Transfer news LIVE: Raphael Varane ‘ready to accept’ Man United offer, plus Liverpool, Arsenal rumours
All the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from across the continent ahead of the new season
The new season is just a few weeks away and clubs are starting to ramp up their interest in targets during this transfer window following a short break after Euro 2020.
Manchester United have made a significant push this summer, agreeing a deal for Jadon Sancho, while Raphael Varane is another key target to elevate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side towards title contention.
The stars of this summer’s tournament could also be on the move with Italy’s Manuel Locatelli, currently with Sassuolo, a target for both Juventus and Arsenal. While the cash has already been spent in south London, with Crystal Palace landing Chelsea’s Marc Guehi for £18 million.
While Lionel Messi has reportedly agreed a new five-year deal with Barcelona, which will seemingly involve the captain taking a huge pay cut due to the financial difficulties that the club are experiencing. Barca teammate Antoine Griezmann looks likely to leave the Nou Camp, with the Blaugrana seemingly eager to send him back to Atletico Madrid and acquire Saul Niguez in return. There have also been rumours that the France international might be heading to Chelsea on loan, but a return to Atletico looks much more likely at his point.
In other news, Leicester are hopeful of fending off Liverpool to retain midfielder Youri Tielemans, per The Telegraph, and the Daily Mirror report that Tammy Abraham could be used by Chelsea to boost a trade deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland. Meanwhile, Euro 2020’s player of the tournament, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, has signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. He joins the French side from AC Milan. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip below.
PSG, Atletico Madrid linked with Liverpool’s Henderson
Yesterday’s news that Jordan Henderson contract talks with Liverpool have reportedly stalled are said to have alerted Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid to the situation.
Henderson has two years remaining on his Anfield deal but talks over an extension have come to a halt in recent weeks, according to numerous reports on Monday.
The Athletic are reporting that PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino is an admirer of the Liverpool captain while Atletico are also eyeing developments.
Roma ‘preparing new bid’ for Arsenal’s Xhaka
Roma are set to step up their interest in Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka by submitting a new offer for the Swiss international, Fabrizio Romano reports.
The Italian club had a £12.9 million offer for Xhaka turned down by Arsenal in June after new Roma manager Jose Mourinho made Xhaka a key transfer target.
The 28-year-old is said to have agreed personal terms with the Serie A side and the move appears closer after Arsenal completed the signing of Belgium midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga on Monday.
The Gunners are also interested in signing Manuel Locatelli from Juventus.
More Liverpool exits after Grujic sale?
With Liverpool selling midfielder Marko Grujic to Porto for £10.5 million this morning, attention now turns to the other players heading for the door at Anfield.
Fulham are leading the chase for Harry Wilson, Neil Jones of Goal reports, in what could be a £15 million move for the Wales international.
Wilson, 24, has spent the last three seasons out on loan at Derby, Bournemouth and Cardiff and is said to have accepted that his future lies away from Liverpool.
Agent offers update on Manuel Locatelli transfer saga
An agent has suggested there are complications with Juventus’ negotiations for Manuel Locatelli, while revealing that Arsenal have made a £34m offer for the 23-year-old star.
The Sassuolo midfielder is a transfer target after his performances in Serie A last season as well as for Italy at Euro 2020, with Juventus reportedly leading the chase.
Locatelli is said to favour a move to the Old Lady, who are trying to include Nicolo Fagioli as a make-weight in a part-exchange. But Fagioli’s agent has told Sky Sports Italia that the player does not want to be part of the deal.
“I think Massimiliano Allegri wants to see him [Fagioli] in training to understand if he can be useful during the season,” agent Andrea D’Amico said.
“When he played against SPAL and Crotone last term, he proved he can be a protagonist of Juventus’ future.
“Juventus would like to sign Locatelli and Arsenal have already offered €40m. But I can ensure you that, as of today, Fagioli has not been included in the deal.”
Rennes ‘open’ to Eduardo Camavinga offers
The president of Rennes has said that the club are “open” to offers for their players this summer, including French wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga.
The news should alert a number of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United, who have been linked with a move for the 18-year-old midfielder.
“One of the priorities is to reduce the squad,” Rennes president Nicolas Holveck said. “We still have eight or nine players who need to leave. There also remains the situation with Eduardo.
“Discussions are still ongoing, everything is open, either for a departure during this transfer window if an offer satisfies everyone, or to extend. He won’t leave for cheap, we’ve had a lot of discussions but nothing is complete one way or another.”
Brentford announce Frank Onyeka signing
Premier League new boys Brentford have completed the signing of Nigerian international midfielder Frank Onyeka on a five-year deal, the club have announced.
Onyeka, 23, arrives from FC Midtjylland, the club with which Brentford owner Matthew Benham is a majority shareholder, for an undisclosed fee.
Onyeka played in the Champions League for the Danish club last season and was also called up to the Nigeria team for the first time.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said: “We think he is a strong addition to the squad, and we are looking forward to working with him. He is a very dynamic player.
“Frank plays as an eight in our system, he is very good at getting from box to box and will be valuable to us when we don’t have the ball. He has come from the Danish league and was one of the best midfield players in that league, we think he has the potential to develop further.”
Burnley sign Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey
Burnley have signed veteran goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a two-year deal, the club have announced.
Hennessey, 34, signs as a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of last season, where he made just two Premier League appearances in his final year at the club.
The Wales international, who was a member of their Euro 2020 squad, joins the Turf Moor club as an experienced back-up to England international Nick Pope.
Liverpool confirm Marko Grujic departure to Porto
Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic has completed a permanent transfer to Porto for a reported fee of £10.5 million.
The Serbian international spent last season at the Portuguese club and has not played for Liverpool in the Premier League since 2017.
The 25-year-old was Jurgen Klopp’s first signing at Anfield in 2016 but struggled for game time and spent his final four seasons at the club out on loan.
Liverpool are hoping to raise transfer funds by selling a number of fringe players this summer.
Griezmann-Saul swap ‘ruled out’ by Barcelona
Barcelona have moved to rule out a swap deal that would have sent forward Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid in exchange for midfielder Saul Niguez.
El Larguero report that Barcelona are unhappy with the terms involved in the deal and are close to pulling out of negotiations.
Barca are looking to offload Griezmann’s high wages ahead of the new season but are unconvinced with the value of the deal.
Tripper not for sale, Atletico insist
Kieran Trippier will not be sold by Atletico Madrid this summer, according to AS, despite reports linking the England international with a return to the Premier League.
The right-back won the Spanish title with Atletico last season in what was his second year at the club following his move from Tottenham in 2019, but manager Diego Simeone wants him to stay in Madrid.
The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.
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