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          Transfer Talk: Man United, Arsenal weigh €100m move for Ousmane Dembele

          • ESPN
          Aug 7, 2018, 01:19 AM

          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: Man United, Arsenal eye €100m move for Dembele

          Manchester United and Arsenal are prepared to send a warning shot to their Premier League rivals by spending more than €100 million to sign Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona before the transfer deadline on Thursday.

          According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca are not convinced that Dembele, who they signed from Borussia Dortmund for €105m last summer, fits into their future plans -- and they may offload him to one of the Premier League clubs to recoup some of that outlay.

          Arsenal are reportedly more keen to sign Dembele, 21, preferably paying €10m to take him on loan this season before paying €90m next summer to make the deal permanent.

          And with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang already having moved from Dortmund to Arsenal last summer, officials believe the two players could reform their successful partnership and help the club chase the Premier League title.

          LIVE BLOG

          22.15 BST: That's going to bring Tuesday'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 the latest gossip pulled from Wednesday's back pages.

          21.58 BST: It's a DONE DEAL! Czech Republic striker Matej Vydra has joined Burnley from Championship side Derby County as Sean Dyche continues to strengthen his squad ahead of the Premier League season. Read the full story.

          21.41 BST: Jordan Ayew is edging closer to leaving Swansea after refusing to train with the team, according to the BBC. Crystal Palace and Fulham have been linked with the 26-year-old forward, and the Cottagers having an £8m bid rejected earlier this summer, with the Welsh club reportedly holding out for double that amount.

          21.24 BST: It's a DONE DEAL! Croatia winger Marko Pjaca has left Serie A champions Juventus to join rivals Fiorentina on a one-year loan for a fee of €2 million, the clubs said on Tuesday. Read the full story.

          20.57 BST: Gianluca Di Marzio cites Sky Sports Italia as reporting that despite Arsenal's interest, Swiss international left-back Ricardo Rodriguez would prefer to remain with AC Milan amid the change in club ownership and arrival of Leonardo and Paolo Maldini.

          20.40 BST: It's a DONE DEAL! Fulham have confirmed the signing of Arsenal centre-back Calum Chambers on a season-long loan. Read the full story.

          20.23 BST: With Chelsea seemingly set to sign Mateo Kovacic on loan from Real Madrid, the Blues are in talks with AC Milan over a loan for Tiemoue Bakayoko -- who joined from Monaco just 12 months ago -- that would include an option to buy, Sky Sports cites Sky Sports Italia as reporting.

          19.56 BST: Brighton & Hove Albion lead Aston Villa and Middlesbrough in the chase to secure Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham on a season-long loan, the Mail writes.

          19.29 BST: Circling back to that Juan Mata-to-Inter rumour from a few moments ago, Calciomercato reports that Antonio Candreva is prepared to leave the Nerazzurri, with Monaco a potential destination, which is convenient considering Inter reportedly would prefer the principality's Keita Balde to Mata.

          19.02 BST: Chelsea and Lyon meet in a friendly at Stamford Bridge that's scheduled to kick off an hour from now, and the Express writes that the two clubs will hold talks at the game over the potential transfer of France international playmaker Nabil Fekir.

          18.45 BST: With a bloated midfield, Manchester United are attempting to sell Juan Mata to Inter Milan, the Metro cites Sky Sport Italia as reporting.

          18.28 BST: Paris Saint-Germain want to strengthen their club in defence and in central midfield with more than three weeks until the French transfer window closes, but they have accepted that they are unlikely to sign N'Golo Kante from Chelsea, a source close to the club has told ESPN FC. Read the full story.

          18.11 BST: Manchester United have an agreement in place with Tottenham for the transfer of centre-back Toby Alderweireld, Goal reports, but it's dependent on the North London club finding a suitable replacement for the 29-year-old Belgian international before the transfer window shuts on Thursday.

