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          Transfer Talk: Riyad Mahrez close to £75 million Manchester City move

          • ESPN staffMay 29, 2018, 12:06 AM

          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: City close in on Mahrez move

          It didn't quite happen in the winter, but Leicester playmaker Riyad Mahrez now "looks destined to complete a £75 million switch to Manchester City," according to the Mail.

          It reports that the Premier League champions could conclude a deal for Algeria international Mahrez by the end of the week as boss Pep Guardiola looks to get his transfer business under way early on.

          City are in talks over the way in which the fee will be structured, with the news coming after ESPN Deportes reported that the Premier League champions were awaiting a final answer from Leicester.

          The Mail adds that they are also mulling a move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, with Guardiola "mindful of the workload placed upon Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane."

          LIVE BLOG

          23.00 BST: That will do it for us here at Transfer Talk LIVE. Remember to check back in tomorrow for the latest on the biggest rumours, links and completed deals from around the world of football. Have a goodnight!

          22.58 BST: One more before we close the door on another day of Transfer Talk.

          The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano and Sachin Nakrani say Roma will not sell Allison before the World Cup and that the club would accept only something in the ballpark of £79 million for the Brazilian keeper.

          Liverpool are the club most linked with the 25-year-old Roma shot-stopper and after Loris Karius' nightmare in the UCL final, the club are keen to upgrade the position.

          Allison is set to star for Brazil at the World Cup and is coming off a season in which he led Serie A in save percentage (79.6%) and led Roma to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

          22.45 BST: Tottenham are content with Hugo Lloris as their No. 1 goalkeeper but reports say they are fond of Southampton 'keeper Alex McCarthy and could target him to backup the Frenchman.

          Current backup Michel Vorm's contract is set to expire this summer and McCarthy, who was fantastic down the stretch for Southampton, would provide solid cover behind Lloris.

          22.35 BST: Here's one I didn't expect to type in 2018... Jack Grealish to Manchester United.

          The Sun claim that Man United are tracking the Aston Villa youngster who narrowly missed out on promotion with Villa in the playoff final.

          Always a talent, Grealish has had a checkered career to date but is coming off a strong end to the season. The 22-year-old scored three goals and set up another five and is best known for his dribbling ability.

          This one would be surprising but we've seen bigger surprises here at Transfer Talk.

          22.20 BST: After avoiding relegation and hiring Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager, West Ham figure to undergo a bit of a makeover this offseason, particularly in defence.

          Two defensive targets the Hammers have been linked with are Armando Izzo and Jamaal Lascelles.

          Sky Sports have linked the London club with the Genoa defender, Izzo, while reports out of England indicate that Newcastle are valuing Lascelles at £30 million, a price likely too steep for West Ham.

          22.05 BST: Newcastle target Josh King has given an interview that would suggest he is not all that happy at Bournemouth.

          Speaking with Norwegian outlet VG, King was quite candid about his role with the Cherries.

          "I started one match as the spearhead [up front] this year. I am 110 percent unhappy with the change in position. I am not satisfied and my coach knows. I think most people know where I am the best, said the Norway international.

          "I have three years left on my contract and I am a Bournemouth player now, but in football you never know."

          King scored 16 goals for Bournemouth in 2016-17 but only eight last season. Could he and Eddie Howe be headed for a divorce?

          21.37 BST: -- DONE DEAL -- Another one (DJ Khaled voice). Schalke have completed the signing of striker Steven Skrzybski from second-tier Union Berlin.

          Skrzybski joins on a three-year deal after scoring 14 goals in the 2.Bundesliga for Union Berlin.

          20.59 BST: -- DONE DEAL -- Monterrey have signed Jesus Gallardo from fellow Liga MX side Pumas.

          The 23-year-old moves to Los Rayos after coming through the youth ranks and playing four season at Pumas.

          Gallardo, who can play left midfield or left-back, has 20 caps for Mexico and is currently part of El Tri's provisional World Cup squad.

