Friday’s transfer news: Man Utd bid for Premier League rival, plan B for Liverpool, Arsenal suffer setback

Transfer deadline day summer 2019: The deals done so far

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona remain the talk of the transfer rumour mill now that the international window has finally opened.

Yesterday Eden Hazard was finally unveiled as a Real Madrid player after completing a medical with the Spanish giants, following his move from Chelsea. And earlier in the week Daniel James completed his £18m move from Swansea to Manchester United.

The future of Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt meanwhile remains uncertain, with the 19-year-old defender currently linked to a host of clubs eager to land his signature. And Liverpool continue to press for the signature of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe – but have a new striker in their sights.

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Arsenal are meanwhile set to push on with their first signing of the summer with a bid for Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser set to be lodged. A new centre-back is high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority list at United with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Leicester’s Harry Maguire both options. Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another on the Norwegian’s radar.

It won’t just be incomings at Old Trafford, however, with Paul Pogba a high-profile target for Real Madrid and Alexis Sanchez on his way out with Inter Milan and Juventus fighting it out for his signature – if he drops his wage demands. And Liverpool could be active too as they look to go one better after failing to win the Premier League title by just a single point.

Key Points

• Maurizio Sarri poised to quit Chelsea
• United open bidding for Sean Longstaff
• Liverpool to turn to plan B

[14 June 2019 09:25 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Middlesbrough turn to Woodgate

Jonathan Woodgate has been appointed Middlesbrough's head coach on a three-year contract.

The 39-year-old former Boro and England defender has been handed the reins following the departure of Tony Pulis at the end of the season.

A club statement said: "Middlesbrough Football Club are delighted to confirm that Jonathan Woodgate will head up a new-look senior coaching team.

"Jonathan has been appointed as the club's new head coach and has agreed a three-year contract.

"Our former captain will be joined by his ex-Leeds and Tottenham team-mate, and current Republic of Ireland assistant manager Robbie Keane, Leo Percovich, who was previously on the coaching staff at the club from 2013-2017, and one-time Boro man Danny Coyne, as goalkeeping coach."

[14 June 2019 09:31 · Jack Rathborn]

Walker agrees new City contract

Kyle Walker is set to sign a new contract at Manchester City. 

The England international has agreed new terms, report Goal, despite three years still to run on his deal he signed in 2017 after a £50m move from Spurs. 

The new deal will tie him to the Etihad until 2024, with the impending arrival of Joao Cancelo from Juventus seemingly not casting doubt on his role under Pep Guardiola. 

[14 June 2019 09:49 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

The making of Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United are desperate to sign him this summer, but how much do you really know about Aaron Wan-Bissaka?

We spoke to the coaches who know him best to find out just how he became a £50m player this summer.

[14 June 2019 10:24 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Bakayoko heading back to Chelsea

Tiemoue Bakayoko is heading back to Chelsea this summer – and he doesn’t sound thrilled about it.

“I have three years left on my contract,” he told L'Equipe. “I do not have a choice.

“What will happen next, I'm not sure, but I have to go back to Chelsea, that's the only thing we know.”

[14 June 2019 10:28 · Jack Rathborn]

De Ligt weighs up contrasting offers

Matthijs De Ligt has a tough decision to make over his future. 

The Ajax star has several high offers: Barcelona, Juventus and PSG. 

Manchester United are also known to be keen, but Sport claim the Spaniards' offer is €6m per year, half of PSG's massive €12m offer, with Juventus going in at €10m. 

[14 June 2019 10:36 · Jack Rathborn]

West Ham and Everton in for Cillessen 

Jasper Cillessen is deciding which Premier League club he will play for next season. 

The Barcelona goalkeeper is set to move on, claim Sport, with Everton and West Ham negotiating for the former Ajax star. 

Barcelona are also searching for a replacement to be the understudy to Marc-andre ter Stegen. 

[14 June 2019 11:00 · Jack Rathborn]

Villa join Bournemouth in race to sign Butland

Aston Villa have joined Bournemouth in the race to sign Jack Butland. 

The England goalkeeper remained with Stoke last season after relegation, but he now appears ready to leave. 

Butland would start ahead of Jed Steer under Dean Smith after achieving promotion back to the Premier League. 

[14 June 2019 11:28 · Jack Rathborn]

Juve fly in for Pogba talks

Juventus’ sporting director Fabio Paratici has arrived in London to meet at Manchester United's offices in the capital for talks over a move for Paul Pogba. 

The French midfielder appears open to a move this summer, with the Old Lady keen to bring him back to Turin, according to Sky Sports. 

As a deal for Maurizio Sarri is close to completion, targets for the soon-to-be former Chelsea boss are being lined up, with Pogba seen as a priority. 

[14 June 2019 11:32 · Jack Rathborn]

Real Madrid complete signing of Kubo

Real Madrid have completed the signing Takefusa Kubo from FC Tokyo. 

The former Barcelona starlet moves to the Bernabeu and will begin his time in the capital with the B team. 

A statement from Real Madrid read: "The technically outstanding attacking midfielder is joining to strengthen the Castilla youth side next season."

Madrid beat off competition from Barcelona and PSG for the Japan international with a fee reported to be in the region of £1.5m. 

[14 June 2019 11:58 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Aston Villa have appointed West Brom's Mark Harrison as their new academy manager

Harrison held a similar position with the Baggies for over a decade but has been brought in to help bring through young talent with the club returning to the Premier League.

"Aston Villa is a football club steeped in a rich tradition of producing its own players," said chief executive Christian Purslow.

"Mark's appointment is another cornerstone of the process and journey that we set out upon last summer.

"As a football club, we want a clear pathway right through the academy to the first-team with outstanding recruitment and development.

"I have every confidence that Mark, working closely with Dean Smith and Jesus Garcia Pitarch, will build an excellent academy that will be able to nurture the next generation of stars to entertain the crowds at Villa Park."