Transfer news LIVE: All the latest from the Premier League and around Europe
Wednesday, June 25
Vida agreement
Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Domagoj Vida.
Turkish publication A Spor claim Vida ‘has signed’ a two-year deal with the Reds with the option of a third.
The report claims the Reds have agreed a deal in principle with the centre-back but must now meet Besiktas’ €25m (£22.2m) asking price.
Another indication of Vida’s impending departure came when the 29-year-old was not included in the squad submitted to UEFA for their Europa League playoff clash against B36 Torshavn.
Vida, whose contract with Besiktas runs until 2022, will link up with fellow Croatia World Cup star Dejan Lovren if he completes a move to Anfield.
Gazidis statement
Arsenal have issued a statement denying chief executive Ivan Gazidis is leaving the club to take up a similar role with AC Milan.
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Kiswick released a statement on the club website saying: “We are aware of the speculation surrounding our chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
“We know he receives many offers from organisations inside and outside the game as he’s a hugely respected figure.
“He has never accepted any of these opportunities and has never spoken about them publicly.
“He has always been fully committed to taking Arsenal forward and is currently working hard in Singapore with our new head coach Unai Emery as we prepare for the new season.”
Hazard price tag set
Chelsea are desperate to keep Eden Hazard but the Blues feel they can get around £178m should the winger decide to quit Stamford Bridge.
According to Football London, the Blues are hoping to hold on to the winger, however, they know they can demand a bumper fee if Hazard decides to leave.
Chelsea feel they can get around £178m (€200m) for Hazard, who has two years remaining on his current Blues contract.
Klopp’s goalkeeper plans
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will reportedly look to complete one more transfer deal if Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet both leave, says Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how it pans out over the next fortnight,” Pearce said.
“Clearly, if Karius and Mignolet both leave then Klopp would need to go and sign a back up keeper.
“I can understand people saying that Karius needs to go and have a fresh start elsewhere, but financially this would be the worst time for Liverpool to sell him. His value is at rock bottom.
“Klopp isn’t looking to move Karius on. His plan is for Karius and [Kamil] Grabara to provide cover for Alisson.
“Of course if Karius really pushes for a move then Klopp may have to re-assess. Either way I can’t see Mignolet staying.”
Maguire confident of Man Utd move
Harry Maguire believes he will join Manchester United before the transfer window shuts.
The Leicester City defender, 25, is wanted by Jose Mourinho before the season kicks off on August 10.
Maguire starred at the World Cup for England and Leicester City have put a huge price on his head to ward off interested parties.
But the Mail say Maguire is confident he will complete a move to United where he will link up with Mourinho – regardless of the price.
Cech on contract
Petr Cech says he is taking no notice of speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal.
Cech has one year left on his contract and has seen Bernd Leno arrive to compete to be first choice.
But the 36-year-old insists he wants to stay.
He said: “I have a contract with Arsenal. I am concentrating on this season, on the competition between the goalkeepers because we have plenty of options.
“I’m doing my best to show to the manager that I can be in the starting lineup when the season starts. “That’s my aim and as for the speculation, I don’t really follow it.”
Vida offer
Liverpool have tabled an offer of €22m (£19.5m) for Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida.
Besiktas defender Vida caught Klopp’s eyes at the World Cup where he helped Croatia reach the final before his side suffered defeat against France.
Reports over the weekend suggested Liverpool chiefs will fly out to Istanbul to complete a deal.
French paper L’Equipe claim a deal for the player is still on the cards despite Besiktas’ demands of them holding out for €30m (£26.6m).
Man Utd swap deal
Manchester United and Tottenham could agree to a shock swap deal on deadline day, according to Sky Sports man Michael Bridge.
He thinks some late transfer business could see Anthony Martial traded in for Spurs centre-back Toby Alderweireld.
Both players want to leave their clubs and are at the centre of their own transfer wranglings.
“Anthony Martial’s future could be the big talking point of the transfer window,” Bridge told the Transfer Talk podcast.
“Chelsea have entered the fray and I have said plenty of times that Spurs have a longstanding interest in Martial and I still stand by that.
“There may even be a deadline day swap between him and Toby Alderweireld, who knows. There will still be plenty to go in the last few weeks.
Vidal battle
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly both keen on signing Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal this summer.
That’s according to CalcioMercato, who believe that the Chilean will be available for around €30million (£26.6m).
Vidal has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Allianz Arena with the Bundesliga champions having brought in Leon Goretzka from Schalke on a free transfer.
Mourinho has publicly declared that he still wants two more signings having brought in Fred, Diogo Dalot and back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant so far.
While Chelsea are also being strongly linked with a move for Vidal as Maurizio Sarri looks to build his own team ahead of life in the Premier League.
Welbeck could leave
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Danny Welbeck could leave the Emirates this summer.
“It’s possible Danny Welbeck might look to leave Arsenal this summer,” Parlour told bwin.
“There’s a lot of competition for places and he’s at that age where he really needs to be playing every week.
“He’s an important asset for Arsenal coming off the bench due to his versatility, but he doesn’t have the finishing skills needed to be above the likes of Aubameyang, Lacazette, [Mesut] Ozil or [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan in the pecking order.
“It’s very important that Arsenal keep Aaron Ramsey, especially after already losing Jack Wilshere this summer.
“Arsenal need British players at the club after losing the likes of [Theo] Walcott and [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain in recent times.
“Ramsey would start every week and he’s well suited to a deeper midfield role next to Torreira, who can provide the platform for Ramsey to join attacks late in a similar style to Frank Lampard.”