Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona remain the talk of the transfer rumour mill as the international window continues to creep into view. So join us for all of the latest LIVE news and updates.
Last 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. And Liverpool continue to press for the signature of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe.
Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of Monday's latest transfer news, rumours and done deals.
De Ligt uncertain over future
We begin with the following story from our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney, who reports that Ajax teenage sensations Matthijs de Ligt remains uncertain over his future.
Given that his representatives have been in talks with Barcelona for several months now, that has to be seen as good news for Manchester United, who have also contacted Ajax over the player's services.
Juventus and Liverpool meanwhile retain an interest in the 19-year-old.
Read more:
Liverpool’s Pepe boost
Some good news for Liverpool fans now. Late last week, The Sun claimed that Lille winger Nicolas Pepe prefers a move to Bayern Munich over the Reds, but the latest reports from France claim that Liverpool have officially entered into negotiations for the 24-year-old winger.
The Ivory Coast international enjoyed a superb 2018/19 campaign, racking up 22 goals and 11 assists and catching the eye of clubs right across Europe.
Liverpool are one of those clubs and RMC Sport have this morning claimed that the club are in talks with Lille over a £59m move.
Pepe usually plays as a right winger, which would free up Mohamed Salah to play as a centre-forward, much as he did for large parts of the recent campaign.
Everton to rival Arsenal
Reports from Spain this morning suggest that Arsenal have suffered something of a transfer blow.
Earlier this summer it was widely reported that the Gunners possessed an interest in Getafe centre-back Djene Dakonam.
Unai Emery has even personally scouted the 27-year-old with Arsenal previously optimistic of a £15m transfer fee – despite the player’s £30m release clause.
But now Marca report that Everton are also interested in the Togo international. Marco Silva reportedly sees Dakonam as the ideal replacement for Phil Jagielka, which could drive his price up.
After his big money move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, Miguel Delaney has written the following piece wishing Eden Hazard farewell.
“As well as one of the club’s greatest ever players, Hazard was one of the Premier League’s most distinctive, who so regularly illuminated the competition with an elusive style of dribbling that is so rare - and thereby all the more electrifying - in the modern game.”
Read more:
Super scout Ronaldo gets to work
Matthijs de Ligt has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo pestered him to leave Ajax for Juventus during the Nations League final between Portugal and the Netherlands.
Portugal won the match 1-0 on home turf – but it would appear star player Ronaldo had another matter on his mind.
Asked whether Ronaldo told him to join Juventus, De Ligt told Dutch publication NOS: “That could well be true.
“What I answered? I didn’t understand him at first. So I said… no, I didn’t say anything.”
When pressed, De Ligt admitted that Ronaldo had asked him to join Juventus, stating: “I was a bit shocked, that’s why I laughed.
“But I didn’t say anything.
“Just after the game you just feel bad that you’ve lost, that’s all you’re thinking about.”
Joao Felix could be on the move
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?”
Roma move ahead of Arsenal
Arsenal have been scouting Fiorentina midfielder Jordan Veretout this summer, but reports in Italy suggest that Roma have moved into pole position for his signature.
For weeks rival Serie A club Napoli have been expected to sign the Frenchman for around £18m.
However a bid failed to materialise resulting in Arsenal and Sevilla making enquiries into the player’s availability.
But according to Sky Sports Italia, Roma have now entered negotiations for the 27-year-old and are confident of signing the player as something of a Plan B, after initial target Donny van de Beek proved too expensive.
Griezmann coy over future
Antoine Griezmann has been joking about his future with French outlet Télematin.
The Atletico Madrid man has been linked with a summer switch to Barcelona for months now and has said that he “knows” where he will be playing come the start of the 2019/20 season.
“I know where I'm going to play next season,” he said in an interview with the French outlet, before adding: “I know where I'll play in seven years, too, in Miami.”
Maurizio Sarri could be announced as Juventus' new manager on Wednesday or Thursday.
That's according to Tuttosport, who claim the Chelsea manager could strengthen his new side by shopping at Real Madrid.
Florentino Perez is said to be open to dealing some of his squad as they begin a rebuild under Zinedine Zidane.
Spurs are keen on AC Milan's Franck Kessie.
The Rossoneri star could be the subject of a £30m move, claim the Express.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to strengthen his midfield, with Victor Wanyama struggling with injuries and Moussa Sissoko requiring help with Harry Winks also suffering from injuries this season.
