The summer transfer window is here, and there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Spurs to beat Juve to Zaniolo?
Tottenham Hotspur are keen on making a move for AS Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo, reports Tuttosport.
With the Premier League club on the lookout for an attacking midfielder, the report says that Spurs boss Antonio Conte has identified the 23-year-old as his priority target in that position.
Zaniolo is currently on the radar of Juventus, but Spurs director Fabio Paratici will meet with representatives from Roma for talks over a potential deal in the region of €45 million.
The Italy international's preference is to remain in Serie A if he leaves the Estadio Olimpico this summer, but with an agreement yet to be reached with the Bianconeri, as well as the chance for Jose Mourinho to avoid sending one of his star players to a competitive rival, Spurs are confident that they can swoop in and hijack the deal.
Zaniolo made 28 league appearances for Roma last season and has two years remaining on his contract.
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21.37 BST: Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez has signed with Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, the Dutch club announced on Friday. Gimenez, 21, joins Feyenoord after being at Liga MX side Cruz Azul since 2017. Read the full story.
❗ OFICIAL ❕@Santigim9 ➮ Feyenoord 🔴⚪⚫
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) July 29, 2022
21.04 BST: Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids are racing for the signature of defender Cheikhou Ndiaye of Senegalese outfit Generation Foot, reports Foot Mercato. The versatile 20-year-old has caught the attention of clubs with his ability to perform in defensive midfield as well as in his more natural position at centre-back, and he has recently stood out while playing for Senegal at U23 level.
20.47 BST: The Athletic's Paul Tenorio has more news on the San Jose Earthquakes, with the MLS club reportedly having received a transfer offer from Ligue 1 outfit Stade de Reims for United States youth international Cade Cowell. The 18-year-old winger has made 68 appearances since debuting in 2020, registering seven goals and 11 assists in 3,110 minutes of first-team action.
20.31 BST: AS Roma are continuing their search for a No. 9, and they have identified former Torino frontman Andrea Belotti as a potential solution, according to Corriere dello Sport. The 28-year-old Italy international is a free agent, and Jose Mourinho is keen on securing him as cover for Tammy Abraham.
19.58 BST: Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard would be willing to make the switch to Chelsea, according to Bild's Christian Falk. Having missed out on a move for Jules Kounde, the Blues have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old France international who can play at right- or centre-back, although Thomas Tuchel's side are yet to make an approach.
19.41 BST: After failing to convince Gianluca Busio to return to MLS, Charlotte FC have turned their attentions to another United States midfielder, with the Athletic's Paul Tenorio reporting that the expansion club have submitted a trade offer to the San Jose Earthquakes for Jackson Yueill. The 25-year-old Minnesota native has represented the U.S. on 16 occasions in the past three years, and has made 135 appearances since the Quakes selected him sixth overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
19.25 BST: AC Milan have agreed a fee with Club Brugge for the transfer of attacker Charles De Ketelaere, reports GIanluca Di Marzio. The Rossoneri will send a total of €36m to the Belgian club, with the 21-year-old Belgium international set to undergo his medical at the San Siro on Sunday.
18.52 BST: Austin FC have signed Argentine attacker Emiliano Rigoni from Brazilian side Sao Paulo, the MLS club announced Friday. Financial terms of the transfer were not released, but ESPN reported earlier this month that the teams had agreed a $4m fee. Rigoni is signed through the 2024 season with club options in 2025 and 2026. Read the full story.
Sos es VERDE. 🌳
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) July 29, 2022
Welcome to Austin, @EmiRigoni! pic.twitter.com/UwLYIo8WaM
18.19 BST: Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey is attracting interest from MLS, according to the Mail. The 31-year-old is a free agent after he and Juventus agreed to terminate his contract, and it is reported that he could be persuaded to follow Gareth Bale to LAFC despite interest in his services from around Europe.
17.46 BST: Marseille are confident of closing a deal for Alexis Sanchez, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. The Ligue 1 club have been locked in talks with the 33-year-old forward, who is open to making the switch after they qualified for the Champions League last season. But with Igor Tudor's side unable to match the salary that he earns at Inter Milan, the deal depends on the severance package that the Serie A side will offer him, with the Nerazzurri planning to release him on a free transfer this summer.
17.13 BST: Chelsea are optimistic of winning the race for Sheffield United starlet Will Osula, reports the Sheffield Star. With the 18-year-old forward close to a loan move to League one club Burton Albion, the Blues are hopeful that their relationship with the club's manager Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink will help edge them in front of Liverpool and Newcastle United for his signature. The Denmark youth international made five appearances from the bench in the Championship last season, with displays that saw him quickly added to the radars of sides in the Premier League.