          17.54 BST: Chelsea have informed Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga that they are prepared to pay his €80m buyout clause with the player set to make a decision about his future in the coming hours, sources have told ESPN FC. Read the full story.

          17.37 BST: The Express cites Roman outlet Il Messaggero as reporting that Manchester United are preparing for life without Paul Pogba, writing that should the recent World Cup winner push through a move to Barcelona or Juventus, Jose Mourinho has instructed super-agent Jorge Mendes to rush through a deal for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who the Roman club are said to value at more than €100m.

          17:10 BST: Burnley are closing in on a deal for Derby's Matej Vydra, the leading scorer in the Championship last season, with the Lancashire Telegraph reporting that he is undergoing a medical.

          17:00 BST: Championship side Millwall were outstanding in the second half of last season, pushing hard for the playoffs following promotion from League One. But reports suggest they could face a battle to keep midfielder George Saville, one of their driving forces, amid interest from Leeds and Aston Villa.

          16:45 BST: More from Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who has said he believes the club will fend off all offers for defender Dedryck Boyata after Fulham were rebuffed.

          16:30 BST -- DONE DEAL: Brentford's B team, or the Bees' Bs, have signed winger Matej Majka from Sparta Prague.

          16:20 BST -- DONE DEAL: Queens Park Rangers winger David Wheeler has joined League One Portsmouth on loan for the season.

          16:15 BST: Watford boss Javi Gracia has made a £10 million offer for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, according to the Sun.

          16:00 BST: To Spain, where Marca reports that Chelsea have identified Athletic Bilbao keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as their favoured replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who appears destined for Real Madrid, and will pay his €80 million release clause. It says Kepa is expected to travel to London on Wednesday to finalise the move and could make his debut against Huddersfield at the weekend.

          15:50 BST: Three new arrivals at Parma, where forward Jonathan Biabiany, Federico Dimarco (loan) and defender Alessandro Bastoni (also loan) have all joined from Inter Milan.

          15:39 BST: DONE DEAL -- Monaco have sent midfielder Boschilia on loan to Nantes for the season.

          15:36 BST: DONE DEAL -- Lorient have signed defender Matthieu Saunier from Granada on a three-year contract.

          15:30 BST: Although Thorgan Hazard remains under contract with Borussia Monchengladbach through the 2019-20 season, he has left his future open.

          "For the moment, I am here, and it's in my head that I'll stay and play for Borussia," Hazard told Sport1. "But you never know in football."

          15:22 BST: L'Equipe reported Bordeaux are in talks with Hajduk Split over a potential move for midfielder Toma Basic, a Croatia under-21 midfielder who is likely to cost them €3.5m.

          15:13 BST: DONE DEAL -- Brighton & Hove Albion have signed winger Billy Arce from Independiente Del Valle in Ecuador to a four-year contract and will loan him to Extremadura for the season.

          Arce, 20, scored 19 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions in the last two seasons.

          15:08 BST: Sevilla sporting director Joaquin Caparros has insisted Steven N'Zonzi is going nowhere.

          N'Zonzi, 29, has a €40m release clause, has been linked to moves to Barcelona, Juventus, Arsenal and Roma and has two years left on his contract with Sevilla, the club he joined in 2015 from Stoke City.

          "He has to arrive on [Wednesday] to undergo a medical checkup," Caparros told Sevilla's website. "There is no other news. He will return to training with his teammates."

          14:57 BST: Roma's Daniele De Rossi said at a news conference he wants to win something this season before considering his future.

          "I want to be the one who calls it a day and not be thrown out of football," De Rossi said. "I don't want to make a mess and so if I can't stay on my feet anymore and I'm not good enough to play at a certain level, I won't continue.

          "I would be fascinated by another experience in this country, I've always said that, but I'd never go somewhere just to grab some more money. If I do go somewhere else, it would be for the challenge."

          14:47 BST: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said at a news conference that the club has rejected a bid from Fulham for defender Dedryck Boyata, who made three starts for Belgium at the World Cup and is out of contract next summer.

