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ESPN staff 6y

Transfer Talk: Real Madrid prepare splurge for Serie A stars Alisson, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

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

TOP STORY: Madrid prepare double swoop on Rome clubs

Real Madrid have two fresh targets upon appointing Julen Lopetegui as their new manager. Roma goalkeeper Alisson is almost certain to arrive as the replacement for Keylor Navas, despite Liverpool and Chelsea's interest, with Corriere dello Sport reporting that the signing is "only a matter of days."

Meanwhile, Los Blancos have firmed up their interest in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is valued at about €150 million.

A meeting between his agent Mateja Kezman and Florentino Perez will take place next week.

LIVE BLOG

19.00 BST: That will do it for today's Transfer Talk Live blog but we are far from done.

Watching the games? Keep up with the latest transfer rumours and all of the World Cup action by following along in our World Cup Live chat. Remember you can interact with our editors on Twitter with your questions and comments using the hashtag: #AskESPNFC

18.50 BST: Besiktas, according to reports in Turkey, are weighing an offer for out-of-favour Liverpool forward Danny Sturridge

The English striker has struggled for games and form under Jurgen Klopp and last season spent had a loan stint at West Brom cut short due to injury.

Sturridge has scored just five goals in his last 35 Premier League games and is looking for a fresh start with no place for him at Anfield. Besiktas revived the career of ex-Red Ryan Babel can they do the same for Sturridge?

18.30 BST: Yet another mention for James Maddison in today's Transfer Talk -- earlier, it was reported that Leicester had made an offer for the Norwich playmaker and now the Mail reports that they "have had a bid of £22 million accepted for the 21-year-old." Southampton have also reportedly had a bid off £22m accepted by Norwich with Maddison preferring Southampton, according to Sky Sports News.

18:00 BST: One minute it seemed that Jack Wilshere would stay at Arsenal and now it seems he may well end up leaving despite having agreed a deal. And if that's the case, the Mirror says Crystal Palace, whose manager Roy Hodgson worked with Wilshere for England, are keen to bring him to Selhurst Park.

17:30 BST: When a player like Andres Iniesta leaves, who do you replace him with? Ilkay Gundogan, says the Mirror, reporting that Barcelona want the Manchester City man as Iniesta prepares to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe.

16:00 BST: More on Wolves, but maybe less encouraging for them this time - Middlesbrough are confident of beating them to the signature of Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair, according to the Northern Echo.

15:00 BST: Wolves have been linked with a stack of players since winning promotion to the Premier League, and reports suggest that Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell could be another target.

14:30 BST: Newcastle will need to pay big money if they are to sign Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric, says the Chronicle, which reports that his price could be as high as £40 million.

14:00 BST: Liverpool could turn their attention to Flamengo attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta after their move for Lyon's Nabil Fekir fell through, the Mirror reports.

13:30 BST: Fulham's main summer transfer target remains Newcastle forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, who excelled on loan for them next season, but reports are also linking them with a move for Brighton keeper Tim Krul.

13:00 BST: Earlier today (see Tap-ins at the end of this blog), it seemed Southampton were favourites to sign Norwich's sought-after midfielder James Maddison. But hold on a moment, says the Telegraph -- Leicester City have made a £20 million bid for Maddison "and are hopeful of winning the chase for the England under-21 international."

12:30 BST: Liverpool have agreed a professional contract with 18-year-old forward Rhian Brewster amid fears that he could otherwise have left the club, the Telegraph reports. It says boss Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Michael Edwards "have been in constant negotiations with Brewster and his representative to secure him on what is understood to be a five-year contract."

12:00 BST -- DONE DEAL: United States international Julian Green has joined second-tier German side Greuther Furth, for whom he played on loan last season, from Stuttgart on a two-year deal.

Earlier this month, Stuttgart revealed that they hoped an agreement could be reached for a permanent transfer, which was announced on Sunday.

11:30 BST: It's not just Real Madrid interested in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, apparently. The Lazio star has been urged to reject offers from Spain and England in order to stay in Italy with Juventus.

