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          Chelsea plan £50m Virgil van Dijk swoop after shock loss in opener

          • Chris Borg, Transfer writerAug 14, 2017, 12:40 AM

          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: Blues poised to wrap up Van Dijk move

          After being rocked at home by Burnley on the opening Saturday of the Premier League season, Chelsea will spring into rapid action to reinforce their defence, according to the Mirror.

          And you might not be entirely surprised to learn that the player likely to be on his way to Stamford Bridge is Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, who has also been repeatedly linked with Liverpool and who submitted a transfer request last week.

          The Mirror says Chelsea are "preparing a formal offer for wantaway star Van Dijk and are poised to make their move this week." It adds that he has "been in the club's sights for several months," with the Premier League champions ready to spend more than £50 million to bring him to London.

          They could yet face competition, with Liverpool still interested and Manchester City having "asked to be kept fully up to speed with developments," but Antonio Conte "is confident he can tempt the 26-year-old to make the switch to Stamford Bridge."

          Meanwhile, the Telegraph says a deal to bring in Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater remains in progress, with reports over the weekend having suggested that an improved Chelsea bid of £25m has been tabled.

          LIVE BLOG

          23.10 BST: That will bring an end to our live Transfer Talk for the evening. Please check back in a few hours for more transfer rumours and links plucked straight from Tuesday's papers. Take care.

          22.55 BST: Manchester City are planning to test Arsene Wenger and Arsenal's resolve regarding Alexis Sanchez's future. The Telegraph writes that City are prepared to offer £60 million for the Chilean forward and if they were to strike a deal could offer Sanchez around £400,000 a week .

          Wenger and Arsenal have insisted that Alexis is not for sale but with no European football on offer and in the last year of his deal, rumours continue to swirl around the Arsenal superstar.

          22.25 BST: DONE DEAL MK Dons have made their ninth signing of the summer with Swedish striker Osman Sow. The former Hearts man last played in the United Arab Emirates and reunites with former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson at the League One club. Here is Sow's first interview with the club.

          22.10 BST: Not a transfer but news on the transfer front. The Premier League is discussing moving the transfer window up to before the season starts in an attempt to prevent the madness that has developed in recent years to continue into the season.

          Sky Sports News have been told a "majority" of the clubs support an earlier deadline so that teams would know their finalised rosters the day the season began. Full story.

          21.35 BST: Various reports out of England hint that West Brom could complete a deal for Everton veteran Gareth Barry. A team that prides itself on defence and keeping clean sheets, West Brom admire the physicality and ruggedness Barry can bring to a midfield.

          21.15 BST: Sanish outlet Don Balon claim that Barcelona's Sergi Roberto is not happy at Barcelona and fears a reduced role after the signing of Paulinho. Two potential landing spots for Roberto ar Manchester United and Chelsea, both of whom are looking to add a midfielder and would seemingly have the money to pay his £36.5 million release clause.

          20.43 BST: DONE DEAL Galatasaray have completed the signing of Algerian winger Sofiane Feghouli. This one has been all but done but now is official with the club confirming Monday evening. Full Story.

          20.32 BST: Fiorentina are reportedly getting close to completing the transfer of Giovanni Simeone from Genoa.

          Gianluca Di Marzio claim that a meeting is being held between the two clubs with a deal for €15 milion. The 22-year-old Simeone is the son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and is a highly rated after scoring 12 goals during his first season in Europe.

          20.00 BST: According to Marca, Barcelona will look to once again loan out La Masia product Sergi Samper. Samper was hailed as one of Barca's top talents a few years ago but after a loan spell last season at Granada, some of the lustre has worn off and clouded his long-term future with the club.

          Barca are not looking to sell Samper but with the overhaul at the club of late and the recent signing of Paulinho, Samper is no longer the lock to break into the Barca first team that he once was.

          19.38 BST: It is no secret that Jack Wilshere's days at Arsenal may be numbered but seeing him linked with the likes of Juventus is surprising considering what he has done over the past few seasons.