16.40 BST: AC Milan are still desperate to sign Japhet Tanganga on loan, but are struggling to agree terms with Tottenham Hotspur
Gazzetta dello Sport says that Milan want a loan with an option to sign permanently, but Spurs want it to be a obligation to sign.
Paris Saint-Germain's Abdou Diallo is seen as a back-up option if Milan cannot get an agreement with Spurs.
15.54 BST: Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Manchester City, The Sun reports.
The 24-year-old, who joined Brighton from Getafe 12 months ago, was at Barcelona's Academy and has been tracked by Pep Guardiola all summer.
Brighton are demanding a transfer fee of £50m for the player.
When asked about his interest at Friday's press conference, Guardiola told reporters: "He is a Brighton player, I cannot say anything else."
15.10 BST: ESPN's Steve Nicol isn't certain that Roberto Firmino would get game time if he were to move to Juventus from Liverpool.
14.25 BST: Barcelona will listen to transfer offers for Sergino Dest as they continue to pursue Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta following the signing of Jules Kounde, sources have confirmed to ESPN's Moises Llorens.
ESPN revealed earlier this summer that Barca had communicated to Dest that he was part of their plans for the upcoming season.
Dest, 21, is happy at Barcelona and said earlier in July that he would "definitely" stay beyond the transfer window.
Coach Xavi Hernandez also remains in favour of Dest staying because he offers different qualities to the other full-backs in the squad, but a series of factors have forced the club to reconsider their stance on the United States international.
A failure to move on players who have been deemed surplus to requirements by Xavi means Barca must now consider letting others leave.
13.49 BST: Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla reports that Atalanta's Luis Muriel is a possible transfer target for Juventus -- if Alvaro Morata doesn't return from Atletico Madrid.
Morata, 29, spent the last two seasons on loan at Juve, but the club opted not to take up the option to sign him permanently for €35m. They have been trying to find a new agreement for Morata for €13-€15m, but Muriel is now seriously being considered as an alternative.
The 31-year-old Muriel could instead be targeted as the start of the new Serie A season draws closer.
13.02 BST: Sevilla sporting director Monchi has explained by Chelsea missed out on centre-back Jules Kounde, who is set to complete a move to Barcelona.
"Chelsea kept us locked in talks for the past month and both us and the player reached a verbal agreement with them last Thursday," Monchi said. "But at the last moment, when everything seemed to be sealed and agreed, Chelsea had a few doubts ... if the type of player that they needed was actually a profile like Jules Kounde or someone else.
"Talks stalled at the weekend, and even though they put in a really good bid they preferred to wait, which is totally logical and normal. During this hard bargaining, [Barcelona sporting director] Mateu Alemany confirmed their interest.
"Chelsea then returned to the table, but eventually we accepted Barcelona's bid because it was better than Chelsea's. Eventually, we sold the player to a club which he is happy to go to, while Sevilla were able to get the best possible terms."
12.20 BST: Newcastle United are hoping to sign Palmeiras wonderkid Giovani, reports ESPN Brasil.
The 18-year-old is reported to have a €60m release clause in his contract, and the Magpies could be ready to trigger it.
Ajax and Bayer Leverkusen are also said to be interested in the right winger, who has been capped by Brazil up to under-20 level.
He has been out of action with an ankle injury, but now he's back fit a European club could attempt to sign him before the deadline.
11.39 BST: Have Barcelona finished their transfer dealings this summer? Maybe not!
AS in Spain reports that Tottenham full-back Sergio Reguilon has emerged as a possible transfer target.
Barca boss Xavi Hernandez still wants to add Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to his squad, but there could be some bad feeling after the Catalan club beat the Chelsea to the signings of Raphinha and Jules Kounde.
Should Chelsea shut the door on transfer talks, Barca could cross London and try to sign the 25-year-old Reguilon.
11.00 BST: The Guardian reports that Marseille have finally agreed terms with Arsenal to sign full-back Nuno Tavares on loan.
Tavares, 22, joined the Gunners from Benfica last summer but struggled to make an impact, though he still managed to feature in 22 Premier League games.
He is due to have his medical on Friday before completing a move to the Ligue 1 club, though there will be no option to buy signalling that coach Mikel Arteta still has belief in the player's long-term development.
Atalanta were hoping to sign Tavares but he will instead head to France.
10.19 BST: Real Madrid have signed Brazilian teenager Emanuel Benjamin from Getafe for the club's U16 team, sources have confirmed to ESPN Brasil.
Emanuel, 15, has penned a contract with Los Blancos until 2025 with the option for an additional year. Sevilla, Villarreal and Leganes were also keen on the right-back, who has been in Spain since 2018 following his family's decision to relocate to Madrid.
Emanuel was first picked up by Rayo Vallecano, where he played as a forward, but he was converted to a full-back by Getafe, although he still managed seven goals and nine assists across 24 appearances last season.