Fraser transfer latest
Ryan Fraser, who has been linked with Arsenal all summer, has provided a transfer update while on international duty with Scotland.
“The lads have been asking,” Fraser told BBC Scotland. “I don’t know myself so there’s no point thinking about it, wherever I’ll be, I’ll be. I don’t know what is happening. I’m not just saying that.
“Wherever I’ll be, if it’s Bournemouth or if it’s at somebody else, then all you can do is try your best and enjoy football.
“If you think about anything else, I’ll probably have a bad game.”
Napoli will move for James Rodriguez
The Real Madrid star is wanted by Carlo Ancelotti, who is now set on hunting down Juventus in next season's title race.
Corriere dello Sport believe the Italian club will move for the Colombian in a €42m deal.
Rose aware of Spurs speculation
Danny Rose is well aware of the speculation linking him with a move away from Tottenham Hotspur but while the defender says nothing has been decided about his future he is well prepared to deal with whatever comes next.
Rose, who joined Spurs from Leeds United in 2007, is contracted to the Premier League club until 2021 and featured in 37 games in all competitions this season.
The 28-year-old acknowledged that the club's policy on senior players may see him on the transfer list.
"I don't know what the future holds now. I know my age and I know how the club's run in terms of if you get to a certain age they might look to ship you on," Rose told Sky Sports.
"It has been no secret that my name has been mentioned quite a few times in terms of players moving on and I'll be just sitting tight over the next few weeks and just seeing what happens. Either way I'm prepared for whatever happens."
Despite not signing any players in the last two transfer windows, Spurs reached their first Champions League final where they lost to Liverpool, a game Rose started.
"This season I've played quite a bit, it's been really good," he added. "I'm proud of what I've done individually and I'm over the moon about what the club has achieved as well.
"There have been some difficulties -- no signings, playing at Wembley (while White Hart Lane was renovated) and I think the club and players have shown great character.
"We're in a good position for next season now and we'll be raring to go because the final in Madrid was an unbelievable experience and it's one I'd love to experience again."
DONE DEAL!
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Anwar El Ghazi from Ligue 1 side Lille.
The Dutch international spent last season on loan at Villa Park, making 31 appearances in the Championship and scoring 5 goals.
Manager Dean Smith said “Anwar proved to everybody at Wembley how good a player he can be for Aston Villa.
“He’s ready for the step up to the Premier League and he’s a young player who has an awful lot of potential. It’s now my job and the job of the coaching staff and Anwar himself to fulfil the potential that he undoubtedly has.
“He’ll be a great addition to the squad for next season.”
Walsall defender Nicky Devlin is leaving the club to sign for Livingston
The 25-year-old right-back will move to the Scottish Premiership side when his contract with the Saddlers expires on June 30.
Devlin, who made 85 appearances for Walsall, has agreed a two-year deal with Gary Holt's team.
He took to Twitter to say his farewells, saying: "The time has come to move on from Walsall after two years. I've loved my time here and it was a pleasure to play for the club.
"I've met some amazing people that I'll never forget. Thanks for your support even through the difficult times! All the best. UTS."
Juventus want Matthijs De Ligt to partner up with Giorgio Chiellini next season.
Sky claim the Ajax defender is high on their shopping list.
And the Dutch international could become a starter for Maurizio Sarri, who is the front runner to replace Massimiliano Allegri, with a deal with Chelsea being negotiated this week.
Cillessen advising De Ligt
Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has admitted that he is in conversation with compatriot Matthijs de Ligt about his impending transfer from Ajax.
And Cillessen has said that he has happily told the young defender about what a “great club” Barcelona is.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Cillessen said: "I sat down with him [De Ligt] to talk about all the options but I did the same with Frenkie [de Jong].
"I told him that the decision belongs to him. Matthijs is a good boy and he knows what he has to do.
"I talked to him but also told him that I cannot make the decision for him. He knows what he has to do.
"I can only talk about the good things about Barcelona because they are a great club and I have great feelings for them."
Tottenham are considering a move for Hiroki Sakai
The Marseille right-back could arrive as a potential replacement should Kieran Trippier or Serge Aurier leave, report Sky.
The Japan international, 29, has two years remaining on his contract.
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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.
