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LIVE Transfer Talk: Chelsea back in for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong

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: Chelsea to return for De Jong, keen on Aubameyang

Chelsea are preparing to sit down with Barcelona for talks over a double move for Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to The Telegraph.

The report adds that Chelsea could allot up to £300 million for summer transfers as new owner Todd Boehly continues to back manager Thomas Tuchel, and after ESPN revealed the Blues' interest in Aubameyang and FC Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko earlier on Thursday, it looks as though they are now keen to return to the pursuit of De Jong.

The Blaugrana are looking to offload the 25-year-old midfielder this summer, having agreed an €85m total fee with Manchester United, and they could have a much better chance of reaching full agreement with Chelsea. The Netherlands international did not want to leave Camp Nou to join United, but he is reportedly much more open to the idea of a switch to Stamford Bridge due to Champions League football.

With Chelsea also continuing the search for Romelu Lukaku's replacement, Aubameyang appears to be at the top of their shortlist, with the 33-year-old frontman impressing for Barcelona last season, scoring 11 goals in 17 LaLiga appearances. Barca have already brought in Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this summer, so the former Gabon international could be surplus to requirements.

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LIVE BLOG

21.45 BST: Juventus have held a new meeting with the representatives of Eintracht Frankfurt winger Filip Kostic, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 29-year-old Serbia international is reported to be prioritising a move to the Bianconeri, who will continue talks with the Bundesliga club over a fee after the final details are completed regarding personal terms, while West Ham United had previously been credited with interest.

21.28 BST: With practically the rest of MLS announcing new Designated Player signings today, Minnesota United didn't want to be outdone, and have confirmed the arrival of Mender Garcia from Colombian outfit Once Caldas. The 24-year-old has directly contributed to 30 goals in his 112 appearances for the club, and joins the Loons on an 18-month contract with options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

21.12 BST: Marseille have announced the signing of 29-year-old midfielder Jordan Veretout from AS Roma, who added Georginio Wijnaldum to help pave the way for the France international to return to Ligue 1. Veretout last played in his home country with Saint-Etienne in 2016-17 while on loan from Aston Villa.

20.55 BST: As Barcelona continue to look to offload players this summer, Sport writes that Memphis Depay would be willing to leave the club if an agreement can be reached with Juventus. Xavi Hernandez's side reportedly are working to get the move completed as soon as possible, but the Bianconeri would prefer a loan deal for the 28-year-old Netherlands forward that could include an obligation to make the transfer permanent.

20.39 BST: Gabon striker Denis Bouanga has joined LAFC as their newest Designated Player, the MLS club announced on Friday. The 27-year-old leaves recently relegated Saint-Etienne after three seasons, directly contributing to 39 goals in 96 Ligue 1 appearances for the club.

20.22 BST: Confidence is growing at both Chelsea and RB Leipzig as discussions continue over a move for Timo Werner, according to the Telegraph's Mike McGrath. The Bundesliga side have been in talks over a deal for the 26-year-old forward this week, and it is reported that the Germany international is prioritising a move back to his former club and playing time over any potential concerns about a reduction in salary.

20.06 BST: West Ham United have signed left-sided player Maxwel Cornet from recently relegated Burnley, the Premier League club announced on Friday. The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international can play on the wing or as a left-back and wing-back, and has signed a five-year contract with the east London club.

19.49 BST: Talks between Real Madrid and Getafe are ongoing over a deal for Juanmi Latasa, reports Marca. Despite being seen as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema, the 21-year-old striker will instead be allowed to move on, and it is reported that he would be open to leaving the Santiago Bernabeu with an eye on playing regularly in LaLiga.

19.33 BST: AS Roma have signed Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain with an option to make the move permanent, the Serie A side have announced. The 31-year-old moved to the French capital on a free transfer from Liverpool just last summer, but found opportunities limited at the Parc des Princes, and is now the latest addition to Jose Mourinho's ambitious team, who've already added Paulo Dybala and Nemanja Matic on free transfers this summer. Read the full story.

