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James Capps 5y

LIVE Transfer Talk: Perisic the piece to push through Lukaku's Man Utd exit?

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TOP STORY: Inter consider Perisic-plus-cash offer for United's Lukaku

Ivan Perisic looks set to be shown the exit door at Inter Milan, with Calciomercato reporting that manager Antonio Conte doesn't see the Croatian in his long-term plans at the club.

The Italian publication claims that Conte has doubts over the 30-year-old's ability to fit into the system he's looking to implement at the San Siro, and that could open the door to a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United believed to be keen to renew their interest in the player.

Talks are ongoing between Inter and United over a potential deal for Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, and with Inter still struggling to get together the full funds to meet the Red Devils' asking price, the Nerazzurri hierarchy are toying with the idea of using Perisic as a makeweight in a player-plus-cash deal.

Perisic has been a major target for United over the past few years, but he has remained in Serie A. His contract runs until 2022.

LIVE BLOG

23.00 BST: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!

22.55 BST: One last one for the roadArsenal are set make their first big move of the summer.

The BBC are reporting that the Gunners have beaten out rivals Tottenham and agreed to terms with Real Madrid on a loan deal for Dani Ceballos.

The 22-year-old recently starred at the Under-21 Euros with Spain but is blocked at Madrid by a series of big-money players in midfield. Since arriving from Real Betis in 2017, Ceballos has appeared in 56 games for Los Blancos, scoring five times.

The report also goes on to say Arsenal are also expected to seal a move for highly-rated Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba, 18, in the coming days.

22.12 BST: It looks like Atletico Madrid and Brazil full-back Filipe Luis' time 14-year spell in Europe is over.

Sources tell ESPN that the 33-year-old left-back has signed a contract until Dec. 2021 with Flamengo in his native Brazil. The player himself said goodbye to Atletico Madrid on Sunday and admitted he was soon bound for Flamengo.

Flamengo, who have yet to confirm the move on Twitter, also recently signed Rafinha from Bayern Munich and open up their Copa Libertadores Round-of-16 tie vs. Ecuadorian outfit Emelec on Wednesday. 

21.40 BST: English Championship side Reading have signed veteran midfielder Charlie Adam, ending a seven-year spell for the Scot at Stoke City.

Reading becomes the 33-year-old's seventh club following stints at Rangers, Ross County, St Mirren, Blackpool, Liverpool and Stoke.

21.07 BST: Fulham have signed a pair of wingers this summer in Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert as they load up for a run to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. 

The Cottagers could soon be set to add a third new wide player if a report today in the Daily Mail is to be believed. The outlet understands Fulham are keeping tabs on Kosovo international Elbasan Rashani, who currently plays with Odds Ballklubb of the Norwegian Eliteserien.

The 26-year-old Rashani, who reportedly could go for as cheap as £500,000, has notched 11 goals and provided 13 assists in his last 48 games overall, and scored the injury-time winner for Kosovo in their last Euro 2020 qualifier back in June against Bulgaria.

20.19 BST: Are Dean Smith and Aston Villa set to step up their interest in a familiar English Championship attacker?

90min's claims that the Villains are ready to up their pursuit of Brentford forward Neal Maupay, who previously played under Smith at Brentford during the 2017-18 season. The 22-year-old Frenchman has been a target for Villa all summer but Villa -- who have already made eight signings -- have been hesitant to meet the £20 million fee Brentford are demanding.

One of the most productive players in the Championship last season, Maupay, who is also drawing interest from fellow Premier League newcomer Sheffield United, scored 28 goals and added nine assists last season for the Bees.

19.42 BST: Dutch side AZ Alkmaar have brought Dutch defensive midfielder Jordy Clasie home.

Alkmaar have signed the 28-year-old Netherlands international from Southampton for an unspecified fee. Clasie played 49 times for the Saints over four seasons, spending the last two campaigns on loan at Brugge and Feyenoord.

Clasie also took a bit of a dig at Southampton on his way out the door saying: "AZ is a club which trusts me. That is something that I really appreciate," he said on the AZ Alkmaar website. Sounds like Clasie wasn't feeling the love on the South Coast.

19.10 BST: Newcastle are reportedly close to smashing the club's transfer record for Hoffenheim striker Joelinton.

Newcastle have lost manager Rafa Benitez and top two scorers Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon this summer but it finally appears there is some good news headed for Tyneside. The club is reportedly set to announce the signing of Brazilian striker Joelinton later this week for a reported £44 million.

The 22-year-old tallied 11 goals and nine assists last year in his first full season with Hoffenheim's first team, after spending the previous two seasons on loan in Austria with Rapid Wien. The six-foot-one Joelinton is not as strong as the departed Rondon but is capable of holding up the ball and also provides quickness and playmaking ability.

Newcastle fans need some good news and it sounds as if Joelinton will become the club's first signing under new boss Steve Bruce.

18.27 BST: Paulo Dybala to Man United?

The Daily Mail claims that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer views the Juventus attacker as the perfect playmaker for the Old Trafford club and that Juve are open to selling the player granted they receive somewhere between £70m-£90m for the man nicknamed "La Joya."

Not so long ago considered one of the top five young players in the world, Dybala's career has stagnated a bit in Turin, partially due to the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. Still only 25, Dybala totalled 10 goals and five assists last season, numbers far below his 2017-18 returns (26 goals, seven assists) and a player of his unique ability.

If United are to pay over £70m for the player, it would likely mean Paul Pogba and/or Romelu Lukaku would be out at Old Trafford. PSG and Inter Milan are two other clubs quoted to have interest in Dybala.

17.53 BST: Here's another done deal, and this one for our United States men's national team followers.

The Chicago Fire have signed American defender Jonathan Bornstein (yes, that one!) -- from Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Netanya. The 34-year-old defender played 38 times for the U.S., including at the 2010 World Cup, but hasn't been recalled by the national team since 2011.

To acquire Bornstein, the Fire obtained the No. 1 spot in the MLS waiver order from the Columbus Crew in exchange for $50,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The Fire then selected Bornstein off waivers with the No. 1 pick.

Bornstein previously played in MLS between 2006-10 and also spent seven years in Mexico with various Liga MX clubs.

17.04 BST: Here's a last name that might ring a bell.

Marcus Thuram, son of France legend and World Cup winner Lilian, has signed with Borussia Monchengladbach on a four-year contract. The France Under-21 international, 21, scored nine goals last season in Ligue 1 for relegated Guingamp and moves to Germany for a reported €12 million.

Thuram's father Lillian is France's most-capped player with 142 caps and famously scored a brace -- his only two career international goals -- in the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup against Croatia.

16.31 BST: Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri is still keen on selling Gonzalo Higuain this summer despite the striker's eye-catching display in the team's 3-2 preseason defeat to Spurs on Sunday, Gazzetta dello Sport have reported.

"I expect movements especially in output," Sarri told reporters. "We have to grow. we have a very large squad in certain areas of the field.

"We have so many players that two-three would remain out of the [Champions League qualification selection.]"

Higuaín spent the first-half of last season on loan at AC Milan, followed by a temporary January switch to Chelsea, and has been informed by club officials at Juventus that his future lies elsewhere.

16.00 BST: Sporting Lisbon warned Man United not to lowball them over signing of midfielder Bruno Fernandes, with the club demanding at least £56m for the Portugal international, according to Portuguese outlet RTP.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also interested in bringing Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff to Old Trafford, who will also cost a hefty £50m, sources told ESPN FC earlier this month. Solskjaer is reportedly looking to add two more midfielders to his side.

"I don't know if there are many or if there are few [interested clubs]," Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas said. "What I know, a lot has been spoken of values, coming to the press, €55m, €62m... for that he doesn't leave, for sure."

Varandas refused to rule out the possibility of Fernandes staying at the club, saying, "If Bruno Fernandes leaves, players with quality will come. But if Bruno leaves."

15. 33 BST: Barcelona new boy Antoine Griezmann has avoided speaking about PSG's Neymar, whose entourage are confident Barca will soon put together a strong cash-plus-players offer to entice the French club into a sale, sources have told ESPN FC.

