Sarri braced for 'busy day'
Maurizio Sarri is readying himself for a “very busy day” as Chelsea close on the record-breaking €80 million (£71m/$92m) capture of Kepa Arrizabalaga from La Liga outfit Athletic.
While the manager was giving nothing away on Tuesday as far as transfers go, he did admit he would have a long day of work ahead of the close of the deadline.
“Tomorrow I will have a very busy day, but I don't know anything about the market,” he said.
Guardiola closes City chequebook
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has said he believes his club won't sign any more players before Thursday's transfer deadline.
The Premier League champions have been linked with a number of central midfielders, but the Spaniard doesn't see any more deals materialising.
Puel tells Man Utd that Maguire is going nowhere
Leicester City manager Claude Puel has told Manchester United that Harry Maguire is staying at the King Power Stadium.
The Red Devils have been strongly linked with the England defender, but Puel insisted that his side want to keep their best players.
Chelsea in talks to bring Kovacic on loan
The Croatia international could be heading for Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are in discussions with Real Madrid over a loan move for midfielder Mateo Kovacic, Goal understands.
Chelsea in talks with Real Madrid to sign Mateo Kovacic, reports @garyjacob https://t.co/S7OjGpVvA7
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) August 7, 2018
The Blues are pushing for a purchase option on the Croatia international, while Madrid resists that proposal.
Read full details of the discussions right here on Goal!
Perez has West Ham medical as Ospina set for Besiktas talks
Arsenal striker Lucas Perez has undergone a medical at West Ham, while goalkeeper David Ospina will hold talks with Turkish giants Besiktas, Goal understands.
Perez, 29, spent last season on loan at former club Deportivo La Coruna, while Ospina has been pushed down the depth chart after the arrival of Bernd Leno.
Arsenal plan swoop for Dembele
The France star could be departing the Camp Nou after one season
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is planning a sensational move to bring Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele to North London before the transfer window closes on Thursday.
According to reports in The Daily Express, the France international is considering his options after struggling in La Liga last season.
BREAKING: Barcelona will seriously consider offers of €100m for Ousmane Dembélé.
— FourFourTweet (@FourFourTweet) August 7, 2018
Unai Emery likes the player and Arsenal are willing to formulate a loan (€10m) with the obligation to purchase (€90m) to get him. [MD] pic.twitter.com/yuLl5loR4w
Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo have claimed the fee could be as much as €100 million for the 21-year-old. The rumour has also gathered pace after Dembele was pictured celebrating with Arsenal trio Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Estupinan set for loan switch from Watford
Watford left-back Pervis Estupinan is on the brink of a loan switch to Real Mallorca, reports the Watford Observer.
The 20-year-old's first-team chances are said to be slim ahead of the new Premier League season, with Adam Masina and Jose Holebas ahead of him in manager Javi Gracia's plans.
Estupinan spent last season at UD Almeria, where he clocked up 27 appearances.
Candreva considers Inter exit
Inter Milan winger Antonio Candreva is weighing up his immediate future, with reports in Italy suggesting Monaco are interested in signing the 31-year-old.
Calciomercato claim that Candreva could be used as part of a swap deal that would see Senegalese wideman Keita Balde move in the opposite direction.
Candreva is said to be concerned about his chances of regular first-team football with the Seria A giants this season .
De Rossi open to MLS move
17 hours ago 20:28
Veteran Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is reportedly open to a move to MLS at the end of the upcoming campaign.
The 35-year-old has spent 17 years at the Italian club, and made almost 600 appearances during his time in the capital.
De Rossi confirms possible MLS move https://t.co/d5oQ3qK6Za pic.twitter.com/NiKFGox7yC
— CalcioMercato (En) (@CmdotCom_En) August 7, 2018
"I've always said a move to MLS is something that I'd like," he told reporters. "I have a year ahead of me, then I will think about it."
Brighton sign Arce on four-year deal
The 20-year-old has signed a four-year deal, but will spend the upcoming 2018/19 campaign with @EXT_UD on a season-long loan deal.#BHAFC ?⚪️
Spurs £7m short on Grealish valuation
18 hours ago 20:02
Aston Villa and Tottenham are £7 million ($9m) apart in their valuations of midfielder Jack Grealish, reports the BBC.