          Reason and now the bookmakers point to Newcastle being a much more likely destination for oft-injured England international. Betfair has slashed the odds from 7/1 to 3/1 that Newcastle will sign Wilshere, with the Sun reporting their could be mutual interest between the two.

          With Wilshere publically saying he wants to stay in England, Newcastle and now West Brom appear to be the favourites.

          19.25 BST: With Manchester United widely interested in Antoine Griezmann earlier this summer and expected to make another run at the Frenchman next summer, Atletico Madrid are putting together a list of possible replacements. Don Balon claim that Arsenal's Mesut Ozil is one name near the top of that list, with Ozil a big fan of the city from his stay at Real Madrid and eager for a return to La Liga.

          19.10 BST: Celtic have been dealt a surprising blow in their pursuit of Manchester City's Patrick Roberts. The Scottish treble winners hoped to bring Roberts --who spent the last 18 months in Glasgow on loan -- back to Scotland at least on a temporary basis. Meanwhile, Manchester City have included Roberts in their training camp ahead of the Champions League, suggesting the youngster may not be heading out the door this window after all. Celtic and manager Brendan Rodgers are keen on the England youth international though, so don't expect this to be the last we hear about this link.

          18.55 BST: Despite Ajax telling Tottenham they do not want to sell centre-back Davinson Sanchez, AS Colombia is now claiming that the London club is "closer than ever" to signing the 21-year-old defender. This one has been drawn out not for about a week with Sanchez skipping the bus for Ajax's league opener over the weekend.

          18.40 BST: Rafa Benitez and Newcastle are close to finalising a key signing as Stoke's Joselu in reportedly at the club to compete a medical. Stoke are nearing the signing of PSG castoff Jese and now consider Joselu surplus to requirements.

          18.30 BST: Chelsea are "increasingly confident" of signing Arsenal utility man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to the Evening Standard. The paper reports that talks are ongoing and no fee has been agreed to for the England international who is now in the final year of his contract.

          18.15 BST: Southampton's hopes of signing Luciano Vietto have hit a snag. AS reports that Atletico Madrid want to sell the Argentine permanently rather than loaning him out again. In the midst of a six-month transfer ban, Los Rojiblancos have their hearts on recouping cash for Vietto and reinvesting it come January.

          17.50 BST: Reports in Spain claim that Celta Vigo are willing to sell Tottenham target Pape Cheikh Diop for £9 million. The midifelder's release clause is £25m but these reports claim that Vigo would sell the player to Spurs for anything above £9m.

          17.43 BST: Portuguese newspaper A Bola claim that Sporting Lisbon could slap a £90 million release clause on winger Gelson Martins. The 22-year-old Portugal international has been linked with a move to Liverpool and has a current release clause of £54m.

          17.26 BST: Carlos Bacca left AC Milan training early this afternoon, according to reports in Italy, which claim this was in order to push through a move to Villarreal.

          17.16 BST: Sources have confirmed to ESPN FC that Manchester City are close to completing a deal to sign striker Olarenwaju Kayode from Austria Vienna. The Nigeria international is expected to sign a four-year deal before being sent out on loan to Girona. Full story.

          17.07 BST: Stoke have no plans to sell Joe Allen this summer, according to Sky Sports, amid reported interest from former club Swansea...

          16.45 BST: Jack Wilshere has been linked with a move to Sampdoria this summer, but reports in Italy are now claiming that fellow Serie A side Juventus are in the hunt for the Arsenal midfielder as well. The Italian interest does not stop there, with Roma and Lazio also apparently interested.

          16.29 BST: DONE DEAL Former Manchester City midfielder Javi Garcia has joined Real Betis from Zenit St Petersburg on a three-year deal... Full story.

          16.12 BST: DONE DEAL Swansea have signed 21-year-old striker Courtney Baker-Richardson from National League North side Leamington FC. Baker-Richardson will link up with the Swans' under-23 squad.

          15.55 BST: Kylian Mbappe may have been dropped by Monaco at the weekend amid speculation surrounding his future, but he seems to be happy enough at the Ligue 1 club judging by this tweet...