"We don't speak about Neymar in the dressing room," he added. "He is a great player that has had some injuries [in the last two years] but he's still at an incredible level.

"Many things can happen [in the transfer window] but we have [Ousmane] Dembele, [Philippe] Coutinho and Malcom, who can give us a lot."

15.05 BST: Chinese side Jiangsu Suning have followed Gareth Bale on Instagram after Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane said on Sunday that it would "best for everyone" if the Wales international left "soon."

Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, responded by calling the Frenchman "a disgrace" -- adding, "If and when Gareth goes, it will be because it is in the best interest of Gareth and nothing to do with Zidane pushing."

Jiangsu Suning sit in sixth place in the Chinese Super League.

14.37 BST: Ivan Rakitic insists that his intention is to stay at Barcelona but the midfielder said for the first time that he is "open" to whatever may happen in the future.

Rakitic, 31, has been linked with a number of clubs this summer. Sources have told ESPN FC that Barca have not yet received any firm offers for the Croatian international, though, whose contract expires in 2021.

"I spoke with the club, with the president [Josep Maria Bartomeu], and everyone's idea is to continue [at Barcelona]," Rakitic said in a news conference ahead of Tuesday's game against Chelsea in the Rakuten Cup.

"But we will see what happens. We will be open, like always, to everything. I will look for what's best for me."

Rakitic has been suggested as a possible makeweight in a deal to bring Neymar back to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester United are also reportedly interested in him.

14.16 BST:  Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu has signed with RB Leipzig on a season-long loan.

The 18-year-old defender, who has made three appearances in the past two years at the club, including three in last season's Europa League, but new Blues boss Frank Lampard believed a loan move away would be best for the young player's development, saying: "I tried to sign Ethan on loan at Derby last year so I'm a big fan.

"With the minutes he played last year, in the interest of Ethan and of Chelsea, the idea he can play a lot of games somewhere could be good for him."

"I really wanted to work with Ethan this year. That's a slight disappointment, but it's to benefit of him. In midfield and defence we have a lot of quality, so each player is a case by case."

13.37 BST: Liverpool youngster Leighton Clarkson has signed his first professional contract with the club.

The midfielder was apart of last season's FA Youth Cup winning side and made 21 appearances for Liverpool under-18s last term, recording four goals and six assists.

13.15 BST: Man United midfielder Juan Mata has said that wantaway star Paul Pogba "must stay" at Old Trafford, he told with Sky Sports.

Pogba's move away from United looked in doubt on Thursday after ESPN FC sources revealed that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said that a deal for the midfielder would be "very difficult."

Mata has called on Pogba to stay at the club, saying: "We all know Paul and he is a fantastic midfielder, and a very good guy, very positive, and a good influence for everyone.

"I think he is happy and brings everyone together, but I cannot speak for other people -- I speak for myself.

"As a team-mate and a friend I would like him to stay and be happy because he is a very good player for us."

12.49 BST: Defender Toby Alderweireld has said that he is focused on playing for Spurs and expects to start the season with the North London side amid frequent reports linking him with a move away from the club.

No club having yet triggered his £25m release clause, which is due to expire on Thursday.

"My focus is on Spurs and, in my head, I will be playing for Spurs," Alderweireld said. "In football, everything can go quick, but all I'm doing is focusing on Spurs and being fit for the start of the season.

"I think the manager knows I am committed to the club and the team, but you never know in football.

"I was captain against Juventus [in Singapore] so that shows the manager has trust in me and I'm showing the right attitude."

12.31 BST: Napoli have made a last-minute offer in a bid to sign Real Betis-bound attacker Nabil Fekir, according to the Mirror.

The French World Cup winner was thought to be heading to Spain this week to seal a cut-price £27m transfer from Lyon. But, the Mirror has reported that the player been offered to Napoli by his agent, Jorge Mendes, because of his ambitions to play in the Champions League again next season.

Betis had lined up Fekir to replace midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who was reportedly the subject of a rejected £53m bid from Spurs earlier this summer.

Fekir, who was previously linked with Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal, is destined to leave Lyon this summer with the club desperate to avoid losing him on a free when his contract expires next year.

12.03 BST: Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has said that he is not fazed by competition for a starting spot at Old Trafford amid United's interest in other centre-midfield options.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is interested in signing Sean Longstaff and Bruno Fernandes,but the Scotland international remains confident of his chances of making it into Solskjaer's starting squad.

"Regardless of what other signings come in or who plays where, you have to back yourself to be a Man United player," McTominay told reporters.

"That's one thing that I've done over the last two years, I've always backed myself. I've tried to train hard and I've always wanted to do extra things to try and give me that one percent difference."

11.20 BST: Fulham star Ryan Sessegnon could be on his way to White Hart Lane after Spurs have had a breakthrough in their bid for the young left-back, the Telegraph have reported.

Fulham are reportedly interested in bringing Spurs duo midfielder Josh Onomah and winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou to Craven Cottage and could use them as part of a deal for Sessegnon after the pair were left off of the plane for Tottenham's preseason tour to Asia.

Sessegnon, who has one year left on his contract, will reportedly cost £20m plus add-ons.

Current Tottenham left-back Danny Rose was also left out of the club's preseason tour squad and told to find another club, with Spurs looking to recoup around £20m for the defender.

10.59 BST: Jasper Cillessen has told Marca that joining Valencia from Barcelona does not represent a step back in his career.

The Dutch goalkeeper failed to win the gloves off Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Camp Nou and moved to the Mestalla for €35m earlier this summer in search of regular football ahead of next year's European Championships.

"I haven't had any problems with Barcelona or with any other team," Cillessen said about his relationship with his former club.

"For me, the most important thing was to play. It's the only reason I am here. For me, coming to Valencia is not a step back. Between being on the bench at Barca or playing for Valencia, playing for Valencia is much better."

As part of the deal, ex-Valencia No.1 Neto went the other way, signing for Barca for an initial fee of €26m.

10.34 BST: Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has agreed a deal with French side Rennes, according to RMC Sport.

The French defender, who has one year left on his contract, has reportedly come to a contract agreement with Rennes, despite high interest from Ligue 1 counterparts Bordeaux.

The 33-year-old club captain refused to go on Arsenal's preseason tour of the U.S. in an effort to force a move away from the Emirates.  Koscielny's decision was influenced by the Gunners' asking price of £10m for the defender, sources have told ESPN FC.

10.05 BST: PSG star Neymar is not happy in Paris as he continues to push for a move to Barcelona, his agent Pini Zahavi said in an interview with French outlet Journal du Dimanche.

Neymar and his entourage are confident Barcelona will soon put together a strong cash-plus-players offer to entice the Ligue 1 champions into a sale, sources told ESPN FC on Sunday.

The Brazil international -- who missed the Copa América because of an ankle injury -- wants to return to the Camp Nou, ​​where he played for four years. However, the Catalan team reportedly can't afford to re-sign Neymar and would be offering players in exchange in any possible deal.

09.16 BST: Midfielder Lewis Baker, 24, and defender Ethan Ampadu, 18, are set to become the next Chelsea players to enhance their skills in Bundesliga. Last week, 18-year-old Daishawn Redan joined Hertha Berlin on a permanent transfer. The former two, however, will only be loaned to German clubs by the Blues.

Following six loans within England and one to Vitesse Arnhem, Baker, a former England under-21 international, will make the move to Germany where Fortuna Dusseldorf hope the midfielder help the club secure another year of top-flight football. According to Bild, the 24-year-old already is near the club's training camp to join his new teammates once the deal has been completed.

Ampadu, meanwhile, has already passed his medical at Leipzig and will join the German Champions League club on a one-year loan without a view to a permanent transfer, kicker reported. The 18-year-old Wales centre-back could be moved to a position in holding midfield by new RB coach Julian Nagelsmann.

08.49 BST: Manchester United have increased to €62m their bid to sign Sporting Lisbon captain Bruno Fernandes, according to Record.

