The summer transfer window is back in full swing, with clubs able to do business until September 1 as they look to strengthen their squads before the new season.
Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team bring you the latest transfer news, rumours and developments from across Europe…
Real in talks over Diomande
Real Madrid have opened discussions with RB Leipzig over a potential move for highly rated attacker Yan Diomande.
The Spanish giants have now joined the chase for Diomande, who is attracting significant interest during the transfer window.
Leipzig’s position remains that Diomande is not for sale, although a bid in the region of £110million is expected to test the Bundesliga club’s resolve.
BOBBY MANZI
Yan Diomande went to the World Cup with Ivory Coast and is a wanted man across Europe
Palace eye Le Guen
Crystal Palace have also expanded their shortlist of centre-back targets, with Brest’s 19-year-old defender Raphael Le Guen under consideration.
Palace have had bids rejected for Augsburg’s Chrislain Matsima and have asked about Trabzonspor’s Chibuike Nwaiwu, who is the subject of offers from Fulham.
Bees buzz around Diouf with Hammers keen to sell
Brentford have held initial talks over a move for West Ham wing-back El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Senegal international joined from Slavia Prague for £19million and endured an indifferent season.
The Hammers are keen to sell the 20-year-old and expect further enquiries.
El Hadji Malick Diouf made 34 appearances in hs debut season at WestHam
Forest in the market for a safe Beto
Nottingham Forest are weighing up a move for Everton striker Beto.
The Guinea-Bissau international is one of a number of options being considered as Forest look to add a forward for Oliver Glasner.
The 28-year-old scored 10 goals last season as he alternated up front with Thierno Barry, who has attracted interest from RB Leipzig.
Everton would not want to sell without having a replacement in first, while David Moyes wants to bolster his attack regardless.
Chelsea go back to Villa for set-piece coach MacPhee
Chelsea are raiding Aston Villa once again to sign up set-piece coach Austin MacPhee.
The 46-year-old who has also been working with Portugal’s national squad, has been at Villa for five years.
He was first given responsibility for set pieces by Northern Ireland national team coach Michael O’Neill and the team scored 11 goals from set pieces in 10 games to qualify for Euro 2016.
He said his farewells to Villa staff today and will link up with the likes of Morgan Rogers once again at Stamford Bridge after Rogers’ £117m move this week.
Austin MacPhee with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup
Moyes pays tribute to Gana Gueye as midfielder leaves Everton for big-money Saudi deal
Idrissa Gana Gueye is poised to take up a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia.
The 36-year-old has now abandoned talks over a new contract with Everton, who confirmed his exit tonight, and as a free agent is in the throes of finalising terms to move to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Diriyah.
The Senegal international also had interest from ambitious French side Le Havre but key to his decision apart from the financial gain is a desire to bring up his children in a Muslim country.
Gueye was popular figure at Everton but turns 37 in September.
David Moyes was willing to offer a new contract but wants more energy in his midfield. He has signed Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough and wants two more for his engine room.
As Everton confirmed Gueye’s exit Moyes said: ‘His leadership qualities in and around the dressing room proved crucial, particularly in our final season at Goodison. His commitment to the club over many years was exceptional.
‘Everyone connected to Everton thanks Gana – he will always be welcome at the club – and we wish him and his family all the very best for the future.’
Idrissa Gana Gueye joined Everton in 2022 and has made 120 league appearances for them
Morita’s a Tiger as Hull get their man
Hull City have confirmed the signing of defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old joins on a two-year deal which includes an option for a third. Morita left Sporting Lisbon as a free agent earlier this summer and had been talks with Leeds United and Ipswich Town.
Garner’s a no-go as Everton dig in their heels
Everton insist James Garner is not for sale despite mooted interest from Premier League rivals.
The midfielder signed a new contract last season and was rewarded for his form with a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Aston Villa, Newcastle United and his former club Manchester United have all been linked in recent months but Everton have no desire to sell with the 25-year-old a key part of David Moyes’s plans.
A string of Premier League clubs have been linked with James Garner, 25
Como set to increase bid for Chalobah
Como are expected to hold talks with Chelsea tomorrow over an improved offer for defender Trevoh Chalobah.
The England centre back is keen on making the move and the Italians – managed by former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas – have indicated they would increase their bid closer to Chelsea’s valuation of £35million including add ons.
Como have so far proposed £25m.
For more on this story click HERE
Lacroix closes in on £55m Chelsea move
Maxence Lacroix is undergoing his medical at Chelsea today after the Blues agreed a deal for the Crystal Palace defender worth around £55m on Thursday.
