his mother, Maria Dolores Aveiro, wanted her son to rejoin United.
“It’s a lie that I wanted him to return to Manchester United,” Aveiro told Portuguese outlet Record.
Toby Alderweireld to Manchester United
Manchester United are odds-on to sign Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld.
The United boss, who has already signed Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant, is desperate to sign a new centre-half this summer.
Spurs are said to be demanding around £60m for Alderweireld, 29, who impressed at the World Cup in Russia.
Alderweireld today hinted he could leave Tottenham, with the defender revealing his extended spell on the sidelines last season was unjust.
And the bookies have slashed the odds on the Belgium star heading to Old Trafford, with United now 1/2 to sign Alderweireld.
BetStars spokesman Ian Marmion said: “Manchester United have been given a boost in their pursuit of Toby Alderweireld this summer after the Tottenham defender, whose contract expires next season, said his omission from the first-team last term was ‘unjustified’.
“As a result, the Red Devils’ odds have been cut from 5/4 to 1/2 and they are the clear odds-on favourites to snap up the services of the Belgium international this summer.”
Thibaut Courtois agreement
Real Madrid have struck an agreement for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
That’s according to French media outlet RMC, who claim the two parties have reached a £31million deal for the 26-year-old.
Courtois won the Golden Glove at the World Cup as Belgium finished third, impressing in Russia with some top saves.
And with just 12 months to run on his contract Chelsea have decided to sell before potentially losing him for free next year.
The report adds that Courtois will sign a four-year contract with Real Madrid.
This, of course, could seriously impact on Liverpool’s pursuit of Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is also a known target for new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.
No Alisson offer
Liverpool have denied making a £62million bid for Alisson this afternoon.
The Roma shot-stopper has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this summer after an impressive season in Serie A.
News broke of Liverpool’s apparent movement this afternoon, with respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claiming the Reds had launched an official bid.
The Sky Sports Italy reporter had fans on Merseyside excited, while many credible organisations followed suit, also claiming Liverpool had made an offer.
However, the British version of Sky Sports is now playing down the reports.
The news outlet claims Liverpool have now denied making a move for Alisson this week.
Double swoop planned
Jose Mourinho is targeting a double swoop for Croatia duo Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic, according to reports.
Mourinho is eager to add to his attacking options as he plots a tilt at the Premier League title for next season.
He has already bolstered his squad at Old Trafford with the signings of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant.
Perisic has been a long-term target though it’s been claimed there has been no contact with Inter Milan over the Croatia star.
But now The Sun report that Manchester United are willing to spend £92million on signing Perisic and Rebic.
Aaron Ramsey exit
Unai Emery is preparing for Aaron Ramsey’s possible departure, according to reports.
Arsenal boss Emery wants Ramsey to stay, with the Wales international’s contract at the Emirates expiring next summer.
The player is yet to sign a new contract with the club and, as a result, fears are beginning to rise that he may quit for a new challenge elsewhere.
And Football London suggest Arsenal have put a price on Ramsey in case he chooses to quit the club.
The Wales international will reportedly cost suitors a big £50million, despite his deal nearing the end.
Football London say that, though negotiations between the player and Arsenal are proving tricky, the Gunners are confident he will stay.
Alisson to Liverpool close
Liverpool are in advanced talks with Roma regarding a deal for Alisson Becker, claims Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Reds have made an offer which would net Roma a cool £62m (€70m) for the 25-year-old goalkeeper.
And it seems as though it is a matter of time before they will cough up another £4m (€5m) to meet Roma’s asking price.
Di Marzio says Liverpool and Roma are getting close to reaching an agreement for Alisson.
And the Brazilian has apparently already spoken to Jurgen Klopp, who is eager to replace Loris Karius.
News of Liverpool advancing towards a deal will come as a huge blow to Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Zidane to Juventus
Zinedine Zidane has agreed to join Juventus as a director.
The former Real Madrid manager will follow Cristiano Ronaldo to the Turin club.
Spanish outlet Libertad Digital claim Zidane has agreed to take up a backroom role in October.
The Frenchman played for Juve between 1996 and 2001, where he won two Serie A titles.
His appointment will no doubt add pressure on current Juventus manager Max Allegri to win the Champions League this season.
Zidane guided Real to three straight Champions League crowns before he quit the club in May.
Chelsea done deal
Chelsea have sent full-back Todd Kane on loan to Hull for the rest of the season.
Kane, 24, is a product of Chelsea’s academy.
He has been on loan to eight previous teams, with Oxford United his last stint in January.
The defender said: “I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity at a great club.
“I can’t wait to get playing after speaking to the Head Coach here.
“He’s told me that this is a young, energetic group of players and I’m looking forward to working in this environment.”
Blind joins Ajax
More on Daley Blind’s move to Ajax.
The Netherlands international has thanked Manchester United for his four-year stint at the club.
In a statement on Twitter, Blind said: “First of all I want to say how proud I am to be a part of the Manchester United family. To play for the biggest club in the world with such a history meant a lot to me. I had 4 great years with 4 trophies!
