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The Independent UK

Jack de Menezes, Jack Rathborn

Thursday's transfer news: Jadon Sancho addresses Man United interest, Arsenal offered swap deal and Man City rival Liverpool for Thiago

Jadon Sancho of Dortmund (Picture: Getty)

Follow the latest updates live from the summer transfer window as Premier League clubs look to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. Liverpool face competition for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara after reports in Germany linked Manchester City with a potential hijacking of the deal, with the 29-year-old keen on a move to England.

Manchester United meanwhile are locked in a stalemate with Borussia Dortmund over the move for Jadon Sancho, with the two clubs so far unable to agree on a transfer fee that would see the England international return to the Premier League. United have seen a £89m offer rejected, with Dortmund holding out for £108m and not a penny less.

Juventus meanwhile are keen on Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, and have offered several players in a player-plus-cash deal which includes Gonzalo Higuain, Douglas Costa and Christian Romero. The Gunners are also poised to sign Willian after he left Chelsea, and retain interest in Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes. Follow the live updates below.

2020-08-13T06:35:10.243Z

Good morning and welcome back to The Independent's transfer news live blog!

With the longest ever Premier League season finally wrapped up and consigned to the history books, attentions once again turn to the summer transfer window, which opens nearly two months later than normal.

Clubs are set for a busy 10 weeks until the 5 October transfer deadline, with a number already confirmed to be in the market to reinforce their squads ahead of the 2020/21 season - which will begin on the weekend of 12 September in fewer than five weeks' time.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the headlines this morning.

2020-08-13T06:52:17.153Z

We begin the day with Liverpool's interest in Thiago Alcantara, who is growing increasingly vocal along with Bayern Munich about a move to the Premier League.

Liverpool have been coy on their pursuit of the Spaniard so far, with conflicting reports suggesting they may or may not move for the 29-year-old this summer. The former Barcelona midfielder is out of contract next summer, and Bayern would rather sell now than allow him to leave for nothing next year.

However, their £30m valuation has not impressed Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp reportedly has doubts over Thiago's suitability to slot into what he has built at Anfield.

According to German publication Bild, Liverpool's delay in making an offer has allowed Manchester City to strike up their own interest, with Pep Guardiola potentially reuniting with Thiago after managing him at both Barcelona and Bayern.

2020-08-13T07:06:35.196Z

Jadon Sancho has addressed the intense transfer speculation surrounding his potential move to Manchester United.

The England youngster started in Borussia Dortmund's 6-0 victory over Altach yesterday in a pre-season friendly - which also saw another young English signing make his unofficial debut in Jude Bellingham - and although he failed to get on the scoresheet, he looked sharp in his first outing for more than a month.

And Sancho was asked about his current situation following the match, with United determined to sign him in a deal that could end up costing more than £100m.

“I love playing with this lot. It is a special bunch. We’ve got some special young players coming up,” Sancho said.

“I’m really happy to share the pitch with them and guide them. I was once in their shoes, playing with the seniors, I am happy for them.

“I joined when I was 17. Some of the lads are the same age. I’ve been there and done that. I can guide them in what’s good and what isn’t. I can hopefully motivate them as well.”

If United are hoping Sancho will try to force through a move to Old Trafford, it looks like they're going to be disappointed.

2020-08-13T07:24:57.776Z

News in from the Championship, where Watford are close to appointing their fourth manager in the last year.

After Javi Gracia, Quique Sanchez Flores and Nigel Pearson were all given the boot in 2019/20, Watford were relegated to the Championship where they will look to rebuild in an effort to secure a return to the top flight.

The man they believe can lead them their is Vladimir Ivic, who recently stood down as Maccabi Tel Aviv manager after leading them to back-to-back titles. It's not the first time that Watford have turned to the Israeli club for their manager, having lured Slavisa Jokanovic to Vicarage Road five years ago.

Watford set to appoint former Maccabi Tel Aviv boss Vladimir Ivic as manager

2020-08-13T07:39:12.926Z

Arsenal are on the verge of announcing the successful signing of Willian, after the Brazilian forward left Chelsea at the end of the season.

While the deal was expected to go through sooner than this, it's understood that Willian had his medical as early as Monday, with personal terms agreed bar a minor detail or two.

However, an announcement could come from the Premier League club imminently.

2020-08-13T08:11:56.916Z

More detail now on Jadon Sancho's future, with the 20-year-old outlining his happiness at Borussia Dortmund after featuring in their pre-season friendly in Switzerland on Wednesday.

It is not the news Manchester United wanted to hear, and it increasingly seems that if United want to sign him this summer, they're going to have to cough up the £108m asking price.

Jadon Sancho issues update on Dortmund future as United talks continue

2020-08-13T08:40:11.626Z

Alexandre Lacazette is attracting attention across Europe.

The Arsenal striker has at times had to play second fiddle to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Emirates, and as a result he could be on the lookout for a move elsewhere.

Atletico Madrid have already been linked with a move for a Frenchman, but reports in Italy link the striker with a move to Juventus. Calciomercato claim that Juventus have approached Arsenal with an enquiry over what it will take to sign Lacazette, and have even offered up one of Gonzalo Higuain, Douglas Costa or Christian Romero in a player-plus-cash swap deal.

Whether Arsenal want to lose him though remains another matter.

2020-08-13T08:51:27.443Z

The difficulty in talking Dortmund down from their hefty asking price for Jadon Sancho has caused Manchester United to look at alternative options.

ESPN reports this morning that United have identified Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona as the perfect alternative for Sancho, given his struggles to settle in at the Nou Camp since arriving from Dortmund in 2017.