          15.39 BST: Chelsea's wantaway striker Diego Costa has been fined by his club for not returning to preseason training, Sky Sports claims. Costa has been attempting to force a move to former club Atletico Madrid this summer and has threatened to go on strike at Chelsea.

          15.24 BST: Fresh from his stunning strike against Chelsea at the weekend, Stephen Ward has signed a new contract with Burnley until June 2019 with the option of a further 12 months... Full story.

          15.11 BST: William Carvalho, who seems to have been linked with half of the Premier League over the years, could be on his way to West Ham. Sky Sports claims the Hammers are in advanced talks to sign the Sporting Lisbon midfielder.

          14.37 BST: Stoke forward Joselu is on Tyneside to undergo his medical with Newcastle, The Chronicle reports, ahead of completing a £5 million move to join Rafa Benitez's side.

          14.22 BST: Sky Sports is reporting that Manchester City have reached an agreement with Austria Vienna to sign Nigeria international Olarenwaju Kayode, with the striker then set to join Girona on loan for the season...

          14.05 BST: Fulham forward Cauley Woodrow could return to Burton Albion, where he had a successful loan spell last season, with reports suggesting talks between the two clubs are ongoing.

          13.50 BST: Liverpool are interested in Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri after failing in attempts to bring RB Leipzig's Naby Keita to Anfield this summer.

          The Guardian reports that Seri is also interesting clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Arsenal, with Barcelona having scouted him in Friday's Ligue 1 game against Troyes.

          13.40 BST: Inter Milan are keeping tabs on Manchester City defenders Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala, according to reports in Italy, with Mangala believed to be the more likely of the duo to sign.

          13.25 BST: Valencia general director Mateu Alemany has justified his club's lack of transfer dealings so far, telling Superdeporte: "We are going to sign players. Our coach wants the best, with players that make a difference. We are not going to make a signing just for the sake of it."

          13.10 BST: Luton tried "absolutely everything" to keep striker Isaac Vassell, who has moved to Birmingham City, manager Nathan Jones has said.

          13.00 BST: A little update from Stoke, where boss Mark Hughes is hoping to clinch a loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain striker Jese Rodriguez and could soon complete the sale of Joselu to Newcastle United.

          Press Association Sport reported that Stoke officials are in talks with PSG about 24-year-old Jese and are optimistic they can reach an agreement.

          12.30 BST: Back to Leeds striker Chris Wood and his potential move to Burnley -- Sky Sports reports that the Clarets, fresh from their stunning opening day win at Chelsea, are likely to make a new bid for him after seeing an initial offer turned down.

          12.20 BST: DONE DEAL Barcelona have announced that they have reached an agreement with Guangzhou Evergrande for the transfer of Paulinho for €40 million.

          The Brazil international will undergo a Barca medical on Thursday morning before signing his contract with his new club later that day.

          11.50 BST: Philippe Coutinho has been left out of Liverpool's squad for the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie against Hoffenheim on Tuesday.

          Coutinho, who has handed in a transfer request amid interest from Barcelona, missed Saturday's Premier League opener against Watford due to a back injury.

          11.45 BST: More on Jese to Stoke: the Telegraph reports that the Potters "are set to announce the signing of the Paris Saint-Germain attacker" and will soon complete the £5m sale of Joselu to Newcastle United.

          11.40 BST: Arsenal forward Lucas Perez could soon be on his way back to Deportivo La Coruna, wit his agent Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle telling Sky Sports: "I think the £10.9m Deportivo have offered is a great deal. They are giving everything to make this transfer possible."

          11.30 BST: A little excursion into League One now, where Charlton striker Tony Watt has wrapped up a move to Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven.

          11.15 BST: Barcelona's move to sign midfielder Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande demonstrates the strength of the Chinese Super League, Andre Villas-Boas has said.

          Shanghai SIPG boss Villas-Boas said the imminent transfer, reported to be likely to go through early this week, was "good news" for the game in China.

          11.00 BST: The Philippe Coutinho/Barcelona situation rumbles on and this, according to Guillem Balague, is the latest:

          10.50 BST: Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has said he considers the club to be his "home" and and wants to fight for a starting place.

