The European transfer window is open. Click here to review all the latest transfers, and keep up to date with the latest gossip below.
Top free agents in 2020 | What do Europe’s elite need
TOP STORY: Ozil off to Fenerbahce?
Mesut Ozil‘s name continues to polarise opinion among Arsenal fans, but reports in Turkey, specifically from TRT Spor and Sabah journalist Fatih Dogan, suggest the Germany international could be heading to Fenerbahce.
While many of us are likely to file this particular rumour with all those labelled “never going to happen,” Dogan claims that Fenerbahce have been linked with signing the Arsenal forward all summer and are now serious about making the move actually happen, and are even confident they can get it over the line.
Ozil’s wages are likely to be the most obvious barrier, with Fenerbahce also having been under investigation with UEFA for breaching FFP rules. Yet president Ali Koc is doing everything he can to land what would be a marquee signing for the Turkish giants.
Ozil has been linked with a move away from Arsenal following uncertainty about his form, and his role, under Unai Emery. It is also common knowledge that he has a soft spot for Fenerbahce after supporting them as a child.
BLOG
22.53 BST: That’s all for today’s edition of Transfer Talk Live, but please check back later for all the latest and greatest lines from Sunday’s papers. Thank you and take care.
22.34 BST: Former L.A. Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos has signed for Liga MX giant Club America on a two-year deal, the club have announced.
“It’s a dream fulfilled personally and for the family,” said Dos Santos in an interview with Univision. “I said it [before], if I returned to Mexico one day it would be with America. It’s happening and it’s the perfect moment because there’s a coach [Miguel Herrera] that I know very well and he knows me, so I’m really happy.”
G10 soy el 🔟🦅 pic.twitter.com/NeYt6luDqk
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) July 6, 2019
21.42 BST: Manuel Neuer could leave Bayern Munich if they don’t sign better players, reports Suddeutsche Zeitung, who quotes the goalkeeper’s agent as proof the Champions League and World Cup winner could seek new challenges.
21.03 BST: Let’s move over to the Premier League now where Jurgen Klopp has cast his eyes on new Liverpool signing Sepp van den Berg for the first time … and he was left impressed.
“He is a big talent but a young boy and we already have a good team,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com. “He took the challenge, he really wanted to be part of this and I’m really happy for him.
“We make signings for immediately or for the future and it’s always about the boys, what they make of it. The first impression here was really good and I’m happy to have him around.”
19.56 BST: Upset Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is prepared to go on strike according to Marca, who say, in order to force a move, the World Cup winner has informed the Madrid club he will not attend preseason training which is set to begin on Sunday. Barcelona, of course, are his desired destination should he leave.
18.48 BST: Left-back Danny Rose is among eight first-team Spurs set to be sold by the club in order to free up funds to 1.) finance that glittering new stadium, and 2.) ensure more summer signings, reports the Mail. The other names, as suggested by the outlet, are Kieran Trippier, Serge Aurier, Victor Wanyama, Vincent Janssen, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josh Onomah and Marcus Edwards.
18.01 BST: AC Milan have announced the signing of left-back Theo Hernandez from Real Madrid for a reported $22.5 million. The once highly regarded defender joined Los Blancos from Atletico in 2017.
👊🏼 Aquí. Ahora. Towards the future: @TheoHernandez 👊🏼#ForzaMilan pic.twitter.com/CxumWst73c
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 6, 2019
17.30 BST: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitted on Friday that PSG won’t sell Neymar … to Barca, apparently. Because Marca have come out on Saturday with a stunning report that the French champions have offered the Brazilian superstar to rivals Real Madrid, despite Los Blancos having spent hundreds of millions of dollars already this summer.
As you may have imagined, the report goes on to say that Florentino Perez & Co. haven’t expressed much interest in the move. Go figure.
16.10 BST: Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of goalkeeper Marcin Bulka from Chelsea on a free transfer.