Barcelona are not convinced about selling Dembele now, but the report adds that they could be tempted into a loan deal with an obligation to buy based on appearances that could make the French international a United player.

2020-08-13T09:04:18.783Z

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of Barcelona head coach Quique Setien, with speculation rife that he must win the Champions League in order to keep his job at the Nou Camp.

Reports have linked former Barca midfielder Xavi Hernandez with a return to the Spanish club, with the midfield great currently in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd and rejecting a return at the start of the year when Ernesto Valverde was sacked.

Speaking ahead of Barca's Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona tomorrow night, Xavi said: "There's a lot of external noise around the club, a lot of issues off the pitch and I don't think now is the right time.

"In January I told them it wasn't the right time and they haven't contacted me since.

"I'm delighted to continue to gain experience and challenge myself and of course it'll be a privilege for me to one day coach Barca."

2020-08-13T09:16:12.850Z

Free agent Jan Vertonghen is nearing a new home.

The Dutch defender left Tottenham Hotspur after eight years with the club, following the expiration of his contract at the end of the Premier League season, and he was linked with a move to Italy with Inter Milan interested.

However, the BBC reports that Vertonghen is in Lisbon to undergo a medical with Benfica, ahead of signing a three-year deal with the Portguese runners-up.

2020-08-13T10:01:25.590Z

Paulo Dybala is for sale, according to Tuttosport.

Andrea Pirlo has replaced Maurizio Sarri in charge and it seems as if the Argentine is now dispensable despite a brilliant season.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are potential landing spots, which could boost funds for Paul Pogba, or provide Pirlo with a player in exchange such as Isco or Marco Asensio.

2020-08-13T10:27:19.663Z

AC Milan hope to revamp their midfield with three new additions, according to Gazzetta.

Matteo Pessina of Hellas Verona and Florentino Luis from Benfica could join.

While talks are underway with Chelsea to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko, either initially back on loan or in a permanent deal.

The French midfielder has two years remaining on his deal, which would likely take a loan off the table unless there is an obligation to buy inserted into the deal.

2020-08-13T10:55:15.880Z

Arsenal could swap Lucas Torreira for 23-year-old Guinea midfielder Amadou Diawara.

Gazzetta dello Sport believe the former Sampdoria midfielder could find a way back to Serie A.

And with Mikel Arteta not signing the Uruguayan, bringing in Diawara could provide a solution to all.

2020-08-13T11:18:18.683Z

Daniel Sturridge wants to return to the Premier League. Someone will take a gamble on the man who is arguably the most talented English striker of his generation. This is the last chance for a player who has left a trail of disappointment behind him.

Sturridge will be 31 next month but has less miles on the clock than might be expected of someone nearing veteran status. Only once has he featured in more than 30 Premier League games in a season – 36 for Liverpool in 2018-19 but 28 of those appearances came from the bench.

He finished that campaign by picking up his second Champions League winners’ medal when Jurgen Klopp’s team beat Tottenham Hotspur. Sturridge was an unused substitute in Madrid, as he was in 2012 for Chelsea’s triumph over Bayern Munich. This is an allegory for his career. He has always seemed on the fringe of greatness.

All is not lost for Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool’s ‘franchise player’ who got away

2020-08-13T11:26:23.686Z

FA Cup replays have been scrapped

2020-08-13T11:29:54.473Z

Atletico Madrid will still be determined to keep Jan Oblak this summer, but they will be signing a new goalkeeper it seems.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with the Slovenian, who would represent a big upgrade on Kepa Arrizabalaga.

And Goal report the La Liga side have lined up Eibar's Marko Dmitrovic to replace the outgoing Antonio Adan, who will join Sporting.

But Dmitrovic has a €20million (£18m) buyout clause, which could prove problematic.

2020-08-13T12:03:58.433Z

Aston Villa are looking at three possible targets this summer as they look to build to avoid a relegation battle next season, according to the Mirror.

Dean Smith could bring in £22m-rated Werder Bremen winger Milot Rashica, who hit eight goals and five assists in last season's Bundesliga.

Brentford's Ollie Watkins, 24, is another target, with Brentford likely to sell after failing to gain promotion to the Premier League, while Divock Origi would be of interest if Liverpool look to sell.

2020-08-13T12:12:59.550Z

Agent Kia Joorabchian has provided an update on Willian's impending move to Arsenal.

"It won’t be long before we announce it," he told Talk Sport. "We know where he is going."

2020-08-13T12:58:18.830Z

Kia Joorabchian has taken a shot at former Arsenal director of football Sven Mislintat for making a number of “cock-ups” while in charge of transfers at the Emirates.

The super agent has had an increasing influence on the Gunners’s approach in the market.

With Willian poised to join from London rivals Chelsea on a free transfer, Joorabchian looks to impose himself on Mikel Arteta’s squad.

But the outspoken agent could not resist a shot at Arsenal’s former sporting director Mislintat, who left the club in February 2019.

Joorabchian takes shot at Mislintat over transfer ‘c***-ups’ at Arsenal

2020-08-13T13:10:54.616Z

Arsenal target Thomas Partey is demanding £200,000-a-week to move this summer, putting a potential road block for any move.

The Athletic report the Atletico Madrid midfielder's demands could scupper a deal for Mikel Arteta's side.

While the fee, too, could prove problematic, with Atletico insisting on the £45m release clause to sell.

Watford will demand a club-record fee from Liverpool to sign striker Ismaila Sarr, with the relegated club looking for around £40m is they are to let the Senegalese striker leave to remain in the Premier League this summer.

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