Transfer news LIVE: Barcelona ANNOUNCE Kounde, Paqueta to choose Spurs over Arsenal, Everton in Gueye return talks,
BARCELONA have officially announced the signing of Jules Kounde at the expense of Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Lucas Paqueta is claimed to favour a move to Tottenham over Arsenal, according to reports.
This comes despite Gunners sporting director Edu admitting his admiration of his fellow Brazilian last week.
Meanwhile, Everton are in preliminary talks with Paris Saint-Germain over bringing former midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye back to the club.
Follow ALL of the latest transfer news and gossip below...
Good morning footy transfer fans
Everton are set to land Burnley wide man Dwight McNeil in a move that could be worth £20million.
The 22-year-old was at the Toffees’ Finch Farm training ground for a medical on Wednesday.
Now McNeil looks set to become the latest player to leave Turf Moor following their relegation to the Championship in May.
Pal James Tarkowski has already signed for the Toffees.
Meanwhile, West Ham remain in negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal to sign Filip Kostic after having their first bid rejected.
The Hammers tabled an offer of around £10m with a further £2.5m in add-ons, but the Bundesliga club want up to £16m for the wing-back.
Kostic, 29, has just one year remaining on his contract in Germany but a number of clubs are interested, giving Frankfurt licence to drive up the price.
West Ham, however, are confident of being able to agree a fee somewhere in between their two valuations.
Finally, Fulham have signed right-back Kevin Mbabu from Wolfsburg in a £6.5m deal.
The attacking right-back has agreed a three-year deal which ties him to Craven Cottage until the summer of 2025.
Fulham will have an option to extend by a further 12 months.
Salzburg ‘name’ Sesko’s Utd price
RB Salzburg have jokingly told United how much to pay for Benjamin Sesko.
They first tweeted: "We want 300 million + Bruno.";
But after Sesko scored Salzburg’s winner against Liverpool, the price went up.
Salzburg declared: "Update: We now want 1 billion, Bruno and Fred the Red for Sesko."
Sun exclusive by Paul Sims
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has found love again with a glamorous Brazilian — days after his divorce was granted.
Tuchel, 48, whisked away business boss and mother Natalie Max, 35, to relaxing Sardinia.
A holidaymaker said: “They held hands at every opportunity and looked really happy.”
Hammers see Kostic bid rejected
West Ham remain in negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal to sign Filip Kostic after having their first bid rejected.
The Hammers tabled an offer of around £10m with a further £2.5m in add-ons, but the Bundesliga club want up to £16m for the wing-back.
Kostic, 29, has just one year remaining on his contract in Germany but a number of clubs are interested, giving Frankfurt licence to drive up the price.
West Ham, however, are confident of being able to agree a fee somewhere in between their two valuations.
Everton set to sign McNeil
Everton are set to land Burnley wide man Dwight McNeil in a move that could be worth £20million.
The 22-year-old was at the Toffees’ Finch Farm training ground for a medical on Wednesday.
Now McNeil looks set to become the latest player to leave Turf Moor following their relegation to the Championship in May.
Pal James Tarkowski has already signed for the Toffees.
Ron demands Man Utd exit
Cristiano Ronaldo told Manchester United chiefs "let me leave" during showdown talks at Carrington yesterday.
During talks with Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes at Carrington yesterday, club chiefs outlined the forward's importance and role within their vision.
Despite the Portuguese star making his desires clear, United have maintained that he is NOT for sale.
But Ronnie wants out amid links with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.
Kounde close to Barcelona move
Barcelona have had a £46million-plus bid accepted for Jules Kounde.
It means the Sevilla star is just one step away from becoming a Nou Camp player.
Barcelona pipped Chelsea to Kounde’s signing, despite the Blues offering £55m.
And Kounde could be confirmed by the Catalan giants this weekend.
Arsenal counting cash with Chelsea
Arsenal have included a sell-on fee after flogging Omari Hutchinson to Chelsea.
That is according to GunnerBlog, who claim that the Gunners are looking at a cash windfall down the line.
Hutchinson, 18, joined the Blues' Under-23 set-up for an undisclosed fee.
The attacking midfielder never made a senior appearance for the North Londoners throughout his seven-year stint at the Emirates.
Scarlett set for Pompey loan
Portsmouth are closing in on a loan move for Dane Scarlett.
The Spurs striker is rated as a top young prospect for the future.
And he is set for some crucial minutes this season as he looks to impress Antonio Conte.
The Portsmouth News claims a loan deal is imminent.
United trial for young goalie
Man Utd will give 16-year-old Bosnian goalkeeper Tarik Karic a trial with the academy.
Karic will have the chance to impress when he joins up with the club for a trial spell.
The talented teenager had been offered the chance to spend a week with United's youth set-up in September.
Karic currently plays in the academy for Bosnian top-flight outfit FK Zeljeznicar.
Arsenal battle City for Grimaldo
Arsenal have been reportedly joined by Manchester City in the race to sign Benfica's Alex Grimaldo.
The Portuguese club have slapped a £16.8million price tag on the left-back.
Arsenal remain keen on Grimaldo despite signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is also capable of playing midfield.
Ironically, City want Grimaldo to REPLACE Zinchenko in their squad after being quoted £50m for Brighton’s Marc Cucurella.
More defensive woe for Blues
Chelsea are reportedly set to lose out on ANOTHER centre-back.