Tuttosport reports that the Serbia midfielder's father has said: "I told Sergej many times, the Bianconeri would be the ideal club for him. In Turin, he can become a complete player and win it all, including the Ballon d'Or. Real? Madrid can wait."

11:00 BST: Jack Wilshere's future remains a topic of discussion, but with Wolves, Everton and West Ham reportedly the three main options if he does decide to leave Arsenal you can perhaps see why he is taking so long to decide on what to do.

10:30 BST: In case you missed it on Saturday, Rafa Honigstein provided an update on Jerome Boateng's future at Bayern Munich and the inside story on his exit from the Bundesliga champions after executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge surprisingly said the defender was surplus to requirements and free to move on this summer.

09:45 BST: As usual, West Ham seem to be linked with a crazy amount of signings during the transfer window. The latest is PSG midfielder Javier Pastore, who, according to Sky Sports, wants £190,000 a week to move to the Premier League.

09.00 BST: Welcome to another day of Transfer Talk -- yes, there is a World Cup on too.

First up, it's an Arsenal exit. With Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Leno on his way to the Emirates, Petr Cech could depart. And according to reports in Italy, Cech could be bound for Napoli.

PAPER TALK (by Jack Rathborn)

Man United place massive price tag on Martial

Anthony Martial wants to leave Manchester United, but the France international may find it difficult to find a club willing to match the Red Devils' valuation.

The Mirror reports that a £75 million price tag has been slapped on Martial, which could dissuade Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid from following up on their initial interest.

Jose Mourinho has struggled to extract the best from Martial on a regular basis, but United will still fight to keep the former Monaco starlet after their £58 million outlay three years ago.

But with two years left on his contract now, Martial's sale value could be at its peak this summer.

Barca draw up five-man midfield shortlist

Barcelona have drafted up a five-man shortlist in their pursuit of a new midfielder.

Sport writes that the Spanish champions are in advanced talks to sign Ajax starlet Frenkie De Jong, and Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara could yet return to the Camp Nou.

The report also claims there is the option to sign Juventus star Miralem Pjanic. Though Paris Saint-Germain's Adrien Rabiot and Tottenham's Christian Eriksen are admired, there is an acknowledgement that both would be difficult signings.

Inter reject United's Skriniar offer

Manchester United have been rebuffed by Inter Milan for Slovakian centre-back Milan Skriniar, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

United reportedly tabled a €65 million offer for the 23-year-old after an outstanding season helped the Nerazzurri to qualify for next season's Champions League.

With Phil Jones and Chris Smalling looking vulnerable as the starting pair at the back toward the end of the season and Jose Mourinho benching Eric Bailly, a new centre-back is seen as a priority.

Skriniar's stock has risen sharply since joining from Sampdoria last summer for €20 million, and Luciano Spalletti will be desperate to keep his defensive lynchpin for another season at least.

Tap-ins

- Fiorentina have made a move to sign West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang, reports the Sun. Villarreal and Besiktas are also keen on the Spaniard, with the Hammers likely to demand around £15 million to sell.

- Tottenham may have to wait until January to sign Wilmar Barrios after Boca Juniors made a plea to the Colombian midfielder to stay beyond this summer. According to the Independent, Spurs have stepped up their interest, but Boca hope to persuade him to pen a new contract on increased wages in order to star in the upcoming Copa Libertadores. Convincing Barrios to stay remains a difficult task for Boca though, as Barrios has a £14.5 million release clause, which will be well within reach for many European clubs.

- Southampton are close to signing James Maddison from Norwich after having a £20 million bid accepted. The Sun reports that Saints are set to beat competition from Leicester, Everton, Tottenham, West Ham and Fulham for the 21-year-old.

- Newcastle still want to sign Kenedy on a permanent deal from Chelsea, according to the Chronicle. The Brazilian impressed on loan last term and Rafa Benitez is encouraging the board to meet the Blues' asking price, which could be in excess of £20 million.

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