Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd plan £70m bid, Arsenal agreement, Liverpool consider £90m raid

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip

Friday, July 19

• Manchester United are interested in signing Juventus forward Paulo Dybala

• Nicolo Schira claims Juventus want £72m for the Argentine international

• Liverpool are ‘well positioned’ in the hunt for France Under-17 winger Bilel Hassaini

• Arsenal have beaten Tottenham to the signing of defender William Saliba

14:15 UPDATE: Pep happy with options

Pep Guardiola claims it is not vital Manchester City sign a new centre-back before the start of their latest Premier League title defence.

City have been linked with Leicester’s Harry Maguire but, even if a new face does not arrive, Guardiola feels he is well covered in the position with Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.

The City boss said: “We are so happy with the squad we have. I don’t know if the players here will stay or new players will come, but I am delighted with the players we have.

“Maybe (we will buy) but we have three incredible central defenders and Fernandinho can play in that position. We will see.”

14:00 UPDATE: Merih Demiral move

Manchester United are searching for alternative targets to Harry Maguire.

And they may just have found one in Juventus’ ranks.

Turkish Football claim the Red Devils are monitoring Merih Demiral, who only joined the Italian champions from Sassuolo at the beginning of the month.

Juve paid £16million for the Turkish international but they are asking for upwards of £38million to sanction his sale.

13:30 UPDATE: Car boot sale

Barcelona clearly don’t the funds to sign Neymar and the transfer is developing into a ‘car boot sale’ says Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

The Catalan side are reported to have offered several player-plus-cash deals with Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti all involved.

“It feels like we’re having a car boot sale at the Nou Camp,” Solhekol told The Transfer Show. “I’m not sure PSG are going to be too impressed with this after paying Barcelona £200m in cash for Neymar back in 2017.

“And now it seems like Barcelona simply don’t have the cash up front, which is why they are coming up with this very creative offer.”

13:00 UPDATE: Bruno Fernandes bid

Manchester United are set to launch an offer for Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes.

That’s according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, who claim the Red Devils will offer £70million for the attacking playmaker.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have spent a combined £65million on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Swansea’s Daniel James.

But could see their spending rise to £135m if Fernandes arrives.

12:45 UPDATE: I ignored Al

Steve Bruce has confirmed even good friend Alan Shearer could not persuade him not to take the head coach’s job at Newcastle.

The Magpies record goalscorer revealed in a newspaper column this week that he had advised the 58-year-old over dinner earlier this summer not to accept Mike Ashley’s offer of employment if it came his way in the wake of Rafael Benitez’s departure as manager.

He said: “Well, make no mistake, Alan is a big, big friend of mine and he’s welcome to his opinions, but I would like to think I am my own man.

“As I’ve said many times, I understand the challenge that lies ahead. I’m not everybody’s cup of tea, I am not Rafa Benitez, so whoever was going to sit in this seat was going to find it difficult.”

12:30 UPDATE: Conte: I like this player

Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte has been discussing Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian international has been tipped arrive at the San Siro this summer in a deal worth upwards of £75million.

“You know very well that I like this player, also in the past when I was Chelsea’s coach,” Conte said when asked about Lukaku.

“Today he is a player of United and this is the reality. For sure it’s not easy to play without a striker at the beginning of the season like this. The market is still open.”

12:00 UPDATE: Blaise Matuidi to Man Utd

Manchester United have asked after Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still looking to replace Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera in the heart of United’s midfield.

And with the Sean Longstaff saga continuing to drag – Matuidi is being considered.

Le Parisien claim United and Everton have contacted Juventus about the Frenchman, who could cost £20million.

11:45 UPDATE: Everton target Reinier Jesus

Everton are favourites to sign Flamengo wonderkid Reinier Jesus.

Jesus, 17, is considered to be one of the brightest talents in Brazil and Everton haven’t wasted any time in trying to lure him to Goodison Park.

Globo Esporte claim the Toffees will pay £36million despite the fact Reinier has never made a senior appearance for Flamengo.

“Flamengo directors Marcos Braz and Bruno Spindel traveled to England and sat down with Everton’s representatives. Everton are ready to pay €40m for 17-year-old talent Reinier Jesus,” tweeted a Brazilian reporter.