          "He is clearly a player of value and, at this point in time for us, he is very important and the club rejected that," Rodgers said.

          14:33 BST: PSV Eindhoven have signed captain Luuk de Jong to a contract extension through the 2020-21 season.

          14:22 BST: Brentford have made a £4m bid for Olympiakos defender Bjorn Engels, a source has told ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke.

          14.07 BST: Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Stephen Henderson is training with Bristol City ahead of a possible move as he is surplus to requirements under Aitor Karanka at the City Ground.

          13:41 BST: Monaco could allow Keita Balde to join Inter Milan with Antonio Candreva going in the opposite direction, FootMercato reported.

          Balde only joined Monaco from Lazio in a €30m deal last summer.

          13:29 BST: Manchester United will resist all offers for Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial despite both players growing unhappy at the club, sources told ESPN FC's Rob Dawson.

          Manager Jose Mourinho has also agreed to settle his differences with the board and make signing a centre-back the priority, with Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng, Leicester City's Harry Maguire and Tottenham Hotspur's Toby Alderweireld among the top targets.

          13:16 BST: Former Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt will begin an "indefinite training period" with Central Coast Mariners.

          "I am very excited about coming to Australia and would like to thank the owner and management of the Central Coast Mariners for giving me this opportunity," he said in a statement.

          "I know that it will involve a lot of hard work and training to get to the level required to play and make an impact in the A-League."

          13:05 BST: Manchester United will send defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah on a season-long loan, but Hertha Berlin are the only club to make an offer, sources told ESPN FC's Rob Dawson.

          Fosu-Mensah joined United for their preseason tour of the United States but the club believe he needs regular first-team opportunities to continue his development.

          13:00 BST: DONE DEAL -- Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has been given a one-year contract by Villarreal, sources told ESPN FC's Adriana Garcia.

          Cazorla had been training with the club and in July played his first game in 21 months since sustaining an Achilles tendon injury.

          12:49 BST: Newcastle United are keen to wrap up the signing of Paris Saint-Germain defender Stanley N'Soki as quickly as possible, according to the Chronicle.

          N'Soki, 19, made his first-team debut in December and would move for €11m, The Guardian reported.

          12:27 BST: DONE DEAL -- Huesca have signed Turkey international Serdar Gurler from Osmanlispor on a four-year contract as they begin their first season in La Liga.

          12:21 BST: Fiorentina are hosting both Marko Pjaca and Kevin Mirallas for medicals today as the two players near moves to the club.

          12:09 BST: Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore is undergoing a medical ahead of a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, sources told ESPN FC, with Boro trying to line up Everton's Yannick Bolasie as his replacement.

          11:56 BST: Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Bruno Hubner told reporters he has not received a formal offer for left-back Jetro Willems, 24, who has been linked with a move to Fulham.

          11:39 BST: DONE DEAL -- Rangers have signed full-back Borna Barisic from Osijek to a four-year contract.

          Barisic, 25, was included in Croatia's provisional World Cup team but did not make the 23-man squad. He recently played against Rangers in the Europa League second qualifying round tie.

          11:32 BST: Real Madrid are close to sending midfielder Mateo Kovacic on loan to Chelsea for the season, Marca reported.

          The Croatia international, 24, reportedly has refused to train with the club in hopes of securing a move, having already told Madrid officials that he has wanted to leave to secure first-team football on three occasions.

          11:25 BST: Atletico Madrid's €20m purchase of Nikola Kalinic could be announced as soon as today, according to AS.

          Kalinic's arrival should lead to the departure of Kevin Gameiro, who is likely to join Valencia for a reported €16m plus add-ons -- but Superdeporte reported unspecified "last-minute problems" may yet put that on hold.

          11:04 BST: DONE DEAL -- Bayer Leverkusen have signed Sweden international Isaac Kiese Thelin, 26, on a one-year loan from Anderlecht.