According to the Portuguese sports daily, Sporting and Manchester United are still in talks about the Portugal international to join the Red Devils this summer.

Fernandes is under contract with Sporting until June 2023 and the midfielder has a €100m release clause. However, Sporting are willing to accept a fee of around €70m to sell the 24-year-old midfielder

He scored 29 goals in all competitions this season, including 20 league goals. He is also a reported target of Liverpool, Tottenham, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid.

08.26 BST: Atletico Madrid are negotiating the sale of Angel Correa to AC Milan, with the funds then to be used to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, a source at the Wanda Metropolitano has told ESPN FC.

Argentina international Correa, 24, has already agreed to the move, the source said, but the two clubs have still to agree a fee with Milan offering €35m and Atleti holding out for €45m-€55m.

The source said Atletico have agreed personal terms with James, but have yet to officially approach Real for a player who is valued at around €40m by the Bernabeu hierarchy.

Correa looked a distracted figure during a short run in Atletico's 3-0 preseason win over Numancia on Saturday, while James remains on holiday following his appearance for Colombia at this summer's Copa America.

08.00 BST: Liverpool midfielder James Milner has not held contract discussions with the European champions and is waiting on the club to begin the process.

The vice-captain, who has entered the final year of his current deal, wants to extend his stay on Merseyside with Jurgen Klopp eager to retain his services.

The manager has said "without players like Milner, success in football is absolutely impossible" and while it is on Liverpool's agenda to reward the 33-year-old, no negotiations have taken place yet.

"As it stands, last year we spoke to the club and asked them if they wanted to do something and they said not at that time," Milner told reporters during the preseason tour of the United States.

"We haven't heard anything since, so that's where we are at."

PAPER TALK (by James Capps): Bale to set sail to Shanghai

Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale has been linked heavily with a move to the Chinese Super League, and the Daily Mail claims that Shanghai Shenhua are leading the chase for the Welshman's signature.

The likes of Manchester United and Tottenham have been put off making a move for the 30-year-old due to his seismic wages at the Bernabeu, and although Shanghai would be willing to match Bale's salary of £350,000 a week, they would also prefer to do a deal that doesn't include a transfer fee.

Chinese Super League rules mean that any foreign signings come with a 100 percent tax, which would mean any fee paid to Madrid would also have to be paid to the domestic governing body, making any move a tricky one.

But Madrid's desire to get rid of Bale as soon as possible could play into the hands of Shenhua, who currently sit a lowly 12th in the league standings.

Gunners confident of pipping Spurs to Dani deal

Reports in The Mirror claim Arsenal are confident of beating arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the loan signing of Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.

Talks between Gunners bosses and the 22-year-old's representatives have been positive, and Ceballos is rumoured to be hopeful of getting a deal done soon, after being told by Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane that his first-team opportunities would be limited next season.

A move to the Emirates for the former Real Betis man would be the second time this summer that Arsenal have beaten Spurs to the signing of a mutual transfer target, following Unai Emery's swoop of Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba, with the 18-year-old set to join for close to £30 million.

Central midfielder Ceballos has been in high-demand after a string of standout displays for his country as he helped Spain to the European Under-21 crown in Italy over the summer.

Tap Ins

- Marca claims Burnley made a last-ditch attempt to hijack Getafe's move for Barcelona defender Marc Cucurella. The Clarets reportedly made a €12 million bid for the 20-year-old, but the Spaniard opted to remain in Spain, following a successful loan spell at Eibar in the 2018-19 campaign.

- Arsenal are continuing their pursuit of Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney, but the Bhoys hierarchy are reportedly unconvinced that the financial package offered by the Gunners is a realistic one. The Sun claims add-ons in the deal that are dependent on Arsenal's future Champions League qualification have caused a stink in the Celtic Park boardroom.

- The Daily Mail claims Ademola Lookman will undergo a medical at RB Leipzig in the next 48 hours, ahead of a £22.5 million move from Everton. The Bundesliga side will pay the Toffees an initial £18 million fee, with the rest made up by add-ons.

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