Transfer news live: Manchester United ready to battle for Gareth Bale as Virgil van Dijk hands in transfer request
All the latest from the crazy world of the summer transfer window
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This summer window has of course been dominated by the news that PSG have announced the signing of Neymar from Barcelona in a world record £200m deal.
The Brazilian signs a five-year contract on more than £500,000-a-week after tax to become the world’s most expensive and highest paid player.
But plenty more deals are likely to be completed before the window slams shut.
Real Madrid’s interest in superstar teenager Kylian Mbappe is maintaining Manchester United’s belief that they can still sign Gareth Bale this summer, with the club’s long-standing desire to bring him to Old Trafford receiving a boost this week, although David De Gea may need to be involved.
With Mbappe telling Monaco that he wants to leave the club, Real are growing increasingly confident that they can fend off competition to sign the 18-year-old striker this summer.
That could result in Bale heading for the exit in order to free up funds as well as move to a club where he would be guaranteed regular first-team football, something that may not be the case if Mbappe arrives at the Bernabeu before the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa will hand in a formal transfer request after it was revealed there is no way back for him with the Premier League champions, and that he will only move to former club Atletico Madrid.
Follow all the latest with our live blog...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
↵Leeds have announced the signing of Manchester United youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on a season-long loan.
Leroy Fer is backing new Swansea teammate Tammy Abraham to hit the ground running.
"He is a real talent, he is only 19 years old but he looks so mature already," he said. "He is big but he is very quick with his feet and very sharp in front of goal.
"He is a very good player for us and hopefully he can be as important for us throughout the season as he has been during pre-season.
"He is hungry and desperate to score goals and that is exactly what we need, someone with that hunger."
Gareth Bale has been named in the Real Madrid squad for the Uefa Super Cup encounter against Manchester United, alongsideCristiano Ronaldo who is in line to make his first appearance of the season after returning from holiday.
Ronaldo only returned to the squad on Sunday after being granted an extended holiday following Portugal’s participation in the Confederations Cup, but Zidane is happy with how the 32-year-old has maintained his fitness levels during his time off and is ready to give him playing time immediately as the reigning Champions League holders take on last season’s Europa League champions.
United will be watching both Ronaldo and Bale closely after their hopes of signing Bale increased this summer due to Madrid’s interest in Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe.
Rafa Benitez is anxious to get some new faces through the door with the season now just around the corner.
The Spaniard has cut a frustrated figure this summer despite Mike Ashley's pledge to give him money to spend.
And he has once again put the pressure on to get deals over the line.
"We know what we need and we will try to do this until the end of the transfer window," he said.
"We are now trying to move in different directions at the same time."
Arsene Wenger believes Alexandre Lacazette is “stronger every week” and proved during Arsenal’s penalty-shootout win that he is “ready” for the Premier League.
He has also given his take on Arsenal's other new signing, Sead Kolasinac...
READ MORE:
The club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette means, when the squad is fully-fit, Arsenal can now call on a number of goalscorers.
Lacazette joins Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil as attacking options for Arsene Wenger.
And Welbeck believes that can only be a good thing for all those involved.
"He's come into the team and he's got a couple of goals in pre-season and hopefully he will when the season starts.
"It's nice to be playing with him, with the competition for the forward line now, it's a healthy debate for the manager to have and I think everyone's looking forward to the new season.
"There's always ways to improve and we will obviously sit back and analyse this game, where we were good and where we were bad and hopefully we can improve our performances and keep on getting better and better."
Gary Cahill says he and the Chelsea squad are hurt by their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal but believes his side will bounce back as they prepare to begin their title defence next weekend.
The Premier League champions lost on penalties in the annual curtain-raiser at Wembley as the Gunners rallied from going behind to Victor Moses' opener with new signing Sead Kolasinac equalising before they triumphed on spot kicks.
Cahill, now club captain following the departure of John Terry at the end of last season, is disappointed to have started in such a manner but says his side have what it takes to put it behind them.
Neymar wasn't the first Brazilian to arrive in Paris this summer, but according to Dani Alves he was responsible for the first...
READ MORE:
Wesley Sneijder is a Nice player joining on a free transfer following his exit from Galatasaray.
The Dutchman has enjoyed a stellar career taking in the heights of Real Madrid and a Champions League win with Inter Milan in 2010 and was at one time rightly considered one of the world's very best.
But like many others before him that time was all too fleeting.
Here's a look at those who once were world class but not for that long.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments