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          Barcelona looking at Salomon Rondon, Cesc Fabregas off to Serie A?

          • ESPN staffAug 17, 2016, 12:19 AM

          With the summer transfer window upon us, rumours are picking up steam. Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest gossip. Follow our live blog below and see the latest deals here.

          TOP STORY: Barcelona interested in Rondon

          Salomon Rondon has emerged as a shock target for Luis Enrique as he aims to acquire a "Plan B," according to the Daily Mirror. The Venezuelan's brute force could hand the Blaugrana a threat from set pieces, though Barca have several other candidates to improve their strike force.

          After missing out on the Champions League trophy, Luis Enrique has ordered the Camp Nou hierarchy to secure significantly greater depth to his squad and that means adding Rondon, Atletico's Luciano Vietto, Milan's Carlos Bacca or Newcastle's Ayoze Perez. Valencia's Paco Alcacer is also a strong target, according to Sport.

          The Barca boss is on the record as saying he expects more transfer deals. So which of these lucky players will end up with the chance to play with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez this season?

          LIVE BLOG

          23.00 BST: That will do it for another live edition of Transfer Talk! Be sure to track back in just a few short hours for the best of Thursday's rumours as the clock continues to tick away at team's wish lists!

          22.45 BST: Joe Hart wants out at Manchester City, according to the Daily Mail, with a loan deal before the close of the transfer window the preference in order to buy time to consider options ahead of what will likely be the last major move of his career.

          Hart, 29, is keen to carry on in the Premier League in order to retain his position as England's No. 1 keeper under new manager Sam Allardyce. Everton look to be a solid option, but Sevilla of La Liga have also emerged as a surprise potential suitor.

          22.06 BST: More on Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi. Spanish radio station Cadena SER is reporting that the two clubs are indeed in talks over the player, and that Luis Alberto -- who spent last season on loan from Liverpool at Deportivo La Coruna -- could also be involved.

          21.44 BST: Barcelona's interest in Valencia duo Paco Alcacer and Diego Alves is no secret. We've heard plenty over the past few days about the Catalan club's desire to swoop the pair from La Mestalla, but so far no deals have been confirmed.

          It appears that Valencia have delivered an ultimatum: Barcelona must dish out €36m if they wish to sign the players, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

          21.24 BST: Arsenal are not the only team looking to bolster their defence. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool could do with some reinforcements, and it appears they've got their eyes set on Porto centre-back and Dutch international Bruno Martins Indi, according to the Mirror.

          Martins Indi could prove to be a versatile option for the Reds, as he's capable of playing through the middle and at left-back, where Alberto Moreno has garnered plenty of criticism of late.

          21.05 BST: Will U.S. international DeAndre Yedlin join FC Dallas' Fabian Castillo on loan at Trabzonspor in Turkey? Reports suggest that there is interest in the Tottenham player, although no formal offer has been made. Yedlin has recently been linked with Hull City and Derby County.

          20.46 BST: Arsenal have opened negotiations with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of young centre-back Jose Gimenez, according to the Daily Mail.

          Gimenez, 21, played 37 matches for Diego Simeone's side last campaign. He could be the answer to Arsene Wenger's dearth of defenders, but is the Arsenal boss ready to dish out £40m for the player?

          20.23 BST: Fulham want players and manager Slavisa Jokanovic has earmarked Ben Marshall from Blackburn as a top target. Marshall, 25, can play as a winger or full-back and has been attracting interest from several other Championship clubs. At the moment, the London club are the most likely to make a move.

          20.03 BST: Are Tottenham back in the running to seal a deal for Marseille's Georges-Kevin N'Koudou? Sky Sports believes so, per their sources.

          A move for the winger was previously thought to be over after the French side hesitated over the payment structure for the 21-year-old, who made 28 appearances last season and reportedly underwent a medical with the North London club. Sources have since said on Wednesday that the two clubs are close to a deal, which would sent Clinton N'Jie

          19.42 BST: I guess he's not joining Arsenal then?

          Here's our full story.

          19.25 BST: Well well, a DONE DEAL in Scotland...

          Hibernian have signed midfielder Andrew Shinnie on a year-long loan deal. Shinnie, 27, is at Birmingham City but surplus to requirements.

          19.05 BST: West Brom are absolutely smitten with Leicester City wide player Jeffrey Schlupp, so much so that they're reportedly ready to make another bid for him.

          The Baggies had a £12m bid rejected already this summer but PA Sport believes they'll come back soon with an improved offer. Schlupp has become a fringe player under Claudio Ranieri but they still wish to retain him as valuable squad depth.

          18.43 BST: Hi, look, we have a DONE DEAL in the Bundesliga!

          That's super Mario Gomez swapping Fiorentina for Wolfsburg. Nice bit of business for both sides. We presume that the Gomez Button comes as part of the deal. Full story here.