“Everton are the favorites to sign Reinier, who’s yet to play a senior game for Flamengo, but he’s the biggest talent from their academy, now that Vinícius Jr and Paquetá are gone.

“Flamengo directors were on their way to Spain for talks regarding the signing of Filipe Luís, but stopped in England to listen to Everton’s proposal for Reinier.”

Reinier has also followed Everton, Richarlison, Bernard and Yerry Mina on Instagram.

11:30 UPDATE: Sean Longstaff flattered

Sean Longstaff is flattered by transfer speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.

But the £50m-rated Newcastle midfielder is keeping his “head down” ahead of the 2019/2020 campaign.

“I just keep my head down,” he told The Chronicle. “I am just trying to get fit – that’s all I can focus on. I am still a Newcastle United player.

“I want to get back on the pitch as soon as I can. That is what I am looking forward to doing.

“I make more and more progress every day, that’s all I look forward to. I can’t wait to get on the pitch and impress the new boss.”

11:00 UPDATE: Barcelona want David Alaba

Barcelona have shortlisted Bayern Munich star David Alaba as a potential signing.

The Catalan giants are eager to sign a versatile left-sided defender to provide competition for Jordi Alba.

Real Betis ace Junior Firpo and Raphael Guerreiro have both been linked in recent weeks – but Mundo Deportivo say Alaba has entered the frame.

ESPN FC add that Bayern could potentially be open to selling the 27-year-old after the arrival of £68million signing Lucas Hernandez.

10:45 UPDATE: Neymar key

Ousmane Dembele holds the key to Neymar’s return to Barcelona.

The World Cup winner has been tipped to join PSG in a player-plus-cash deal to lower Neymar’s £200million valuation.

PSG are said not to be interested in Dembele – but Bayern Munich are.

Spanish newspaper Marca claim Barcelona are hopeful of securing a big fee for Dembele IF the Bundesliga champions fail to attract Manchester City winger Leroy Sane.

That injection of cash could allow the Catalan side to bid for Neymar.

10:15 UPDATE: Romelu Lukaku absent again

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed Romelu Lukaku will not play in Saturday’s friendly against Inter Milan in Singapore.

The Belgium striker, who has been linked with a big-money move to Inter this summer, will not be involved in the International Champions Cup clash between the sides.

Asked if Lukaku would play, Solskjaer told a press conference: “No, he’s not fit, so he won’t be available.”

Asked further about the speculation surrounding the frontman, Solskjaer added: “I don’t have any updates from the last time I spoke to you.”

10:00 UPDATE: Kai Havertz

Liverpool are looking to sign Kai Havertz.

But Bayer Leverkusen aren’t prepared to allow their promising 20-year-old midfielder to leave for less than £90million.

German newspaper Bild claim Jurgen Klopp’s side are involved in a three-way battle for the German international’s services – along with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Asked about a potential move to the Bundesliga champions, Havertz said: “I really don’t know yet whether Bayern will be the next or right step for me. I don’t know whether going abroad would come into question. I’m not thinking too much about it right now.”

09:45 UPDATE: Paul Pogba plan

Andreas Pereira will try to stop Paul Pogba from leaving Manchester United… by stealing his phone!

The French international continues to be linked with a mega-money move to Juventus and Real Madrid having expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford.

But Pereira has hatched a cheeky plan to prevent the 26-year-old from leaving.

“It will be very important if he stays with us,” Pereira said. “I learn from him every day. He is one of my closest friends, I have been here with him since 16, so he is like family to me. I might have to steal his phone so he doesn’t speak to anyone!”

09:30 UPDATE: Sean Longstaff will sign

Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff will join Manchester United before deadline day.

That’s according to ESPN journalist Mark Ogden, who believes Steve Bruce’s side will eventually sell for less than their valuation.

The Toon want £50million for the midfield talent but that’s double what Ed Woodward and Co. are prepared to pay.

“I think they’ll still keep plugging away at that one,” Ogden said of the Longstaff deal on the Transfer Talk podcast. “I think Newcastle tend to sell when the price is right. I think at the moment we’re just seeing negotiation tactics.

“Newcastle are holding out for £50m – they won’t get that, nobody will pay that for Sean Longstaff. But I think United at some point will get their man.”

