TRANSFER NEWS & RUMOURS
€80M WILLIAN WANTS TO JOIN BARCELONA
Chelsea star Willian wants to join Barcelona but the Blues won’t let him get away cheaply, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The attacker, who turns 30 next month, is ready to take his final opportunity for a big move, despite having a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2020.
But Chelsea will demand €80 million (£71m/$93m) for the Brazil star, which could move Barcelona to pursue other targets
REAL MADRID DENY €310M NEYMAR OFFER
Real Madrid have issued a strong denial after reports in Spain claimed a world-record offer has been made to Paris Saint-Germain to buy Neymar.
Spanish public broadcaster TVE reported on Monday that Madrid have offered PSG €310m (£275m/$360m) to bring the Brazilian back to La Liga.
But Madrid quickly hit back at the claims with a statement that denied making any contact with PSG or Neymar over a possible blockbuster transfer.
HIGUAIN-MORATA SWAP GATHERS MOMENTUM
A proposed swap of Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain and Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata is increasingly possible, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
After a disappointing debut season at Stamford Bridge, the report states that Morata is open to rejoining Juve, where he enjoyed success between 2014 and 2016.
The Serie A champions have made Higuain available for transfer, and incoming Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri could be keen on a striker he managed during his time at Napoli.
PORTO REJECT €20M LYON BID FOR HERRERA
Porto have turned down a €20 million (£18m/$23m) bid from Lyon for Mexico star Hector Herrera, reports O Jogo.
The Portuguese champions are bracing themselves for interest in the midfielder after a strong World Cup, but didn’t have to think twice about Lyon’s bid.
Serie A side Roma have also been credited with an interest in Herrera.
COURTOIS WANTS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will wait until after the World Cup to decide his future, but admitted he wants to spend more time with his children, who live in Madrid.
Speculation has continued to swirl around Courtois, who is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2019, with the goalkeeper linked with a move to European champions Real Madrid.
Courtois has previously spoken of his heart being in the Spanish capital and again stated the importance of spending time with his children after Belgium’s last-16 win over Japan.
MONACO SIGN BARCELONA TEENAGER
Monaco have announced the signing of Barcelona teenager Robert Navarro as the Ligue 1 club continue to focus on young talent.
The 16-year-old attacking midfielder, who has played for Spain at youth level, is described by Monaco as “a great hope of his generation”.
Navarro follows Monaco’s signing of Willem Geubbels, a France Under-17 international who joined in a €20 million (£18m/$23m) deal from Lyon last month.
HUDDERSFIELD & WOLVES LEAD CHASE FOR £18M TRAORE
Huddersfield and Wolves are ahead of the pack in the race for Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore, claims The Sun.
The 22-year-old has plenty of Premier League sides interested after turning in a stellar campaign in the Championship last season.
TOTTENHAM AND FULHAM CONSIDER MOVE FOR PLEA
London clubs Tottenham and Fulham are both considering making a bid on for Nice’s Alassane Plea, according to the Daily Mail.
Nice have received an €18million (£16m/$21m) offer for the forward from Borussia Monchengladbach, but he desires a move to the Premier League.
West Ham, Everton, Newcastle United, Everton have also inquired about the €29m-rated Plea.
BLIND HAS TO TAKE PAY CUT FOR AJAX MOVE
Manchester United defender Daley Blind will be required to take a pay cut if he wants to complete a move to Ajax, reports the Telegraph.
The Eredivisie side wants to bring Blind, who has just a year left on his United contract, back and he is believed to be amenable to a swap.
However, both a fee plus wages would be too expensive for Ajax, so unless United waive the former, Blind would have to take a pay cut for the move to happen.
MAN UTD GK SET FOR WEST BROM MOVE
Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is nearing a £5 million ($7m) move to West Brom, reports Sky Sports News.
Johnstone impressed on loan at Aston Villa last season, making 48 appearances for the Championship side.
And the 25-year-old is now set to replace Ben Foster, who is rumoured to be nearing a move to Watford.
MAN UTD CLOSE IN ON NEW GOALKEEPER
Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Stoke City goalkeeper Lee Grant, reports the Mirror.
The Red Devils have agreed a £1.5 million ($2m) fee for Grant and the keeper will have a medical later this week.
Grant will be insurance for the club as Jose Mourinho plans to loan out Joel Pereira and let Sam Johnstone leave.
RB LEIPZIG AIM TO BEAT MAN UTD TO ENGLAND YOUTH INTERNATIONAL
RB Leipzig are looking to hijack Manchester United’s approach for Nottingham Forest teenager Matthew Bondswell, reports the Daily Mail.
United originally opened discussions with Forest in May, but the Bundesliga club, advised by former Tottenham head of recruitment, Paul Mitchell, have now moved into pole position.
Southampton and Liverpool have previously shown interest in the 16-year-old England youth international.
HUDDERSFIELD AFTER MUSA, PLATTENHARDT
Huddersfield boss David Wagner is hoping to land Leicester City’s Ahmed Musa and Hertha Berlin’s Marvin Plattenhardt, according to the Mirror.
Musa scored a pair of goals for Nigeria in the World Cup and Leicester are ready to sell the striker, with Fulham also interested.
Wagner is looking at Plattenhardt to take over at left-back, with Everton and Bournemouth also tracking the Germany international.
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