Spurs are hoping to sign Grealish before Thursday’s transfer deadline, but their offer has yet to meet Villa’s asking price.
Villa boss Steve Bruce hopes to keep hold of Grealish, who had previously been linked with a move to Chelsea.
Celtic reject Fulham's Boyata bid
Celtic are hoping to sign Pedro Chirivella after the Liverpool midfielder turned down a £3.5 million switch to Rosenborg.
The Spaniard had looked set to move to Norway after the Reds agreed an initial £2.4m deal last week, including £1.1m in add-ons, but after discussions with the Eliteserien side the 21-year-old opted against the transfer.
Now Celtic have emerged as leading contenders to sign the former Valencia trainee.
Chelsea to trigger €80m Kepa clause
Chelsea are set to trigger Kepa Arrizabalaga's €80 million (£71m/$92m) release clause, with Thibaut Courtois looking to force a move to Real Madrid, Goal understands.
"My first impression was that he is a very good goalkeeper, very young, but very, very good."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 8, 2018
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has expressed his admiration for Kepa Arrizabalaga. https://t.co/uLCgXVgRsp pic.twitter.com/JIHcuIjP5s
Athletic will not accept any bids for Kepa, meaning that the Blues must activate his clause if talks are to proceed.
It is believed, however, that Chelsea will be able to pay the fees required to secure the goalkeeper.
Bayern chairman Rummenigge hints at more departures
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has not ruled out further departures from the Allianz Arena this summer after admitting the club currently have too many midfielders on their books.
The reigning Bundesliga champions have already offloaded the likes of Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa during the summer transfer window, but still house as many as nine midfielders in their current squad.
Man Utd offer £35m for Mina
Decision demanded today from Barcelona defender
Manchester United have offered £35 million ($45m) for Yerry Mina and want a decision from the Barcelona defender today, claims The Sun.
Jose Mourinho wants to sign a new centre-half and United have agreed a deal for Toby Alderweireld, but that move hinges on Tottenham signing a replacement.
Everton and Manchester United target Yerry Mina missed Barcelona training this morning, according to Sky Sports News.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2018
More: https://t.co/j2y8mlwUKM pic.twitter.com/WqULmoa9dO
Having previously pulled out of a deal for Mina, United have now gone back in with a new offer and are keen for a quick response from the Everton and Lyon target.
Premier League interest in Fosu-Mensah
Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah is wanted by fellow Premier League clubs as he prepares to head out on loan, according to ESPN.
Fosu-Mensah spent last season with Crystal Palace and has been the subject of a loan offer from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.
However, he could yet stay in the Premier League, with several clubs considering a loan approach before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Traore undergoes Wolves medical
Wolves are closing in on the signing of Adama Traore, with the Middlesbrough winger undergoing a medical, reports Sky Sports News.
Traore is set to become Wolves’ record signing after the newly-promoted Premier League club activated his £18 million ($23m) release clause.
Reports had previously suggested Wolves would pay above that sum to avoid having to stump up the fee all in one go, but it now seems an agreement has been reached with Middlesbrough.
Sevilla in pole position to land Batshuayi
Sevilla are keen on signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan for the 2018-19 campaign, with Atletico Madrid and Valencia also interested in the Belgian.
Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi could be on his way to Spain on loan.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 7, 2018
All the latest Premier League news?https://t.co/NEgHE6WSKl#bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/1wcfDHRGMD
Batshuayi could be moved on after Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata pledged their commitment to the Blues for the upcoming campaign, and Goal understands the trio of Liga clubs are monitoring the situation.
Maurizio Sarri is weighing up how to manage his attacking options, with the club boasting four strikers, including Tammy Abraham who has already expressed his desire to stay and fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham bid for young goalkeeper
Tottenham have made a €200,000 bid for Gavin Bazunu, the young Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper, per the Irish Independent.
