Football
Jack Rathborn, Transfer writer 6y

Transfer Talk: Real Madrid ready £112 million bid for Eden Hazard, also targeting Mauro Icardi

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

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TOP STORY: Real Madrid to move for Hazard, Icardi

Real Madrid are preparing a £112 million bid for Eden Hazard and have also tabbed Mauro Icardi a target. 

Madrid have been closely linked with Hazard for the last couple of seasons and already consider the proposed £35.5m transfer of his Chelsea teammate Thibaut Courtois a formality, the Evening Standard write.

However, Chelsea will hold out for a deal worth £200m and intend to offer Hazard a new contract.

Sources at the club are said to be "relaxed" about the situation, knowing that they have the upper hand in negotiations due to Hazard saying "Chelsea will make the final decision" about his future.

Chelsea are also looking to add to the squad, with deals for Aleksandr Golovin and Daniele Rugani said to be nearing completion.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, have money to spend after selling Cristiano Ronaldo and are thought to be interested in bringing two or three big players to reload their squad. 

Icardi, a prolific goalscorer in Serie A, would fit that bill and Marca claim that Los Blancos could be poised to activate the Argentine hitman's €110m release clause. No player is going to single-handedly replace Ronaldo but Hazard, Courtois and Icardi would be a heck of a start for Ronaldo-less Real Madrid.

LIVE BLOG

22.00 BST: That will do it for tonight's Transfer Talk LIVE blog. Remember to check back in a few hours for the latest rumours, links and completed deals from around the globe. Goodnight!

21.53 BST: An update on a couple of stories surrounding German champions Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rubbished reports that James Rodriguez is heading back to Real Madrid early.

And Rummenigge backed up ESPN FC's story, saying: "Lots of rumours that emanate from Spain are not true. The contract situation of the player is well known to everyone."

Rummenigge added, "James will definitely play for us this season, and I expect him to play for Bayern beyond that."

The Bayern CEO also refuted rumours that Bayern have already agreed to sign France World Cup star Benjamin Pavard from Stuttgart.

"I don't want to comment any further on any rumours, we've had enough of them in recent weeks. Many things that were reported are not facts," Rummenigge said.

So Bayern look to be holding onto James but will Pavard join him in Munich? That is a story for another day.

21.36 BST: Man United are not giving up on signing Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld

Despite the Independent report that negotiations between United and Spurs broke off weeks ago, United are reportedly still confident that they can bring the Belgian to Old Trafford.

This one doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. Will Jose Mourinho get his man?

21.18 BST: -- DONE DEAL -- Sunderland has signed veteran free agent Glenn Loovens.

The 34-year-old centre-back has played the last five season with Sheffield Wednesday and will be tasked with helping lead Sunderland back up the English pyramid.

20.59 BST: Fulham are closing in on signing their new starting goalkeeper. Besiktas No.1 Fabri confirmed on Friday that he has played his last game in Turkey and is nearing a move to newly-promoted Fulham.

"Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing but there is a verbal agreement with Fulham. I want to thank Besiktas for my time here", said the 30-year-old Spaniard after Besiktas' friendly Friday vs. Krasnodar.

Sources close to the deal confirmed to ESPN FC that Fabri has agreed personal terms with Fulham, who are expected to pay Besiktas a fee of around €6 million (£5.3m) once the transfer is completed.

The Khans have not shied away from spending money now that Fulham are back in the top flight.

20.37 BST: The Seattle Sounders look like they are up to something. The reigning Western Conference champions are 11 points out of a playoff spot and even after signing Raul Ruidiaz could still use another boost in the transfer window.

On Friday, the club waived Norway midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who they had signed prior to the season from Swedish side Malmo. This move has led to speculation that the Sounders are keen to bring in a new international player.

One such rumour centers around Feyenoord left-back Miquel Nelom. The 27-year-old has also been linked with Bolton and Turkish club Rizespor but if he chooses Seattle would join countryman Kelvin Leerdam in the Sounders' defensive ranks. 

20.15 BST: Daniel Sturridge's future at Anfield remains precarious but he is not the only Liverpool striker in that situation.

Forward Danny Ings is also healthy again and could be on the move in search of more playing time.

Ex-club Bournemouth and Southampton are the favourites according to Sky Bet but don't discount Crystal Palace or Scottish champions Celtic.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers signed Ings to Liverpool and could offer him a chance of playing time and a career revival in the Scottish Premiership.

Largely due to injury, Ings has played just 25 times in three seasons at Anfield.

19.51 BST: We mentioned Everton and Richarlison earlier but the Toffees are also closing in on Barcelona full-back Lucas Digne.

The Mirror reports that Everton have made a £22 million bid for the France defender. Digne has played just 29 league games for Barca since arriving from PSG in 2016. 

Everton are also still talking with Barcelona regarding Colombia World Cup star Yerry Mina.

19.23 BST: -- DONE DEAL --JACK'S BACK! Jack Colback has returned to Nottingham Forest on loan from Newcastle.

The steely midfielder has fallen out of favour at Newcastle and played the second-half of last season at Forest under Aitor Karanka.

18.56 BST: -- DONE DEAL -- Another one (DJ Khaled voice). Lille have signed Portugal centre-back Jose Fonte.

The former Southampton and West Ham defender had recently terminated his contract early with Chinese side Dalian Yifang but didn't have to wait very long to find a new employer.

18.35 BST: -- DONE DEAL -- This one is interesting. Leicester City have signed goalkeeper Danny Ward from Liverpool.

The Wales international hasn't gotten many chances at Anfield over the past three seasons but managed to help Huddersfield Town earn promotion in 2016-17 as their No.1.

The most interesting part about this deal, though, is the fact that Leicester have bought a goalkeeper in the first place. Is Kasper Schmeichel on the way out of the King Power?

18.11 BST: -- DONE DEAL -- Celta Vigo have acquired Moroccan midfielder Sofiane Boufal on loan from Southampton.

The Morocco international has shown flashes of brilliance at St Mary's since arriving from Lille but inconsistency has described his Premier League tour to date.

Maybe a change of scenery and a more wide open game in Spain is just what the doctor ordered.

17.40 BST: Everton are set to sign forward Richarlison from Watford for £40 million, sources have told ESPN FC. Full story to follow...

17.25 BST: After completing a number of signings, focus at Brighton has switched to selling.

The Argus report that Hull have made offers for out-of-favour Oliver Norwood and Jiri Skalak, but Albion have rejected the opening combined offer. 

17.20 BST: The Northern Echo report that Wolves also have Adama Traore on their radar, and are preparing a bid for the Middlesbrough winger.

17.10 BST: Wolves have made an enquiry for Andre Silva, but Milan are willing to give him a chance to fight for his place in preseason, according to the Mirror.

17.00 BST: Another new contract has been finalised at Tottenham -- Erik Lamela has signed a deal until 2022...

16.55 BST: Over in Italy, Fiorentina have completed the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brondby, and Gerson on loan from Roma.

16.50 BST: After months of speculation linking him with Bayern Munich, Jann-Fiete Arp has signed a new contract at Hamburg.

16.45 BST: Marseille have announced the signing of Duje Caleta-Car from Red Bull Salzburg.

Caleta-Car played a group game at the World Cup with Croatia. He won four Austrian league titles and three national cups with Salzburg.

16.35 BST: The Mirror report that Southampton have offered Nice the chance to sign Sofiane Boufal on loan, while Fanatik believe Besiktas have been contacted regarding a similar deal.

16.25 BST: Sources have told ESPN FC that Fulham are confident of finalising a deal for Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

16.15 BST: Football.London believe Tottenham will return for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial before the transfer window closes.

16.05 BST: Following on from reports in Turkey, Sky Sports News now believe a deal between Besiktas and Fulham for goalkeeper Fabri is close.