          ESPN FC has the full story here.

          20.31 BST: Champions League holders Real Madrid are ready to raid local rivals Atletico Madrid for centre-back Jose Gimenez.

          Spanish outlet Marca, have tabbed Real Madrid as the favourites to sign the Uruguay international and say the club are ready to activate his £53 million release clause from Atleti.

          Arsenal are the other club thought to be interested in Gimenez, with Borussia Dortmund's Sokratis Papastathopoulos reportedly Plan B for Unai Emery and Co.

          20.07 BST: Tottenham, according to reports out of Italy, have already turned down multiple offers from AC Milan for midfielder Mousa Dembele.

          Dembele, who is regarded as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League, faces an uncertain future at White Hart Lane.

          The Belgium international has announced he will not sign a new deal until after the World Cup and despite being rebuffed so far, Milan are expected to continue to pursue the 30-year-old.

          19.42 BST: Man United may be close to finalising their first signing of the offseason. The Daily Mail claim that the club have made a £17.4 million bid for Porto right-back Diogo Dalot.

          If true, the bid would trigger the Portugal Under-21 international's buyout clause and free up the player to negotiate with United.

          Last season, the youngster made six appearances for Porto in the league and also made a single Champions League appearance -- starting the Portuguese club's 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the Round of 16.

          19.13 BST: According to the Chronicle Live, Newcastle are in the market for another right-back, with Fulham's Ryan Fredericks the top target.

          The 25-year-old was recently named to the PFA Championship Team of the Year but with Fulham going up, the speedster might not be for sale any longer.

          Fredericks' contract is up in June but both sides have discussed the possibility of working out a new deal to keep the player at Craven Cottage long-term.

          18.50 BST: Freiburg and Turkey centre-back Caglar Soyuncu has confirmed he has received interest from Arsenal.

          "I know they're interested in me, but there's nothing finalised yet about my transfer", said the 22-year-old when asked about transfer rumours.

          "After the national team camp we'll have talks."

          The Freiburg man is being valued at around £35 million.

          18.25: BST: If ever a player maybe needed a move away from his home country it is Adrien Rabiot.

          After being snubbed for the World Cup by France and then turning down a reserve role, the young Frenchman has become Public Enemy No.1 in France.

          According to CalcioNapoli24, the Partnepoi are the latest club set to make a move for the PSG midfielder.

          Rabiot and new Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti have a previously relationship from the Italian's time at PSG and Napoli could be the type of move that helps Rabiot get away from the French media for a bit and get back to playing his best football.

          Reports indicate Napoli are set to bid £28 million for the 23-year-old who has also been linked with London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham.

          17.35 BST: Manchester United have reportedly shown interest in young Celtic defender Kieran Tierney but now there are reports that suggest Jose Mourinho has his eyes on a second Celtic man.

          The Scottish Sun claim that United could move for veteran Celtic shot-stopper Craig Gordon as a replacement for Sergio Romero as backup to David De Gea.

          The 35-year-old is viewed as a steady pair of hands and previously played in the Premier League with Sunderland between 2007-12.

          17.00 BST: We mentioned earlier about Arsenal's reported interest in Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira. CalcioMercato are saying that Everton have now joined the race for the Uruguay international.

          16.36 BST: Sevilla and Roma's Twitter accounts have been having some laughs regarding Monchi. The director of football moved to the Italian side from the Andalusian outfit last summer, and is renowned for his scouting and recruitment...

          16.25 BST: Arsenal fans may be pining for a new goalkeeper to replace Petr Cech and David Ospina, but they may have to settle for the next best thing. RMC say that Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeping coach Javi Garcia will be joining as part of Unai Emery's backroom staff shakeup.

          16.00 BST: Two European Championship winners could be making moves to Premier League clubs. Portuguese outlet Record say Everton is the most likely destination for Sporting midfielder William Carvalho, while the Evening Standard say Joao Mario is wanted by West Ham following his loan spell at the London Stadium.

