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Transfer Talk: Man United ready to spend on Fred, Alderweireld

The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow live with our daily blog throughout the summer.

TOP STORY: Fred, Alderweireld to become Reds?

Talk is heating up that Manchester United are closing in on their first signings of the summer.

The Mirror is reporting that Jose Mourinho will spend about £97 million on two players who would make an immediate impact on his squad: want-away Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred.

Mourinho has had the pair high on his wish-list as part of a reported £250m rebuild this summer but he wants both deals completed before the World Cup begins in Russia on June 14.

Fred would be the easier signing of the two -- Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wants £75m for the Belgium international, who could leave in the summer of 2019 for just £25m -- but officials at Old Trafford are confident that both deals can be done. It was reported that Fred could complete a medical as early as next week, per the Manchester Evening News, when he travels to England for Brazil's friendly against Croatia at Anfield.

Jose Mourinho has spoken about wanting a Brazilian in his squad and there's still a chance that Fred could be joined by Alex Sandro and Willian as United look to wrap up most of their business before the World Cup.

Manchester City were keen on Fred in January, but it seems they have switched their attention to Napoli playmaker Jorginho.

The Sun says the champions hope to thrash out a £52 million deal with the Serie A side next week after Jorginho set his heart on a move to the Etihad.

LIVE BLOG

23.04 BST: That's going to bring Thursday's live edition of Transfer Talk to a close. Thanks very much for joining us, and be sure to check back in a few short hours when we return with all the latest gossip pulled from Friday's back pages.

22.37 BST: Chivas forward Rodolfo Pizarro may not have made Mexico's World Cup squad, but the 24-year-old looks set to move on from Liga MX this summer. Read the full story.

22.00 BST: Manchester United's hopes of signing left-back Alex Sandro appear to have taken a hit, with the Metro quoting Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta as saying that it's "desirable to extend the contract" of the 27-year-old Brazilian, who's been linked with a £45 million move to Old Trafford.

21.23 BST: Arsenal are interested in signing 21-year-old Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, according to Sky Sports. The Italy international reportedly has a release clause set at £26 million, and is also attracting attention from Juventus.

20.46 BST: Manchester United are among a host of Premier League and Championship sides are tracking Blackburn Rovers' teenage sensation Jake Garrett, sources have told ESPN FC.

20.19 BST: Transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio cites Sky Sport Italia as reporting that Roma sporting director Monchi is interested in bringing 25-year-old Ajax attacker Hakim Ziyech to the Italian capital.

19.52 BST: It's a done deal! Watford have completed the signing of England Under-19 defender Ben Wilmot from Stevenage. Full story.

18.51 BST: Amid offers from MLS and the Chinese Super League, Fernado Torres is now the subject of interest from Japanese club Sagan Tosu, talkSPORT cites Calciomercato as reporting.

18.24 BST: Juventus are yet to activate their £33 million option to purchase Douglas Costa following his loan from Bayern Munich, and with Massimiliano Allegri said to be looking to renovate his squad this summer, that money might be better spent elsewhere. Should The Old Lady opt against taking the Brazilian on a permanent basis, the Sun reports that Manchester United would be willing to spend £79 million -- the market rate, apparently -- to bring the 27-year-old to Old Trafford.

17.57 BST: Ajax forward, Netherlands international and son of Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert Justin Kluivert has agreed personal terms on a move to Roma, according to Calciomercato, with the two clubs now haggling over a fee reported to be between €15 million and €20 million.

17.30 BST: The queue of clubs interested in Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, who continues to be linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge after a single disappointing season, continues to grow. TalkSPORT cites Italian outlet Tuttosport as reporting that Atletico Madrid would like the former Real Madrid striker to replace Antoine Griezmann, with Juventus also intrigued with bringing the player back to Turin, where he spent two seasons on loan.

17.03 BST: While Manchester continue to make progress on the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred, talks over fellow midfield target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have hit the skids, according to the Guardian, after Lazio demanded €100 million for the 23-year-old.

16.36 BST: It's not strictly a transfer talk tidbit but it's a DONE DEAL all the same as Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has signed a long-term contract extension at the club.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy had this to say: "I am delighted that we have agreed a new, extended contract with Mauricio," he said. We have been on an extraordinary journey and the times ahead look even more exciting as the Club enters the next phase in its history. Mauricio has fostered an incredible spirit in the team and has embraced a style of play our fans have loved watching. I know they will welcome this commitment by Mauricio."

Good for all parties, then.

16.19 BST: Reports in Portugal are saying that West Ham United are looking to sign Porto striker Moussa Marega this summer, one of three clubs in England hoping to secure his services.

Marega, 27, has a release clause of £35m but media outlet Correio de Manha says that Porto are willing to sell for £26m if it'll help getting a deal done. Either price is good, to be honest: the Mali international racked up 23 goals and eight assists in all competitions in 2017-18 as Porto won the league.