The 19-year-old from Poland has signed a two-year contract until 2021 at Parc des Princes and follows the arrivals of Ander Herrera and Pablo Sarabia this week.
“I am really pleased and honoured to join PSG today,” said Bulka. “Not only is this club a great reference in France and Europe, but it is also renowned for allowing many young players to express their potential in recent years.
“After my experience in England, I will do my best to continue my progress here with a fantastic squad and especially with top level goalkeepers. I can’t wait to join training next Monday!”
Bulka is expected to compete with Alphonse Areola for a starting role, while PSG remain keen on AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
16.01 BST: In one of the more interesting stories of the window so far, the Daily Mail have reported that Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has ordered the club to look into signing Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa. The former Chelsea striker would certainly prove a statement signing, which is exactly what Moshiri is apparently after. The Toffees have set their sights on the 30-year-old before, and tried to recruit Costa in 2017.
15.19 BST: More from Barca president Bartomeu now, and he has said the club are in talks to bring Victor Valdes, 37, back as a youth coach.
“I spoke with Valdes a few days ago, and he asked me ‘Presi, is it not time to come home’?” Valverde said.
“I asked him to give me some time to think about it, and where he could fit in to our youth set up.
“We will be making an offer to him in the coming days.”
14.40 BST: Ruben Loftus-Cheek has signed a new contract at Chelsea, keeping him at the club until 2024.
14.12 BST: Thomas Kroth, the agent of Manuel Neuer, has spoken to Suddeutsche Zeitung about the need for Bayern Munich to strengthen their squad if they are to convince the goalkeeper to stay in the long term.
“He wants to win the Champions League again,” Kroth said of Neuer. “Manuel is success-orientated. My impression is that the gap to the top four English teams is already sizeable, and the Bayern squad is currently not competitive enough or set up properly to seriously match Manuel’s goals.”
13.55 BST: Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu wants to set the record straight. There’s plenty of talk Lionel Messi wants Neymar back at the club and has a hand in transfer policy, but Bartomeu is having none of it.
“I know that Neymar wants to leave PSG, I have read it in the media,” he said.
“However, I want to end the myth that Messi requests that the club signs certain players, that is not true. What he wants is a competitive team.
“These decisions are made by the coach.”
13.26 BST: Inter director Beppe Marotta with some big news: Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan are up for sale.
“Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan know full well they are not part of our plans, with all due respect,” Marotta told Sky Italia.
“We had the opportunity to speak to the players themselves, with full respect for their contractual situations, but explained the position of the club, which I think is the most important thing.
“Both players know full well they are not part of our plans. That doesn’t mean we doubt their talent or capabilities, as I consider them to be two excellent players.”
13.16 BST: Toni Duggan has announced she is leaving Barcelona this summer. Duggan is with England at the World Cup and made the news public on Saturday.
“After two fantastic years, it is time to say goodbye to my Barcelona family,” she said.
“It has been an incredible experience, but the time is right for a new challenge. It has been a dream come true to wear these famous colours and to be part of such a fantastic club.
“I wish you all the best and the club will always be in my heart.”
12.48 BST: Tottenham are well-positioned to sign Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, Spanish publication AS have reported.
According to AS, Mauricio Pochettino has persuaded the midfielder to join the north London club.
Ceballos, who won the U21 European Championship with Spain this month, has expressed a desire for more game time at club level, saying: “I want to play 40 games and be important.”
12.44 BST: DONE DEAL: Alvaro Morata is officially leaving Chelsea for Atletico Madrid. More on that here.
12.20 BST: Liverpool have approached Lille winger Nicolas Pepe over a potential summer transfer to Merseyside, according to Lille president Gerard Lopez.
Lopez told French radio station RMC Sport: “I know there have been discussions with the player, but not with us as a club. Liverpool has players in his position, and I read that he could go there if players leave. I am not particularly focused on Liverpool, but is true that there have been discussions with agents.”