          15.51 BST: The agent of Napoli midfielder Jorginho has told Calcio Napoli that the is unaware of any progress of talks between he club and Manchester City regarding his client.

          15.43 BST: The French media cannot get enough of West Ham today. According to GFFN, Nice president has said Barça have accepted a €20 million offer for loanee Marlon Santos. The Hammers and Leicester are believed to hold interest and could have fronted the bid.

          15.30 BST: Over in Spain, Barcelona could see three departures early in the transfer window. Sport are saying midfielder Denis Suarez is wanted by hometown club Celta Vigo on loan and young forward Munir is attracting interest from Real Betis with a €15 million fee quoted by Barca, while Mundo Deportivo believe B team defender Marc Cucurella is weighing up his options, with Borussia Monchengladbach reportedly interested.

          15.25 BST: A source has told ESPN FC that Arsenal are hoping to complete a deal for Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos shortly.

          15.17 BST: According to L'Equipe, West Ham are monitoring highly rated Toulouse defender Issa Diop, and believe that Crystal Palace are after his fellow teenage teammate -- goalkeeper Alban Lafont.

          15.09 BST: Foot Mercato are reporting that Arsenal and Leicester are eyeing up a move for Nice and Tunisia winger Bassem Srarfi.

          The Foxes particularly see Srarfi as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who is likely to join Manchester City. Srarfi could play against England at the World Cup.

          14.53 BST: Everyone loves some irreverent transfer talk. The Mirror have found that the contract Fabinho signed during his Liverpool unveiling was in fact a preview for the Champions League final!

          14.30 BST: The future of Ryan Sessegnon has been discussed by Fulham owner Shahid Khan, who has told The Times he expects the youngster to remain at Craven Cottage for at least one more year.

          14.16 BST: After a supposed late bid for Fabinho collapsed, Arsenal are now being linked to Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira by TuttoMercatoWeb.

          14.07 BST: A big claim from The Independent, who believe Gareth Bale is open to a move back to Tottenham, and that the club could try and finance a shock move for his return.

          13.50 BST: League Two club Cheltenham Town have signed defender Chris Hussey from Championship side Sheffield United on a two-year contract.

          13.30 BST: Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid have all been linked with Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic -- but nobody has yet made an offer for him, director Igli Tare has said.

          13.15 BST: Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria "has called Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone several times to offer his services," AS reports.

          It says Simeone wants to bring in a creative midfielder and admires Argentina international Di Maria, who scored 21 goals last season.

          12.40 BST: Belgium striker Michy Batshauyi, who scored seven goals for Borussia Dortmund on loan from Chelsea, has told reporters he will make a decision about his future after the World Cup.

          12.15 BST: Gazzetta dello Sport reports that former Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber, now at Stuttgart, is on the verge of a move to Lazio.

          11.50 BST: Juventus are interested in signing young Barcelona midfielder Oriol Busquets, reports in Spain suggest.

          11.25 BST: A little update on the expected £16m move of Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos to Arsenal - the London Evening Standard reports that "talks have progressed well, with a deal set to be completed in the coming days."

          11.00 BST: Leicester are in discussions with striker Jamie Vardy over a new contract that could pay him around £120,000 a week, according to reports.

          10.35 BST: Former Leeds manager Garry Monk could thwart his old club's hopes of signing Union Berlin defender Kristian Pedersen by bringing him to Birmingham City for a little over £2m, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.

          10.15 BST: Fabinho has said Jurgen Klopp and Roberto Firmino convinced him to move to Liverpool.

          Brazil international midfielder Fabinho, 24, has joined the Champions League runners-up from Monaco in a deal reported to be worth €50 million. And speaking to France Football, he said he had liked what Liverpool boss Klopp had to say.

          10.05 BST: What do Arsenal need to do to do improve under Unai Emery? Spend more money, says their former midfielder Emmanuel Petit, with the Mirror reporting him as saying it is "ridiculous" that the club will spend around £60m-£70m in the summer.

