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          LIVE Transfer Talk: Arsenal may use Guendouzi in summer swap deal

          • ESPN
          Jul 1, 2020, 04:00 PM

          The coronavirus pandemic has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the rumours floating around Europe's big leagues and beyond.

          TOP STORY: Arsenal to include Guendouzi in summer swap?

          Arsenal are reported to be entertaining the idea of including midfielder Matteo Guendouzi in a swap deal during the summer transfer window.

          Sources told ESPN last week that a meeting between Guendouzi and boss Mikel Arteta ironed out any differences the young France international had with the club, but now the Daily Mail says that a transfer could be on the cards.

          Arsenal officials have reportedly begun putting out feelers to clubs in order to see what kind of players they could get in return for the controversial youngster. The Gunners are set to have a limited transfer budget and, as such, they're willing to explore all possibilities in the name of strengthening their squad.

          Guendouzi has missed Arsenal's past two games after a poor disciplinary showing against Brighton, with the club hoping that there's still substantial interest in the 21-year-old across Europe.

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          LIVE BLOG

          22.29 BST: Le Havre midfielder Pape Gueye signed a pre-contract with Watford in January, according to the Watford Observer, only to later backtrack on that agreement, claiming he was "badly advised." Now, though, Marseille have confirmed they've signed the 21-year-old, after they arranged a deal with the Premier League club.

          21.42 BST: Chelsea have made contact with the representatives of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic about the possibility of moving to West London, according to Le10 Sport. Blues youth coach Claude Makelele is said to have held conversations with Milinkovic-Savic's agent, Mateja Kezman - Makelele's teammate at Stamford Bridge in 2004-05 - to help curry favour for the 25-year-old Serbia international to move to West London.

          20.55 BST: Gazzetta dello Sport reports that now that Internazionale have signed Achraf Hakimi, they will continue to bolster their defence be recruiting a new left wing-back and a new centre-back. As has been reported for months, the Nerazzurri are interested in Chelsea pair Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso, as well as Barcelona's Junior Firpo to fill the left-sided berth, while 20-year-old Marash Kumbulla of Hellas Verona is seen as a central defender who could strengthen the heart of the defence.

          20.08 BST: Rennes sporting director Florian Maurice has stated that he will rebuff Real Madrid's efforts to sign 17-year-old midfielder Eduardo Camavinga: "If Real Madrid offer €80m, as is said, for him, the answer is no," Marca quotes him as telling French outlet RMC. "We want to continue with him so that he continues to develop at Rennes."

          19.21 BST: Major League Soccer giants Atlanta United have announced that they've signed 27-year-old attacker Jurgen Damm after the Mexico international's contract at Liga MX heavyweights Tigres expired. Read the full story.

          18.34 BST: Should Arsenal lose one of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette this summer, the North London club will make Lyon attacker Memphis Depay -- whose contract at the French outfit expires in 12 months' time - a priority signing before the start of the 2020-21 season, according to Le10 Sport.

          17.47 BST: As Roma's financial situation worsens with their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League diminishing by the day, Corriere dello Sport reports that the Italian capital club will be forced to consider offers for the club's crown jewel: Nicolo Zaniolo. The Giallorossi may be persuaded to sell the 20-year-old midfielder if they receive an offer between €60m and €70m, although the report suggests that in Italy only Juventus could afford such a bid in this financial climate, and having just signed Arthur from Barcelona, they're not in a position to make a move.

          17.00 BST: West Ham midfielder Declan Rice won't be moving to Chelsea it seems.

          16.05 BST: Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has said his team "don't need huge investment" this summer and insisted the club can still compete in the market even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

          Spurs travel to Sheffield United on Thursday aiming to close a seven-point gap between them and Manchester United who are in fifth place, the lowest position offering a spot in Europe's premier competition as Manchester City await the verdict on their appeal over a two-year ban.

          Tottenham have a game in hand over United but the race for Champions League football remains fiercely competitive with the club's chairman Daniel Levy warning prior to the coronavirus lockdown that spending would be impacted should they miss out.

          15.32 BST: Arsenal already have one veteran Brazil defender in David Luiz, but Le10 Sport reports they want another.

          The Gunners have evidently tasked Luiz with persuading his former PSG teammate Thiago Silva to come to London. The 35-year-old is a free agent after being released by the French club this summer and now coach Mikel Arteta has already contacted the player to see if he would come.

