Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool remain the talk of the rumour mill as the transfer window creeps into view.
Earlier this week Real Madrid finally announced the signing of Eden Hazard for a fee that could come to exceed £150m. Elsewhere, Daniel James completed his £18m move from Swansea to Manchester United.
The future of Matthijs de Ligt meanwhile remains uncertain, with the 19-year-old defender currently linked to a host of clubs eager to land his signature. Review all the day's news below:
Thank you for joining us at The Independent. We'll be back tomorrow morning to bring you all the day's transfer news, rumours, gossip and done deals.
United consider Dier as Matic replacement
Manchester United have targeted Tottenham's Eric Dier as a possible replacement for Nemanja Matic, according to The Times.
The Spurs and England holding midfielder is part of a lengthy shortlist that also includes West Ham's Declan Rice.
United want Bale on loan
Manchester United want to bring Gareth Bale to Old Trafford on a loan deal, but have ruled out the possibility of a permanent signing, according to the Mirror.
Madrid are desperate to offload the Welshman after completing the signing of Eden Hazard and would even consider helping to finance part of Bale's £480,000-per-week.
Longstaff distances himself from Old Trafford move
The 21-year-old Magpies starlet is intent on cementing a first-team spot at St James' Park.
Marcelo's Real future in doubt
Veteran left-back Marcelo's future is unclear at the Bernabeu with Madrid set to complete a deal £45m deal to sign Lyon left-back Ferland Mendy.
According to Marca, the Brazilian has been told he will no be guaranteed a starting position.
Griezmann nearing PSG move
Antoine Griezmann has agreed a deal to join PSG, according to Sport.
The Atletico striker hoped to join Barcelona, however, the Catalan side hesitated and now looks set to move to the French capital.
The move would open the door for Edinson Cavani to leave the club and could even be involved in a swap deal.
Matthijs de Ligt has been the subject of much interest so far this summer, with the likes of Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United all eager to land his signature.
Here, Miguel Delaney assesses what comes next for the defender:
Cillesen non-committal on Barca future
Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen says a decision has not been made over his future.
"I still have not considered anything," the Dutchman said after the Netherlands' victory over England, having already iterated his desire to leave the Nou Camp last month.
Lingard's bumper new deal
Jesse Lingard is in talks over a significant pay rise at Manchester United, according to The Sun.
The England international has two years left to run on his current deal but it has been claimed that he has been offered a bumper new contract worth £130k-a-week.
Lingard was an essential player for United last term, making 36 appearances in all competitions.
On the topic of Manchester United, here's chief football writer Miguel Delaney on what lies ahead for the club in the summer transfer window:
Who will United sign this summer?
Manchester United have been linked with a seemingly endless list of players this summer, and we've ranked and rated their chances of signing all 50 of their rumoured transfer targets.
Gomez to Villa?
Newly-promoted Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Celta Vigo's Maxi Gomez.
Birmingham Mail is reporting that Celta have priced the 22-year-old forward, who scored 14 goals for the Spanish side last season, at £35m.
The Uruguayan international has previously been linked to West Ham United.
Arsenal unlikely to replace Cech
Arsenal are unlikely to sign a replacement for Petr Cech in the transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.
Cech retired from professional football at the end of the season, playing his last game for the Gunners in the Europa League final defeat to Chelsea.
Following their failure to qualify for the Champions League, Arsenal have been left with a smaller transfer budget.
That means manager Unai Emery is being forced to look within to fill holes in his first-team squad.
As such, it's expected Emiliano Martinez will be promoted to back-up goalkeeper next season, with Bernd Leno as Emery's No 1.
Draxler to Spurs?
Tottenham have reportedly been offered Julian Draxler as a potential Christian Eriksen replacement - should the Dane leave the club this summer.
Eriksen went public on his wish to leave Spurs this week, with Inter Milan weighing up whether to rival Real Madrid for his signature.
And according to the Daily Star, PSG are ready to make the most of the situation in offloading Draxler - who is surplus to requirements in Paris - for an expected £35m.
Joao Felix could move this summer
Benfica have admitted that they are open to selling teenage prodigy Joao Felix this summer – but have said they would like the player to return to the club on loan next season.
Manchester United and Manchester City are among the clubs interested in the 19-year-old forward, and Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has provided an update on the player’s future.
Veira said: “We sit down with players and they say ‘president, I can earn five million euros, president, do not make me stay here.’
“Joao Felix had a release clause of 60million euros and we realised after two or three games that we must increase it to 120million euros.
“But it is Joao Felix and his family who will decide if he stays.
“If someone bids 120m euros it is not worth dreaming that he will stay.
“We are trying everything to ensure he stays. But the only way is if we sell him and keep him another year.
“If not, Joao leaves. There is no room to negotiate further. He doesn’t want to.
“How will Benfica negotiate with someone after he is given a proposal of 6million euros after tax?”
Eriksen makes a point
Christian Eriksen is clearly not in the mood for any further transfer speculation...
Southgate going nowhere
England manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out a move to Chelsea.
A year on from bowing out of the World Cup in an extra-time semi-final loss to Croatia, the Three Lions are again nursing their wounds after Holland inflicted a 3-1 defeat in the final four of the inaugural Nations League in Portugal.
Southgate was quick to focus on his side’s progress and the attempts to win Euro 2020 on home soil next summer – a mouth-watering opportunity that means a return to club management is not in his thinking right now.
“The only thing on my mind is that we’ve got a European Championship next summer and we’ve got to keep improving this team to be the best possible team we can be for the country,” the former Middlesbrough boss, contracted until the 2022 World Cup, said.
Read more:
Arsenal to hijack Napoli deal?
The French media are reporting that Arsenal have approached Serie A side Fiorentina about signing midfielder Jordan Veretout.
That’s despite the Frenchman being on the verge of a move to Italian rivals Napoli.
L’Equipe report that Unai Emery is desperate to sign a box-to-box midfielder to replace Aaron Ramsey and believes that Veretout could be that man.
English midfielder Sean Longstaff has said he is "100 per cent focused" on Newcastle despite interest from Manchester United.
The midfielder emerged as a surprise target for United ahead of the summer transfer window, having caught their eye during a 13-game run in the Newcastle first-team last season.
When asked about the prospect of a move to Old Trafford, Longstaff said: "It just shows how far I’ve come.
"If someone told us at the start of the season that by the end of it you’d be linked with these teams I’d have laughed at them but it’s nice, it’s flattering.
"I’m massively flattered to have my name even mentioned in those conversations but like I said, I’m 100 per cent focused on Newcastle and trying to get fit and get back in the team here."
Manchester City are set to pip Chelsea to the signing of Millwall youngster Samuel Edozie, according to the Sun.
Both clubs have been monitoring the Nigerian winger after he emerged as one of Millwall's most exciting prospects.
But it looks like the Premier League champions will beat their rivals to the 16-year-old, who could fetch as much as £1m.
Millwall are reportedly eager to hold on to the youngster in order to further his development.
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