Transfer news live: Alvaro Morata agent talks up Manchester United as summer deal draws close
All the latest news, rumours and gossip from around the Premier League and the rest of Europe
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.It's transfer season once again!
Manchester United have money to spend too - and have already signed Victor Lindelof - but may be forced to shell out as much as £70m for both Alvaro Morata and Andrea Belotti as they chase a new No.9 while Chelsea's main man, Diego Costa, looks to be on his way after being told he is surplus to requirements by manager Antonio Conte.
Manchester City already have two players with Monaco's Bernardo Silva and Benfica goalkeeper Ederson in through the door, while Arsenal have snapped up Schalke's Sead Kolasinac on a free.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Mohamed Salah as they continue to negotiate with Roma over a fee but won't be adding Virgil van Dijk after being forced to apologise to Southampton for an illegal approach.
We will have all the latest throughout the day here so don't touch that dial.
Follow all the latest with our live blog...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
↵
Pay Alexis what he wants
It's a good job Ray Parlour was a footballer and not an accountant. His advice to Arsene Wenger on the Alexis contract situation?
Hand the lad a blank cheque.
More:
New Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk believes the club "tick all the boxes" he was looking for and is targeting an immediate return to the Premier League following last season's relegation.
Monk has joined Boro on a three-year contract just over two weeks after leaving Leeds following his one-season stay at Elland Road, where he just missed out on a play-off place.
The former Swansea boss is delighted to take charge at the Riverside Stadium and believes the foundations are in place for a promotion push despite a disappointing season in the top flight last year.
"I became a manager out of a job and obviously I'm ambitious and want to be working and find that right challenge - that is something I have always wanted.
"Speaking to the chairman Steve (Gibson) especially and all the guys at the club, it was that ambition and challenge that ticked all the boxes that I was looking for.
"Everything I wanted in terms of the challenge I wanted was clear with Middlesbrough."
Dele Alli more valuable than Lionel Messi
Fancy signing one of Europe's top stars this summer? Well, here's how much it'll cost you...
Medical set for Morata?
Manchester United are hoping to have Alvaro Morata in the north-west for a medical this week after productive talks with Real Madrid this weekend.
Real Madrid had been insisting on a fee of £78m but, given that they want to press ahead with upgrading their own forward line with the pursuit of Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe, United hope to be able to tie up a deal for the Spain international for under £70m.
Read more here with details on Andrea Belotti too:
More Morata...
Yet another development on the Morata front. The forward's agent, Juanma Lopez, has been talking up Manchester United and has seemingly suggested that a deal is close.
He also ruled out his client moving to AC Milan which leaves the door open for Jose Mourinho to get the deal done. Good news for United!
More details below on this latest development:
And that's the end of that...
Reports coming from Spain that Antoine Griezmann has put pen to paper on a new deal at Atletico Madrid.
The forward had looked set to join Manchester United this summer but the CAS' decision to uphold Atletico's transfer ban really threw a spanner in the works.
Following the announcement that the club would be unable to sign any players this summer, the Frenchman, out of loyalty, said he would not be leaving Atletico after all. It seems that loyalty has now been repaid.
More details below:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments