Transfer news LIVE: Barcelona asked to sign Lionel Messi by Xavi, Newcastle £40m Connor Gallagher EXCLUSIVE

Man Utd set to launch a bid for Asensio

Manchester United will make a move for Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to reports.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Red Devils look set to launch a bid for the Spanish winger.

Ten Hag update on Ron’s fitness

Erik ten Hag spoke about the 27-year-old superstar in his post-match reaction to the 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

He said: “Tomorrow he will be in the squad. We’ll see how long he can play.

“I cannot tell in this moment [how fit he is]. He is not on the level of the rest of the squad because he missed a lot of weeks.

“But he needs games and he needs training, a lot.”

Chelsea renew interest in Gvardiol

Chelsea have reportedly made a new attempt to sign Josko .

The Blues have offered a swap deal with Werner on loan but RB Leipzig are said to have no intention to sell him, as per .

The two clubs will continue to discuss possibilities.

On the Ascendancy

Manchester United will make a move for Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to reports.

But they may face competition from Liverpool in the transfer chase.

According to , the Red Devils look set to launch a bid for the Spanish winger.

Asensio, 26, is into the final year of his Bernabeu contract and Real Madrid are keen to sell - because they refuse to bow to his increased wage demands for a new contract.

However, Los Blancos still want £34million for the three-time Champions League winner, who sacked his agent to secure a transfer.

‘Toon only outsiders to sign Werner’

Timo Werner would prefer old club RB Leipzig or Arsenal over Newcastle if he leaves Chelsea, reports say.

Sky Germany suggest the striker is more interested in winning honours than earning big bucks.

And they claim that means Newcastle are only “outsiders” – should Chelsea decide to loan him out or sell.

Likely line-ups for the Lionesses today

Today’s showpiece event is between England and Germany in the FINAL of the Euros.

It is scheduled to kick off at 5pm UK time at a sold out Wembley Stadium.

And here are SunSport's likely line-ups...

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Earps; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Daly; Walsh, Stanway; Mead, Kirby, Hemp; White

GERMANY (4-3-3): Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Oberdorf, Dabritz; Brand, Huth, Popp

ICYMI - Kounde to Barcelona announced

Jules Kounde has finally signed for Barcelona - with a ONE BILLION EUROS buy-out clause.

The Spaniards beat Chelsea to the Sevilla centre-back on a five-year deal.

The defender’s transfer saga came to an end as the Catalan club agreed a deal in principle with Sevilla last night.

Barca also revealed the France star, who was pictured completing his medical, got down to training straight away on Friday and will be "officially presented" on Monday.

More from Arteta on future incomings

Following up on that top line regarding Arteta’s desire for more incomings at the Emirates.

Arsenal have already landed Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer.

But Arteta said: “It is all about the connection between all the players and all the units.

“The intensity, the willingness to win the ball as high as possible, how we react when we give it away, how compact we are and how willing we are to make that press. 

“It’s a team effort and individually and collectively they are really living the game in every single ball, which is what we demand.

“I am happy with where the squad is now but we are still hoping to do something else if the market allows.”

Stoke after Delap v2.0

Stoke City are in "advanced talks" to sign Liam Delap.

The Manchester City youngster is tipped to sign with the Potters on loan, per reports.

Southampton have had a £16m official bid rejected and an approach from Newcastle has also been knocked back.

EXCLUSIVE - Leeds go for Adams

Leeds are lining up a surprise move for Southampton striker Che Adams.

Adams started his career at Sheffield United and could fancy a return to Yorkshire if it means he gets more game time.

The Whites would like to do business at around £10million for the 26-year-old.

Arteta ‘still hoping’ for more signings

Mikel Arteta admits he wants more signings despite a 6-0 romp over Sevilla continuing Arsenal’s brilliant pre-season.

The Gunners boss told Sky: “We are still hoping to do something else if the market allows us to do that.

“You have seen some movement in the few days as well.

“We want to get the perfect balance and the plan we wanted from the beginning.

“Whether we accomplish that or not is another story.”

Olympiacos keen on Umtiti

Greek champions Olympiacos are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti.

ESPN claim the Frenchman is not in Xavi's plans for the new campaign.

Gunners have ‘real’ interest in Paqueta

Arsenal have a serious interest in Lyon’s £55million-rated attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

That’s the claim of CBS’s Ben Jacobs, who also told Givemesport that Gunners technical director Edu has baulked at that sum.

Edu is reluctant to enter a bidding war with clubs like Newcastle and Roma.

 said: “Paqueta’s still an interesting one; Arsenal’s interest is real. They admire the player, but they haven’t really moved.

“They’ve never placed an offer, so when Jean-Michel Aulas spoke of lots of offers, I think I was one of the first to report that Arsenal and Newcastle were not teams that had ever gone to Lyon, they’d simply explored the option with the agent.”

Red Devils ‘up Antony offer’

Manchester United have upped their original £50million offer for Ajax winger Antony, according to Goal.