09:15 UPDATE: Ethan Ampadu wanted

RB Leipzig are eager to sign Chelsea talent Ethan Ampadu.

The 18-year-old hasn’t travelled with Chelsea on their pre-season trip to Japan with a season-long loan looking likely.

The Sun claims Ampadu is destined for the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, who are considered front-runners.

Earlier this week, Frank Lampard said of Ampadu: “The idea that he could play a lot of games somewhere is good for him and we haven’t brought him here while that is up in the air.”

09:00 UPDATE: Wilfried Zaha decision

Arsenal chiefs have taken a step-back in their pursuit of Wilfried Zaha.

Zaha’s brother publicly revealed the player’s desire to join the Emirates side, although an initial bid of £40million was hastily rejected by Eagles chairman Steve Parish.

Now, Spanish publication Marca claim the Gunners want Gremio forward Everton Soares instead.

The 23-year-old is a like-for-like alternative for Zaha who can be deployed on both wings, or as a makeshift striker and is expected to cost the club around £37.5million.

08:45 UPDATE: Done Deal – Rondon signs

Salomon Rondon has completed a move to Dalian Yifang from West Brom for an undisclosed fee.

The striker spent last season on loan at Newcastle and links up again with Rafael Benitez, who left St James’ Park for the Chinese Super League club earlier this month.

Rondon joined the Baggies in the summer of 2015, making 120 appearances for the club and scoring 28 goals before their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

“The club wishes Salomon and his family all the very best in the future,” read a West Brom statement.

08:30 UPDATE: Rob Holding plan

Unai Emery is planning for the departure of club captain Laurent Koscielny while mulling a leadership role for young defender Rob Holding.

Koscielny refused to join Arsenal on their US pre-season tour amid claims the 33-year-old will return to Ligue 1 with Bordeaux or Lyon.

Emery had labelled him an “important player” earlier this week but has now openly admitted Koscielny could leave.

“I want one English player in these five captains,” Emery said. “An English player who grew up in our academy can understand the English spirit and Arsenal values. These are the qualities and more.

“We are really happy with his (Holding’s) progress. We need his performances as a centre back. (Before) he had his injury he was really playing with big performances.”

08:15 UPDATE: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bid

Manchester United have submitted a bid for Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

That’s the outlandish claim from website FC Inter News, who say the Red Devils offered £62million for the Gabon international.

It’s believed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Aubameyang, 30, to replace Inter Milan-bound Romelu Lukaku.

Though Unai Emery could do with the funds to generate funds to sign top-target Wilfried Zaha – he report claims Arsenal are ‘trying to resist’ the bid.

08:00 UPDATE: Make me captain!

Harry Maguire believes he can persuade Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to give him the Old Trafford captaincy.

Manchester United have already seen Leicester reject two offers for Maguire, who has been earmarked as their priority transfer target.

And The Sun say Maguire wants the United captaincy if he is to swap Leicester for Old Trafford this summer.

It is claimed the Leicester star would love to follow in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Steve Bruce by skippering the club.

07:45 UPDATE: Paulo Dybala talks

Manchester United are interested in signing Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.

That’s according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, who claims Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have made initial contact with the Serie A champions.

Dybala, 25, scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for Juventus in all competitions last season – but is often forced to play second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Schira claims Juventus want £72million for the Argentine international, who is also attracting attention from PSG.

07:30 UPDATE: Bilel Hassaini free transfer

Liverpool are ‘well positioned’ in the hunt for France Under-17 international Bilel Hassaini.

Hassaini, 18, is a free agent having left Ligue 2 side Nancy without making a single appearance for their senior side.

And Footmercato claim Premier League duo Arsenal and Liverpool are looking to snap him up.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are ‘well positioned’ while Arsenal are still yet to make a ‘concrete’ proposal for the teenage winger.

07:15 UPDATE: William Saliba agreement

Arsenal have beaten Tottenham to the signing of defender William Saliba.

That’s according to ESPN FC, who claim Arsenal will pay £27million and loan Saliba back to Saint-Etienne for the 2019/2020 campaign.

Spurs were thought to have hijacked the deal but the 18-year-old centre-back prefers the Emirates project.

ESPN FC claim a deal has been agreed with only a few minor details left to resolve before an official announcement.