Transfer news live: Liverpool make third summer signing as they ponder final £80m bid for Naby Keita plus done deals
Follow live updates on the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals
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.Alvaro Morata is set to confirm his move to Chelsea today rather than Manchester United - who he seemed set to join three weeks ago - but Jose Mourinho does not seem to care having wrapped up a deal for "amazing" striker Romelu Lukaku.
Just weeks ago it had appeared the two would be heading in each other's directions and that the Real Madrid frontman would be heading to Old Trafford, while Lukaku would return to Stamford Bridge three years after joining Everton.
Instead, United gazumped Chelsea to the signing of their former player and Antonio Conte's men have now agreed a deal for Morata, subject to a medical and personal terms.
Chelsea also got their hands on Antonio Rudiger earlier in the window while Alexandre Lacazette has joined Arsenal.
Liverpool's pursuit of Naby Keita is beginning to annoy Leipzig with lots of talk but little action.
The Toffees meanwhile Everton have signed six new faces including United's Wayne Rooney.
Follow all the latest updates below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live transfer blog for Friday 21 July.
Stick with us all day to keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, updates, rumours and gossip from the Premier League and around the rest of Europe.
Morata update
Alvaro Morata has touched down in London ahead of his club-record move to Chelsea.
The Premier League champions have moved for the Spanish international with Diego Costa set to leave for Atletico Madridafter being told by boss Antonio Conte he was no longer part of his plans going forward.
Will we get confirmation today?
READ MORE:
Guardiola on why City didn't sign Bonucci
Guardiola has admitted City "need defenders" and was asked why he had not moved for Leonardo Bonucci - a target last summer who recently left Juventus for AC Milan.
"What happened last season was last season," he said. "Bonucci is an exceptional player - an exception in terms of character, personality and everything. That's why he played in one of the best teams in the world, Juventus, now in Milan.
"But it is what it is. Sometimes it happens, situations happen. Sometimes not."
↵
Monaco are not happy
AS Monaco have accused "important" European clubs of tapping up star striker Kylian Mbappe and has threatened to report them to Fifa. The 18-year-old has been linked with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG this summer but the French champions have held firm.
Neymar, Verratti and Paris
Paris has suddenly become the centre of attention in world football again this week, precisely because the city’s football club is still toiling to thrust themselves to the centre of the game. Just as Marco Verratti seemingly escalates his attempts to leave Paris Saint-Germain, the deposed French champions have ramped up efforts to sign Neymar.
Liverpool give up on Keita
Jurgen Klopp has seemingly conceded defeat in Liverpool’s attempt to sign Naby Keita by admitting he was “a little bit too late” and that RB Leipzig are “lucky” they do not need to sell. The Reds are currently considering their next move after seeing their £66m bid to sign the midfielder rejected by the Bundesliga runners-up this week, after previously seeing a £57.3m bid also turned down.
READ MORE:
Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov has "asked to leave", Pep Guardiola confirmed in a press conference after the club's 2-0 defeat vs. Manchester United in Houston.
The Spaniard stated that the Serbian has " a big chance" to move to Roma, while also saying that he "doesn't like working with players who don't want to stay".
Sky Sports Italia believe that Fiorentina winger Federico Bernardeschi has joined Juventus.
The 23-year old is expected to move to Turin on a five-year deal for a fee of around €40m.
He will follow Mattia De Sciglio, Wojciech Szczesny, Rodrigo Bentancur and Douglas Costa in arriving at Juve this summer.
Craig Shakespeare remained coy on Leicester City's interest in Manchester City's Kelechi Ihenacho and Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny.
The former is expected to join Leicester for £25m but the latter has supposedly rejected a move to the 2016 Premier League champions.
"Areas I won't talk about but in terms of additions we would like to add another couple of players," Shakespeare told The Leicester Mercury.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments