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ESPN staff 7y

Inter pursue Man United target Matic; West Ham closing on Joe Hart

The football world is awash with gossip. Transfer Talk is monitoring the whispers ahead of all the summer moves. Check out the latest deals and potential deals here.

TOP STORY: Inter pursue United target Matic

A move to Manchester United appears dead in the water for Nemanja Matic after bitter relations between the Red Devils and Chelsea following the transfer tussle for Romelu Lukaku.

But his future still appears to be away from Stamford Bridge, with Inter Milan emerging as contenders, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Blues want €40 million to sell the Serbia international midfielder, meaning the Nerazzurri could look elsewhere if they feel that fee is too high for a defensive-minded general.

A contingency plan has been drafted as Luciano Spalletti searches for a new general, which could lead to Sevilla's Steven N'Zonzi or Fiorentina's Uruguayan star Matias Vecino arriving at the San Siro.

LIVE BLOG:

22.52 BST: That's going to do it for Wednesday's live edition of Transfer Talk. Thanks very much for joining us, and be sure to check back in a few short hours when we return with the biggest rumours pulled from Thursday's back pages.

22.43 BST: DONE DEAL The LA Galaxy have confirmed the signing of 26-year-old Dutch full-back Pele van Anholt from Willem II.

22.27 BST: Juventus are set to send starlet Riccardo Orsolini to Atalanta on a two-year loan, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.

22.11 BST: Set to play second fiddle to Neto at Valencia, Diego Alves has vetoed a move to Deportivo La Coruna in favour of a return to Brazil to ensure his place in the Selecao ahead of next summer's World Cup, according to AS.

21.55 BST: Arsenal youngster Dan Crowley is set to leave the club to join Dutch Eredivisie side Willem II, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.

21.39 BST: Fiorentina are interested in Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon, reports Gianluca Di Marzio, although the Viola are negotiation with Middlesbrough to lower their €15m valuation of the 26-year-old.

21.23 BST: After signing Jay Rodriguez and handing a new deal to Hal Robson-Kanu, West Brom are listening to offers for Solomon Rondon, according to the Mirror.

21.07 BST: Chelsea have beaten Juventus to reach a £28m agreement with Real Madrid for 25-year-old Brazilian right-back Danilo, writes the Mirror.

20.50 BST: West Ham are considering whether they should lodge a third bid for Stoke City attacker Marko Arnautovic, reports the London Evening Standard, after the Hammers' second bid of £20m was knocked back.

20.34 BST: DONE DEAL Real Sociedad have announced they've agreed terms with Manchester United for the transfer of midfielder Adnan Januzaj, who's signed a five-year contract at the Liga club and will wear the No. 8 shirt.

20.18 BST: Stoke City have emerged as the favourites to land Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma on loan this season, the Telegraph reports.

20.02 BST: DONE DEAL Cologne have confirmed that prolific striker Anthony Modeste has agreed to join Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian.

19.45 BST: Leicester City face the prospect of offloading all six of their 2016 recruits, according to the Telegraph. Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa, Nampalys Mendy, Ron-Robert Zieler, Bartosz Kapustka and Luis Hernandez all joined the Foxes 12 months ago; the club now is prepared to move Slimani on, Musa is garnering interest throughout the Premier League, Mendy could join Bordeaux, Zieler has already joined Stuttgart, Kapustka is undergoing a medical for a loan move to Freiburg and Hernandez left for Malaga in January.

19.29 BST: Madrid outlet Marca is reporting that, having been rebuffed in their pursuit of Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, the Catalan club have turned their attentions to Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta.

19.13 BST: According to reports in Italy, AC Milan and Juventus are discussing a sizeable swap deal. CalcioMercato is citing Fox Sport Juventus as reporting that Milan have agreed personal terms with Leonardo Bonucci that would see the 30-year-old centre-back earn €7m a season at the San Siro, with the Bianconeri receiving Alessio Romagnoli, Mattia De Sciglio and cash in exchabge. The report states that Juve are considering the offer.

CalcioMercato goes on to note that Sky Sport Italia is reporting that the Rossoneri are not interested in Bonucci, although several other outlets in Italy have reported the news.

18.56 BST: With British tabloids reporting that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is headed for Chelsea, the Mirror has already revealed who will take the Gabon international's place in the Borussia Dortmund attack: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.

18.40 BST: Several outlets, including the Mail and the Metro, are reporting that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may be bound for Chelsea, after the Bundesliga's leading scorer posted an Instagram photo of himself perched on a private jet, wearing all blue, with the hashtag #moodoftheday. Are we reading too much into this, or is the Borussia Dortmund striker heading to London to don Chelsea blue?

#moodoftheday

A post shared by Aubameyang (@aubameyang97) on

18.20 BST: DONE DEAL MLS expansion side Minnesota United have announced the signing of New Zealand international Michael Boxall from South African Premier Division outfit SuperSport United, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa. Full story.

18.04 BST: DONE DEAL Aston Villa have confirmed that midfielder Carles Gil will return to Deportivo La Coruna for a second straight season on loan at the Riazor.

17.24 BST: DONE DEAL Juventus have completed the signing of Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich... The winger joins the Serie A champions on an initial one-year loan deal, which includes an option to buy. Full story.

17.16 BST: Leicester star Riyad Mahrez has reportedly been attracting interest from Arsenal this summer, but The Sun claims Roma are now in the hunt to sign the Algeria international and view him as a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who they sold to Liverpool.

17.04 BST: Guangzhou Evergrande have re-signed the club's leading scorer Muriqui to a six-month contract as Luiz Felipe Scolari's side aim to complete a clean sweep of trophies this season. Story here.

16.45 BST: West Ham don't seem to be having much luck in their pursuit of Stoke's Marko Arnautovic...

16.29 BST: New Bayern Munich signing James Rodriguez says he is "a winner" and has joined the German champions to "make history." He added: "It's a new life, a new target with an excellent team. I'm here to win titles and to improve the team." Full story.

16.11 BST: DONE DEAL Mario Hermoso has left Real Madrid for Espanyol, where he has penned a three-year deal...

15.58 BST: Crystal Palace are edging towards a deal for Ajax defender Jairo Riedewald, says Sky Sports...

15.45 BST: Free agent Jason Lowe has been training with West Brom... But will he be able to convince them to sign him?

15.27 BST: West Brom will hold talks with Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma over a possible loan move to The Hawthorns. The 22-year-old will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on loan this season and the Baggies are keen to take him, Press Association Sport reports.

15.15 BST: DONE DEAL Time to look away Manchester City fans, as Paris Saint-Germain have just confirmed their capture of free agent Dani Alves... Story here.

15.08 BST: Lucas Leiva could be set to depart Liverpool for Lazio, The Sun claims. The move could be made easier for the Serie A side to push through given the Brazilian holds an Italian passport.

14.51 BST: Douglas Costa has passed a medical ahead of completing his move from Bayern Munich to Juventus...

14.39 BST: Olivier Giroud has said that leaving Arsenal remains a possibility this summer. 

"It is to be honest with you," Giroud said when asked if a move was an option. "But because there is nothing [confirmed] yet I am here for preseason. I wanted to travel.

"Some people asked me if I was going to travel or not, I said of course I'm an Arsenal player. I just want to prepare well for the season and we'll see later. One thing is for sure is I really enjoyed my five years at Arsenal."

The France international has been linked with Everton, West Ham, Marseille and Lyon among others.

14.24 BST: Manchester City are close to completing the signing of Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz from Vasco da Gama, sources have told ESPN.

The 19-year-old is set to complete a £10 million move to the Etihad this week and is then expected to head out on loan to City's sister club Girona in Spain. Full story.

14.10 BST: DONE DEAL AC Milan have made another signing following the arrival of Antonio Donnarumma. This time it's 17-year-old Przemek Bargiel joining from Ruch Chorzow, the Polish side have confirmed...

13.58 BST: Manchester City are set to add another Brazilian to their ranks in Vasco da Gama midfielder Douglas, the Daily Mirror claims. The newspaper says that City are to sign him for £10.7 million before loaning him out to sister club Girona, who are the latest addition to the City Football Group.

13.40 BST: DONE DEAL Atletico Madrid have struck a deal to sign Vitolo from Sevilla... However, given their transfer ban, he will join Las Palmas for the first half of the new season before being registered with Atletico in January 2018.

13.34 BST: Everton are not giving up on the fight to sign Gylfi Sigursson from Swansea, The Guardian reports, and will attempt to get a deal done despite the midfielder's £50 million price tag.

13.19 BST: Is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang heading for the Borussia Dortmund exit door this summer? It doesn't look like it at the moment, according to Sky Sports...

13.07 BST: James Rodriguez looks to have passed his medical at Bayern Munich as the club have just tweeted that he is now officially one of their players...

12.55 BST: Mesut Ozil says he wants to remain at Arsenal -- and is hoping Alexis Sanchez will as well. "It is definitely my preference to stay," Ozil said, while adding: "From a personal view I'd really appreciate if Sanchez stays, but it's the player's decision after all..." Full story.

12.38 BST: Chelsea are keen to bring in right-back Danilo, according to Sky Sports, with the Premier League club currently in talks with Real Madrid over a deal. Danilo is apparently wanted as competition for Victor Moses at Stamford Bridge.

12.19 BST: DONE DEAL Crystal Palace have signed Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The 21-year-old midfielder becomes new Palace manager Ronald de Boer's first signing for the club. Full story.

"I had the option of coming to Palace and I thought that it would be great for me," Loftus-Cheek told Palace's official website. "I live not too far away, I was born in Lewisham and Palace is a good club so I thought it's a good chance to play here and be a part of the team. They have a very strong team and I'd like to be a part of that this season." 

12.05 BST: Real Betis coach Quique Setien believes Dani Ceballos would benefit from staying another season at his club before playing for Real Madrid and has said the move is not the done deal some reports have claimed.

Setien told his club's website: "All the media say it's a done deal but I have not received an official notification. There are still many uncertainties to resolve and we will see how it ends. He is very important for us. Full story.

11.56 BST: DONE DEAL AC Milan have added another Donnarumma. This time it's Antonio Donnarumma. Full story.

The 27-year-old is also a goalkeeper but is unlikely to trouble his younger sibling between the sticks for the Rossoneri.

11.45 BST: New Stuttgart signing Ron-Robert Zieler has met his new teammates at Stuttgart today.

Speaking following his move from Leicester, he said: "I am delighted the move to VfB Stuttgart has worked out. My talks with those responsible at VfB were very convincing and they made a determined effort to get me here. I got the impression that something very special can develop here at VfB and I want to be a part of that. Now it's all about getting to know the team as quickly as possible and apply myself to the maximum."

11.36 BST: Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker has said Alexis Sanchez is "definitely" staying at the club next season.

Mertesacker said: "I think he wants to come back as quickly as possible -- he hates holidays, he hates to calm down. I'm looking forward to playing alongside him in my last season and he thinks the same." Full story.

11.21 BST: The first DONE DEAL of the day. Celtic have signed midfielder Olivier Ntcham from Manchester City on a four-year contract.

Speaking to the club's official website, Ntcham said: "I'm most looking forward to the derby and playing in the Champions League. I remember them beating Barcelona five years ago in the group stages. Not every club gets to play in this competition so I'm happy to have the chance to play there with Celtic.

"Celtic is a fresh challenge for me. While Genoa are a good team, I knew they wouldn't win Serie A as they were not a top team like Juventus, but I know Celtic are a big team in Scotland." Full story.

11.15 BST: Everton are closing in on another signing. This time it is Cuco Martina, a man Ronald Koeman, managed at Southampton, and who is available on a free transfer.

11.06 BST: Amid speculation linking him with a loan move away from Liverpool, Joe Gomez has said his main focus is to play regular football after overcoming the injury that kept him out for most of last season.

"The main thing is getting regular football," he said. "I just want to get back to enjoying my football and playing consistently. I think that's something I've missed over the last couple of seasons with the injury, but now it's all in front of me. I just have to put in the work and be prepared to do it.

"This team, with this manager, it has all the attributes to be a top season and obviously with European football this season that's a great stage to play on. It's just nice to be back amongst it."

10.55 BST: Ajax defender Jairo Riedewald is a man in demand, with reports in Netherlands linking him to Crystal Palace and Newcastle.

10.31 BST: Chelsea are to hand Kurt Zouma a new deal before sending him out on loan, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC.

A number of sides in the Premier League and abroad have made enquiries about taking Zouma on loan next season, with Chelsea open to the idea of sending him out temporarily to help him rediscover his form and fitness after a serious knee injury.

Stoke and West Brom are both set to hold talks with the 22-year-old over a possible loan move, while La Liga outfit Valencia are also keen on the centre-back. Full story here.

10.22 BST: Tony Pulis wants to sign Manchester United defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for West Brom, the Mirror claims. 

Victor Lindelof is expected to form the first-choice defensive partnership with Eric Bailly next season, which could leave Jones and Smalling out of the picture.

10.07 BST: Dani Alves turned his back on an agreement to join Manchester City after Paris Saint-Germain offered to double what the Premier League club had agreed to pay him, sources have told ESPN FC.

He is now set to sign a contract with the Ligue 1 side worth around £12 million a year. City were unwilling to match the salary package, which would have made him one of the best paid players at the Etihad Stadium.

Sources added that Guardiola is furious over Alves's late U-turn after allowing the player extra time off following his wedding on Saturday. Full story.

09.59 BST: Jason Denayer has criticised Manchester City for not pushing through a move to Lyon this summer, claiming the Premier League club only want to sell him in "exorbitant or unreal conditions."

"They put a veto on my leaving for Lyon," Denayer said. "They don't want to sell me or only in exorbitant or unreal conditions, like for example a buyback clause at the same price as that of the sale.

"Suddenly, clubs want me but only on loan. I'm not against that, but I want to choose my destination." Full story.

09.46 BST: James Rodriguez has thanked Real Madrid fans for their support during his three seasons at the club, as he joins Bayern Munich on a two-year loan deal including an option for a permanent purchase in June 2019. Full story.

09.33 BST: Here he is, Bayern Munich's big new signing. In case you missed Wednesday's news that James Rodriguez had left Real Madrid for Bayern, you can catch up here.

09.28 BST: Staying with Fiorentina, Federico Bernardeschi has been talking about Juventus' reported interest in signing him. More on that here.

09.20 BST: Fiorentina general manager Pantaleo Corvino has told AC Milan they must meet their demands for Nikola Kalinic within 10 days, or they can forget about signing him.

"Either we get the money in the next 10 days, or he is staying," he said. Full story.

09.01 BST: Douglas Costa is ready for a Juventus medical. The Bayern Munich man is closing in on a move to leave the Bundesliga champions for the Serie A champions. Full story.

08.47 BST: Missed out on the drama surrounding Dani Alves ditching a move to Manchester City in favour of Paris Saint-Germain? Catch up here.

Meanwhile, ESPN FC's man in Paris, Jonathan Johnson, has the latest on the deal and reports Alves will be on a contract worth €14m (gross) per season at PSG. He adds L'Equipe also claim that Alves' arrival opens the door to Serge Aurier's departure. PSG are hoping to sell him for €20-25m with a move to Italy most likely.

08.33 BST: Manchester United have only just completed the signing of Romelu Lukaku but the Sun reckons they will offer Zlatan Ibrahimovic a new contract until the end of the season.

It is reported that the veteran striker's recovery from a serious knee injury is well ahead of schedule and he could return earlier than expected.

08.20 BST: West Brom and Stoke will hold talks with Kurt Zouma about a loan move, according to Sky Sports.

08.14 BST: Prince Albert thinks Kylian Mbappe is set to stay at Monaco and reject the chance to join Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal.

He told L'Equipe: "There are discussions that make me think he's going to stay. Talks about increasing his salary. I think he has understood, and his dad too, that it's not in his interests to go to a big club, where he won't be a first-team regular, even if [Zinedine] Zidane has promised him playing time at Madrid."

08.03 BST: Thursday's transfer talk live blog begins with the news that Everton have left Ross Barkley out of their squad for the preseason trip to Tanzania. So what does the future hold for the 23-year-old midfielder?

Well, the official line is that he misses the tour through injury, and the Daily Mail reports that no serious interest has been received to take him away from Goodison Park.

Dier keen on United, Perisic on radar

Tottenham star Eric Dier is eager to join Manchester United this summer after learning of Jose Mourinho's interest, according to various sources, and the Old Trafford club is ready to make his wishes come true.

The Red Devils are looking to accelerate their spending this summer following the initial outlay of £75m for Lukaku.

Spurs are likely to be resistant to any offer for their England international, but will have to respond to an initial £50m offer, with chairman Daniel Levy wanting to hold out for £60m for the 23-year-old, who believes he can more than double his £70,000-per-week wages with a move.

United are so keen to land Dier that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is missing out on the club's U.S. tour to deliver boss Mourinho two of his prime targets. United hope to persuade Inter to part with Croatian winger Ivan Perisic as well, with a take-it-or-leave-it final offer of £45m.

The deal appears to be edging closer as Inter hold out for £50m, with the 28-year-old's athleticism perfectly suited to the Mourinho way.

West Ham to offer Hart chance

West Ham are ready to give Joe Hart a chance to salvage his career in the Premier League with offers drying up for the Manchester City goalkeeper, reports the Mirror.

City will probably not get the £20m asking price for the former England No.1 and will have to entertain the prospect of another season-long loan.

As well as a new shot-stopper, Slaven Bilic is eyeing Brazilian starlet Gabriel Barbosa, though a move from Inter is complicated, the outlet adds.

The 20-year-old has failed to live up to the hype since a £26m move from Santos and will head out on loan to better settle in European football.

Work permit complications could end their hopes of bringing Gabriel to the London Stadium though, with alternatives being drafted up in the form of Barcelona's Munir El Haddadi, Stoke's Marko Arnautovic and West Brom outcast Nacer Chadli.

Chelsea eye Sevilla star

Chelsea are in need of some morale-boosting signings and Sevilla's Vitolo may be the cure for their transfer "Blues", reports Cadena Cope.

Atletico Madrid are also ready to make a move, even though the 27-year-old would be unable to play for Los Colchoneros until January due to the club's transfer ban.

The winger is reportedly determined to seek a new challenge this summer after four years in Andalucia.

City stars set for Ligue 1

Manchester City stars Wilfried Bony and Eliaquim Mangala could be ready to move to Ligue 1 this summer as France Football reports the pair are not in Pep Guardiola's plans.

The Ivorian striker is wanted by Marseille, Lille and also Turkish side Fenerbahce, with the former Swansea star thought to be cheaper than other targets like Olivier Giroud and Carlos Bacca at around €15m.

Elsewhere, PSG want Mangala after failing to land Pepe, who joined Besiktas, from Real Madrid and a €25m offer should be enough to end the France international's miserable stay at Man City following his loan to Valencia last term.

Tap-ins

- Sky Sports is reporting that Bruno Martins Indi is set for a medical at Stoke ahead of a move from Porto, with the paper floating a rumoured fee of £13.4m for the 25-year-old.

- Atalanta sensation Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez will sign an extension with the club, reports Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Argentine enjoyed a superb season last term for La Dea, scoring 16 times and assisting 12 more.

- Marten De Roon could be heading back to Serie A after one season with Middlesbrough, Di Marzio also reports.

The Dutch midfielder cost Boro £12.75m last summer but could move to Fiorentina after experiencing Premier League relegation.

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