15.55 BST: Reported Barcelona target Jeroen Zoet has signed a new contract with PSV...

15.45 BST: Haberturk report that Stoke midfielder Badou Ndiaye will return to Galatasaray on loan.

15.20 BST: As Jeremie Boga nears a move to Sassuolo, Foot Mercato say that the transfer away from Chelsea will include a buy-back option.

15.10 BST: Bournemouth remain in negotiations with Levante regarding Colombia midfielder Jefferson Lerma, according to Mundo Deportivo.

15.00 BST: Sources have told ESPN FC that Stoke are confident of completing the double signing of Huddersfield's Tom Ince and West Brom's James McClean over the weekend.

14.50 BST: A rather quirky transfer story here, as news of Anthony Stokes also joining Tractor Sazi breaks...

14.40 BST: The Independent report that Arsenal and Sint-Truiden are close to finalising the £2 million transfer of Chuba Akpom, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Belgian side.

14.30 BST: New Real Madrid signing Vinicius says he will not leave the club on loan.

The 18-year-old arrives from Flamengo for £38.7 million...

14.20 BST: The CEO of Espanyol, Roger Guasch, has accused Fulham of lacking respect after they tabled a low bid for David Lopez, as quoted by Catalunya Radio and quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

14.10 BST: A done deal at Huddersfield! They have signed forward Adama Diakhaby from Monaco...

14.00 BST: The Evening Standard are now also reporting that Wilfried Zaha has asked to leave Crystal Palace, as he has ambitions of playing in the Champions League.

Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and Everton are all reportedly interested, though only the former two fit Zaha's requirements.

13.50 BST: Ajax have warned clubs that trio Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Donny van de Beek will not leave this summer.

13.40 BST: Never one to shirk the limelight but instead embrace it, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has told Gianluca Di Marzio that he is not looking to bring in Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani.

He added that he is looking to bring in young players in this window.

13.30 BST: Liverpool have a new number 10!

He is, however, not a new signing. Sorry, Reds fans.

13.25 BST: Sky Italia, via Calciomercato, report that the agent of Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj is finalising a move for his client to AC Milan.

The San Siro club were today reinstated into the Europa League, effectively knocking Badelj's current club out of continental competition.

13.05 BST: Heung-Min Son has signed a new five-year contract at Tottenham...

12.55 BST: Barcelona will target Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels once Jasper Cillessen is sold, Mundo Deportivo write.

12.45 BST: Following on from reports in Marca earlier, Estadio Deportivo believe interest from West Ham is getting in the way of Real Betis and Sevilla signing free agent Diego Reyes.

12.35 BST: A done deal on the south coast, where Brighton have signed South Africa forward Percy Tau from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chris Hughton has confirmed Tau will leave on loan to the continent for this season.

12.25 BST: Mundo Deportivo have collated the latest on Andre Gomes' proposed move away from Barcelona.

Calciomercato say that Napoli and Lazio are monitoring the situation while Diario de Sevilla say that Real Betis are also interested. Reports in Spain had previously linked Arsenal and Tottenham with the midfielder.

12.15 BST: Contact has been established between Chelsea and Juventus regarding Gonzalo Higuain, according to Sky Italia.

12.10 BST: A piece of transfer history on this day.

Remember when people would compare the price of stuff to Michu? "You could get ten Michu's for the price of Robin van Persie," and so on...

11.55 BST: Tottenham and Aston Villa are close to agreeing terms over the transfer of Jack Grealish, who could join up with Mauricio Pochettino's side next week, according to the Mirror.

11.45 BST: Pep Guardiola says he would like to "find a solution" for Joe Hart so that he does not have to spend his final season under contract at Manchester City not playing, as reported by BBC Sport.

11.35 BST: Bein Sports believe that Besiktas have received an offer from West Ham for Croatia defender Domagoj Vida, while talks continue with Fulham regarding goalkeeper Fabri.