          Elneny was linked with a summer move to Leicester but decided to stay and started the 4-3 win over the Foxes at the Emirates on Friday.

          10.40 BST: DONE DEAL At last, some transfer window business involving Harry Redknapp -- the Birmingham boss has signed striker Isaac Vassell from League Two Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.

          10.30 BST: Ajax have told Tottenham target Davinson Sanchez that they do not want to sell him this summer.

          On Friday, sources told ESPN FC that Tottenham were confident of making Sanchez, 21, their first signing of the summer, but reports from the Netherlands over the weekend claimed Ajax have rejected their £35 million bid.

          10.10 BST: Reports in France suggest Middlesbrough could win the race to sign Ingolstadt defender Marcel Tisserand, who has also been linked with Everton.

          09.45 BST: Paulo Dybala has said he will "stay forever" if Juventus want him to, adding: "I renewed my contract here just three months ago and the club offered me the No. 10 shirt. I want to grow up here and, if president Agnelli wants, I will stay here forever."

          09.30 BST: Jese to Stoke seems to be gathering steam:

          09.15 BST: Kylian Mbappe would be a "very significant" player for Paris Saint-Germain if he joins from Monaco, Thiago Silva has told Canal+.

          Mbappe, 18, was an unused substitute for Monaco's win at Dijon on Sunday, fuelling speculation that he will leave the French champions.

          08.55 BST: Monaco midfielder Fabinho has told reporters that "the club knows my wishes" -- but did not say what those wishes were. The Brazilian has been linked with both Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid.

          08.45 BST: Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan has said he is hopeful that Inigo Martinez, linked with Barcelona, will stay, telling Marca: "For us he is a very important player, extraordinary."

          08.35 BST: Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti has said Manchester United target Ivan Perisic is "determined to stay."

          Croatia international Perisic has been linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout the summer, but Inter have refused to budge from their £48.5 million valuation.

          08.15 BST: Swansea's Paul Clement has said more than once in recent days that his incoming transfer plans depend on a resolution of the Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton saga -- and if that gets sorted out then one of the first players in could be ex-Swans star Wilfried Bony from Manchester City, according to reports.

          08.10 BST: Stoke City manager Mark Hughes wants to add more players to his squad and has been linked with a season-long loan move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Jese Rodriguez, according to the Stoke Sentinel.

          08.00 BST: Leeds United boss Thomas Christiansen has said he is confident the club will keep prolific striker Chris Wood, the subject of a £12m bid from Burnley last week.

          Christiansen has said Leeds "cannot afford" to sell him but added that he had "no doubt" the forward would stay, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.

          Spurs like look of Lazio's Balde

          In recent years, we have become used to the idea that Tottenham Hotspur get their transfer business going as the days remaining in the window begin to run out -- and it seems things won't be any different this summer.

          The Mirror reports that Lazio forward Keita Balde is in their sights after he vented his frustration at being left out of their Supercoppa Italia squad, having declined to sign a new contract and been linked with Italian champions Juventus.

          But Lazio are not keen to sell Balde to a domestic rival, and that means Spurs could take advantage despite interest also having been expressed by both West Ham United and Ligue 1 champions Monaco.

          Tottenham's interest in Balde, who has 12 months left on his contract, comes as the North Londoners close in on the signing of Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez.

          Last week, sources told ESPN FC that Spurs were nearing a club-record £35m deal to sign the 21-year-old centre-back, who is poised to become their first new arrival of the summer.

          Tap-ins

          -- West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis wants to send some of the club's most promising young players out on loan to prepare them for an eventual role in the first team at The Hawthorns.

          The Mail says the Baggies boss is keen to give academy prospects a taste of first-team football after including four in his squad for Saturday's win over Bournemouth -- but he has stressed that sending them on loan would depend on bringing in some new faces before the window closes.

          -- Leicester City winger Tom Lawrence is set to move to Midlands rivals Derby County despite manager Craig Shakespeare's desire to keep him, the Leicester Mercury reports.

          It says Lawrence, who has a year remaining on his contract but is interesting a number of clubs, has told Leicester he wants to leave and would cost up to £7m, with talks ongoing.