Transfer news LIVE: Dybala refuses Man Utd clause, Pepe announced, Spurs Fernandes talks

Transfer news LIVE updates – Thursday, August 1

• Paulo Dybala will make a decision on whether to join Manchester United 
• Arsenal have announced the signing of Nicolas Pepe
• Tottenham open talks with Sporting Lisbon for Bruno Fernandes
• Aston Villa have completed the signing of Tom Heaton from Burnley
• Premier League done deals: Every confirmed transfer in the top flight this summer

7.50pm UPDATE: Newcastle signing close

Newcastle have agreed a £16m (€18m) deal for Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin, according to RMC Sport.

The transfer will also include a number of bonuses which could see the fee rise to around £20m.

The Frenchman will sign a six-year deal at Newcastle and will become Bruce’s third summer signing, the report says.

The deal will take Newcastle’s summer spending to around £55m, leaving the Magpies with a net transfer spend of £23m.

7.15pm UPDATE: Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney hope

Unai Emery could complete the signing of Celtic star Kieran Tierney before the end of the transfer window thanks to one player.

The Gunners have had a couple of bids turned down for Tierney by Celtic so far this summer.

Their initial £15million bid was quickly rejected, while a £25m deal was shot down as it included a number of add-ons.

But, Arsenal are expected to sell midfielder Krystian Bielik to Derby this week in a £10m deal.

That extra £10m could help Emery to fund a transfer for Tierney without the need for tonnes of added clauses, according to the Daily Record.

7pm UPDATE: United’s Maguire boost

Manchester United have been offered hope in their pursuit of Harry Maguire, after the star was left out of the Leicester squad for their final pre-season friendly.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Leicester made the decision ahead of the match against Atalanta tomorrow due to his frame of mind.

It’s expected that the England international again reiterated his desire to join Manchester United after sit-down talks to discuss his future today.

6.35pm UPDATE: Tottenham in Fernandes talks

Tottenham have reportedly opened talks with Sporting Lisbon for midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who has been heavily linked to Manchester United this summer.

Sky Sports News claim that Spurs have started discussions with Sporting Lisbon over a move for £70million-rated Fernandes.

They cite one source who claims a Tottenham official met with Sporting chiefs in Lisbon today.

While United are interested in Fernandes, Sky Sports report that he is not their primary target as they work on deals for other players.

Spurs are said to view Fernandes as an alternative to Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso.

6pm UPDATE: Emery on Pepe

Unai Emery has revealed why he signed Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe has made the switch to Arsenal from Lille with the Gunners believed to have paid a club record £72million for the player’s talents.

The north London club will pay for the 24-year-old in instalments with Emery believed to have had a restricted transfer budget this summer.

But the Spanish coach says he wanted the Ivorian winger in order to extra pace to his forward line.

“Nicolas is a highly-rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe,” Emery said.

“Signing a top-class winger has been one of our key objectives in this transfer window and I’m delighted he’s joining.

“He will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team.”

5.15pm UPDATE: Pepe excited for Laca link-up

Nicolas Pepe is excited to combine with Alexandre Lacazette at the Emirates after his £72million move was confirmed.

Pepe joins from Ligue 1 side Lille three years after Lacazette swapped Lyon for Arsenal two years ago.

And the Gunners’ new boy can’t wait to play alongside the striker.

He said: “The French guys who play here. Then I also thought of Özil, the world champions, Lacazette, Aubameyang and many more.

“Of course, these are the players who sprang to mind because I used to watch them when I was at Lille. 

“Also, Lacazette used to play for Lyon and so I have had the opportunity to play against him and it will be an honour to play alongside him.” 

4.30pm UPDATE: Nicolas Pepe announced

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille.

The 24-year-old winger has penned a five-year deal with the Gunners.

The Ivory Coast international, who moves to the Emirates in a blockbuster £72million deal, said: “Being here is very emotional because it has not been easy for me.

“I have come a long way and struggled a lot and so signing for this great club is a big reward.”

2.50pm UPDATE: Rivaldo on Neymar transfer

Barcelona hero Rivaldo believes Neymar is on his way out of Paris Saint-Germain and wants to see his fellow Brazilian back at the Nou Camp.

“There are rumours that Neymar could stay at PSG this season, but I’m convinced that there will come a good offer for him before transfer deadline,” Rivaldo told Betfair.

“The player has shown he is unhappy and the club is willing to negotiate for the right price, so there’s still a strong chance he will leave.

“I expect Neymar and his agent are trying to find solutions to avoid another season in Paris and the club won’t want to keep him in his current situation.

“I’m confident that club and player will reach an agreement soon that suits both parties, transferring the player to another big European club.

“The question is, which one? As I’ve said before, I’d love to see him back at Barcelona.”

2.20pm UPDATE: Arsenal drop hint on Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal have dropped a hint about when Nicolas Pepe’s transfer will be confirmed on their official website.

Arsenal have won the race to sign the highly-rated Lille winger for an estimated fee of £72million.

The 24-year-old winger is set to break the Gunners’ transfer record when the deal goes through, but fans are confused as to why the announcement has stalled.

The club’s official website dropped a hint about the deal on Wednesday evening suggesting supporters won’t have to wait much longer to see the player’s status confirmed, in a message on their live blog.

Arsenal beat Angers on penalties after a 1-1 draw in France, with the employee hinting that a deal will be done in the “not-too-distant future”.

The post, accompanied by a wink emoji, read: “It’s been a promising pre-season, with plenty of players catching the eye during our games in the United States, a couple of new additions joining the ranks recently…

“…and, who knows, maybe more will follow in the not-too-distant future.”