19.16 BST: D.C. United have signed Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, the MLS club announced on Friday. The 31-year-old Belgium international joins as a Designated Player, signing a contract through 2024 with an option to return for the 2025 season.

19.00 BST: Chelsea have made an offer worth more than £70m for Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana, according to CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs. It's said that Thomas Tuchel has made the 21-year-old his No. 1 target for the remainder of the transfer window, with the Blues prepared to improve their offer if it is rebuffed by Brendan Rodgers' side, with the Foxes boss having said previously that he has no plans to part with Fofana.

18.27 BST: In more news on the free agent market, Dries Mertens has received a proposal from Galatasaray, reports Fabrizio Romano. The 35-year-old forward reportedly has been offered a one-year deal worth €4m, though there is an option of an extension if the Super Lig side qualify for the Champions League next season. Juventus have also been linked with interest in the former Napoli forward, who scored 11 goals in 30 Serie A appearances in 2021-22.

17.54 BST: D.C. United have reached an agreement to sign Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, reports MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert. New manager Wayne Rooney has been scouring Europe for a new frontman since taking over the MLS club last month, and the report suggests his team got the deal over the line just before Thursday night's deadline closed. The 31-year-old Belgium international moves to MLS having made 280 Premier League appearances in which he contributed directly to 108 goals.

17.19 BST: Andrea Belotti will meet with AS Roma on Saturday as discussions continue over a free transfer for the Italy striker, reports Foot Mercato's Santi Aouna. The 28-year-old has been out of contract since his deal with Torino expired earlier this summer, and Jose Mourinho has been keen to acquire him as cover for Tammy Abraham, having scored eight goals in 22 Serie A appearances last season.

17.00 BST: FC Cincinnati have signed United States centre-back Matt Miazga from Chelsea, the MLS club confirmed on Friday. The 27-year-old New York Red Bulls academy graduate joins Cincy on a three-and-a-half-year contract, using Targeted Allocation Money, with an option to extend the deal through the 2026 season.

16.41 BST: The MLS transfer window may have technically closed on Thursday, but there are still several deals out there that could be announced yet today. MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert reports that Real Salt Lake are signing Costa Rica defender Bryan Oviedo, who spent the past three seasons with FC Copenhagen after a seven-year career in England spent with Everton and Sunderland.

16.00 BST: Lille midfielder Amadou Onana is closing on a €40m move to Everton.

15.16 BST: Fulham want to sign AS Roma forward Justin Kluivert, according to The Daily Mail.

Kluivert, 23, is the son of Ajax and Barcelona legend Patrick and spent the last two years on loan at RB Leipzig and Nice respectively,

West Ham are also interested in the Netherlands international but Fulham are reportedly leading the chance.

14.47 BST: Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the club are "out of the hospital" in terms of their financial situation as the LaLiga giants unveiled striker Robert Lewandowski at the Camp Nou in front of 57,300 fans.

Lionel Messi departed Barcelona due to financial problems exactly one year to the day that the club presented Europe's two-time leading goalscorer after he sealed his transfer from Bayern Munich.

"A year ago, sadly, we had to announce an unwanted situation as a result of the club's economic situation, but a year has passed and we can say that we are turning things around," Laporta said of the club's failure to register Messi's new contract with LaLiga last summer to comply with the league's financial fair play rules.

Laporta claimed in August that his board had inherited a club record debt of €1.35 billion but the sale of assets this summer has allowed Barca to spend over €150m in the transfer window.

But despite the unveiling of Lewandowski, he is yet to be registered along with the other new signings.

"We have worked hard to register all of the players not just Robert," Laporta said. "It's a LaLiga decision and we are waiting. I think we have accomplished everything they have asked for. "

14.24 BST: Erik ten Hag has said it is "not right" that Cristiano Ronaldo has been singled out for criticism for leaving early after the friendly with Rayo Vallecano given other Manchester United players were also involved.

