Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd medical, Arsenal talks, new Liverpool target, Real Madrid cost

Transfer news LIVE: Monday July 15

• Manchester United are said to be preparing for Harry Maguire to undergo a medical today
• Arsenal will continue speaking to Celtic despite a second Kieran Tierney bid being snubbed
• Liverpool have set their sights on a potential new signing after a quiet summer window so far
• Real Madrid are facing having to pay more than they intended to for wantaway Paul Pogba

11:20 UPDATE: Man Utd transfer ploy

Manchester United are said to be trying to drive down the price of a deal for Harry Maguire by pointing to the example of Matthijs de Ligt.

De Ligt is closing in on a £71m move to Juventus having risen to the for while plying his trade with boyhood club Ajax.

That figure is a tad lower than the £80m United have been quoted by Leicester as they attempt to hammer out a deal.

The London Evening Standard, contrary to reports a fee has been agreed, say United want the Foxes to lower Maguire’s valuation based on how much De Ligt is going for.

10:45 UPDATE: Steve Bruce closer to Newcastle job

Newcastle managerial target Steve Bruce is said to have quit Sheffield Wednesday as he closes in on a move to St James’ Park.

Times reporter Paul Joyce tweeted: “Steve Bruce is understood to have resigned as Sheffield Wednesday manager this morning, along with assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence.

“All three put resignations in writing. Newcastle have made an offer of compensation to Sheffield Wed – but it is still to be accepted.”

Bruce has emerged as the man Mike Ashley wants to lead Newcastle going forward following the departure of Rafa Benitez.

10:25 UPDATE: Arsenal close in on deal

Arsenal representatives are in Brazil today to hammer out a deal for Gremio and Brazil star Everton.

That is according to Porto Alegre-based journalist Sergio Araujo, who says a medical is on the cards.

“Representatives of the Arsenal of England arrive tomorrow to Porto Alegre to hit the hiring of Everton Cebolinha,” Araujo wrote on Twitter.

“The team consists of physicians of the English club who will make examinations to know the physical conditions of the [Gremio] player.”

10:00 UPDATE: Arsenal eye up Malcom

Arsenal face a real battle to get Malcom through the door as Unai Emery seeks to add to his attacking options.

The Gunners are said to have turned to the Barcelona misfit having fallen short in their attempts to sign Wilfried Zaha.

However, The Sun reckon Malcom’s £200,000-a-week wages could put paid to their hopes of landing him too.

Arsenal are operating with a reduced budget after failing to secure Champions League qualification and that extends to their salary budget.

09:45 UPDATE: Rangers handed Liverpool transfer advice

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish says Rangers face a wait before learning whether or not Ryan Kent will be heading back to Ibrox.

“Rangers will need to be patient with this one,” Dalglish said. “They have up until the end of August to bring players in, and they may well have to wait well into next month before they get Kent – if they get him at all.

“It will be frustrating for the Rangers support not to see the deal done, and having Kent available in time for the SPFL league opener away to Kilmarnock would be a hugely popular move with them.

“Everyone at Ibrox wants to see Kent back in the blue jersey. The boy enjoyed the experience of last season, and playing in front of 50,000 supporters every other week.

“It could well be he ends up back in Glasgow, but I wouldn’t anticipate a decision on that one being made any time soon.”

09:30 UPDATE: Paul Pogba told to ignore Real Madrid

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson insists Paul Pogba must focus on the task in hand rather than a potential transfer to Real Madrid.

“You are contracted to Man United, (so you have to) get your head down, do your pre-season, which, from what I have seen in the training sessions he has done,” Robson said.

“And if something happens and the club want it to happen, or if it doesn’t, you have to get on.

“You are contracted to Manchester United. You have to give everything for that club, that team and the fans.”

09:15 UPDATE: Arsenal blasted in brutal statement

Arsenal’s transfer strategy is just one aspect of the club’s activity which has been slammed by Gunners fan collective The Black Scarf Movement.

“There is a desperate need for some new and dynamic appointments,” their statement read.

“The addition of independently-minded directors can act as a genuine check and balance on the owner. Ideal candidates would have football and commercial expertise relevant to the needs of a football club in 2019, and ideally some ‘Arsenal DNA’.