Despite having an Italian passport and Spanish citizenship, sources explained to ESPN Brasil that Emanuel's desire is to represent Brazil at international level. He is already on the radar of the Selecao's youth teams.
His signing adds to an already strong Brazilian influence at Madrid. Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo Goes, Casemiro and Eder Militao are all involved with the first team, while Vinicius Tobias has recently signed for the reserves and Reinier Jesus has returned from a loan spell with Borussia Dortmund.
09.40 BST: Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reiterated his desire to see Lionel Messi end his career at the Catalan club.
Laporta told ESPN last week that Messi's story with Barca "is not over." Coach Xavi Hernandez has said a return this summer is "impossible" but there is a window next year when the Argentine forward's contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire.
"It is an aspiration that I have as president and I would like it to happen," Laporta told reporters at an event in New York when asked about Messi retiring at Barca.
"I was co-responsible for an ending that I consider provisional. Messi's story at Barca did not end as we all wanted, it ended conditioned by financial reasons and we have a moral debt to him.
"In that sense, we would like the end of his career to be with the Barca shirt on, applauded at every stadium he plays at."
09.02 BST: PSG midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is in advanced talks with AS Roma, says Fabrizio Romano.
Wijnaldum, 31, moved to PSG from Liverpool on a free transfer in 2021 but hasn't had as much game time as he would want.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho is keen to add the Netherlands international to his side, via a possible loan deal, but an agreement on wages has yet to be reached.
08.28 BST: ICYMI - Barcelona have reached an agreement with Sevilla to sign defender Jules Kounde, the Catalan club confirmed on Thursday.
Kounde, 23, will join for a fee of €55m and sign a contract at Camp Nou until 2027, sources have told ESPN. Once Kounde passes a medical and signs his contract, he will become Barca's sixth signing of a busy summer following the arrivals of Pablo Torre, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
"I am very proud and grateful for this opportunity," Kounde said. "I am excited because I am joining a great club with a great team. I am looking forward to getting going with the team and giving my best. Sevilla are a great club as well, of course, but Barca represent the next step in my career at every level. I want to compete in all competitions and try to win as much as possible, that is why I am here.
"The coach, Xavi, is one of the big reasons why I am here, too. I spoke with him several times. The way he spoke was captivating. We had some good conversations and we see football in the same way. Now it's a question of coming into the team, settling in and giving my all to have as many minutes as possible and an important role in the side."
08.00 BST: LaLiga president Javier Tebas has said he would welcome the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain following reports linking the Manchester United forward to Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo, 37, held talks with United's hierarchy this week over his future after he told the club he would like to leave earlier this summer.
Atletico have been mooted as a potential destination should Ronaldo finally leave Old Trafford, and Tebas is keen to see the former Real Madrid forward back in the Spanish top-flight.
"I would like to see Cristiano Ronaldo in LaLiga again," Tebas told reporters on Wednesday. "Whether it is feasible or not for Atletico Madrid, I do not know. There would have to be some player departures if they wanted to [sign him]. To sign a player of that level, you must make room [financially]."
Steve Nicol isn't certain that Roberto Firmino would get game time if he were to move to Juventus.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)
- Barcelona are considering the option of offering Frenkie de Jong out on loan, writes Sport. Progress over a permanent move has stalled in recent weeks after the 25-year-old midfielder was reluctant to make the switch to Old Trafford, and the latest reports indicate that the Blaugrana are now prepared to send him out on loan for the 2022-23 season, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich identified as potential candidates.
- Cristiano Ronaldo's representatives have been in contact with Sporting CP, reveals The Athletic. The 37-year-old Manchester United striker is keen to leave Old Trafford this summer and, after the club informed him that he was allowed to explore other options, it looks as though the Portugal international could be prepared to set up a reunion with the club where he first made his professional debut.
- AC Milan are set to hand Fikayo Tomori a new contract, reports Gianluca Di Marzio. The 24-year-old centre-back will be offered a new five-year deal that will see him extend his stay at San Siro until 2027, with optimism that talks could be concluded over the coming weeks. Tomori joined Milan from Chelsea last summer for €28m after impressing during a loan spell and he played a key role in the Rossoneri's Serie A title win last season.
- Schalke 04 and Mallorca are battling for the signature of Fenerbahce and Turkey international striker Serdar Dursun, reveals Ekrem Konur. The 30-year-old striker, who scored 15 goals and assisted another four in 33 league appearances last season, has been attracting interest from clubs across Europe, but it looks as though the two front-runners have emerged from Germany's and Spain's top flights.
- Defenders Eric Bailly and Ethan Laird could be on their way out at Man United this summer, according to The Athletic. Bailly, 28, is on the radar of Serie A sides AC Milan and Roma, while Watford are understood to be in discussions with the Red Devils over a loan move for Laird. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Bournemouth.