Ten Hag said this week it was "unacceptable" that players left Old Trafford before the final whistle of the 1-1 draw with LaLiga side Rayo on Sunday. But the Dutchman has hit back at what he perceives as unfair treatment of Ronaldo because the 37-year-old was not alone in making an early exit.

"Now I have to point, those who left, there were many players who left but the spotlight is on Cristiano, that is not right, so do your research and make out many players left," Ten Hag told a news conference on Friday. "You mention it, you correct them, then move on. I think we've said enough on it. I said it's not correct."

Ronaldo has played just 45 minutes of football this summer but Ten Hag is short of options up front.

"I'm satisfied with the whole team, we're working good, good culture and Cristiano is working really tough and hard," Ten Hag added. "I'm really happy [to have Ronaldo]. I told you before, we have a top striker, really happy he's here with the squad and we stick to the plan."

Sources have told ESPN that United are still searching for a midfielder and a forward before the deadline on Sept. 1. A move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is ongoing but Ten Hag insists he is happy with his squad ahead of the start of the Premier League campaign this weekend.

13.48 BST: Aug. 5, 2021 was the day of Lionel Messi's exit from Barcelona. One year later, we look at the impact of the superstar's move to PSG on both clubs, and on him.

"The warning signs were there in Salzburg," one club executive told ESPN. "That was when it became clear things were complicated.

"As the hours passed, everything went pear-shaped until the point that the vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and Laporta had a series of calls with Jorge, Messi's dad and agent. Those conversations were intense -- the tone of them didn't go down well with anyone. When the expedition returned to Barcelona from Salzburg, it was all over. At around 6 p.m. through a statement from the club on Aug. 5, the chapter closed on the greatest player in Barca's history."

Messi's sudden departure was all the more remarkable given he'd already agreed to terms on a new contract with a 50% pay cut to help Barca economically, given that his previous deal had actually expired on June 30. On Aug. 5, Jorge was flying into Barcelona from Argentina to finalise the deal.

"Jorge had a meeting early in the afternoon with Laporta and a notary from Barcelona to go over the two-year contract and sign the documents," a source involved in the negotiations explained to ESPN. "Talks had been long, but with the election of Laporta in March, everything seemed fine. But when Jorge landed, he received a call from Laporta: 'Jorge, don't go to the notary, the club's situation is not the best and we're not going to be able to sign the agreement, I am so sorry.' Then Jorge phoned his son to relay the news to him."

13.00 BST: How are Chelsea and Man United going to manage this season?

12.17 BST: Chelsea have signed Marc Cucurella from Brighton and Hove Albion, it was announced on Friday.

Cucurella joins Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £56m with a possible £7m in add-ons.

Cucurella, 24, was wanted by Manchester City and Cucurella handed in a transfer request but the two clubs couldn't strike a deal, with Brighton standing firm on a £50m valuation for the left-back. The deal stalled, as sources told ESPN that City weren't willing to pay the asking price for the transfer, allowing Chelsea to battle for his signature.

Sources told ESPN that City were only interested in signing the Spain left-back if the asking transfer fee was lowered to £35m.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has moved to Brighton on loan.

11.56 BST: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said his side will not make more signings for the sake of replacing injured players.

Klopp's side have signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica, attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho from Fulham and right-back Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen this summer, but they have also been hit by injuries.

Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas are just some of the players on the sidelines for Liverpool, but in a news conference on Friday Klopp said he would not be rushed into making any signings to cover for those absences.

Liverpool get their Premier League campaign underway with a visit to newly promoted Fulham on Saturday lunchtime.

"We have too many injuries, that's true," Klopp said. "But nothing has changed [in terms of new signings]. Unlucky situations. We started with Diogo getting a re-injury. Kostas was unlucky in a training situation. He might be ready to train next week which is helpful. Ibou [Konate] in a challenge v Strasbourg, we have to see how long it will take but he's out for a while.

"We cannot solve the problems we have with a transfer. At the moment it makes no sense to us. But the transfer window is still open and we will see."

