Transfer news LIVE! Balogun breakthrough; Johnson snubs Chelsea for Spurs; £100m Arsenal plan
Today promises to be another big one in the summer transfer market with Arsenal closing in on a big part of their £100million plan to raise funds through player sales. An agreement has almost been reached on the sale of Folarin Balogun to Monaco.
Chelsea were keen on the striker but look set to miss out, as they are with Brennan Johnson. The Nottingham Forest striker is said to prefer moving to Tottenham over Chelsea, ahead of a bid landing from Spurs for the £50million-rated player. However, the Blues are preparing to land a new signing of their own after a medical for Deivid Washington.
Mohammed Kudus has been a target for both Arsenal and Chelsea but West Ham have now sealed an agreement to sign the Ghanaian midfielder. Manchester United are closing in on a £34m deal for Jean-Clair Todibo. Follow all the latest transfer news, rumours and deals with Standard Sport’s live blog!
Live updates
Monaco make Folarin Balogun breakthrough
A deal has almost been agreed for Monaco to sign Folarin Balogun.
Sky Sports say talks with Arsenal have advanced with only the payment structure and certain terms left to be decided on the striker’s future.
Arsenal have set a price tag of £50m on academy graduate Balogun, who missed training today, with Chelsea keen on the deal too.
A solution to Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku problem?
Roma could rescue Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku problem.
After seeing a bid for Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata blocked, TMW say Jose Mourinho could make a move for the Blues outcast.
A deal is said to be difficult however, with a loan deal most likely.
“At the moment, we are very relaxed and nothing has happened,” Mauricio Pochettino has just told his press conference. “Nothing has changed.”
Nine Spurs players up for chop
The final week of the transfer window is often considered Daniel Levy’s time to shine — and this summer the Tottenham chairman has his work cut out, writes Standard Sport’s Dan Kilpatrick.
With next Friday’s 11pm deadline looming, Levy’s club is in an all-too-familiar position of attempting to find buyers for a raft of unwanted players.
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Gabri Veiga set for shock Saudi switch
Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli are on the verge of signing highly-rated Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga.
The 21-year-old has caught the eye of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, among others, in recent months after a breakout season with Celta Vigo.
A move to the Premier League was thought to be on the cards with Veiga available for his £34.4million release clause.
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West Ham to tie up Mohammed Kudus coup
West Ham have plans to sign a striker after making a breakthrough in talks over Mohammed Kudus’ transfer, writes Standard Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella.
The Ghana midfielder is set to arrive for £38m on a five-year contract.
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Arsenal set out on £100m plan
Arsenal want to raise £100m in player sales before the transfer deadline.
Folarin Balogun is rated at £50m and Gabriel Magalhaes could also leave if a replacement can be found, say the Mail, with Marc Guehi liked.
Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares and Nicolas Pepe could also move on to raise funds.
Brentford suffer Nico Gonzalez blow
Brentford have seen a £36m offer for Nico Gonzalez rejected.
Fiorentina are determined not to sell the Argentine midfielder, say outlets in Italy.
Viola boss Vincenzo Italianio told Sky Italia yesterday: “I’m seeing him highly motivated. He took the No10 and it brought him luck.[The rumours] are just a slightly unsettling thought.
“The market still being open while we are already underway with such important competitions doesn’t help, but we’re used to it by now.
“There’s nothing on Nico Gonzalez, he will definitely stay with us.”
Man City told to pay £70m for Eberechi Eze
Crystal Palace have laid out their demands for Eberechi Eze, write Standard Sport’s Dom Smith and Nizaar Kinsella.
Manchester City are keen on the England midfielder after turning their attention away from Lucas Paqueta, but a hefty sell-on clause to old club QPR has upped Eze’s fee.
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Aymeric Laporte to trade Manchester for Riyadh
Aymeric Laporte has confirmed his departure from Manchester City ahead of signing for Al-Nassr.
The Saudi Arabian club will reportedly pay £23.5million for the Spain international defender after five-and-a-half years at the Etihad Stadium.
Ahead of leaving City, former Arsenal target Laporte penned an emotional farewell to fans on social media. The 29-year-old wrote: “It has lasted for five and a half unforgettable years. Plenty of memories that I will keep forever close to my heart.”
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Chelsea to make new signing today
Chelsea could announce the signing of Deivid Washington today.
The Brazilian teenager completed his medical ahead of a £17m move from Santos yesterday, as reported by Sky Sports.
Washington will be loaned to sister club Strasbourg for the season ahead.
