Tuesday’s transfer news, rumours and done deals as they happened
Updates from the summer transfer window as clubs frantically reinforce ahead of the new Premier League season
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Your support makes all the difference.Updartes from the summer transfer window as clubs look to reinforce ahead of the new Premier League season. Manchester United remain active in the market and are keen to land three more signings this summer, which still includes Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho. The club are also looking to sign Porto full-back Alex Telles, with his representative reportedly travelling to Manchester for talks with the club.
Manchester City meanwhile will move on from their Lionel Messi disappointment by increasing their efforts to sign a new centre-back, with two alternatives identified in the pursuit of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenerez is among those options, as is Sevilla’s Diego Carlos.
United also continue to be linked with Gareth Bale as the Welshman remains crucial to Real Madrid’s rebuilding plans, while Liverpool face a decision over the future of striker Rhian Brewster as Aston Villa want to sign the Wales forward on a permanent deal along with loan interest from Newcastle. Follow the live updates below.
ADIOS BARCELONA, CIAO JUVENTUS
Luis Suarez will undergo one of the more unusual aspects of a summer transfer today after the striker was pencilled in for a translation test ahead of proposed move to Juventus.
The Uruguay international has been told he is free to leave Barcelona, with talks heading towards a conclusion surrounding loyalty pay-offs and outstanding contract fees, with the Italian champions his most likely destination.
But Eurosport reports that Suarez will have to pass an Italian language test if he is to be granted citizenship that would ensure a move goes through smoothly, with Juventus hoping to announce the move in the coming days.
THIAGO DILEMMA
There is something of a conundrum evolving around the future of Thiago Alcantara.
The Bayern Munich midfielder is in the final year of his contract and eyeing a move away from the club to test himself on a different stage.
Liverpool have been the club most regularly linked with the 29-year-old Spaniard, but the Premier League champions are yet to move for the midfielder and it has allowed Manchester United to creep into the equation following their summer recruitment drive.
However, reports in Germany suggest that Barcelona are keen on bringing Thiago back to the Nou Camp, seven years after leaving for Munich. Bild claim that although Ronald Koeman is keen on Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool, the club would prefer to sign homegrown Thiago, which could see Koeman somewhat undermined int he transfer window.
Any move for Thiago will also surely impact Barca’s plans to lure Wijnaldum to the club, meaning the two moves could either both happen, or both collapse completely.
BREAKING NEWS
Manchester City Women have announced the signing of England international and three-time Champions League winner Lucy Bronze, who returns to the club three years after leaving for French side Lyon.
NEWCASTLE MEDICAL FOR LEWIS
Fresh from their double-signing of former Bournemouth duo Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser yesterday, Newcastle are closing in on another signing today in the form of Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis.
The defender was a previous target for Liverpool earlier in the summer, but a move failed to materialise and instead the Magpies swooped in with a £13.5m offer plus add-ons accepted by the Championship club.
Lewis was left out of Northern Ireland’s clash with Norway last night, and the 22-year-old arrived in the north-east this morning where he is currently undergoing a medical.
BALE LATEST
Gareth Bale is keen to leave Real Madrid, but will anyone come forward to sign the Wales superstar?
Bale’s time at Real Madrid has descended into something of a farce, having fallen out of favour with manager Zinedine Zidane and barely featuring during La Liga’s season run-in as Madrid wrapped up the title without him.
It caused Bale to take the unusual approach to speak out publicly in an honest and open interview about his desire to leave, though he admitted he is at the mercy of the club as he remains contracted to Madrid.
Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo reports that there has not been a single approach for Bale since his admission, meaning another season of frustration could be on the cards.
But Madrid are desperate to offload the Wales star, according to Spanish daily Marca, and their own transfer business is being held up by the failure to move him on as they need the funds to reinvest in the market.
GOODBYE GINI?
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is likely to leave the club this summer for the reasons mentioned below, with his departure potentially creating the room for Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara who is looking for a move to the Premier League.
But what would be the actual impact of Wijnaldum leaving the club?
Tony Evans writes that the departure of the Dutchman would be much more significant than it is currently being viewed, with the 29-year-old representing exactly what the club identifies as in the modern era.
What Liverpool would lose without Georginio Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum could leave the club to make way for Thiago Alcantara this summer but in doing so the Reds may lose one of the things that makes them who they are
LIVERPOOL DEPARTURES
Liverpool face some big decisions in the coming days after seeing their Premier League title-winning squad targeted this summer.
First up is the uncertain future of Georginio Wijnaldum, with the Dutch midfielder wanted by Ronald Koeman at Barcelona after identifying the 29-year-old as his priority signing this summer. With Wijnaldum into the final year of his contract at Anfield, the club are growing increasingly resigned to losing the former Ajax star this summer, and have placed a £15m valuation on his head if Barca wish to take him to the Nou Camp.
The second is a more intricate move that could see one of the club’s bright young things leave either on loan, or on a permanent deal. Striker Rhian Brewster has been linked with a loan move to Newcastle United, but The Sun reports that Aston Villa are ready to make a £20m offer for the Wales international to sign him permanently.
Brewster is highly rated at Anfield but spent part of last season out on loan with Swansea as he struggled for first-team football behind Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi, and a move away from the club could be his best chance of reaching his full potential.
CITY ALTERNATIVES
Manchester City remains keen on signing Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, but the club’s insistence not do any direct business with the Italians due to their fall-out over the sale of Jorginho two years ago has massively held up any deal
As a result, City are looking at potential alternatives, with Pep Guardiola determined to reinforce his defence this season after losing their grip on the Premier League title.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, the club have identified two options who could fit the bill at the Etihad, with Sevilla defender Diego Carlos and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez named as possible targets, should the Koulibaly deal collapse completely.
UNITED PLANS
Manchester United are still determined to reinforce their squad before the end of the transfer window, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that the club still plan on making three new signings by the 5 October deadline.
Borussia Dormund forward Jadon Sancho remains the priority at Old Trafford, though talks are not even progressing as a snails pace, such is the distance between United and the Bundesliga club on his £108m valuation.
While rivals Manchester City and Chelsea have strengthened emphatically, United have only landed Donny van de Beek so far this summer, and former defender Gary Neville fears they are being left behind in the transfer market because of their ‘desperate’ approach.
Neville has urged United to move on from Sancho and be more assertive in the transfer market, rather than spending the entire window chasing one player before eventually coughing up the original asking price.
Gary Neville criticises ‘desperate’ Manchester United plans and urges them to move on from Jadon Sancho
Former United defender believes the club are taking too long with their transfer business again this summer and have fallen behind Manchester City and Chelsea in the market
TELLES TALKS
Manchester United have entered talks with the Porto defender Alex Telles, with the Brazilian left-back’s agent flying to the city to discuss a potential move.
United have only signed Donny van de Beek this summer after seeing their recruitment plans held up by the slow-moving pursuit for Jadon Sancho, but the club are still keen to reinforce before the 5 October deadline.
Their plans so far have focussed around strengthening their midfield and attack, but one name on the radar to improve Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defence is that of Porto defender Telles.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that talks are already taking place in Manchester with the representative of the 27-year-old, who is available this summer after four years with the Primeira Liga side.
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