11.41 BST: Nottingham Forest have made a club-record offer to sign Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, says The Guardian.

Gibbs-White, 22, did well on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship last season, scoring 11 goals in 35 league appearances. The England U21 international is a key target for newly promoted Forest, though has also attracted interest from Everton and Crystal Palace.

Forest broke their transfer record earlier this summer by signing £17.5m striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Union Berlin, but are prepared to go higher to land Gibbs-White

11.11 BST: Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has been speaking about Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella during a news conference.

Cucurella, 24, is set to move to the club for an initial £56m, with a possible £7m in add-ons, while Brighton will loan Chelsea defender Levi Colwell as part of the deal.

"It's not done yet," Tuchel said. "The paperwork is in process and hopefully we can get it finished before noon and Marc is our player. If it goes through it maybe gives Levi Colwell a chance to find game-time elsewhere."

11.00 BST: Chelsea have signed Sweden international winger Johanna Rytting Kaneyrd from BK Hacken on a three-year deal.

Kaneyrd, 25, scored 15 times in 55 appearances for Hacken and becomes Emma Hayes' fifth summer signing following the announcements of Kadeisha Buchanan, Eve Perisset, Katerina Svitkova and Lucy Watson.

Hayes said: "We've been watching Johanna develop over the last 12-18 months and she has had an unbelievable season last year in Sweden. She's extremely quick, direct, a great age and she's the profile player we've been looking for. Johanna will bring another dynamic to the team and we are really looking forward to her career with us at Chelsea."

10.43 BST: Spanish winger Luis Alberto could leave Lazio after six seasons this summer to return to Sevilla.

Luis Alberto, 29, is under contract with the Biancoceleste until June 2025. A key player for Sarri, he has the desire to re-join Sevilla, the club he left in the summer of 2013 for Liverpool.

"For the second straight year, he has expressed his desire to end his career in Spain, more specifically at Sevilla," Sarri said of Luis Alberto. "I can't tell you if I will have him at the start of September. He is a good player, an intelligent chap."

Luis Alberto scored five goals and set up 11 more in 35 league appearances to help Lazio finish fifth in Serie A.

10.11 BST: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he doesn't know if Bernardo Silva will stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window.

Silva is wanted by Barcelona and although Guardiola insists he wants the Portugal midfielder to stay at the Etihad Stadium, he says he only wants to keep "happy" players.

City are yet to receive an offer for Silva but Guardiola is refusing to rule out his departure before the Sept. 1 deadline.

"The players' desire is the most important thing," Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. "I want players to be happy. Of course I want Bernardo to be here but I don't know what is going to happen, honestly I don't know.

"What will happen will happen and if in the end he has to leave it's because football is like this and I won't be a person to stop the desires of the people. When you are a football player it is so short."

09.55 BST: Brazilian left-back Alex Telles has been speaking after joining Sevilla on a season-long loan from Manchester United.

"I have always seen Sevilla with very good eyes and when the opportunity came, I did not think twice about it," he said. "I think I'm in the right place to play my best football. I had zero doubts. The Sevilla coach [Julen Lopetegui] gave me confidence and that leaves you eager, that's why I'm here.

"My goal of playing in the World Cup is very clear in my mind and Sevilla has given me the opportunity to do my job with confidence. That's why I'm also keen to compete, because it's a very important year. I've also come here because it gives me the opportunity to play in the Champions League. LaLiga looks like a very competitive and strong league. It's different from the other tournaments I've played in, but with the experience I have and everything I've been through over the years, I think it's going to be a difficult but productive year. I expect the best of LaLiga."

09.38 BST: Barcelona starlet Gavi turns 18 today, with the player expected to sign a long-term contract at the club.

The Spain international is one of the hottest prospects to come from the club's youth academy in recent years and has caught the attention of some of Europe's top teams.

Gavi, who is under contract with Barca until June 2023, made 47 appearances for Barca in his maiden campaign last season.

