The summer transfer window is open and Tottenham continue their early recruitment drive as Brighton’s Yves Bissouma heads for a medical before completing a £25million move Middlesbrough’s Djed Spence is reportedly keen on a move to part of Antonio Conte’s rebuild with Richarlison, Christian Eriksen and Arsenal targeting Raphinha.
Speaking of the Gunners, they are yet to sign a first-team player, although Man City’s Gabriel Jesus remains a key target to solve their attacking problems. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to be linked with Ousmane Dembele but could face a problem in their deal to sign Jules Kounde.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez in a deal that could reach £85million and Manchester United continue to push for their first signing from the Erik ten Hag eta, with Frenkie de Jong and Eriksen heavily linked. West Ham are approaching Nayef Aguerd for his first summer contract.
Live updates
Koundé Injury Update
Read more about Jules Kounde’s injury problems.
The surprise news earlier in the week that he needs surgery is to fix, as L’Equipe report, a hamstring problem in his left leg.
Post-surgery, he’ll be back in a matter of weeks and ready for pre-season – with Chelsea set to complete the deal early next month.
Marquinhos could be a ‘shrewd’ company
Arsenal’s new signing Marquinhos has potential – but won’t solve any immediate problems, says South American football expert Tim Vickery.
He told talkSPORT: “He had injuries and the team wasn’t doing very well. Hernan Crespo, the ex-Chelsea player, lost his job at Sao Paulo so he has since been a small player for them.
“So Arsenal are buying this one, much more on promise than reality.
“He is not a player who will solve Arsenal’s problems immediately, but in the long term. If he is up to Gabriel Martinelli, it will be a shrewd deal.
Man United ready to bid on Neves
Arsenal are set to miss the signing of Ruben Neves with Manchester United set to bid for the midfielder.
A fee of up to £70m has been discussed for the Wolves star.
And United will pursue their interest when Molineux’s side sign Palhinha to replace Neves, as 90min report.
Redknapp expects Richarlison sale
Frank Lampard will have to sell Richarlison to build his Everton squad after last season’s relegation battle.
Harry Redknapp, the Toffees boss’s uncle, has admitted they may have to step back to take two up front amid interest from Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
He told talkSPORT: “If Frank doesn’t have the money to spend, he’s going to have to sell. Sometimes you have to sell your best player to try to get two or three.
“He has to strengthen this team. This team that Everton have right now, they are going to struggle.
“I desperately want them to succeed, I’ve hit every ball with Frank this season, but I think they’re still going to struggle.”
Napoli target Chelsea starlet
Chelsea striker Armando Broja is being chased by Napoli in Serie A.
According to Il Mattino, the striker is valued at £25million by the Blues after his loan move to Southampton.
Napoli are strongly considering paying for the young Albanian and believe he would be fine alongside Victor Osimhen, who is a target for Arsenal.
Marco Asensio latest
Real Madrid will sit down to negotiate a new contract with Marco Asensio amid interest from Arsenal, AC Milan, Manchester United and Newcastle.
A fee of around £35m will be demanded by Los Blancos if they can’t agree a new deal with the Spaniard, who has one year left on his contract as things stand.
A pay rise is important for Asensio, according to Marca, as he currently only earns around £60,000 a week which is low by Madrid standards.
And first-team football is also of great importance to the winger as he seeks to secure a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.
Torreira at a dead end
Lucas Torreira’s transfer to Fiorentina has collapsed.
TMW detail the reason behind the Italian club’s failure to make the loan move permanent as their lower offer than what Arsenal and Torreira’s agent demanded.
Fiorentina held a buyout clause on the midfielder, which expired at the end of last month.
Lukaku’s potential breakthrough
At La Gazzetta dello Sport, they report that Romelu Lukaku’s potential loan move to Inter Milan is gathering pace.
Chelsea bosses Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel heard of the Belgian yesterday as he pushed for an exit and the Blues would land Denzel Dumfries in return.
Despite being two different deals, the deals would effectively run side-by-side – with right-back Dumfries valued at £21m by Chelsea while Inter are asking for £35m.
However, a breakthrough could come from the Premier League side agreeing a lower loan fee for Lukaku than the initial demands of £21million if they land the Dutchman on his loan exit.
Another signing for Spurs
Tottenham have secured their latest signing, according to football.london.
Republic of Ireland U19 goalkeeper Josh Keeley has agreed to sign with St Patrick’s Athletic to bolster Antonio Conte’s squad.
Keeley is yet to start a senior game in Irish football but is said to be highly regarded for the future.
Why did Arsenal miss Bissouma?
Arsenal have missed out on Yves Bissouma after it was announced yesterday that he had agreed a £25million transfer to Tottenham.
It will be interesting to see if it emerges why the Gunners did not compete for the Brighton midfielder, given their previous interest and rumors that he would cost upwards of £50m.
Manchester United have also been watching Bissouma – but he is now set for a medical on Thursday with a five-year contract at Spurs.
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