The summer transfer window is into its final month for the major European leagues, which means the biggest clubs are looking to make a splash in the market before the new season begins. Check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.
TOP STORY: Arsenal want Aouar if Odegaard bid fails
Mikel Arteta is in search of a playmaker to bolster his midfield ranks, and Arsenal are now ready to turn their attentions to Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, according to The Sun.
Aouar, 23, has been linked with a move to the Emirates for the past two summers, though transfer targets may even still shift again with less then three weeks remaining in the window.
Arsenal would prefer a permanent move for Martin Odegaard after his successful loan spell last season, but Real Madrid‘s £40 million valuation could be problematic in bringing the 22-year-old back to London — even though Joe Willock is on the verge of joining Newcastle United, which will give Arteta added transfer funds.
The Gunners no longer see Leicester City‘s James Maddison as a key target, but Aouar is an option if they do fail to bring Odegaard back from Real Madrid.
France international Aouar made his way through the academy at Lyon and saw his stock rise as he put in good performances in Ligue 1. Last summer, the French club rejected an offer of £40m, but following their failure to claim Champions League football, and the coronavirus pandemic, it is believed £25m would be an acceptable transfer fee.
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09.32 BST: Jose Mourinho really wants Tammy Abraham to join him at AS Roma, but Corriere dello Sport says the Chelsea striker is yet to be convinced over a move to Serie A. Roma general manager Tiago Pinto flew to London to hold talks with the 23-year-old, offering him the No. 9 shirt and a base salary of €4.5m-a-season, but it’s still not clear if it will be enough.
Abraham is not part of Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel’s plans and is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this month.
08.45 BST: Sevilla are closing in on the signing of FC Porto right-back Jesus Corona, according to O JOGO. The Mexico international becomes a free agent next summer so Porto need a transfer fee this month.
The two clubs are close to reaching an agreement, with the Spanish outfit expected to pay a transfer fee of around €12m. Corona, 28, joined Porto from FC Twente in 2015. He scored two goals and set up eight more in 30 league appearances last season.
PAPER GOSSIP
– Manchester United are set to offer wonderkid Amad Diallo on loan this summer, according to the Manchester Evening News. The 19-year-old joined the Old Trafford outfit in January for £37m from Atalanta, but needs to move elsewhere for regular first-team football. The youngster hasn’t been involved in preseason because of international appearances at the Olympics, representing Ivory Coast.
– Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is set to reject any offer made by Portuguese club Benfica for his services this summer. Mundo Deportivo reports that the France international is not interested in a move away from the Camp Nou after a reported €10m offer. Umtiti, 27, has been regularly linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer as the club look to settle their well-known financial issues, starting with moving players on to free up wages.
– AS Roma are eyeing a move for Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, according to Calciomercato. The 25-year-old was recently left out of the Cottagers’ Championship draw against Middlesbrough because of his desire to move on from the club. It is believed that Jose Mourinho is interested in adding him to the squad after they conclude a move for a striker, but they could face competition from Everton and Aston Villa.
– Lyon have joined AC Milan and Napoli in the race for Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko this window. A Calciomercato report says the player is in favour of a move to France, where he previously played for Monaco. Napoli and Milan are still interested in the player, though, with the former having had the 26-year-old on loan last season.