Barca football director Mateu Alemany was certain that Gavi will continue at the club for the foreseeable future and said: "We are waiting until he turns 18 on Aug. 5 so he can sign a contract longer than three years. We have small details to close out, but we will get it resolved. 100% Gavi will continue at Barca."

08.47 BST: Barcelona have missed out on signing Cesar Azpilicueta but are not giving up on his Chelsea teammate Marcos Alonso.

A target of Barcelona, Azpilicueta signed a contract extension with Chelsea ahead of the start of the Premier League.

Mundo Deportivo reports that Barca have turned their full focus on luring Alonso to Camp Nou. With Chelsea expected to sign Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, the doors will be open for the Blues to negotiate Alonso's departure.

Alonso, 31, is under contract with Chelsea for another season and the Spanish left-back is keen to join Barca. His agent, Fali Ramadani, met with Barca executives last week to discuss his potential arrival.

08.00 BST: Antonio Conte said Tottenham are moving in the "right direction" after bringing in new players but used Manchester United's last summer window as a warning for those expecting a Premier League title challenge.

Spurs have signed six new players to date for around £100m including Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Ivan Perisic as they look to build on last season's fourth-placed finish in the Premier League.

Conte has previously insisted he only joined Spurs -- whose last top-flight title came in 1961 -- to challenge for the biggest prizes but said United's travails serve as a prime example of how difficult it is to get nearer to Liverpool and Manchester City.

When asked how Spurs could close the gap on the league's top two, Conte told a news conference on Thursday: "You forgot Chelsea and this is a big, big mistake. You are talking about a team that two seasons ago won the Champions League. It is a really big squad.

"Last season they won the World Cup for clubs. Why is Chelsea not in this group of top teams? For me, Chelsea is in this group. They want to stay there and deserve to be considered in this position.

"And then there is United. Football is not one, more one, [equals] two. United, last season, finish sixth despite a transfer market of [Jadon] Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo and [Raphael] Varane. Two seasons ago they finished second.

"They did this transfer market to try to win the league and they finished sixth. You have to pay attention in my opinion to all of these situations. We know that in England it is difficult to fight to win but we want to try to be competitive, to try to improve on last season and this is our target."

PAPER GOSSIP (by Adam Brown)

- Sport is reporting that Barcelona are interested in landing Thomas Meunier. After missing out on the acquisition of Cesar Azpilicueta, who signed a new two-year deal with Chelsea on Thursday, the Blaugrana are now stepping up their chase for the 30-year-old Borussia Dortmund wing-back. It is reported that Manchester United were also interested in him, but the LaLiga side are now expected to advance talks, with Xavi Hernandez keen to land a player who can be deployed as an attacking right-back.

- Leicester City and Nottingham Forest are set to battle it out for the signature of Houssem Aouar, writes Foot Mercato. Lyon are reported to be looking for a fee in the region of €15m to part ways with the 24-year-old midfielder, who has also been on the radar of Real Betis and Arsenal. Aouar featured 36 times in Ligue 1 last season and contributed to 10 goals.

- Maxwel Cornet is on the verge of signing a deal with West Ham United, reports The Guardian. The 25-year-old versatile winger is believed to have a release clause of £17.5m after Burnley suffered relegation from the Premier League last season. And, despite interest from Everton, it looks as though the Hammers have won the race to land the Ivory Coast international.

- Juventus have made a proposal to sign Dries Mertens, says Gianluca Di Marzio. The 35-year-old forward is currently a free agent after his contract expired with Napoli and the Bianconeri have offered him a two-year deal to make the switch to the Allianz Stadium. The Belgium international has also been on the radar of Galatasaray.

- Crystal Palace are looking to sign former Barcelona midfielder Ilaix Moriba, writes Foot Mercato. It is understood Patrick Vieira has already made contact with the 19-year-old RB Leipzig star, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Valencia. The Bundesliga side could be prepared to let him go, adds the outlet, after he played just 90 minutes of football for them across five substitute appearances.

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