Bazunu have also attracted interest from Liverpool and Celtic, having conceded just two goals in six appearances, but Spurs are the first club to table a serious offer.
West Ham are close to signing Lucas Perez from Arsenal, per Sky Sports.
Manuel Pellegrini is keen on securing the Gunners forward, with Lucas set to become the ninth signing of a busy summer.
Sky Sources: West Ham close to agreeing a deal to sign Lucas Perez from Arsenal
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 7, 2018
Boateng prefers PSG over Man Utd
Jerome Boateng prefers a move to PSG over Manchester United, according to Bild.
Both clubs are interested in securing the Bayern Munich defender this month, with United particularly keen to recruit a centre-back, but only a huge salary offer, worth more than €15 million (£13.4m/$17m), would see him change his mind.
Fulham bring in Arsenal defender Chambers on loan
Fulham have signed Arsenal centre-back Calum Chambers on a season-long loan deal as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign after winning promotion via the playoffs.
Delighted to have signed for @FulhamFC on a year long loan! I felt this was the right thing to do at this point in my career and I’m up for the challenge! Wish everyone at @Arsenal the very best for the season! pic.twitter.com/B6CbSwwE0I
— Calum Chambers (@CalumChambers95) August 7, 2018
The versatile 23-year-old, who can also play at right-back or even as a defensive midfielder, came through the youth ranks at Southampton and joined Arsenal in 2014.
"I watched a lot of Fulham last season. I really like the way they play football. There's a good manager (Slavisa Jokanovic), it's a great club, so I'm really excited for the season ahead," he said.
"Everyone can see that Fulham's a club that likes to play football, play football from the back, through the lines. That's the style of football I like as well, so I think it fits me and suits the way I play," he added on the club website.
Fulham, based in West London, have signed eight players in the close season, including Andre Schuerrle, Alfie Mawson and Jean Michael Seri, with striker Aleksandar Mitrovic making a loan move permanent.
Bournemouth sign Colombia's Lerma in club record deal
Bournemouth have finally captured Colombia central midfielder Jefferson Lerma from Levante on a five-year deal for a club record fee, the Premier League team announced on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old, whose transfer is subject to international clearance, played in all of Colombia's games at this year's World Cup in Russia, including the last 16 loss to England.
The transfer fee for Lerma was not disclosed, but British media reported that he was moving for 25 million pounds ($32 million), which beats the previous record of 20 million pounds the club paid for Dutch defender Nathan Ake from Chelsea last year.
Burnley snap up Czech striker Vydra from Derby
Czech Republic striker Matej Vydra has joined Burnley from Championship side Derby County as Sean Dyche continues to strengthen his squad ahead of the Premier League season.
BREAKING: Clarets make @dcfcofficial striker Matej Vydra signing number three. More to follow. pic.twitter.com/RjaYwXhbd0
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 7, 2018
Burnley said the 26-year-old has signed a three-year-deal, with a further 12-month option. The transfer fee was undisclosed but British media reported the move would cost Burnley in the region of 11 million pounds ($14.23 million).
Vydra, who had spells in the Premier League with Watford and West Bromwich Albion before settling at Derby, was top scorer in the second-tier Championship last season with 21 goals.
But with Derby missing out in the promotion playoffs, the forward said he wanted to test himself again in the top flight and is leaving the club now managed by Frank Lampard.
Milan eye Bakayoko
AC Milan are in talks to sign Chelsea's French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, 23, on loan. (Sky Sports)
Gazzetta confirms that Bakayoko is very close to joining Milan on the formula of loan with an option to buy. Leonardo now waits for Chelsea’s “ok” before completing the loan deal. Bakayoko was a request from Gattuso, as he asked for a muscular midfielder. pic.twitter.com/CHyZFHupuX
— TheMilanBible (@TheMilanBible) August 8, 2018
Palace, Fulham target Jordan Ayew
Crystal Palace and Fulham both want Swansea City and Ghana forward Jordan Ayew. The 26-year-old is refusing to train with his Championship team. (Mirror)
*** Source: AFP, Reuters, Goal.com, BBC