12.11 BST: Philippe Coutinho is NOT leaving Barcelona this summer, agent Kia Joorabchian has said. The misfit has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain but there doesn’t seem to be too much in those rumours.
“We have had no contact from PSG,” Joorabchian told Radio Montecarlo.
“I have spoken with Barcelona, and they have informed me they are not planning to sell him.”
11.43 BST: Maxi Gomez is set to leave Celta Vigo for Valencia, according to Diario Sport. Gomez, who scored 13 in 33 league matches last term, is moving for a fee around £14m.
11.20 BST: AC Milan have contacted Benfica for Gedson Fernandes but will have to pay close to £30m to get their man, according to Sky Sport Italia.
10.34 BST: Abdou Diallo is considering his options and could leave Borussia Dortmund, according to Bild. Lyon have been linked with the centre-back, who is targeting more playing time this season.
10.27 BST: If you missed it yesterday. Paul Pogba‘s agent Mino Raiola says the Manchester United midfielder is in the process of leaving Old Trafford. Step this way for the latest instalment of this summer’s big soap opera.
10.22 BST: Arsenal fans, listen up: Wilfried Zaha has been speaking about his future. While preparing for Ivory Coast’s round-of-16 clash against Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, he was pressed on interest from north London.
If he’s joining Arsenal: “I don’t know. We’ll see in the future,” he said.
“The only thing that’s on my mind right now is trying to win this cup.”
09.30 BST: It sounds like Robert Lewandowski is set to commit his future to Bayern Munich at long last. Sky in Germany report that the Poland international will pen a new deal to the summer of 2023, after appearing certain to look for a new challenge. His deal expires in two years’ time.
09.00 BST: Welcome to Saturday’s Transfer Talk!
PAPER ROUND (by Nick Judd)
Napoli and Juve enter race for Lukaku
Inter Milan face competition from Serie A rivals and giants Napoli and Juventus for the signature of Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.
Milan boss Antonio Conte is widely believed to be close to signing the striker, but no official agreement has been struck between United and Inter as yet.
This is according to Italian radio station Radio Marte, who believe that while the Belgian has been heavily linked with a move to the Italian capital, Napoli reckon they can steal the striker from under the rivals’ noses.
They’re not the only ones. For Juve are also said to be interested, according to Calciomercato.
Should Lukaku fall through for Napoli, they do have a plan B and C, with a move for Mauro Icardi also lined up, and Valencia striker Rodrigo in their sights.
Milan target Lovren
AC Milan are interested in adding Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren to their back line, according to Calciomercato.
The Italian site is reporting that Lovren’s agent Beppe Riso was at Milan’s training ground today to discuss a possible move for his client, among others. Lovren is widely expected to leave Liverpool this summer, with the Merseysiders expected to ask for up to €20m for the experienced central defender.
Lovren has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield and is unlikely to start ahead of trio Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez this season.
Tap-ins
– Football transfer windows just aren’t the same without Saido Berahino, so you’ll be delighted to hear that Birmingham City are offering the striker a trial with a view to signing the former Stoke City man. Blues boss Pep Clotet believes he could land a bargain if he can get the 25-year-old to recreate the kind of form that made him such a devastating attacking threat at West Bromwich Albion.
– Barcelona are looking to land a sensational move for Neymar, but the move would have repercussions for Malcom, according to La Parisien. While Neymar is keen for a move back to the Nou Camp, his employers are less interested in making the move happen. However, the club are rumoured to be considering a cash-plus-Malcom offer. Malcom joined the Catalan club last summer but has failed to settle at the club, and he was an overwhelming success at Bordeaux.
– It looks as though James Rodriguez‘s future will be sorted in the next seven days. The Colombian was in action for his nation in the Copa America last week and so won’t be returning to training with the rest of his Real Madrid teammates on Monday. However, Marca are suggesting that neither player or manager have any intention of him staying around in the Spanish capital this season, and that boss Zinedine Zidane is keen to conclude the situation next week.