- Done Deal: Sassuolo sign Marlon Santos from Barcelona
- Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui wants to sign Marcos Alonso
- Luka Modric could still make a sensational move to Inter Milan
- Chelsea turned down the opportunity to sign World Cup winner Nabil Fekir
Barcelona use Verratti failure
Barcelona signed Malcom and Arturo Vidal this summer, with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti reportedly key to both transfer deals.
Vidal and Malcom were not originally top of Barcelona’s transfer target list with the club instead missing out on their preferred options.
And Mundo Deportivo say that PSG midfielder Verratti was key to the signings of both men, because of their failure to sign him last season.
And Mundo Deportivo say that, this summer, they decided to devise a new transfer system instead of focusing on just one player, Barcelona opted to have three names in mind for one position.
Transfer news: Barcelona failed to sign Marco Verratti last season (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd refuse Pogba sale
Manchester United are digging their heels and refusing to sell Paul Pogba despite interest from Barcelona.
Pogba and Jose Mourinho’s relationship is at breaking point and Pogba is seemingly angling for a move away with Barcelona keen.
But the Sun report that United will refuse to do business this summer and will keep their disgruntled star.
The World Cup winner wore the captain’s armband last week in the opening game of the season against Leicester, and scored the opening goal.
Transfer news: Paul Pogba is keen to leave Manchester United (Image: GETTY)
Adrien Rabiot to Liverpool?
Liverpool could enter the race for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, reports claim.
The Frenchman had seemed set to join Barcelona, but could stay at the Parc des Princes.
Juventus could make a move before the transfer window closes in Italy later today.
However, the Liverpool Echo claim the Reds could sign Rabiot on a pre-contract agreement if Juve fail to clinch a deal.
Chelsea Willian contract decision
Chelsea are reportedly prepared to relax their strict contract policy to keep hold of Willian.
Chelsea normally only offer one-year contract extensions to players when they turn 30.
Willian was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge over the summer, and he was the subject of three failed bids from Barcelona.
Ernesto Valverde is still looking to shore up his midfield in the wake of Andres Iniesta’s departure and he still has time to bring some fresh faces through the door with the Spanish transfer window closing on August 31.
Manchester United also coveted Willian’s signature, with Jose Mourinho eager to reunite with the winger, who he previously worked when he was in charge of the west London outfit.
And The Sun report the Blues have been impressed with Willian’s ‘high-energy football’ and his ‘commitment’.
It is said his loyalty has not gone unnoticed and he is line for a two-year deal.
Mohamed Salah Real Madrid transfer prediction
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah would be in ‘paradise’ if he signed for Real Madrid or Barcelona.
That is the opinion of Barcelona legend Ronaldinho, who enjoyed a lot of success during his time at the Nou Camp.
The 26-year-old ended up putting pen to paper on a new five-year deal with the Merseyside outfit earlier this summer.
But Ronaldinho is convinced that Salah would be in his element if he played in La Liga.
When asked whether he could play for Real or Barcelona, Ronaldinho said: “Salah has the ability to play in any club and any league.
“The Spanish league will be very suitable for a great player like Mohamed [Salah], and for him, it will be like a paradise.”
Done Deal: Sassuolo sign Marlon Santos
Sassuolo have reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign defender Marlon Santos, the Catalan club have announced.
The Serie A club will pay an initial £5.3million for the Brazilian defender, who joined Barcelona from Fluminense in 2016.
Barcelona have inserted a buyback clause in Santos’ contract but Sassuolo will have to pay a further £5.3m should the Catalan side decide NOT to bring him back to the Nou Camp.
“Barcelona and Sassuolo have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Marlon Santos. The Italian club will pay FC Barcelona 6million euros,” a club statement read.
“FC Barcelona retain the right to buy back the player and 50% of the economic rights on any future sale. The clause regarding future sale will not come into effect if Marlon plays 50 games with Sassuolo, at which point the Italian club is obliged to pay another 6 million euros.
