Football transfer news and rumours

Aussie teenager Arzani signs for Manchester City

Australian teenager Daniel Arzani has been hailed as one of the country's "brightest young stars" by a Manchester City director after he signed for the Premier League champions on Thursday.

The Iran-born 19-year-old joined from the champions' sister club Melbourne City and is expected to be sent out on loan.

He was the youngest ever member of an Australia squad for a World Cup finals and played in all three of their group matches in Russia. 

Arzani -- who put down his talent to playing street football in his birthplace of Khorramabad -- follows compatriot Aaron Mooy, in treading the same path to City.

Mooy is now at Huddersfield Town where he played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2017.  

"In a short period of time, Daniel has developed into one of Australia's brightest young stars and has demonstrated the drive and raw talent required for success at the highest level," Brian Marwood, the managing director of global football for City Group, told the club website. 

Wolves complete signing of winger Traore

Wolverhampton Wanderers have strengthened their squad by signing Spanish winger Adama Traore from Middlesbrough on a five-year contract, the promoted Premier League side said on Wednesday.

Wolves did not provide financial details but British media reports said the deal to bring the player to Molineux was worth a club record 18 million pounds ($23.2 million).

Traore, 22, spent the last two seasons at the Riverside Stadium. He scored five goals and provided 10 assists in the previous campaign in the second-tier Championship to be voted Middlesbrough's player of the season.

A product of the Barcelona youth system, Traore left the Spanish club in 2015 for a stint with Aston Villa. He then moved to Middlesbrough after a season.

Traore is Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo's fifth recruit of the transfer window and follows goalkeeper Rui Patricio, defender Jonny Castro Otto, midfielder Joao Moutinho and forward Raul Jimenez into the club.

Wolves host Everton in their opening league game on Aug. 11.

West Ham ponder late Llorente move

West Ham are considering a last-minute move for Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente, reports the Daily Mail.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini is finalising his plans for his first campaign at the helm, but is eager to add another target man to his squad and Llorente fits the bill.

The 33-year-old Spain international has played second fiddle to Harry Kane at Spurs and could be available for £7 million ($9m) or on loan.

Mou 'not confident' of deadline day deals

Bad news for Manchester United fans! Jose Mourinho has poured cold water on the idea that the Red Devils could recruit some new faces this deadline day.

The Portuguese told reporters: "I'm not confident. I'm not confident and the market closes today so is time at least for me to stop thinking about the market because the market will be closed."

Dembele rules out deadline day Arsenal move

Ousmane Dembele intends to remain at Barcelona, ruling out a deadline day move to Arsenal, and admits he is keen to play alongside fellow Frenchman Paul Pogba at some stage.

Having endured a testing time at Camp Nou following a big-money move in the summer of 2017, it had been suggested that the World Cup winner could head for pastures new before the current window closes.

Barcelona & Ajax come to De Jong agreement

Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong could potentially make a switch to Barcelona this summer depending on how the Dutch side fare in the Champions League, Sport reports.

According to the Spanish outlet, Barca have come to an agreement with the Amsterdam club whereby the timing of De Jong's switch to Camp Nou is contingent on Ajax's success.

Essentially, should the Eredivisie side fail to reach the group stage of the competition this season, the 21-year-old will sign for Barcelona this summer, but qualification for this year's tournament will delay the move until the 2019-20 season.

Man Utd hold Kurzawa meeting

Manchester United held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of signing PSG's Layvin Kurzawa, according to l'Equipe.

The report claims coach Thomas Tuchel sees the France international as his first-choice left-back for the new season, but states that a late bid from the Red Devils should not be ruled out.

It is said that sporting director Antero Henrique would not be against the sale of the 25-year-old as PSG could reinvest the money in Juventus full-back Alex Sandro.

Amiens considering Taarabt move

Amiens are weighing up a move for Benfica's Adel Taarabt, France Football reports.

Taarabt, now 29, is said to have been in talks to join Nantes but saw negotiations break down. 

The attacker may still get his wish to move to Ligue 1, however, with Christophe Pélissier's Unicorns seemingly leading the way to secure his signature.

Arsenal to battle Spurs for Berge

Arsenal are ready to battle it out with north London rivals Tottenham for the signature of KRC Genk midfielder Sander Berge, claims Dagbladet.

The highly-rated defensive midfielder is valued at around the £8 million ($10m) mark and at just 20 years of age would represent a shrewd addition for the present and future by the Gunners or Spurs.

Madrid to give Modric new deal

Real Madrid have no intention of parting with Luka Modric and will offer him an improved contract to remain in Spain, claims Marca.

The Croatia international has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A heavyweights Inter.

Man Utd want Boateng on loan

Manchester United remain keen on taking Jerome Boateng from Bayern Munich, reports Sky Sports, but are now only interested in a loan agreement.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the World Cup winner as the summer window runs down and are still in the market on deadline day.

They are pursuing other options, such as Leicester's Harry Maguire, but would welcome the chance to land Boateng on a short-term agreement.

Maguire still wants Man Utd move

Harry Maguire is still hoping that Manchester United will push through a deal for his services before the close of the transfer window, according to Sky Sports. 

Leicester City have turned down two bids for the defender and maintain that he is not for sale. 

Agent: Chelsea made 'unthinkable' Rugani bid

Daniele Rugani's agent Davide Torchia revealed Chelsea made a huge offer for the Juventus defender, though the Serie A champions have no plans to sell the Italian.

Rugani, 24, has been linked with Premier League giants Chelsea throughout the transfer window after former Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri replaced Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, but his agent says the Italian club never budged. 

Navas has no desire to leave Madrid

Keylor Navas has no desire to leave Real Madrid despite the club signing Thibaut Courtois on Wednesday. 

The Costa Rican made it clear that he would not be leaving, telling the Onda Cero programme that death was as appealing as leaving Los Blancos. 

Chelsea land Kepa in record £72m deal

Chelsea have paid a reported world-record £72 million (€80m/$92m) to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Club as a successor to Real Madrid-bound Thibaut Courtois.

The new fee smashes the previous goalkeeper transfer record, set when Liverpool purchased Alisson Becker from Roma for £65m in July.

Kepa has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues as they finish the transfer window with a flourish.

Mignolet joins list of Napoli goalkeeping targets

Simon Mignolet has joined the list of goalkeeper being chased by Napoli, according to Gianluca Di Marizo. 

David Ospina and Guillermo Ochoa are also both targets for the Serie A side, who are looking to add a veteran starter in goal before the window closes. 

Leicester to make two new signings

Leicester want to sign Dinamo Zagreb's Croatian defender Filip Benkovic, 21, and Freiburg's Turkish centre-back Caglar Soyuncu, 22, before the transfer window closes on Thursday. (Leicester Mercury)  

Palace target Bolasie

Crystal Palace may make a late move to return Everton winger Yannick Bolasie, 29, to Selhurst Park. The Congo international played for Palace before moving to Merseyside. (Mirror)

Palace are also closing in on Swansea's Ghana forward Jordan Ayew, 26, with the clubs locked in talks over a £12m move. (Star)  

*** Source: AFP, Reuters, Goal.com, BBC

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