Transfer news LIVE! Caicedo to Chelsea ‘agreement’; Arsenal join Elye Wahi race; Van de Ven update

Transfer news LIVE!

There is still plenty of life left in the summer transfer window despite a flurry of early deals. Arsenal are linked with moves for Mohammed Kudus and Romeo Lavia ahead of a selling spree that could see several players moved on. Chelsea target Elye Wahi is also of interest, amid a reported enquiry for the striker.

Chelsea are very much still in the race for Moises Caicedo and Sky Sports say a “gentleman’s agreement” is in place for the player to leave Brighton. Today should see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang join Marseille on a free transfer and Conor Gallagher has caught the eye of both Tottenham and West Ham.

Spurs have reportedly decided to advance with a move for Micky van de Ven and they’re also nearing a deal to sign Ashley Phillips from Blackburn. Andre Onana is now a Manchester United player with Rasmus Hojlund next on their list, whereas Liverpool are set to lose both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

Today’s transfer news updates

Moises Caicedo has ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for Chelsea move
Arsenal make Elye Wahi enquiry
Spurs to choose Micky van de Ven
West Ham to seal Carlos Borges coup
Harry Kane ready to leave Tottenham

17:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Nottingham Forest haven’t gone quite as big as last summer of course but do appear to be closing in on a new signing.

After rejecting Everton, Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga is reportedly nearing a move to the City Ground, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Tottenham interested in a move for Ivan Toney

16:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

With Harry Kane’s future uncertain even if he stays this summer, Tottenham are reportedly on the hunt for a replacement.

According to the Independent, Ivan Toney is of interest.

While the Brentford striker cannot play until January, keen eyes are being cast from north London.

Ten Hag confirms Maguire stance after West Ham see bid rejected by Man Utd

15:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

Erik ten Hag has confirmed Harry Maguire remains part of his plans at Manchester United.

The England defender was last week removed as club captain at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes handed the armband ahead of next season.

Maguire lost his place to Lisandro Martinez and left-back Luke Shaw was played out of position in central defence ahead of him, limiting the 30-year-old to only eight Premier League starts last time out.

Read the full story here!

Thiago could leave Liverpool

15:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

Liverpool’s midfield is undergoing quite the rebuild this summer with both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho expected to leave, following James Milner and Naby Keita through the door.

While Jurgen Klopp is somewhat light in that department as things stand, another big name could depart.

According Spanish outlet Sport, Thiago Alcantara is seriously considering an offer to leave amid interest back in Spain.

Man Utd ready to let young stars go

14:22 , Marc Mayo

Manchester United are set to allow Charlie Savage to leave on a permanent deal.

Reading have been tipped by the Mail to swoop for the young midfielder, who had attracted interest from Championship clubs.

United will include buy-back and sell-on clauses, as is the plan for the expected departures of Zidane Iqbal and Ethan Laird.

13:57 , Marc Mayo

Former Inter Milan and Juventus striker Alessandro Altobetti has slammed Romelu Lukaku.

He told Tuttosport: “He cheated on Inter all by himself.

“He risks not going anywhere. He certainly won’t return to the Nerazzurri, who knows if Juventus will really decide to take him on in the end.”

Latest reports out of Italy suggest Juve are wavering over bidding for Lukaku, with Dusan Vlahovic needing to be sold first.

Sofyan Amrabat to Man Utd latest

13:30 , Marc Mayo

Fiorentina general manager Joe Barone has spoken out on Sofyan Amrabat’s future to assure Viola fans that he is not on the verge of leaving.

Manchester United and, in recent months, both Liverpool and Tottenham have been linked with the player.

“[Amrabat] is very attached to the team and to me too, we speak in English and we talk almost every day,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“At the moment nothing official has arrived, I told him to come here concentrated because he is a Fiorentina player.

“He must have his head here and be ready for the start of the league, then if something comes we’ll evaluate it. We already have a very strong midfield department.”

Read the full story

Ivan Fresneda misses out after Arsenal snub

13:17 , Marc Mayo

Ivan Fresneda missed out on a move to Arsenal after rejecting the chance to play for the Gunners.

It has been revealed by Arsenal journalist Charles Watts that a deal was done to sign the young full-back in January, only for Fresneda and his agents to pull out.