“Barcelona would like to publicly express their gratitude to Marlon and wish him all the best in the future.”
Wanted: Marcos Alonso
Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui wants to sign Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso.
Defender Theo Hernandez was officially unveiled by Real Sociedad earlier this afternoon, and Lopetegui wants to bring a new left-back to the Bernabeu.
Lopetegui surprisingly axed Alonso from his World Cup squad in favour of Arsenal star Nacho Monreal before leaving on the eve of the competition.
But Tribal Football claim Lopetegui is still a “big fan” of the 27-year-old, and will look to bolster his defensive ranks before the transfer window closes on August 31.
Real Madrid Transfer News: Luka Modric could still make a sensational move to Inter Milan (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea transfer news: Jack Butland was linked with a move to the Blues (Image: GETTY)
Butland: I was always focused on Stoke
Jack Butland has explained why the links to Chelsea never materialised this summer.
“I wasn’t actively looking for one,” he told Sky Sports. “Obviously if an opportunity presented itself and it’s an opportunity to go to the top level, then you take it.
“They weren’t quite there, so for me I was always focused on Stoke regardless. If anything changed then I’d accept it and deal with that at the time.
“I was prepared and ready to stay and that’s developed. So I’m more than happy to be here. I believe we’ve got a good squad got a good chance to get back up.
“Ultimately I want to get back to the Premier League and the best way of doing that is with Stoke City.”
Cuco considering offers
Everton defender Cuco Martina is considering offers from two Championship clubs.
The former Southampton full-back is surplus to requirements under Marco Silva and been told that he’s free to leave Goodison Park.
The Liverpool Echo claim Stoke, who signed Ashley Williams on a season-long loan, and Middlesbrough.
Arsenal transfer news: Stephy Mavididi in action while on loan at Charlton (Image: GETTY)
Juventus medical
Arsenal striker Stephy Mavididi is set for a medical at Juventus ahead of joining their B team.
The 20-year-old had a prolific record in the youth team and has been sent out on loan to Charlton twice and Preston North End to gain experience in the past two seasons.
But the pathway to the first team has proved difficult for Mavididi and it appears he has decided to take his talents to Italy.
According to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, agent Jashari Nussi has facilitated the move which will see Mavididi link up with Juventus’ B team.
Arsenal are desperate to cut their wage bill and a number of players could join foreign clubs before the window closes on August 31.
Luka Modric to Inter Milan
Luka Modric could still make a sensational move to Inter Milan before the Italian transfer window slams shut tomorrow.
Los Blancos chief Emilio Butragueno looked to have killed any prospect of Modric leaving when telling reporters that Modric “couldn’t be happier” at the Bernabeu.
But reports in Italy suggest the deal is alive.
Calciomercato claim Modric’s agent, Vlado Lemic, has been in direct contact with president Florentino Perez to ask whether his client could be released.
The report continues to add that Perez categorically refused to sell Modric but Calciomercato say that “hope remains, but a deal is very tough.”
Chelsea withdrew Nabil Fekir interest
Chelsea turned down the opportunity to sign World Cup winner Nabil Fekir before the close of the transfer window, it has been claimed.
The Lyon midfielder emerged as a shock target for the Premier League side before the transfer window shut.
The west Londoners attempted to open negotiations with the Ligue 1 side over a last-ditch deal for the 25-year-old, though the Algerian-born Frenchman ended up staying at the Groupama Stadium.
And Goal have claimed last season’s FA Cup winners opted against signing Lyon’s captain as they managed to retain the services of several key players.
Blues midfielders Eden Hazard and Willian were both linked with big-money moves away from Stamford Bridge, with the former stating that ‘it might be time to discover something different.’
And their decision to stay put apparently played a key role in Chelsea chief Maurizio Sarri deciding not to sign Fekir.
Chelsea Transfer News: Nabil Fekir has attracted the attentions of several clubs (Image: GETTY)