“Arsenal have invested money in recent years, but their approach to both buying players and paying wages looks uncoordinated and appears to lack strategy. There has also been a lot of turnover in the senior football personnel. A strong board would be proactively managing this.”

09:10 UPDATE: How Barcelona plan to re-sign Neymar

Barcelona will only be able to land Neymar if Paris Saint-Germain are willing to accept players in part-exchange.

The wantaway Brazilian is angling for a return to the Nou Camp having grown disillusioned with life at the Parc des Princes.

But Barcelona’s summer spending on Frenkie de Jong and Antoine Griezmann means they are short of cash to do a deal.

Sport say they have now enlisted agent Pini Zahavi to talk PSG into taking some of their misfits in return for Neymar.

09:05 UPDATE: Rangers boss Steven Gerrard raves over deal

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard believes new £3m signing Filip Helander represents a bargain in the current climate.

“He naturally gives us balance as a left-footer. That enables us to play with a two or with a back three. He will be able to defend our box and be a threat at set-pieces,” Gerrard said.

“He is comfortable on the ball. He’s a good man, he’s a leader. We do need more voices out there if we want to challenge for the top prizes. He is another good type through the door.

“At £3m for him, we’ve done really well If you look at what is going on in the market in front of us, in England and around the world for a centre-back, £3m is money well spent. But he has to go and prove it now.”

09:00 UPDATE: Arsenal plot Tottenham transfer hijack

Tottenham transfer target Dani Alves has been lined up for a move to their north London rivals by Unai Emery.

AS reckon the Gunners boss has told Emirates chiefs to hand the out-of-contract Brazil star an offer to join them.

Tottenham had been looking at Alves as a potential candidate to bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

While his release from Paris Saint-Germain is understood to have sparked interest form Manchester City as well.

08:55 UPDATE: How Funso Ojo ended up at Aberdeen

Aberdeen new boy Funso Ojo has lifted the lid on how Derek McInnes hijacked his move as he looked set to join Hibernian.

“I was in Edinburgh when [McInnes] was still ringing me and he wanted to come get me in the middle of the night,” Ojo said.

“I told him I would drive myself up and not to worry about it and he spent the whole day with me.

“We talked about football and other things and he touched something in me.

“I’m really happy to be here. I’ve been here since this morning but it all feels real now. It’s a big relief and the pressure is off my shoulders now. I’m officially an Aberdeen player.”

08:50 UPDATE: Real Madrid told new Paul Pogba price

Real Madrid are going to have to fork out at least £150m if they are to prise Paul Pogba away from Manchester United.

Pogba is one of Zinedine Zidane’s last-remaining targets following a spree which has already improved his squad.

But United are steadfast in their desire to keep hold of the midfielder and have upped their valuation as a consequence.

ESPN reckon United see Pogba being worth a minimum of £150m in the wake of Neymar’s £200m world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

08:20 UPDATE: Liverpool identify new target

Liverpool have put Fedor Chalov on their wish list as Jurgen Klopp looks to make up for Daniel Sturridge’s departure.

The Reds boss is keen to bring in a back-up for his all-star forward line of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

And The Mirror reckon Chalov is the man he is chasing following a successful stint at CSKA Moscow.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also said to be interested in snaring the forward, who plays his international football with Russia.

07:50 UPDATE: Arsenal set for more Kieran Tierney talks

Arsenal are not giving up hope of thrashing out a deal for Celtic defender Kieran Tierney ahead of next season.

The Gunners are believed to have had two bids for the left-back turned down by the Glasgow giants.

But Express Sport understands talks will continue this week, with Unai Emery intent on landing the Scotsman.

With Nacho Monreal edging towards retirement and doubts around Sead Kolasinac, Tierney is seen as the man to improve the left side of Arsenal’s defence for the long-term.

07:20 UPDATE: Man Utd plan Harry Maguire medical

Manchester United will put Harry Maguire through his paces today after agreeing an £80m fee with Leicester, it has been sensationally claimed.

The Sun reported on Sunday that United had struck a deal for the England international worth £60m, with a further £20m guaranteed in add-ons.

That would make Maguire the most expensive defender in history – usurping £75m Liverpool talisman Virgil van Dijk.

Maguire is supposedly set to head to Carrington at some point today in order to undergo a medical ahead of the potential move.