And Arsenal have not revived their interest, instead signing Jurrien Timber to fill their right-back hole.

12:47 , Marc Mayo

West Ham could be about to field interest from Inter Milan for Gianluca Scamacca, Standard Sport understands.

The Italians have Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun as their number one target after talks with Romelu Lukaku collapsed.

Should the Gunners’ £50m demands be too much for Inter, they’ll turn to Scamaccca.

Read the full story

Spurs rival Arsenal for long-term target

12:30 , Marc Mayo

Tottenham are interested in Douglas Luiz.

That’s according to The Sun, who say Spurs are set to fight it out with Arsenal for the Brazilian midfielder.

Aston Villa signed Luiz up to a new contract last season amid a bid from the Gunners.

And Tottenham are tipped to launch an offer of their own if Pierre Emile Hojbjerg leaves, amid links with Atletico Madrid.

The contenders for Cedric Soares’ signature

12:14 , Marc Mayo

Cedric Soares is actively looking for a new club after being left off Arsenal’s pre-season tour.

Villarreal and a variety of Premier League teams have concrete interest in the full-back, according to Teamtalk.

After a loan spell at Fulham last season, Cedric is looking for a permanent transfer this summer.

Chelsea have no interest in Joao Palhinha

11:58 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea have decided Joao Palhinha is too old to replace N’Golo Kante.

A new defensive midfielder is high on Mauricio Pochettino’s wish list, with Moises Caicedo their top target.

Moving for Fulham’s tough-tackler Palhinha would make sense yet talkSPORT report on the 28-year-old not fitting the Blues’ profile for young signings.

11:41 , Marc Mayo

RB Leipzig have insisted that Manchester City are not close to signing Josko Gvardiol.

The Croatian centre-back is said to be a top target for the treble winners and it had been claimed that the two clubs had reached an agreement over a transfer fee, with a medical underway.

“The fact is that Man City would like to have him,” manager Max Eberl told Sky Germany. “Currently we are still very far apart.

“The transfer of Szoboszlai has secured us financially. We don’t need the money. We would prefer Josko to stay.

“We are not a club that blocks anything. We are transparent. But we have our ideas and want them to be implemented.”

Read the full story

French clubs line up for Spurs midfielder

11:15 , Marc Mayo

Tottenham could let Pape Matar Sarr return to France this summer.

A report from Le10Sport names Marseille as leading contenders to land the midfielder, along with Rennes and Lille.

Ange Postecoglou is yet to decide the future of 20-year-old midfielder Sarr, who cost £15m two years ago but has struggled to nail down a first-team place.

Inter step up Folarin Balogun pursuit

10:41 , Marc Mayo

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is keen on a prospective move to Inter Milan.

Some have tipped the Gunners to demand £50m for Balogun, who has so far failed to impress Mikel Arteta during pre-season.

Sport Italia say Inter want to pay closer to £30m with the youngster their top target having missed out on Romelu Lukaku.

Moises Caicedo has ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for Chelsea move

10:11 , Marc Mayo

Arsenal’s £105m deal for Declan Rice has not helped Chelsea’s deal for Brighton.

The Seagulls want a huge transfer fee for the midfielder, who they rate as highly as the former West Ham captain.

Sky Sports say Caicedo believes he has a gentleman’s agreement to leave Brighton this summer – should a good enough bid land.

But the two clubs remain some distance apart in talks over the player.

Atlanta respond to reports of Man Utd nearing Rasmus Hojlund deal

09:36 , Marc Mayo

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has accepted that Rasmus Hojlund could join Manchester United – for £82million.

A report from The Independent suggests United hope to sign Hojlund for a fee closer to £60m with talks ongoing.

“I don’t know, I honestly don’t know,” he told reporters when asked for an updaye on Hojlund’s move.

“The market is unpredictable… I hope for €100m for Atalanta.”

Read the full story

Deal for Arsenal flop collapses

09:11 , Marc Mayo

Nicolas Pepe’s move to Saudi Arabia has collapsed.

Arsenal are ready to dispense with the £72m flop, who has a year left on his contract.

But CBS Sports say a switch to Saudi on a £4.2m pay packet has fallen through.