          09.55 BST: Schalke are interested in signing Zurich striker Raphael Dwamena and would pay around €6m, according to Swiss paper Blick -- but it says they are not his preferred destination.

          09.45 BST: Bayern Munich's Austria defender David Alaba has responded to speculation that Real Madrid could be interested in moving for him by saying: "Madrid? There is nothing concrete. I know that in football, everything can happen quickly. But, for the moment, I am focused on the national team, and after, on the preseason with Bayern Munich. I am happy in Munich and I still have things to do there."

          09.35 BST: Wolves, back in the Premier League after waltzing to the Championship title last season, could sign striker Andre Silva from AC Milan in "a blockbuster deal," the Birmingham Mail reports. It says that although Silva only joined Milan last summer, but he could move on "as the club look to ease their financial fair play concerns."

          09.20 BST: Liverpool's transfer spending isn't going to stop with the signing of Fabinho from Monaco, says the Mirror, which reports that the Merseysiders want to wrap up a £50m deal for Lyon forward Nabil Fekir before the World Cup and a new keeper is also on the radar.

          09.05 BST: Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola says Napoli would be getting a "bargain" by signing the striker from Nice this summer. Balotelli is out of contract at the end of June.

          08.35 BST: France striker Olivier Giroud has said his January move from Arsenal to Chelsea helped him hit form in time for the World Cup.

          08.00 BST: We start today with a reminder of a big done deal from last night, when Liverpool announced an agreement to sign Brazilian midfielder Fabinho from Monaco. The clubs agreed a transfer fee worth up to €50 million (£44m), a source told ESPN FC. Fabinho will sign on July 1.

          PAPER TALK: Emery to focus on Arsenal's defence

          It seems as though new Arsenal coach Unai Emery is going to make revamping the defence his first priority, with the Telegraph reporting that he is closing in on not one but two new faces.

          After growing speculation that Borussia Dortmund's Sokratis Papastathopoulos was likely to move to North London, the Telegraph reports that he is on the verge of becoming Emery's first signing in a £16m deal.

          Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, who worked with Sokratis at Dortmund, is reported to have identified the centre-back as the kind of player the Gunners need.

          The Telegraph adds that, in the meantime, talks continue on a deal to sign Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer.

          It says Arsenal "are looking to bolster their back line with experienced players who can immediately join the first team," with Freiburg's Caglar Soyuncu also being linked.

          Emery is likely to have around £70m to spend in the market after majority shareholder Stan Kroenke added £20m to his summer budget.

          United keen on Villa's Grealish

          Aston Villa's Championship playoff final defeat by Fulham could spell a move to pastures new for in-form midfielder Jack Grealish, according to the Sun.

          Grealish was one of the stars of the season as Villa fell just short of a Premier League return, with his performances attracting the attention of Manchester United.

          The Sun says United could move for him "as they look to the long term" after he impressed scouts with some dynamic displays for Steve Bruce's side.

          However, their midfield priority remains the addition of Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred, and the Sun says Jose Mourinho and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward "aim to have a deal done before the World Cup."

          Tap-ins

          - Newcastle could sign former Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel from Fenerbahce, the Chronicle reports.

          It says Skrtel will be available on "a cut-price deal," with his contract at the club running down, and "is keen to get back to playing in the Premier League after an absence of two years." Former teammate Steven Gerrard is reportedly interested in bringing Skrtel to Rangers.

          - If Gerrard doesn't sign Skrtel, Brighton defender Connor Goldson is another major target, and the Scottish Herald says Rangers "will return to the negotiating table" after seeing two bids rejected by the Seagulls.

          It reports that Gerrard wants defensive reinforcements as he looks to challenge Celtic for the Scottish title, but Rangers "will need to stump up around £3m" if they are to bring Goldson to Ibrox.

          - Australia international Aaron Mooy has said he is happy at Huddersfield Town amid reports that West Ham are interested in signing him.