          18.24 BST: It's lunchtime in the U.S. so how about another round of Rumour Rater?

          ESPN FC's Ross Dyer and Craig Burley look at the latest whispers, including Salomon Rondon's rumoured move from West Brom to Barcelona.

          18.06 BST: We've seen a lot of news regarding potential incoming transfers at West Ham United, but here's one involving a player who may be heading for the exit.

          Tuttosport reports that Torino are interested in the Hammers' Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang. The 24-year-old only joined Slaven Bilic's side in the summer of 2015 and managed 24 appearances in the Premier League. West Ham would reportedly want in the region of £6m for his services.

          17.41 BST: Southampton manager Claude Puel has said captain Jose Fonte has not been affected by reports linking him with a move to this week's opponents Manchester United. ESPN FC sources have said Arsenal are also interested in Fonte.

          17.23 BST: West Bromwich Albion are refusing to give up on their bid to sign Leicester's Jeffrey Schlupp, despite having had a £12 million offer rejected, Press Association Sport reports. The Baggies will return with another bid even though the Foxes appear unwilling to do business.

          17.12 BST: DONE DEAL Lazio have announced the signing of defender Bartolomeu Jacinto Quissanga from FK Rostov...

          17.06 BST: DONE DEAL Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Mile Jedinak from Crystal Palace...

          16.55 BST: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants another centre-back before the transfer window closes and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly is his first choice, the Daily Mirror reports. The Serie A club are demanding £45 million for the defender, but the Blues are still prepared to lure him to Stamford Bridge.

          16.24 BST: DONE DEAL AC Milan have completed the signing of Jose Sosa from Besiktas on a two-year deal...

          16.13 BST: Following on from the speculation that Aston Villa are set to sign Mile Jedinak from Crystal Palace, owner Dr. Tony Xia has confirmed that the club will be announcing a new signing shortly...

          15.58 BST: Aston Villa are set to confirm the transfer of Mile Jedinak from Crystal Palace, Sky Sports' Jim White claims...

          15.45 BST: Arsenal have been linked with a move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi but, according to the Evening Standard, they could now face competition from Liverpool...

          15.24 BST: Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has opened the door for Diego Alves to join Barcelona but insists Paco Alcacer is not for sale.

          "We have told Diego and his agents they can look for [another club] where he'll be [better] remunerated," Pitarch said. "I've spoken with [Alcacer] and I've told him Valencia do not want to sell him." Story here.

          15.13 BST: Hull City midfielder Sam Clucas has penned a new deal with the Premier League club...

          14.44 BST: Southampton, Stoke, Newcastle, Norwich and Cardiff are all in the hunt to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Luc Castaignos, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.

          14.42 BST: West Bromwich Albion are stepping up their interest in Newcastle defender Paul Dummett as they look to bring in a left-back to the club, sources close to the Baggies have told ESPN FC.

          14.06 BST: AC Milan are due to complete the transfer of Jose Sosa from Besiktas, Football Italia claims, with the midfielder currently undergoing a medical after arriving in Italy on Tuesday night.

          13.38 BST: North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham could be battling it out to sign Blackpool youngster Bright Osayi-Samuel, the Daily Express reports. The newspaper claims that scouts from both clubs have been keeping an eye on the midfielder of late.

          13.20 BST: Jean-Kevin Augustin is wanted on loan by Wolfsburg, Sporting Lisbon and Queens Park Rangers, according to reports in France, but is only likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain if there is another arrival at the club.

          13.07 BST: Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has told any clubs interested in Moussa Sissoko to stump up the cash if they are realistic about signing the midfielder.

          "Moussa is now the big name in the market -- if someone wants Moussa, they have to pay," Benitez is quoted as saying by TEAMtalk. "If we are happy with the price and he is happy, then we can maybe consider. But if we are not happy, then he can stay here."

          12.57 BST: Jeffrey Schlupp has been left frustrated after Leicester blocked his proposed move to West Bromwich Albion, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC. Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri had told Schlupp he could leave, but the club's owners and director of football refused to sanction the transfer. Story here.

          12.44 BST: Fiorentina striker Mario Gomez is edging closer to completing a move to Wolfsburg, says kicker, with the Bundesliga outfit set to pay €7 million for the Germany international's services.

          12.14 BST: Geronimo Rulli has suggested he could play at Manchester City in the future as he arrived to start the 2016-17 season at Real Sociedad. "As of today I want to play for La Real, I wear their colours. Then, whatever might happen [with City] later, will happen." Story here.

          12.08 BST: Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra is on the verge of completing a move to Watford, sources close to the Premier League club have told ESPN FC, with just financial details remaining to be agreed upon.

          11.41 BST: DONE DEAL Arsenal have allowed 19-year-old full-back Tafari Moore to join Eredivisie side Utrecht on a season-long loan. Story here.

          11.33 BST: West Ham are after Torino defender Nikola Maksimovic, The Sun claims, having already made contact with the Turin club over a move for the Serbia international.

          11.19 BST: DONE DEAL Wigan have completed the permanent signing of Jordi Gomez on a one-year deal from Sunderland.

          10.54 BST: Joe Hart is considering a loan move away from Manchester City, according to BBC Sport, with Everton and Sevilla both believed to be interested in signing the England international.

          10.35 BST: According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho met up with Mario Balotelli to discuss the Liverpool striker's future. However, Mourinho was not offering him a move to United, but rather simply offering the Italian advice on how to revive his career...

          10.21 BST: ESPN FC's PSG correspondent Jonathan Johnson has an update on the future of Benjamin Stambouli...

          10.03 BST: Claudio Bravo may have been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City but he has still been named in Barcelona's 18-man squad for the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla. Bravo is in line to start on Wednesday with fellow keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen out injured.

          09.52 BST: Rangers are pushing ahead with a move for Aston Villa defender Joleon Lescott, according to TEAMtalk, though they face competition with Sunderland to sign the former Manchester City player.

          09.40 BST: Hertha Berlin have confirmed they are interested in signing Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry on loan. "Serge exactly meets our search parameters," Hertha coach Pal Dardai told Bild. "Let's see what will happen in the next couple of days." Story here.

          09.29 BST: Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina has dismissed claims he has put himself forward as an option for Barcelona, who are likely to need a new shot-stopper to replace the seemingly Manchester City-bound Claudio Bravo. Story here.

          "It's nonsense, I've not offered myself to anyone," Reina wrote on Twitter. "Enough with the lies... Forza Napoli forever. And now just thinking about Sunday's game, Ok?"

          09.18 BST: Bayern Munich are close to making Kingsley Coman's loan from Juventus permanent, according to the German club's CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Story here.

          09.05 BST: Sassuolo announced the deal last night, but AC Milan have now also confirmed that Alessandro Matri has moved to the Stadio Citta del Tricolore.

          08.44 BST: Juventus will make an attempt to re-sign Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado, either on loan or permanently, according to gianlucadimarzio.com.

          08.19 BST: DONE DEAL Ligue 1 club FC Metz have announced the signing of former Tottenham left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto on a season-long deal.

          08.03 BST: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has said a deal for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas is "not very straightforward" and insisted James Rodriguez will stay at the Bernabeu. Story here.

          07.47 BST: Kicker claims that Sporting have already made an official enquiry about Wolfsburg attacker Bas Dost, who could leave if Simone Zaza joins Die Wolfe.

          PAPER TALK

          Fabregas in limbo after opener snub

          Who would have thought that such a wonderful midfielder such as Cesc Fabregas would be searching around for a new club?

          Despite Chelsea entering a period of transition under Antonio Conte -- in which Fabregas seems out of the plans for -- the club are struggling to find a suitor after Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus refused to bite. However, the Daily Star says there are two new candidates.

          Serie A clubs AC Milan and Inter are reported to have expressed an interest but it is unclear whether the Spain international would jump at the chance to move to either club.

          Mou to offer Rojo to secure Fonte

          Jose Fonte is a natural fit for Jose Mourinho and rumours have circulated recently that the Portuguese is a candidate to strengthen Manchester United's depth at centre-back.

          The Sun reports that in order to tempt Southampton into a sale they will offer up Marcos Rojo to Claude Puel in return.

          An £8 million fee for Fonte could suffice, with the out-of-favour Argentinian a convenient makeweight to immediately fill the vacancy.

          Milan to settle for Sosa?

          Milan's revolution has started with a sputter after a mega-rich Chinese consortium agreed to buy the Rossoneri, but they could be ready to make a signing to boost the beleaguered Vincenzo Montella just days ahead of the new season.

          Gazzetta dello Sport says that dreams of landing Rodrigo Bentancur or Juan Cuadrado are over and that Milan will be forced to settle for Jose Sosa.

          The Besiktas midfielder will cost in the neighbourhood €7.5m and finally hand Milan much-needed support as they bid to wake up from their tag as a sleeping giant in Serie A.

          Tap-ins

          - Hull's squad is laughably thin right now, and with the season already underway there are major concerns that the Tigers stand little chance of even contending for survival, despite beating champions Leicester on the opening day of the season.

          But wait, a £9m bid for a striker could hand Mike Phelan a major boost and the Daily Mail reports that the forward is Benjamin Moukandjo from Lorient.

          - Barcelona appear ready to cash in on Claudio Bravo with City ready to pounce, but that leaves a void to be filled and Valencia are dragging their heels in negotiations for their highly rated Brazilian stopper Diego Alves.

          Sport reports that former Barca player Pepe Reina has emerged as a contingency plan. Having spent time as a back-up to Manuel Neuer at Bayern, the Napoli star could be the ideal choice to provide cover for Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

          - Valencia have swooped in to hand Mario Suarez a lifeline after a troubled stint with Watford.

          The Spaniard has struggled to find a club willing to hand him a starring role after leaving Atletico for Fiorentina and Walter Mazzarri has now sanctioned a season-long loan away from the Hornets to the Mestalla.