Arsenal make Elye Wahi enquiry

08:50 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea’s deal for Elye Wahi is not done yet – with Arsenal now said to be keen on the striker.

The Blues hope to sign 20-year-old Wahi and loan him to sister club Strasbourg.

But RMC Sport claim several clubs are keen on the player, including Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal are said to have made an enquiry.

Brighton hold out Levi Colwill hope

08:38 , Marc Mayo

Levi Colwill is refusing to sign a contract extension at Chelsea.

That’s according to The Athletic, which claim that Brighton believe Colwill wants to return to the club and play under Roberto De Zerbi despite being eyed for a regular role at Stamford Bridge.

It is also said that the Seagulls will not accept a loan return for Colwill as part of talks over Moises Caicedo, although it’s not apparent Chelsea have made such an offer.

The latest on Arsenal’s Bitello pursuit

08:02 , Marc Mayo

Arsenal are considering their next move for Gremio midfielder Bitello.

The Brazilian is not eligible for a work permit to play in the Premier League given his lack of appearances for his national team and in his country’s top flight.

Therefore, local outlet Gremistas say a likely avenue will be signing the player but letting him remain at Gremio until at least the winter.

Bitello will cost £8.5m and could also move on loan to a European team.

West Ham to seal Carlos Borges coup

07:45 , Marc Mayo

West Ham are in advanced talks to sign wonderkid Carlos Borges from Manchester City for a fee in the region of £14million, Standard Sport understands.

The 19-year-old is frustrated at City and expected to choose the Hammers over Brighton, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt, in a major coup for David Moyes’s side.

Borges joined City from Sporting in 2014 and the winger is now regarded as one of the most talented players in any English youth academy.

Read the full story

Real Madrid enter Dusan Vlahovic race

07:29 , Marc Mayo

Real Madrid are the latest club to make contact with Juventus over Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbian striker has caught the eye of Chelsea, Tottenham and PSG this summer given he’s deemed available for approximately £65m.

Sky Sports Italia report on Real making a phone call to Turin to gauge Vlahovic’s availability as they look for a replacement for Karim Benzema.

Harry Kane set for Tottenham exit

07:10 , Marc Mayo

Harry Kane has no plans to sign a new Tottenham contract.

The Times report on the Spurs striker being keen to join Bayern Munich, either this summer or potentially as a free agent next year.

Spurs will demand £100m to sell up now but could face pressure from a new Bayern bid, which is expected soon.

Micky van de Ven update

06:49 , Marc Mayo

Tottenham hope to finalise a new centre-back signing soon.

Micky van de Ven has emerged as their more advanced target, say 90min, with the Wolfsburg star’s fee in the region of £33m while Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba would cost almost £10m more.

It is said Spurs want a swift solution to the talks having been linked with both players for a number of weeks.

Arsenal miss out on long-term contract

06:36 , Marc Mayo

Aston Villa will today complete the signing of long-term Arsenal target Moussa Diaby.

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League club will pay an initial £42million for the Bayer Leverkusen winger with an additional £8m agreed in add-ons.

Arsenal have long been linked with Diaby but looked elsewhere this particular summer.

Chelsea in Moises Caicedo hint

06:32 , Marc Mayo

We haven’t had a concrete update in Chelsea’s bid for Moises Caicedo in a couple of days, with a third bid being prepared.

However, some have noticed a sign at their desire to a deal in their squad number list.

Caicedo’s preferred No25 has been left free by the Blues, potentially ready for him to slot into…

Done deal! Riyad Mahrez signs for Al-Ahli

06:28 , Marc Mayo

Manchester City’s Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez has completed a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya TV said early on Friday.

Al Ekhbariya said on Twitter that Mahrez has become Al-Ahli’s latest signing but did not provide further details. The Jeddah-based club have yet to make a formal announcement.

Mahrez scored 78 goals and made 59 assists in 236 appearances in all competitions with City, and won 11 trophies at the club, including five league titles following his move from Leicester City in 2018.

The 32-year-old saw his role for Pep Guardiola’s side reduced last season, scoring 15 goals in 47 games, but missing out on action in the FA Cup and Champions League finals as City won a historic treble.