“I want to thank everyone, the Managers, coaches, the medical department, everyone who helped me to settle in so quick at the beginning, of course my teammates and last but definitely not least the fans!
“I want to thank you for all the love and support I received and still get. I will never forget some of the special games and moments, I will miss you ‘The Theatre of Dreams’! But now its time to go home.”
Man Utd done deal
Daley Blind has completed his transfer from Manchester United to Ajax.
Blind joined the Old Trafford club from Ajax four years ago.
And he returns in a £14.1m deal that could rise to £18.5m.
Ajax have released an amazing parody video of ‘Football’s Coming Home’ to celebrate Blind’s return to Amsterdam.
DALEY = COMING HOME!!!
❌❌❌#HesComingHome pic.twitter.com/3qiMJWR81O
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) July 17, 2018
Barcelona want De Jong
Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to sign Ajax starlet Frenkie De Jong, reports in Spain claim.
The La Liga giants have already splashed the cash on Arthur and Clement Lenglet since wrapping up the title in May.
But they have no plans to stop there as they seek to embark on another era of domestic dominance.
Mundo Deportivo say Barcelona have increased their interest in De Jong with a cluster of top clubs circling.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also want to buy De Jong ahead of next season.
And that rivalry for his signature means Barcelona have told his agent, Ali Dursun, to meet them.
Fekir to Liverpool
Liverpool could revive a deal for Lyon star Nabil Fekir in the wake of France’s World Cup win, reports claim.
Liverpool pulled the plug on a move for Fekir before the tournament in Russia began last month.
And that was because of fears a serious knee injury suffered in the past could come back to haunt him.
The Daily Mirror claim Liverpool could go back in for Fekir after he helped France win the World Cup though.
The Lyon skipper played a limited role under Didier Deschamps but offered another dimension to his country’s attack.
Perisic to Man Utd
Inter Milan will not be able to stop Manchester United from signing Ivan Perisic if a big offer is lodged.
That’s the verdict of Italian journalist Fabrizio Biasin, who says the same is true for Perisic’s team-mate Mauro Icardi.
“There is also Inter of the vice-world champions Perisic and [Marcelo] Brozovic,” Biasin wrote for Tutto Mercato Web.
“Be aware of this: as Perisic played pretty well in Russia it is no longer: ‘Inter must sell Perisic to make capital gains but there are no offers’ (pre-June 30) but ‘Inter will not be able to resist the onslaught of the Manchester [United]’ (post-World [Cup] formula).
“The same considerations apply to Icardi.”
Wenger’s Arsenal mistake
Arsene Wenger has admitted he may have been better leaving Arsenal earlier than this summer.
“Perhaps staying at the same club for 22 years,” Wenger told French radio station RTL, when asked about the biggest mistake of his career.
“I’m someone who likes to move around a lot, but I also like a challenge. I’ve been a prisoner of my own challenge at times.”
Arsenal hired Unai Emery as Wenger’s replacement in May and the Spaniard has since made five new signings as he overhauls the Gunners’ squad.
Hazard to leave Chelsea?
Chelsea should sell Real Madrid transfer target Eden Hazard and use the cash to help kickstart Maurizio Sarri’s spell in west London, claims Stan Collymore.
“Chelsea seems a bit chaotic and we haven’t even mentioned the futures of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois,” Collymore told the Daily Mirror.
“I’d cash in on Hazard, particularly if I could get £150million-odd for him, because his best days are behind him at Chelsea, even though he had a very good World Cup.
“And I’d use the funds he’d provide to breathe new life into the side as well as bringing through the brightest young stars in a brilliant academy to re-enthuse [Roman] Abramovich.
“We know Sarri is capable of producing some very exciting football, he showed us that at Napoli, and there’s nothing to stop him bringing that to Chelsea.”
Neymar to Real Madrid snub
Zinedine Zidane opted against signing Neymar at Real Madrid because of fears he could not play with compatriot Marcelo.
That’s according to Brazilian journalist Andre Rizek.
“I had information today from a friend of Zidane who had a dinner with Zidane in Madrid, shortly before he left Real Madrid and Zidane opined about the possible departure of Neymar,” said Rizek.
“This Zidane friend told me that Zidane did not like the idea because I understood that Marcelo and Neymar could not play together except against small teams.
“In the starting lineup, Zidane understood that they were in the same field and did not look well.”
Man City want Pjanic
Manchester City have turned their attention to a former Chelsea target following Jorginho’s move to Stamford Bridge.
City were stunned when Jorginho moved to Chelsea after appearing all set on a switch to the Etihad.
The £50m deal was Maurizio Sarri’s first signing of the summer and effectively ends Chelsea’s interest in Juventus star Miralem Pjanic.
And Tuttosport claim City are now looking at Pjanic, hoping to use the funds set aside for Jorginho to secure the 28-year-old.
However, Juventus have declined to negotiate with City and want £71m for their playmaker, who is also wanted at Barcelona.
Source:www.express.co.uk