Thursday's transfer news: Arsenal close on Willian, Manchester United negotiate over Jadon Sancho, Man City blow
The latest news and rumours from the summer transfer window
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Follow the latest updates live from the transfer window on Thursday as Manchester United’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho continues and another winger leaves the Old Trafford club. After United’s second-leg Europa League victory over LASK on Wednesday night, coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Alexis Sanchez’s permanent move to Inter Milan, where the Chile international has spent the season’s on loan.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are pushing on in trying to secure deals for Philippe Coutinho and Willian, despite having announced 55 staff redundancies on Wednesday. The Gunners have reportedly seen Willian agree to a three-year contract – something he wanted from Chelsea that the Blues were not prepared to give while they remain in talks for Philippe Coutinho.
Meanwhile, Man City are not done in the market yet. Pep Guardiola’s club announced the signings of Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres this week, but they have a spending spree planned as they look to further strengthen their squad and regain the Premier League title next season. Eric Garcia won’t be part of it however, having turned down a new contract at the Etihad. Follow all of the latest news and rumours below:
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Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Thursday's transfer news and rumours!
First of all, Man United have confirmed the exit of Alexis Sanchez.
The winger has spent the season on loan at Inter Milan, who are set to announce his permanent signing today.
United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed the news after his side's Europa League win against LASK on Wednesday evening, the same night that Inter beat Getafe.
Full story here:
Arsenal's talks over signing Philippe Coutinho are now in the advanced stages, according to Sport.
The former Liverpool midfielder spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona, but a Premier League return seems close...
Here's our full story from earlier this week:
There's also an update on Arsenal's pursuit of Willian, who – it's worth nothing – shares the same agent as Coutinho...
The Gunners have offered the Chelsea winger a three-year contract, something the Blues were not prepared to do, Sky Sports have reported.
Could that clinch the deal for the north London club?
Man City, meanwhile, are set to continue their spending spree.
Pep Guardiola's side announced the signings of Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres this week, but are already looking to add as many as four more names to their squad.
Among them are said to be Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly – a known target – as well as prolific Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez. That's according to Sky Sports.
With Chelsea aiming to overhaul their defence, there has been a lot of talk about them recruiting West Ham's Declan Rice.
However, the Blues might just have been priced out of a move for the England international, and as a result they're turning their attention to Jose Gimenez, according to the Daily Star.
The Atletico Madrid and Uruguay centre-back, 25, is estimated to cost in the region of £60 million.
In slightly different transfer news... the ownership of Roma is being transferred from one American group to another.
The Serie A club announced a near €600m deal on Thursday for the Texas-based Friedkin Group to take over control of the team.
Billionaire Dan Friedkin, chairman and CEO of the Friedkin Group, said: "We look forward to closing the purchase as soon as possible and immersing ourselves in the AS Roma family."
OFFICIAL!
Inter Milan have confirmed the permanent signing of Alexis Sanchez from Manchester United on a free transfer.
Norwich are prepared to cash in on Emiliano Buendia, with the midfielder eyeing a Premier League return amid interest from the likes of newly promoted Leeds...
PA understands that the Canaries are ready to listen to sensible offers and would make a huge profit on the £1.3 million they paid to sign Buendia from Getafe.
Norwich would be in a strong bargaining position, with the Argentine having four years left on his contract, and they could look for a fee in the region of £20m. Full story here:
Even more movement on Willian's expected move to Arsenal...
ESPN is reporting that the Chelsea winger has now agreed a three-year contract with the north London club.
The contract is said to be worth in the region of £100,000 a week.
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