We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The transfer window is well and truly heating up with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all closing in on blockbuster signings that could define their summers. And they’re not the only ones, with a host of sides from the Premier League and around Europe doing their best to keep pace.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has certainly got his hands full this summer, with a new owner up above and a backroom team that has been torn to shreds. While fans may be growing tired of departures, they could more then compensate by successfully luring in Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling.
Man Utd have also subjected their fans to slow progress, but they could finally have their hands on Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong over the coming days. That would allow new boss Erik ten Hag to address other areas of the squad which, based on last season, need urgent attention.
And Arsenal have wasted no time in strengthening their bid to get back into the top four after narrowly missing out to Tottenham last campaign. Three players are already in the door, a fourth announcement is expected imminently in Gabriel Jesus and a fifth could follow shortly afterwards as efforts ramp up to sign Raphinha.
SEE BELOW FOR EXPRESS SPORT’S LIVE TRANSFER UPDATES…
That’s all we’ve got time for this evening.
Thanks for joining us to follow all the latest transfer news, stories and updates from across the Premier League and elsewhere in the UK and Europe.
We’ll be back tomorrow morning to resume our coverage — see you then!
Chelsea have added Napoli stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly to their list of defensive targets, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues are said to be in the market for at least one new centre-back this summer, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen already having left Stamford Bridge at the end of last season.
Conversations are reportedly underway with regards to a move for Koulibaly, who has been tentatively linked with a move to the Premier League for a number of years.
Manchester City have lined up free agent goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to succeed Zack Steffen, who is closing in on a season-long loan move to Middlesbrough, as the club’s second-choice stopper.
That’s according to BBC Sport, who claim that Steffen wants to play regular football in order to boost his chances of making the United States squad for this year’s World Cup.
The 27-year-old, who has played second fiddle to Ederson at City over the last few years, is now set to join Middlesbrough in the Championship until the end of the season and could reportedly be replaced by Ortega in due course.
Newcastle United have officially announced the impending arrival of long-term target Sven Botman after successfully agreeing a deal in principle with Lille to bring him to St James’ Park.
u270dufe0f Newcastle United have agreed a deal in principle with LOSC Lille to sign Dutch defender Sven Botman for an undisclosed fee!
u26abufe0fu26aaufe0f
Crystal Palace are close to completing the signing of Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure, according to Sky Sports.
Club chiefs are said to have travelled to France in order to wrap up the proposed move, which is expected to cost them around £18m.
Palace were rebuffed on their £14.5m opening bid last week but have since increased their offer to match Lens’ valuation and are now closing in on Doucoure, who is understood to be Patrick Vieira’s top target this summer.
Chelsea have reached a full agreement at club level with Leeds United over a transfer fee for Raphinha.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that Leeds have accepted a bid in the region of £60m for the Brazilian winger.
Negotiations over personal terms are now said to be ongoing, with new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly pushing hard to wrap up a deal in the not-too-distant future.
The Red Devils are said to have agreed a transfer fee with Barcelona after weeks of tense negotiations at club level, but the player himself is said to be reluctant to make the switch to Old Trafford.
He is reportedly settled in Barcelona and is not overly keen on trading sunny Spain for the famously unpredictable weather in England, while he also remains eager to achieve great things with his current employers.
Chelsea are seriously considering a move for Leeds United winger Raphinha this summer, according to The Telegraph.
The Brazilian ace has been heavily linked with the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona after informing Leeds of his desire to leave the club earlier this summer.
It is said that Thomas Tuchel has identified Raphinha as a target due to his ability in one-on-one situations and would like to bring him to Stamford Bridge alongside Raheem Sterling before the new Premier League campaign gets underway.
West Ham are stepping up their efforts to land Jesse Lingard on a free transfer in advance of the new Premier League season.
That’s according to 90min, who are reporting that David Moyes is particularly keen on bringing Lingard back to the London Stadium and is doing everything in his power to push through the proposed move.
Lingard is currently on the lookout for a new club after deciding against extending his stay at Manchester United earlier this year.
Monaco have officially announced the capture of Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino on a permanent basis.
The Reds have received around £13m plus £2.5m in add-ons in exchange for the 27-year-old’s services.
u3088u3046u3053u305du3001u5357u91ceu9078u624b !
Welcome, @takumina0116 ud83cuddefud83cuddf5u270dud83cudffc#WelcomeTakumi pic.twitter.com/mb09GneOAY
Manchester United have launched a last-gasp attempt to hijack Tyrell Malacia’s proposed move to Lyon, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Feyenoord left-back over the last few weeks but were recently handed a major setback when he agreed to join Lyon.
However, those in power at Old Trafford are reportedly mounting a late bid to snap up Malacia from under the noses of his French suitors at the eleventh hour.
Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike may have fluffed his chance of a big move this summer, with moves to Tyneside and Paris Saint-Germain both seemingly dead in the water.
The Toon grew frustrated at late financial demands during negotiations, despite agreeing a £25.6million fee. Meanwhile, Le Parisien claim that PSG’s interest was nothing more than a rumour stirred up to increase the player’s price tag.