As Daily Mail Sport reported earlier this week, talks accelerated over a meeting in New York at the weekend.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Palace chairman Steve Parish, who were in New York for the World Cup final, met at the Aman Hotel near Central Park on Sunday.
Daily Mail Sport revealed Chelsea had revisited their interest in the 26-year-old early this summer.
The France international cost Palace £18m from Wolfsburg but has been an outstanding performer in the Premier League and Europe.
Crystal Palace and France star Maxence Lacroix is undergoing his medical at Chelsea today
Villa in talks to sign Jackson
Aston Villa remain in discussions over a move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.
The clubs have already agreed a loan with obligation deal for Alejandro Garnacho to join Villa. That followed the £117m sale of Morgan Rogers.
The structure of the deals are key as Chelsea and Villa are among those that need to comply with Uefa’s squad cost ratio regulations and their 2025 settlement agreements.
Rogers’ £117m move will provide Villa with a significant accounting profit, potentially over £80m after Middlesbrough’s sell-on clause and the remaining book value of his 2024 signing are deducted.
But if Chelsea had sold Garnacho to Villa as part of the same transaction, Uefa would treat it as a swap deal, impinging on profit margin. Even if Garnacho left on deadline day September 1, that is fewer than the guideline of 45 days, making it harder to argue they are not connected.
A loan with an obligation to buy could still be regarded as part of a swap deal because the ‘purchase’ has been agreed within 45 days of Rogers’ transfer but the conditions give Villa control of when that deal is completed and potential room for manoeuvre with Uefa regulators.
Aston Villa remain in discussions over a move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson
Summerville’s Saudi switch confirmed
Al-Hilal have confirmed the signing of winger Crysencio Summerville from West Ham in a deal worth up to £60million.
The 24-year-old, who also had an offer from Roma, had a medical in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
Al Hilal will pay an initial fee of £55m, plus £5m in potential add-ons.
Magpies get their man
Aladji Bamba will wear the number eight shirt vacated by Sandro Tonali, after completing his £30million move to Newcastle United.
Bamba arrived from Monaco on Thursday and Newcastle will pay a further £5.5m in add-ons.
The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract and manager Eddie Howe said: ‘He’s another exciting, young signing who we’re really looking forward to working with.
‘Aladji adds depth and a range of qualities to our midfield options, with a huge potential for growth.
‘His development since breaking through at Monaco has been really impressive and something we believe we can help him build on.
‘He operates in a deeper role but has the ability to contribute all over the pitch, which he demonstrated in both Ligue Un and the Champions League last season.’
Meanwhile, Newcastle say they have still to receive a formal offer from Arsenal for Bruno Guimaraes.
No Blues interest in Bruno
Chelsea are not expected to pursue a move for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
There had been suggestions that the West London club were interested in the Brazilian international, but Chelsea sources categorically refute this.
Daily Mail Sport understands that Chelsea have not, at any point, enquired about Guimaraes and sources maintain they have no plans to.
BOBBY MANZI
Ex-Burnley star catching Tigers’ interest
Hull City are interested in Burnley midfielder Florentino Luis.
The Portuguese was on loan from Benfica last season, but Burnley have just made that move permanent for £20million as their obligation from the original deal.
However, Burnley are also understood to be willing to sell the 26-year-old to recoup funds and salary while they are in the Championship.
Boro target World Cup star
Middlesbrough are in talks to sign USA midfielder Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver Whitecaps.
Boro are paying £900,000 for the 25-year-old who has 18 caps and played in all of the USA’s World Cup games.
The deal includes a further £600,000 in add-ons.
Berhalter was born in London where his father Gregg, a former USA coach, was a player at Crystal Palace.
Boro remain in talks for left-back Max Arfsten from Columbus Crew also.
Middlesbrough are in talks to sign USA star Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver Whitecaps
Click below for all the transfer developments over the last few days…
THURSDAY: Arsenal sign Christos Tzolis in £34million move from Club Brugge as Leeds ramp up talks with Man City’s James Trafford
WEDNESDAY: West Ham star Crysencio Summerville set for £60m Saudi Arabia move despite Roma’s late attempt to hijack deal
TUESDAY: Fulham plot £24m bid for Southampton’s Shea Charles… after Leeds have three bids rejected
MONDAY: New York meeting key to Chelsea’s Maxence Lacroix move
SUNDAY: Roma ponder new bid for £50m-rated Crysencio Summerville
SATURDAY: Revealed: The figure Middlesbrough are set to pocket from Morgan Rogers’ move to Chelsea