          Theilin, 26, spent last season on loan with Waasland-Beveren and scored 16 goals in 25 appearances. Leverkusen have the option to make the deal permanent for €6m, according to kicker.

          10:52 BST: DONE DEAL -- Levante have signed striker Raphael Dwamena from Zurich to a four-year contract.

          10:49 BST: Sassuolo have launched a €12m offer to sign Marlon Santos from Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.

          Santos understands he could be an important player at Sassuolo, but is reluctant to consider a move because he believes he impressed Barca officials during the club's preseason tour of the United States.

          10:32 BST: DONE DEAL -- Burnley announced the signing of Joe Hart from Manchester City on a two-year deal.

          Hart leaves City after spending 2016-17 on loan at Torino and last season on loan at West Ham United and will provide cover while Nick Pope recovers from a shoulder injury that is expected to cost him three months.

          10:24 BST: Real Madrid have signed Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen, the 16-year-old son of former Barcelona and Chelsea star Eidur Godjohnsen.

          10:18 BST: DONE DEAL -- Darmstadt have welcomed defender Tim Reider on a season-long loan from Augsburg.

          10:12 BST: Even though his proposed move to Liverpool fell through before the World Cup, Lyon captain Nabil Fekir has refused to close the door on a move away from his club.

          Fekir returned to training with Lyon on Monday after an extended holiday following the competition and told L'Equipe that while he is "very happy" at the club, "the transfer window is long and things can change very quickly in football."

          10:03 BST: DONE DEAL -- Brighton & Hove Albion have signed 20-year-old winger Anders Dreyer, the top scorer in Denmark's second tier last season, from Esbjerg.

          09:44 BST: Lyon president Jean-Michael Aulas remains adamant that his club will be able to sign Yerry Mina from Barcelona.

          Mina is reportedly close to agreeing personal terms on a move to Everton, but Aulas wrote on Twitter, "I don't think that information is exact."

          09:35 BST: After Alan Shearer congratulated striker Salomon Rondon on his move to Newcastle United on loan from West Bromwich Albion, Rondon thanked the legend:

          09:30 BST: Burnley are set to announce their £4m move for goalkeeper Joe Hart later today, sources have told ESPN FC's Jonathan Smith.

          The former England No. 1 has been a priority for Burnley since Nick Pope injured a shoulder in the first leg of the Europa League tie against Aberdeen in late July.

          09:25 BST: Both AS and Marca reported that Theo Hernandez's loan from Real Madrid to Real Sociedad should be completed this week despite late interest from Juventus and Fulham.

          Madrid have insisted that any club taking the left-back on loan must pick up his wages -- a contentious point for La Real, who do not want to pay him €5m for just one season.

          09:16 BST: Burnley are in talks to sign Derby County striker Matej Vydra, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke, and could offer 28-year-old forward Nakhi Wells in part exchange.

          09:08 BST: DONE DEAL -- Porto have loaned Ghana international Majeed Waris to Nantes for the season with the option of making the deal permanent next summer.

          Waris, 26, joined Porto in January after spending three seasons at Lorient.

          09:02 BST: Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt told Sky Sports that he's flattered by links to Juventus.

          "It's always good to be linked up with a big club like Juventus, you know?" Van Aanholt said. "It's a sign that I'm in a good way -- I'm doing good. I'm feeling good, so I want to keep doing that. Like I said, I'm a Palace player, so I'm looking forward to the season."

          Van Aanholt, who joined Palace from Sunderland in January 2017, said he's happy to remain with Palace.

          "We've got a great team, great boys, great squad," he said. "My family lives in London and my kids go to school in London. Obviously, if you get linked with big clubs like that -- it's just a rumour, isn't it? Unless there are really people coming in, you don't have to worry about it."

          08:46 BST: DONE DEAL -- PSV Eindhoven have signed Australia international Trent Sainsbury to a three-year contract after he left Jiangsu Suning.