It remains to be seen if Newcastle reignite their interest after a long-running saga that has left many fans frustrated.
READ MORE
The Dutchman has been heavily linked with Ajax this summer as, one way or another, an exit from north London seems inevitable. But he could be set to stay in the Premier League if the Toffees are tempted by Spurs’ proposal, which would see Bergwijn and £20million head to Goodison Park with Richarlison jetting south.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and Everton owner Bill Kenwright were spotted having dinner together on Monday, with Anthony Gordon also thought to be a talking point between the sides.
READ MORE
Ousmane Dembele’s future is destined for either Barcelona or Chelsea, according to L’Equipe.
The Blues are seeking to add attacking depth with Romelu Lukaku set to make way and the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic all linked with exits. Raheem Sterling is firmly on their radar, but Manchester City could hold out for a huge fee.
As such, new owner Todd Boehly is believed to be keeping tabs on Dembele’s contract talks with Barca, given that the cash-strapped Catalans have so far been unable to provide the money demanded by his entourage. And Boehly’s chances of pulling off the swoop are boosted by notions that it is not just a two-horse race.
Dembele has struggled with injuries since heading to the Camp Nou in a big-money deal five years ago, but he racked up 13 assists in 21 La Liga matches last term.
Josh King is now a free-agent after leaving Watford, one year after signing from Everton. The forward scored five Premier League goals last term, which was not enough to steer the Hornets away from relegation.
Having been sent tumbling down to the Championship, French midfielder Moussa Sissoko is also believed to be in talks with several clubs to negotiate an exit. 
BBC Sport claim that an up-front cost of £56million will do the trick, along with add-ons that could bring the deal to £73m. An agreement must now be reached on personal terms, but the progress will be welcome news for Red Devils fans who may soon get to see new boss Erik ten Hag move on to other targets.
Manchester City will not look to replace Raheem Sterling this summer. Instead, ESPN claim that the Sky Blues will maintain focus on signing a new left-back, with Brighton’s Marc Cucurella top of their wish list.
City would prefer Sterling to move abroad amid interest from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but are not prepared to stand in his way if negotiations with Chelsea progress.
Pep Guardiola is in a healthy position to cope with Sterling’s departure, along with that of Gabriel Jesus, due to the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
West Ham are reportedly unmoved on their approach to a Declan Rice exit this summer. David Moyes effectively priced out interested clubs by slapping the midfielder with a £150million price tag earlier this year, and BBC Sport claim that word from the Hammers camp is ‘unequivocal’ – the player is going nowhere.
Chelsea and Manchester United are longstanding admirers of the 23-year-old, who has become an England regular and one of the Premier League’s star performers in recent years.
Rice reportedly rejected a mammoth eight-year contract at West Ham last month, but may have to wait to get his big move. 
Gabriel Jesus’ entourage have arrived at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground, according to The Sun.
The Manchester City forward is set to complete his medical today before being unveiled as the Gunners’ new marquee forward, offsetting the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and Alexandre Lacazette this summer.
The rise of Eddie Nketiah, who recently signed a lucrative new contract, should also help Mikel Arteta cope with the attacking shortage.
Signing another forward-thinking player before the end of the summer is by no means out of the question, either, with progress reportedly being made on a deal for Leeds United winger Raphinha.
Manchester United have been quoted a whopping £130million for Ajax duo Lisandro Martinez and Antony, according to The Telegraph.
The Red Devils are already set for an eye-watering bill if they haul a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong over the line, and things may not get any easier for new boss Erik ten Hag when he moves on to fresh targets.
That’s despite the prospective negotiations coming with his former club, who he left after winning the league title last campaign. 
The two clubs are currently locked into negotiations for Toffees forward Richarlison, and reports yesterday indicated that Anthony Gordon was also being discussed as part of a potential double bid.
The meeting will be music to the ears of most Spurs fans, who will be keen to add attacking depth after finishing in the Champions League spots last season.
Arsenal are seemingly leading the race to sign Raphinha from Leeds United. Having narrowly escaped relegation, the Whites have reportedly placed a £65million price tag on the Brazilian, which has left the likes of Barcelona with a tricky financial dilemma.
According to GOAL Brazil, the Gunners are set for more talks with the player’s agent, Deco, this week. It would be some coup for Mikel Arteta and co, who must fend off rival interest from fellow Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Tottenham.
Arsenal have already completed three signings this summer, and have a fourth agreed in Gabriel Jesus.
READ MORE
Erik ten Hag is one step closer to landing a key transfer target during his first summer as Man Utd boss. Barcelona have made the Red Devils sweat for Frenkie de Jong over the past few weeks, but The Daily Mail claim that an improved bid leaves the deal close to completion.
La Blaugrana paid £65million for De Jong back in 2019 and remain keen to break even. The player was initially reluctant to leave the Camp Nou, but it looks as though everything is in place once the two clubs agree on the financial aspects of the deal.
Then, and only then, can Ten Hag set about improving other areas of the squad. 
But new owner Todd Boehly could make a serious statement by signing Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. Boehly engaged in more talks with the Sky Blues on Monday, and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano claims that the player himself would be keen on a move to West London.
READ MORE
See today’s front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.