Portuguese newspaper CM says that Wolverhampton Wanderers are also in the hunt, with Aston Villa interested if they can secure promotion alongside their rivals in the Midlands.

15.52 BST: Smaller move coming up but a DONE DEAL nonetheless at Peterborough have signed left-back/winger Colin Daniel after the 30-year-old rejected a contract extension at Blackpool.

15.11 BST: It's no secret that Tottenham need reinforcements in their push to claim a trophy and Mauricio Pochettino is working on bolstering his defence. Specifically, he's looking at Espanyol centre-back David Lopez.

Lopez has a release clause of €40m, according to Spanish outlet Pericos Online, with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino reportedly already calling the 28-year-old to discuss a possible move. Lopez can play defensive midfielder, which will please any possible suitor: Newcastle United are also reportedly interested, though Valencia demurred given the price tag involved.

14.36 BST: Colon captain German Conti, 23, looks to be heading to Benfica ...

14.32 BST: Not a player, but a very interesting line nevertheless: Former England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is in the frame for the manager's job at Derby County, sources close to the former player have told ESPN FC.

14.11 BST: Juicy. Juventus' general manager Beppe Marotta says he expects a decision from Emre Can "within the next 10 days," and played down the prospect of the club signing another attacker amid speculation linking Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata with a return to the Serie A champions.

13.32 BST: He seemed destined for the AC Milan exit door last summer before Gianluigi Donnarumma was convinced to stay and sign a new contract. He penned a four-year extension a month after claiming he wouldn't but that hasn't stopped the rumours circling once more. However, the Italy international now appears more settled, despite speculation Liverpool could move for him.

13.28 BST: Barcelona rising star Riqui Puig is set to sign a new contract at the club despite interest from Tottenham. The midfielder, 18, was mulling over an exit but has been convinced by Ernesto Valverde to stay.

13.00 BST: Ambitious Wolves are gearing up for their return to the Premier League and could be about to seal a £10 million move for Porto defender Willy Boly, according to the BBC. 

12.49 BST: We're on a roll here ... Done Deal! Valencia have made Geoffrey Kondogbia's loan move from Inter Milan permanent, signing him until 2022.

12.39 BST: Done Deal! Villarreal midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez is heading to Atletico Madrid. The 21-year-old will move to the Wanda Metropolitano after five years with Villarreal and they've lined up a farewell news conference, which is nice ...

12.02 BST: How about this, then. With Manchester United creeping closer to signing Fred, transfer rumour guru Gianluca Di Marzio says Jose Mourinho also likes Mario Mandzukic and Marko Arnautovic. 

11.58 BST: He managed to keep Southampton up and that appears enough for Mark Hughes to get a new deal on the south coast ...

11.17 BST: Fred, you recall, was originally a Manchester City target. It appears Jose Mourinho has beaten Pep Guardiola to the Brazilian but the City boss has someone else in his sights. The MEN reckon Napoli's Jorginho could be on his way to City ... along with Leicester's Riyad Mahrez in a double swoop.

11.11 BST: If Fred joins Manchester United, what does that mean for Marouane Fellaini? The big Belgian has been linked with a move away but he's trusted by Jose Mourinho, who wants to keep him. The BBC's Simon Stone has this to say ...

11.07 BST: West Ham have confirmed that "Ginger Pele" James Collins is leaving the club.

10.57 BST: ESPN FC sources said Manchester United are in for Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred and it appears a deal could be close ...

10.52 BST: Barcelona are keen on Sevilla centre-back Clement Lenglet and he's met with his club in order to iron out his future, according to SPORT. 

10.46 BST: Done Deal! Freiburg have signed 24-year-old defender Dominique Heintz from relegated Cologne. They activated his €3m release clause.

10.20 BST: Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been speaking about Unai Emery's move to the Emirates -- and he has some interesting comments regarding Arsene Wenger.

10.01 BST: Jean Michael Seri has impressed for Nice this season and has a £35m release clause. He's on Arsenal's radar and with Unai Emery in charge, they continue to monitor him, according to Sky Sports. 

09.44 BST: Eintracht Frankfurt stunned Bayern Munich 3-1 to win the German Cup and their two-goal hero Ante Rebic says he wouldn't be able to turn down a move to the side he tormented earlier this month. "Everybody knows how hard it is to resist a call from a big club like Bayern -- it's tough to say no when Bayern come calling," he told Goal. Incoming Bayern boss Niko Kovac has promised not to take any Eintracht players with him to Munich, though. 

09.34 BST: This is a curious one. Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a target for Arsenal and Manchester United, Der Westen reports. The German paper claims: "United massively stepped up their interest in Sokratis, even Jose Mourinho recently picked up the phone." With all these reports Mourinho wants a centre-back, what does this mean for Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and even Eric Bailly?

09.18 BST: RAI Sport say that new Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti has contacted agent Mino Raiola and PSG sporting director Antero Henrique about Alphonse Areola, while he is also interested in Thomas Meunier.