          Sainsbury, 26, had his contract annulled last week. The defender joined Jiangsu from PEC Zwolle in 2016 before moving to Inter Milan on loan when restrictions on foreign players were brought in by the Chinese authorities a year later, and after returning to China earlier this year, he was loaned to Grasshoppers.

          08:38 BST: With Simon Mignolet now Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper following the summer signing of Alisson from Roma, Napoli are keen to take the Belgium international on loan, according to La Derniere Heure.

          Liverpool had been in talks with Standard Liege regarding Mignolet, but those discussions are reportedly "at a standstill."

          08:18 BST: After rejoining Sevilla from Barcelona, Aleix Vidal said he followed his heart to return to the club he left in 2015.

          "I feel it has taken too long but I'm back," Vidal said at a presentation after completing his €8.5m transfer on Monday. "I had offers from abroad, from teams that move a lot of money, but I've followed my heart. I've come back with more enthusiasm than before. It's been three difficult years and I'm in the ideal place to return to be who I was."

          08:03 BST: It is possible Paul Pogba could be leaving Manchester United again, with the midfielder unhappy with what he believes is unfair criticism this summer by manager Jose Mourinho, sources have told ESPN FC's Rob Dawson.

          Pogba, however, has no intention of agitating for a move, and United are unwilling to sell him after spending what was then a world-record fee to bring him in from Juventus.

          PAPER TALK
          TOP STORY: United table final bid for Alderweireld

          It's crunch time in Manchester United's pursuit of Toby Alderweireld, according to the Mirror, which says they "have made Spurs a take it or leave it bid."

          United have also been linked with Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng, but Belgium defender Alderweireld is a long-term target for manager Jose Mourinho.

          The Mirror reports that United "will not go above £40 million," and Mourinho has told the club to examine alternatives if Spurs do not lower their asking price of more than £50 million.

          Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News reports that the United boss wants talks with executive vice chairman Ed Woodward before the window closes.

          It says "tension has mounted between Mourinho and the board," with the manager "believed to have been mystified by suggestions he has United's full backing in a window where the club has spent just £73.2m on three signings."

          Arsenal ready to listen to Welbeck offers

          The Arsenal future of Danny Welbeck appears uncertain, says the London Evening Standard, with three Premier League rivals keen on the ex-Manchester United forward.

          It reports that coach Unai Emery "has informed Welbeck he will not be a regular" and Arsenal will consider offers.

          Welbeck has a year left on his contract and, with the Gunners looking to sell after recruiting players worth around £70 million, is likely to depart. Everton, Bournemouth and Southampton are interested, as are Turkish club Besiktas.

          Meanwhile, the BBC reports that West Ham are close to signing Arsenal forward Lucas Perez, who spent last season on loan at Deportivo La Coruna.

          Everton hopeful of Mina move, but Lyon could pounce

          Everton face a battle with Lyon for the signature of Barcelona centre-back Yerry Mina, according to the Telegraph.

          It reports that Mina would cost around £28 million but Everton have been frustrated in their attempts to agree on a final fee and Lyon could step in, with president Jean-Michel Aulas confident they can strike a deal.

          Everton director of football Marcel Brands "has been trying to secure Mina for weeks, efforts which increased a notch with a formal approach to Barcelona."

          Brazil winger Bernard, however, is on the verge of moving to Everton after they saw off competition from a number of clubs.

          Bernard, a free agent after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, has been linked with Chelsea, AC Milan and West Ham, but the Liverpool Echo reports that he is set to complete a move to Goodison Park in the next 24 hours.

          Tap-ins

          -- Leicester would like to make a couple more additions before the window closes, and the Mail says one of those could be Dinamo Zagreb defender Filip Benkovic.

          It reports that the Foxes are in talks over a £13 million move for centre-back Benkovic, who has attracted interest from Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund.

          -- Former Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie might be on his way back to Selhurst Park from Everton, the London Evening Standard reports.

          Bolasie joined Everton from Palace two summers ago but has struggled to establish himself amid knee injury problems, and Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is ready to bring him back to south London.