          14.19 BST: ICYMI - Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele told manager Jose Mourinho that he never wants to play for him again following a clash earlier this week, sources told ESPN's Julien Laurens.

          13.44 BST: Inter Milan will not announce the signing of full-back Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid until after the Serie A season has completed, sources have told ESPN's Andrew Cesare Richardson.

          On Monday, ESPN revealed Hakimi would be joining Inter, following a two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund for a fee of around €40m plus add-ons and the 21-year-old Morocco international has since undergone a medical at the club.

          In his news conference on Wednesday, Real boss Zinedine Zidane said of Hakimi: "He's had a good season. There are two things, as always, the financial side and the sporting side. We know the situation for both. Things could happen soon. We'll see what happens in the next few hours."

          Inter are third in Serie A and still in touching distance of the title race as a win over bottom-side Brescia at San Siro would bring them to within seven points of leaders Juventus -- who still have to face second-place Lazio -- with nine matches remaining.

          Inter signed right-back Valentino Lazaro at the beginning of the campaign, but he was loaned out to Newcastle midway through the season. Inter then brought in veteran full-backs Victor Moses and Ashley Young in January, but neither are considered long-term solutions.

          13.00 BST: Arsenal fans rejoice. Bukayo Saka has signed a new contract with the club.

          12.26 BST: Henrikh Mkhitaryan is delighted to have extended his loan spell at Roma from Arsenal at least until the end of the season.

          A preliminary agreement is in place for the Armenia captain's stay to be extended until June 2021, when his deal with Arsenal expires. The 31-year-old midfielder has made 19 league appearances for the Italian club since arriving in Rome in September.

          "Finally, we could reach an agreement to extend the loan, with a provisional agreement for next season too, so I'm very pleased," he told Roma's website. "I'm happy to stay here because I still have things that I haven't achieved yet that I want to achieve. I came here with a very good, positive feeling. Then I started to play, and I scored and assisted others to score too... but then I got a couple of injuries that weren't part of the plan.At the start of this year I was back, though, and I was starting to get in the best shape ... and then the virus came on. I think that was the worst time in our entire football life -- but now we're pleased to be back and to restart the season."

          11.28 BST: Philippe Coutinho has extended his stay at Bayern Munich until August, a source close to the player has told ESPN. The Brazilian will be available for this weekend's German cup final against Bayer Leverkusen and the Champions League in August.

          A report in German newspaper Bild says Coutinho, on loan from Barcelona, will take a 50% pay cut to be able to finish the season with Bayern. However, the source was not willing to confirm the financial aspects of the extension.

          Bayern signed Coutinho on a season-long loan last August, with the German club paying Barca €8m. They have an option to make the deal permanent for €120m this summer but will not take it up. Instead, Barca are looking for suitors elsewhere, with the player's preference a return to England, where he previously played for Liverpool.

          Coutinho, 28, made his return from an ankle injury against Wolfsburg last weekend as the Bundesliga reached its conclusion. He will hope to now play a part against Leverkusen on Saturday and against Chelsea when the Champions League resumes next month. Bayern have a 3-0 from the first leg of their last 16 tie and are big favourites to reach the quarterfinals, which will be held in Lisbon and as one-off games in August.

          10.57 BST: ICYMI - Manchester City winger Leroy Sane is set for a €49m move to Bayern Munich.

          10.16 BST: Tuttosport says that Lazio have set a €100m price for midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

          PSG made a €60m bid for the Serbian midfielder last month, which was rejected, while Juventus, Man United and Chelsea have also been linked

          09.45 BST: Even though the transfer window across Europe is in flux because of the coronavirus pandemic, it's still July 1 so some clubs are able to unveil their new signings. You can read our Transfer Grades for the biggest deals here.

          One of them is Bayern Munich landing PSG youngster Tanguy Kouassi on a free transfer and the 18-year-old revealed: "I am delighted to be able to play for Bayern. It's a big club, rich in tradition. I hope I can make a name for myself here and get lots of appearances. I will work hard to achieve that."

          Club chief Hasan Salihamidzic added: "We're very happy that we've been able to bring Tanguy Kouassi to Bayern. In our opinion he's one of the biggest talents in Europe."