1.50pm UPDATE: Neymar angering PSG

Neymar is reportedly angering PSG chiefs and coaching staff on the club’s pre-season tour of China amid links to Barcelona.

Neymar is wanted back at Barcelona this transfer window, just two years on from his controversial move to PSG.

The Brazil international has been left to rue his decision to move to the Parc des Princes in 2017 and is unhappy with life in the capital.

So far, Barcelona have been unable to sign Neymar from PSG with relations between the two European giants strained.

Yet their cause is being helped by the player himself who, according to Catalonian newspaper Sport, has angered PSG chiefs and coaching staff.

The Ligue 1 titans are currently in China on their pre-season tour of the Far East.

1.10pm UPDATE: Tottenham could risk missing out on Giovani Lo Celso

Tottenham could risk losing out on summer target Giovani Lo Celso as boss Mauricio Pochettino distanced himself from the club’s transfer policy.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen on adding Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso to his outfit this summer.

Spurs are interested in the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, who impressed several clubs while on loan at Real Betis last season, as the 23-year-old scored 16 goals in 45 games for the Spanish side.

And his performances in La Liga saw Betis sign Lo Celso for €22million (£20m) this April after triggering an option in his loan deal, but with several big clubs interested in the midfielder they are willing quickly part ways, if their valuation is met.

It is understood Betis would be willing to allow any team to talk to Lo Celso if they table a bid of £70m.

And, according to the Mirror, Napoli are threatening to scupper an approach from Spurs, as they look to add a goalscoring midfielder to their team.

12.50pm UPDATE: Tom Heaton delighted to join Aston Villa

Tom Heaton is delighted to have made the transfer from Burnley to Aston Villa.

“It has been on the cards for a little while and I wasn’t sure that it was going to go through, so I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” Heaton told Aston Villa’s website.

“Having spoken to the manager, it seems like a fantastic opportunity. It is great that this massive football club is back in the Premier League and I’m delighted to be part of it.”

Head coach Dean Smith added: “I am delighted that Tom is joining Aston Villa.

“He’s done fantastically well for Burnley over the past few years and his experience and knowledge of the Premier League will be a major asset to us this season.”

12.30pm UPDATE: Newcastle eye another signing

Newcastle are set to make a major transfer breakthrough over the next few days as Steve Bruce prepares for the new Premier League season.

The Toon have already broken their transfer record during the current window by signing Joelinton from Hoffenheim for around £40million.

However, reports suggest that their business won’t end there, with another deal set to reach the final stages over the next few days.

It’s understood one deal could be all but done over the next 48 hours, with the mystery man set to come in just a week before transfer deadline day.

Newcastle have been heavily linked with Rangers captain James Tavernier in recent days, while Ciaran Clark has been linked with an outgoing deal.

12.10pm UPDATE: Brendan Rodgers on Harry Maguire rumours

Harry Maguire is at the centre of transfer speculation with Manchester United desperate to sign the Leicester star.

But Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed he is relaxed about the rumours.

“I’m obviously relaxed with it,” Rodgers told BBC Leicester Sport.

“It is what it is. The player has been first class with his attitude in his training.

“The club hasn’t changed its stance in terms of the valuation for the player.”

11.45am UPDATE: Paulo Dybala makes Man Utd demand

Manchester United target Paulo Dybala has reportedly demanded specialist treatment if he is to join from Juventus this transfer window.

And Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri has claimed the Argentina international wants no clause in his contract that would see his wages reduced.

Dybala wants £9million annually to join Manchester United.

As things stand, player’s at the club have had their wages slashed by 25 per cent due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

But Palmeri has revealed that Dybala has demanded that no such clause be placed within his own contract.

“Dybala requested 10m€ net per year to Manchester United, but not accepting 25% cut clause if no Champions League spot that Mufc impose on whole squad,” he tweeted.

“Dybala playing difficult, Lukaku-Juventus on hold. Few days ago Dybala rejected Inter. Meanwhile, Cavani too rejected Inter.”

11.15am UPDATE: Malcom to snub Arsenal and Tottenham and make switch

Barcelona forward Malcom has missed training for the Catalan giants as he prepares to leave for Zenit St Petersburg in the coming days.

Malcom has failed to live up to expectations since joining Barcelona from Bordeaux in 2018.

The 22-year-old made just 15 league appearances in his debut season in Spain after he decided to call off a move to Roma at the last possible moment.

Arsenal and Tottenham were understood to be interested in signing the former Brazil youth international in a cut-price deal, but look set to miss out.

Everton were another Premier League side that were linked with former Corinthians winger Malcom, who is now set for a move to the Russian Premier League.

10.45am UPDATE: Wilfried Zaha to Chelsea claim

Chelsea and Crystal Palace will broker a deal that sees Wilfried Zaha join the Blues for the start of the 2020/21 season.

That is the huge claim of comedian, writer and Crystal Palace fan Kevin Day.

He can see Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who had a spell on loan at Palace last season, being used as part of a deal.

Day said on talkSPORT: “This is something that has happened in the last week or so, is that I think there will be some kind of deal backstage with Chelsea that he will go there next season and possibly Batshuayi will be involved at some stage either this season or next.”

10.15am UPDATE: Timo Werner told to reject Liverpool

Timo Werner must not join Liverpool before next week’s deadline because he will not break into their starting XI, claims ESPN FC pundit Shaka Hislop.

“This makes sense from a Liverpool perspective,” Hislop said.

“But if I’m Timo Werner, last year of my contract or not, I think I’m starting somewhere.

“And I don’t see Timo Werner getting into Liverpool’s front three anytime soon.

“So from the club’s perspective, yes, but from the player’s perspective, it doesn’t make an awful lot of sense.

“Given how sturdy and steady that front three has been, I don’t see him pulling up any trees there.”