11.25 BST: Sources have told ESPN FC that Burnley and Brighton are lining up moves for Preston midfielder Ben Pearson.

11.15 BST: And here is today's accompanying cover of Sport, saying that Eden Hazard and Willian have let Barcelona know that they are willing to negotiate their transfer to the club.

They consider that their time in England is finished and believe that Ernesto Valverde's side would be the ideal place to win the Champions League...

11.10 BST: Sport are echoing reports from The Sun that Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of Eden Hazard, Willian and Thibaut Courtois.

With Roman Abramovich believed to be open to selling the club, and the aforementioned trio all determined to leave Stamford Bridge, the news looks bleak for Chelsea.

11.00 BST: Juventus fans cannot get enough of new signing Cristiano Ronaldo -- since his arrival, the club's season tickets have sold out.

10.50 BST: Neymar says that he wants to stay at Paris Saint-Germain despite interest from Real Madrid.

10.40 BST: Tuttosport say that Juventus have made contact with Bayern Munich regarding Juan Bernat.

10.30 BST: Cesc Fabregas says Chelsea need to keep hold of Eden Hazard in wake of interest from Real Madrid.

The midfielder revealed he is in regular contact with Hazard and is trying to convince him to remain at Stamford Bridge.

10.20 BST: Valencia boss Marcelino has revealed his interest in Atletico Madrid forward Kevin Gameiro.

"Gameiro is a possibility in the market," he said, as reported by AS. "He is a different kind of forward than we had last season and have now. Either he, or another forward, will come in. That is our idea."

10.10 BST: Mexico international Diego Reyes may be spoiled for choices when it comes to his next move. The 25-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Porto ran down and Marca is reporting that seven clubs are interested in bringing in the versatile defender.

Sevilla and Real Betis have reportedly shown interest, while Everton, Newcastle, West Ham and Watford are monitoring his situation in the Premier League. Over in Turkey, Fenerbache have readied an offer. Over to you, Diego.

10.00 BST: Since Carlo Ancelotti was confimed as Napoli boss, the club have been linked to several players he has managed before, including Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria.

Gazzetta dello Sport, via Calciomercato, write that they have a financial plan in place to sign the pair, based on the way taxation works for foreign players in Italy -- a move which was reportedly used by Juventus in luring Cristiano Ronaldo to the club.

09.50 BST: While Daniele Rugani is continually linked with a switch from Juventus to Chelsea, Sky Italia report that the Blues have also bid for Mattia Caldara.

The Italian champions have rejected the offer, as the defender is yet to make an appearance for the club following a loan spell at Atalanta.

09.40 BST: Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain... Liverpool? New Reds midfielder Fabinho has said he will try and convince World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe to join him at Anfield, though this is more in delirious hope than realistic expectation, the Guardian say.

09.30 BST: Tottenham are yet to make a signing in this window, but Wilfried Zaha is determined to make a move to the club after rejecting a new contract at Crystal Palace, according to The Times.

09.20 BST: Sport BILD report that Ante Rebic, fresh from his World Cup campaign with Croatia, is being courted by Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham, but favours a move to Bayern Munich.

New Bayern boss Niko Kovac, who coached Rebic at Eintracht Frankfurt and when he himself was in charge of Croatia, is keen on a deal, but promised his former club not to sign any of their players. Any deal would also have to a record fee for Bayern.

09.05 BST: An inter-Championship move for you -- Brentford winger Florian Jozefzoon has left the glorious Griffin Park, the only ground in the world with a pub on all four corners, to join Derby for an undisclosed fee...

08.45 BST: Everton could be beaten to the signing of Bordeaux forward Malcom, L'Equipe reports, after Roma opened talks about a move for him.

08.30 BST: To Italy, where Inter Milan are being linked with a move for Atletico's Sime Vrsaljko, reportedly keen on returning to Serie A.

08.15 BST: Croatia defender Duje Caleta-Car is expected to complete a medical at Marseille on Friday before joining them from Red Bull Salzburg and signing a five-year contract, L'Equipe reports. The 21-year-old centre-back is likely to cost €19 million.