          09.35 BST: Some good news for Arsenal fans from the Athletic's David Ornstein:

          He writes: "Arsenal are putting the finishing touches to a new long-term contract for Bukayo Saka that will settle the future of one of Europe's most highly-rated young players, with the club expected to make an announcement this week."

          09.14 BST: Fans of Vasco de Gama have reacted to an appeal made by Joe Hart, inviting the England goalkeeper to come and play for the Brazilian club.

          The former England and Manchester City player became a free agent after partying company with Burnley and said in a BBC interview: "I just need someone to believe in me and I will repay that faith."

          The 33-year-old, who made just three appearances this season, has struggled for regular game time since leaving the Etihad in 2016 and is eager to be given an opportunity to prove his worth.

          And now Vasco fans have invaded Hart's Instagram post with messages asking the player to join their club. Watch this space.

          08.41 BST: AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli believes goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will remain at the club next season.

          The Italy international has yet to sign a contract extension with the Rossoneri, with his deal expiring in June 2021. Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are reportedly keen to sign the 21-year-old, who has made 34 starts for Milan this season.

          "I think [Milan director Paolo] Maldini explained it well what the wish of the club is," Pioli said. "I see Gigio [Donnarumma] very serene and focused. Seeing him so happy at Milanello, I see him at Milan."

          Regarding Donnarumma, Maldini recently said that it was Milan's "duty to try and keep hold of the best goalkeeper in the world."

          08.00 BST: A row has broken out between Arsenal and Saint-Etienne after William Saliba's loan extension talks collapsed less than 24 hours after Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta told the 19-year-old he deserves to play in the Coupe de France final.

          On Tuesday, Arteta expressed his desire to see the France under-21 international stay on loan at Saint-Etienne and play in the game later this month, but the French club said they have been left frustrated by Arsenal's demands and talks between the two clubs broke down.

          In a statement published late on Tuesday night, Saint-Etienne cited "unacceptable sporting and financial conditions" -- which is reported to focus on Arsenal's reluctance to make an extra €2.5m payment due to a clause being triggered if he made 17 starts for the club this season (he is currently on 16) -- that the Gunners tried to impose.

          UPDATE: Arsenal hit back. On Wednesday, the Gunners released a contradictory statement saying talks faltered over a disagreement regarding Saliba's training programme which jeopardised the player's future welfare.

          Saliba is not eligible to play for Arsenal this season and is also recovering from an ongoing foot injury.

          PAPER TALK (by Harry Kettle)

          Juventus to beat Man Utd to Torres?

          Ferran Torres has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund in recent months, but Italian giants Juventus now appear to be in pole position to sign the Valencia starlet.

          Reports in Spain suggest that talks between Torres and Maurizio Sarri's side are "entering a genuinely intensive stage."

          Currently languishing eighth in La Liga, Valencia fired their sixth coach in six years, Albert Celades, on Monday, with sporting director Cesar Sanchez also following the manager out the door.

          Now, it appears their most valued young star Torres may soon be headed for the exit, too, which would cap off a rather rough season for Los Che.

          Tottenham confident over Hojbjerg deal

          Tottenham Hotspur are growing increasingly confident they'll be able to sign Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, the Telegraph reports.

          The 24-year-old has been at the heart of growing speculation in recent months, with North London being tipped as his destination during the upcoming transfer window. If they want to get a deal done, though, Spurs may have to go down the swap route.

          Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho will have to raise the funds for the move by selling members of his own squad, with one possibility being the sale of Kyle Walker-Peters who is currently out on loan with the south coast club.

          Tap-ins

          - Australia's Daniel Arzani is on his way to the Eredivisie, according to SBS. On the books at Manchester City, the 21-year-old has spent the past two seasons at Celtic -- mostly on the treatment table after rupturing a ligament in his knee. Now, the young Socceroo is looking to get back to fitness with an "unnamed" mid-table Dutch club.

          - AC Milan and Napoli could both be interested in a move for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, Le10 Sport reports. La Viola are hoping to make the 22-year-old the main man in their defence next season and would require a fee of at least €30m to agree to sell him. As it turns out, Milan could be looking to make him one of their priority signings, whereas Napoli see him as a possible replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly.

          - Tuttosport is reporting that Lazio would require a huge fee of around €100m in order to agree to the sale of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer. Paris Saint-Germain had previously put forward an offer of €60m and, while Lazio president Claudio Lotito initially wanted at least €85m, that figure has reportedly risen to nine figures.