08.56 BST: According to L'Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain want Valencia to pay them around €80 million if the Spanish side want to make Goncalo Guedes' loan deal a permanent one. The 21-year-old from Portugal scored five goals and made 11 assists in La Liga this season.

08.38 BST: That was quick (see 07.10) -- Andres Iniesta has completed a move to Japanese side Vissel Kobe just days after leaving Barcelona. Iniesta, 34, moves for an undisclosed fee and has signed a contract that a club press release says will keep him at the club for "multiple years."

08.21 BST: Over to Belgium now and Het Laatste Nieuws claim Newcastle and Anderlecht are in negotiations over a package deal that see Matz Sels and Chancel Mbemba leave St James' Park.

08.17 BST: Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has allayed fears he will leave the club this summer by saying he cannot wait to play in the Champions League with them. "I've never been distracted by transfer talk," he said. "I'm happy in Milan and I've never played outside of Italy. Milan stays in Milan. We want to play a great Champions League campaign and get higher and higher in the league."

07.58 BST: Antoine Griezmann is never far away from the gossip columns and Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barcelona president, has given an update of sorts on the Atletico Madrid man. "I can't say anything, our club has great respect for other clubs that are preparing for the next season. Griezmann has a contract with another club. We have maximum respect for him and his current team. We are working, but I can't say a single name yet," he told Catalunya Radio.

07.31 BST: Now, make yourself comfortable because this is quite a story. Aston Villa want John Terry to commit to a new deal if they win promotion to the Premier League. So far, normal -- right? Yep. But then the contract could include a clause that means he doesn't have to play against former club Chelsea. That's ... a novel idea.

07.27 BST: A staple of Transfer Talk, Bayer Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno, is a man in demand. Arsenal and Napoli are among those keen on the Germany international and Uli Ferber, Leno's agent, told Kicker: "There are several options."

07.14 BST: Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek impressed so much at Crystal Palace last season that he bagged a place in the England squad for the World Cup. Pressed on his future, he said: "I'm not thinking about [going on loan again] too much right now. I'm trying to focus on this summer and what's to come."

07.11 BST: No ... surely not? He's a Manchester City legend but Yaya Toure has refused to rule out a move to Manchester United this summer. He says he wants to teach Paul Pogba a thing or two, but our City blogger David Mooney isn't so keen.

07.10 BST: Andres Iniesta has hinted that he's set to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe. Step this way for more on that .

07.00 BST: Morning! Transfer Talk is up bright and early to bring you the latest news and rumours throughout the day.

PAPER TALK (By Matt Stanger)

Spurs set Alderweireld price

Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to bring in Toby Alderweireld, who has rejected the opportunity to sign a new contract at Tottenham.

But the Daily Mirror reports that Spurs are demanding £75 million for the centre-back after opening negotiations with United this week.

Alderweireld's existing deal doesn't expire until 2020, but a clause in his contract dictates that he can leave for just £22 million next summer. That has prompted Spurs to listen to offers in the current window as they seek a fee to rival the money Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk.

Lewandowski chase heats up

Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain all want to sign Robert Lewandowski, but Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness insists that the Bundesliga champions won't sell the striker this summer.

In an interview with German magazine Kicker, Hoeness pointed to Lewandowski's contract, which doesn't expire until 2021. "We will show the football world that the club holds more power," he said.

Lewandowski has also been linked with Real Madrid, who could be willing to part with Karim Benzema following the Frenchman's underwhelming season. Real are reportedly chasing England captain Harry Kane but could switch their focus to Lewandowski if Spurs refuse to play ball.

City to splash for Mahrez

Along with Jorginho, Pep Guardiola has earmarked Riyad Mahrez as a leading target to strengthen his title-winning team.

The 27-year-old handed in a transfer request after Leicester refused to entertain City's interest in January, but it's thought that the Foxes will enter talks this time around.

According to the Guardian, the champions will have to spend big to get their man, with Leicester demanding £75 million for the 2016 PFA Player of the Year.

The Guardian also says that Guardiola is tracking teenage Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt as a potential long-term replacement for Vincent Kompany.

Tap-ins

-- Atletico Madrid are offering Antoine Griezmann €10 million more per season than Barcelona in a bid to keep the Frenchman in the Spanish capital. According to the Daily Mail, Barca remain confident of completing a deal for Griezmann, but there is now a chance that he could change his mind.

-- West Ham want a new goalkeeper, reports the Daily Mirror, with Reims shotstopper Edouard Mendy leading the list of replacements for Joe Hart and Adrian. The 25-year-old would cost around £2 million and has also attracted interest from Newcastle.

-- Salomon Rondon could be handed a European lifeline following West Brom's demotion, as both Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid monitor the striker's situation. According to Sky Sports, Rondon has a £16 million relegation release clause, with West Ham also weighing up a move.

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