08.00 BST: Amid West Ham's spate of signings this summer, what of potential departures? Reports suggest winger Michail Antonio could be one of those, with London rivals Crystal Palace interested in signing him.

Napoli agree terms for Cavani return

Edinson Cavani could be set for a sensational return to Napoli, following a report from Tutto Napoli that he has agreed terms with his former club.

The Paris Saint-Germain star left the San Paolo in 2013 for a huge fee of around €65 million, and he has since scored 170 goals in all competitions to become the Ligue 1 club's all-time top scorer.

At 31 and reportedly struggling to strike up a connection with Neymar, Cavani could return to Serie A, though an agreement with PSG is outstanding, with two years remaining on his deal.

Nonetheless, the outlet claims that Cavani has agreed terms on a four-year deal worth €7.5m (£6.7m) per season.

Spurs and Everton prepare Zaha moves

Player-plus-cash bids are expected from Tottenham and Everton for Wilfried Zaha despite Crystal Palace insisting on a £60m fee.

The Mirror believes Spurs will throw Moussa Sissoko into the deal, while the Toffees would like to include former Eagles favourite Yannick Bolasie, who they value at £15m, which will leave a fee of around £45m on top.

West Ham refused to meet Zaha's price tag, while Borussia Dortmund will mount a bid of their own, with the report claiming the 25-year-old is leaning toward a summer exit, after rejecting Palace's offer of a new deal worth £125,000 per week.

Barca rival Blues for Golovin

Chelsea could face late competition for Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin after reports of a bid from Barcelona, says Sport.

The Blues have been leading the race to sign the CSKA star, who enjoyed a fine World Cup this summer for the hosts.

But the report claims the Blaugrana have offered €30m (£26.8m) for the 24-year-old, who is seen as a secondary option for them.

Eden Hazard, Willian or Paul Pogba are the players mentioned as being under consideration in their first tier, but failure to land any of the those could lead to the Russian moving to the Nou Camp.

Chelsea to move for 'other' Juventus defender

Having made advances to Juventus for defender Daniele Rugani, Chelsea could target another Italian defender in Mattia Caldara.

Gianluca Di Marzio claims the Blues remain keen on Rugani, but they have also bid for Caldara, who thrived on loan at Atalanta last term.

The Blues have offered €30m (£26.8m) for Caldara, though Borussia Dortmund have outbid them by offering an additional €5m (£4.5m) in add-ons.

It could present a dilemma for the Old Lady, who already have centre-backs Giorgio Chiellini, Medhi Benatia and Andrea Barzagli, with one of the two young Italians likely to be sacrificed to help offset the enormous investment in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tap-ins

- Manchester City are amongst a growing group of clubs that could move for West Ham starlet Domingos Quina, with Ajax, Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim also in the running, according to the Mirror.

The 18-year-old has shone for Portugal's Under-19s, and with just one year remaining on his deal, the Hammers might be forced into a £600,000 sale.

- Stoke have been told to pay £10m if they want to sign Huddersfield star Tom Ince. The Sun claims Gary Rowett wants Ince, whom he worked with at Derby previously, as a replacement for Xherdan Shaqiri, following the Swiss international's £13.5m move to Liverpool.

- Arsene Wenger has emerged as a serious candidate to take over as Japan manager, according to the Mail. The outlet claims the former Arsenal boss is wanted on a long-term deal, having spent time managing Nagoya Grampus before his move to north London.

After Akira Nishino's impressive stint as a late stand-in for Vahid Halilhodzic after his sacking months before the 2018 World Cup, Japan now want to make an ambitious permanent appointment.

- Chelsea's forgotten prospect Mario Pasalic is to join Atalanta on loan with an obligation to buy, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Croatian midfielder has travelled with Maurizio Sarri's squad for the preseason friendly in Australia, but he is now set to leave permanently four years on and four loan moves later after joining the Blues in 2014.

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