Saturday's transfer news: Man Utd revive Matthijs de Ligt hopes as Liverpool and Spurs chase Real Madrid star
Saturday's rumours, news and done deals
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Your support makes all the difference.Look back at the best of Saturday’s transfer news, rumours and done deals starting with Manchester United's chase of Matthijs de Ligt which might not yet be over.
Despite claims that Juventus were on the verge of clinching the defender, it seems United and PSG are both still in with a shout of signing the Ajax captain as Juve have failed to meet the Dutch club's asking price.
United also continue their hunt for Newcastle's Sean Longstaff, who is valued at more than £60m St James' Park, while Tottenham and Liverpool are both keen on Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos. Follow all the latest below.
Arsenal meanwhile are closing in on Real Madrid's Lucas Vazquez with the 28-year-old thought to be worth around £31m.
And Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson is wanted by West Ham as the Hammers look to strengthen their squad this summer.
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Hello and welcome along to today's transfer news, rumours and done deals, and we start with a quick reminder of yesterday's big news – confirmation that Paul Pogba is almost certainly on his way out of Old Trafford this summer. Here's more:
Staying with Man Utd for a moment and the club have renewed hope of signing Matthijs de Ligt as the Ajax captain's proposed move to Juventus stalls.
Juve have offered 55 million Euros with another 10 million Euros to be paid in add-ons, but Ajax are holding out for more and know that both United and PSG would be prepared to stump up for one of the most highly rated players in world football.
According to European football expert Julien Laurens,United have an agreement already in place with Ajax over the fee and if De Ligt's head was to turn, the club would be in a strong position to step in.
Tottenham are closing in on Real Madrid's 22-year-old midfielder Dani Ceballos, according to AS.
After signing Lyon's Tanguy Ndombele, Mauricio Pochettino is keen to continue strengthening the centre of the field and Ceballos is keen to find regular football.
However, Sportwitness reports that Tottenham have competition from Liverpool for the signing of the Spain international after his impressive performances at the recent European U21 Championships.
Are Arsenal about to sign Real Madrid forward Lucas Vazquez?
The 28-year-old is valued at over £30m even though he has struggled to find a first-team slot in the Real Madrid side, and Zinedine Zidane is keen to recoup money after spending big already this summer.
And AS report that the deal could be done as soon as next week.
Is Nemanja Matic on his way out of Old Trafford?
Both Milan clubs are said to be interested in the midfielder, 30, and he has arranged talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to discuss his future, according to ESPN.
A move on the San Siro could be on the cards, and with Ander Herrera departed for PSG and Paul Pogba's future up in the air, it would leave a huge whole in midfield for Solskjaer to fill.
The former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is among the candidates Newcastle are considering to replace Rafa Benitez, according to the Telegraph.
After a spell at Espanyol, Sanchez Flores took over at Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua but is now available for free, which you imagine would tempt Mike Ashley.
Chelsea have confirmed that Alvaro Morata has left the club permanently for Atletico Madrid.
The 26-year-old striker left for the Spanish capital on loan back in January going on to score seven goals in 17 appearances for the Rojiblancos.
And it was announced by both clubs on Saturday that the switch will become a permanent one following the initial loan which ends at the end of the 2019/20 season.
"We would like to thank Alvaro for his contribution and wish him the best of luck for the future," Chelsea said in a statement on their official website.
Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek has signed a new long-term contract at the club.
The 23-year-old England international, who is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, forced his way into Maurizio Sarri's first-team plans last season making himself a regular for both club and country.
And he has been rewarded with a new five-year deal with the club hopeful he can become a key player for new manager Frank Lampard for years to come.
"I’m really happy and pleased that I get to stay here for another five years," he told the club's official website. "It’s the place where I’ve grown up playing and hopefully I’ll be playing here for a lot longer,’ he said.
Chelsea may not be able to sign players but they are certainly intent on getting young talent to sign contracts as they begin to consider offering Callum Hudson-Odoi a massive £100,000-a-week deal to put an end to interest from European clubs.
Bayern Munich have long been interested in the teenage winger, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of next season.
Lampard and Hudson-Odoi met recently and the new manager was said to have tried to convince the English winger to stay.
Arsenal transfer target Wilfried Zaha has broken his silence on reports linking him with a move away from Crystal Palace after the club swiftly rejected a £40m offer for him.
“The only thing that's on my mind right now is trying to win this cup,” said Zaha, who scored twice as Ivory Coast qualified for the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
When pressed on whether he wanted to play for Arsenal, he added: “I don't know. We'll see in the future.”
The forward then said on Twitter: “Whatever happened to speaking facts? It's sad and annoying how anyone will just open their mouth and speak on things or situations they know absolutely nothing about.”
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