Foot Mercato claims Milan Skriniar is heading to PSG despite interest from the Blues.
The Inter Milan ace could cost up to £60million this summer.
And it means Chelsea will once again have to look elsewhere for a defender.
United in Sergej Arsenal boost
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would reportedly rather join Man Utd over Arsenal.
Tuttosport claims the Lazio midfielder is keen on a Premier League switch this summer.
United and Arsenal are both thought to be interested in the Serb.
But he would choose United over the Gunners if he received offers from both sides.
Mari set for Turkish switch
Pablo Mari is reportedly close to joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Habel Global claims the defender is surplus to requirements at Arsenal.
But it is unclear whether the move would be a loan or a permanent deal.
Either way, it would see Mari reunited with boss Jorge Jesus after their time together at Flamengo.
Kimpembe latest to snub Blues
Presnel Kimpembe has reportedly snubbed a summer move to Chelsea.
RMC claims the Paris Saint-Germain star has decided to remain in France under new boss Christophe Galtier.
Chelsea were ready to bid £42million but were waiting to first discover if Kimpembe wanted the move.
The ace is the latest centre-back Thomas Tuchel has missed out on after Nathan Ake, Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde.
More on Ron loan
According to , Mendes has told Ronaldo and United to agree on a new contract.
In exchange, the Real Madrid legend would be loaned out for the 2022-23 season.
This would allow Ronaldo to link up with a Champions League side with the player reluctant to compete in the Europa League.
SunSport understands that United remain unwilling to part ways with the superstar marksman on a permanent deal.
United sources indicated last night there has been no change in the club’s view to cash in on Ronaldo.
ICYMI - Mendes suggest Ronaldo loan
Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United have reportedly been urged to agree on a new contract – and then a LOAN deal for the season ahead.
The 37-year-old, who has just a year left on his deal at the Theatre of Dreams, informed the club earlier this month of his intentions to leave.
After training alone during the summer, Ronaldo was back at Carrinton on Tuesday where he arrived alongside agent Jorge Mendes.
SunSport understands the five-time Ballon d’Or winner jetted back into England to once again express his desire to depart.
And it has been said that Ronaldo could get his wish, but only if he pens a new deal at United.
Pepe commits to Arsenal amid Toon interest
Nicolas Pepe appears to have committed his future to Arsenal.
The Gunners are open to the £72million winger leaving this summer.
But there has been a lack of concrete interest in the club's record signing.
Newcastle are sniffing around, according to 90min, but as of yet an offer has failed to materialise.
And now Pepe himself has revealed he is "determined" to continue with the Gunners.
The Ivory Coast international has vowed he has worked hard on his game over the summer break having netted just three goals in all competitions last season.
Saka not for sale, says Edu
Arsenal chief Edu has ruled out selling Bukayo Saka after the star was urged to make the “perfect” move to Liverpool.
The England international, 20, was a standout performer for the Gunners last term with 11 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.
And technical director Edu has promised Gooners that their star attacker is going nowhere this summer.
When asked how contract talks were going with him, he said: “Good, very good. Everybody is happy.”
When pressed further on the delay in him signing the new deal, Edu said that it is normal and that the winger would not be sold.
He added: “It’s normal. We’re going to sit and put all the expectations in the right place.
“Our expectations and his, his family and his agent’s expectations, and put everything together.
“The main thing is how he feels, how he feels comfortable with us. He’s happy, we’re happy, so it’s just: sit down and find a solution.”
Blues 'close to an offer' for Zaha
Chelsea are "very interested" in Wilfried Zaha .
Thomas Tuchel added Zaha to his shortlist and the Ivorian is even one of the top priorities before the season starts.
According to , palace will not let him leave for free when his contract expires at the end of next season.
Arsenal haven’t bid for Tielemans, says SrivaddhanaprabhaIt
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt SrivaddhanaprabhaIt insists “no offers yet” have come in for reported Arsenal target Youri Tielemans.
The Belgium midfielder is expected to hold talks with Foxes’ boss Brendan Rodgers over his future.
Reminder – Ronaldo NOT for sale
Manchester United will not budge on their stance that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale after he returned to Carrington on Tuesday.
The Red Devils are doubling down on the view that they will not sell him this summer.
Ronaldo was given compassionate leave by United for the first three weeks of pre-season training due to a family issue back in his homeland.
However, he was back at their training HQ on Tuesday morning — his private jet landing at Manchester Airport — before he drove in with his agent Jorge Mendes just after 10am.
The 37-year-old sat in on the tour debrief with new boss Erik ten Hag as the squad looked back on the 17-day trip to Thailand and Australia.
Ziyech ‘wants’ Milan move but will need pay cut
Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech wants to move to AC Milan but will have to take a pay cut, according to the Daily Mail.
The Blues are willing to let the Moroccan international leave for £8.4m but his near-£100k-a-week a year wages are a stumbling block for the Italian champions.
Carvalho 'top priority' for Forest
William Carvalho is reportedly a top priority for Prem new boys Nottingham Forest.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said there is "strong interest" from the play-off winners.
He tweeted: "Nottingham Forest top priority for the midfield is William Carvalho. Talks on - been told there’s strong interest in the Portuguese midfielder.
"Huge opportunity for William in the Premier League with ambitious club like NFFC, pushing to sign him as priority target."