But the Dutch champions are said to be standing firm with their £67m valuation of the Brazil star.

Ajax are reluctant to lose more top-class players after Argentina centre-back Lisandro Martinez followed manager Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford.

EXCLUSIVE - Cottagers hunt Foxes’ defender Jannik

Fulham want Leicester’s Danish centre-half Jannik Vestergaard to bolster their defence, writes ALAN NIXON.

Marco Silva is looking for more power and presence at the back — and 6ft 4in Vestergaard is available as Brendan Rodgers looks to shake up his Foxes squad.

Fulham fancy a loan deal but Leicester will be looking for up to £12million for the former Southampton defender, 29.

Silva has also looked at West Ham’s Issa Diop, 25, but Vestergaard may yet be the answer.

The Denmark international came to our shores in 2018, when he signed for the Saints in 2018 in a £22million deal from Borussia Monchengladbach.

He soon became a fans’ favourite – appearing 79 times across three seasons for the South Coast club.

Kent 'in talks' with Rangers on new contract

Ryan Kent is in talks about a new Rangers deal amid interest in the winger from Aston Villa and Leeds.

Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: "Ryan's abilities and qualities are on a high level. Talks with him are happening to extend his contract."

Sunderland sign Simms

Sunderland have signed Ellis Simms from Everton on a season long loan.

The 6ft 2in striker, 21, hit seven goals in 21 loan games at Hearts last term.

Black Cats boss Alex Neil said: "He's a big lad who is direct, quick and mobile, and he's a serial goalscorer."

Ronaldo WILL feature in Vallecano clash

Ronaldo WILL feature in United’s final pre-season friendly TODAY when they take on Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.

He commented on an Instagram post, saying: “Sunday, the king plays”.

Sunday, the king plays

Cristiano RonaldoInstagram

More from the manager

Following up on that top line regarding Arteta's desire for more incomings at the Emirates.

Arsenal have already landed Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer.

But Arteta said: “It is all about the connection between all the players and all the units.

"The intensity, the willingness to win the ball as high as possible, how we react when we give it away, how compact we are and how willing we are to make that press. 

“It’s a team effort and individually and collectively they are really living the game in every single ball, which is what we demand.

“I am happy with where the squad is now but we are still hoping to do something else if the market allows."

Show me De money

Manchester United are preparing to make one final offer for Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.

And that could see the Red Devils make him their top earner on a whopping £450,000 per week.

United have been chasing the Barcelona midfielder throughout the summer but remain unable to land him just yet.

Now Sport in Spain report the Premier League giants have upped their wage offer to match his current salary at the Nou Camp.

It adds they would even be willing to cover the costs of the £17million the ex-Ajax star is owed in deferred wages.

Good morning football fans

Wantaway icon Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Manchester United this afternoon.

And there's been developments in some of the summer's other big transfer sagas.

Ron and boss Erik ten Hag both say the 37-year-old striker will face Rayo Vallecano in today's friendly at Old Trafford.

So it seems the Portugal superstar's hopes of persuading the Red Devils to sell him are fading.

United are reportedly upping their initial £50million offer for Ajax winger Antony.

And Arsenal are said to have a serious interest in Lyon’s £55million-rated attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

Crystal Palace are tipped to make a shock move to re-sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan.  

Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed manager Xavi is a big fan of Chelsea wing-backs Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.

United-linked Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz is now said to interest Real Madrid.

Frontman Timo Werner would reportedly prefer old club RB Leipzig or Arsenal over Newcastle if he leaves Chelsea.

And it's claimed Aston Villa have joined Everton in chasing forgotten Stamford Bridge midfielder Ross Barkley.

Leeds in for Che

EXCLUSIVE: Leeds are lining up a surprise move for Southampton striker Che Adams, writes ALAN NIXON.

The Elland Road side are still light in attack and keen on the versatile and hard-running Scotland international, who could be available.

Saints have now squeezed Adams a place further down their pecking order and Leeds may have a chance of successfully bidding for him.

Adams started his career at Sheffield United and could fancy a return to Yorkshire if it means he gets more game time.

The Whites would like to do business at around £10million for the 26-year-old.

Saints are looking for more but there is optimism that a compromise figure can be reached.

Cottagers hunt Foxes' defender Jannik

EXCLUSIVE: Fulham want Leicester’s Danish centre-half Jannik Vestergaard to bolster their defence, writes ALAN NIXON.

Marco Silva is looking for more power and presence at the back — and 6ft 4in Vestergaard is available as Brendan Rodgers looks to shake up his Foxes squad.

Fulham fancy a loan deal but Leicester will be looking for up to £12million for the former Southampton defender, 29.

Silva has also looked at West Ham’s Issa Diop, 25, but Vestergaard may yet be the answer.

The Denmark international came to our shores in 2018, when he signed for the Saints in 2018 in a £22million deal from Borussia Monchengladbach.

He soon became a fans' favourite - appearing 79 times across three seasons for the South Coast club.