The summer transfer window is open once again, running until September 1, and clubs across Europe are already stepping up plans for major signings before the new season gets underway.
Here are the latest transfer developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Boro in talks with Spurs defender
Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips is holding talks over a potential move to Middlesbrough.
Phillips previously worked under former Boro manager Tony Mowbray at Blackburn, where the experienced coach was full of praise for the young centre-back. Mowbray once said of him: ‘He’s fast, mobile and can pass it really well. He can use both feet, he’s composed… if you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attribute.’
Liverpool consider another PSG raid
Liverpool are weighing up whether to make a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, while team-mate Bradley Barcola is also on their radar.
Liverpool are assessing whether to make an approach for PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye
Mbaye, an 18-year-old right winger, impressed for Senegal at the World Cup.
Liverpool were among the clubs alerted to the teenager’s availability earlier in the transfer window, although Manchester City and Tottenham were believed to have shown stronger interest at that stage.
However, it is Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen who have been making the greater progress.
Now with concerns about the squad’s capability and lack of goalpower, Liverpool are considering an approach for both PSG flyers.
Mbaye would at least be a more natural fit to replace Mo Salah who left Anfield and is closing on a move to Trabzonspor while Barcola prefers the left.
Much will depend on the asking price as PSG would likely ask for over £150m.
The situation is expected to become clearer in the coming days as the clubs maintain dialogue.
Mbaye is represented by agent Jorge Mendes.
Salah in Turkey talks
Trabzonspor are hopeful of agreement over a two year deal with former Liverpool forward Mo Salah.
The Turkish club’s rivals Besiktas were understood to be the Egyptian’s first choice but talks with them stalled last week.
Trabzonspor are hopeful of agreement over a two year deal with Mo Salah
Fulham lodge new £25m bid for Saints star
Fulham have made a revised £25million offer for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles.
The Championship side rejected Fulham’s first bid for the Northern Ireland international but the Cottagers have improved their proposal with add-ons on top.
Fresh from signing £46million Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, manager Alvaro Arbeloa wants Fulham to strengthen further with the former Manchester City midfielder.
Leeds United walked away from talks for Charles last month after making what they felt were reasonable offers for the 22-year-old.
Fulham have made a revised £25million offer for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles
Southampton have been digging in their heels pushing for £30m but Charles wants to go for the chance to play in the Premier League which he missed out on in May.
Fulham remain talks to add Thiago Pitarch from Real Madrid too.
Hull move for Norway youth star
Hull City are finalising a £7million deal for 20-year-old Norwegian midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl from Tromso.
The U21 international set off for England this morning ahead of his medical and agreeing terms.
As Daily Mail Sport reported on Sunday, Hull have beaten off competition from Rangers and Cardiff City.
Ipswich target Brazilian centre back
Ipswich Town are interested in Real Betis centre back Natan.
The 25-year-old joined from Napoli last season and was on the brink of making Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad but ultimately missed out.
Ipswich Town are interested in Real Betis’s 25-year-old Braziliann centre back Natan.
Ipswich, meanwhile have signed midfielder Florentino from Burnley on a five-year contract.
As Daily Mail Sport reported, the fee is an initial £16m plus a further £3m in add-ons.
Hull City had been in advanced talks over an initial loan for the 26-year-old.
Palace swoop for teenage US defender
Crystal Palace are closing on an £11million deal for Real Salt Lake wing-back Zavier Gozo.
The 19-year-old is a USA U23 international and can play as a right wing-back or right winger.
The teenager has also attracted interest from Lyon and Hoffenheim but is heading for Palace as talks progress.
Man United keeper making Middlesbrough move
Middlesbrough are closing in on the permanent signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek as the ambitious Championship side look to win promotion to the Premier League.
Czech goalkeeper Vitek was a huge success in the second tier last season with Bristol City and despite returning to United for pre-season, he made it plain he wants to go out and be a No 1.
United signed Karl Darlow to act as back-up to No 1 Senne Lammens and Vitek’s future is now coming in to sharp focus with a deal to join Middlesbrough close to completion.
Middlesbrough are closing in on the permanent signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek
Daily Mail Sport understands United are satisfied with the deal, not least because a buy-back clause has been inserted into the agreement and there are a number of other clauses which United believe favour them in the move.
Speaking after defeat by Wrexham in Helsinki earlier this summer, Vitek expressed how important it is for him to go out and be the main man.
‘I’m ready to go somewhere again and hopefully be No 1,’ he said.
‘My mind is the same [as it was back in March]. I want to play every week and that’s the goal for next season.’
Middlesbrough are one of the leading contenders to win promotion from the Championship next season having also struck a £20million agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for striker Will Lankshear.
NATHAN SALT
Man City step up Neto pursuit
Manchester City are firming up their interest in Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, after Daily Mail Sport first reported their interest last month.
Chelsea want over £65million for the Portuguese international who cost them £51m from Wolves.
City also made enquiries to sign him at the time.
Manchester City are firming up their interest in Chelsea winger Pedro Neto
They want a winger in with Tottenham keen to sign Savinho.
Bristol City splash the cash for Ballard
Bristol City are finalising the £5million signing of Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard.
Protracted negotiations came to a conclusion today as ambitious City upped their offer for the 21-year-old.
Ballard scored 23 league goals last season and City will now team him with their other signing Lorent Tolaj, who scored 17 goals for Plymouth last season, in a potentially explosive partnership.
Southampton also have a sell-on percentage on Ballard who was named in the League One Team of the season, named Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season at the EFL Awards in May.
Chelsea close to new defender
Chelsea are closing on agreement with Rayo Vallecano for left wing-back Pep Chavarria.
The 28-year-old is waiting for permission to travel for a medical as final details are being ironed out.
Chelsea are closing on agreement with Rayo Vallecano for left wing-back Pep Chavarria
Toon continue Nmecha pursuit
Newcastle are continuing to explore a move for Germany international Felix Nmecha.
Daily Mail Sport reported Newcastle’s interest earlier in the window and he remains a player they rate very highly but the asking price is around £78million for the 25-year-old.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder also attracted enquiries from Manchester United but they have other priorities.
Newcastle need a top signing with Arsenal nearing total agreement to sign captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Both sides are keen to get the saga wrapped up as talks reach a conclusion on the final fee and payment structure for the 28-year-old Brazilian.
Reijnders a £55m target for Forest
Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders has emerged as a £55million target for Nottingham Forest.
The Netherlands international is understood to be open to the move for the chance of regular first-team football and would be a key figure in Oliver Glasner’s plans.
Read more on this story HERE.
Tijjani Reijnders joined Manchester City last summer but wants to be a regular starter
Esse does it as Palace say no
Crystal Palace have rebuffed an initial approach from Club Brugge for Romain Esse.
The Belgian side’s target list also includes KRC Genk’s Noah Adedeji-Sternberg and Red Bull Salzburg’s Edmund Baidoo.
Esse spent part of last season on loan at Coventry City.
Romain Esse in action against Famelicao in Como last week
Villa ask Atletico about Ruggeri
Aston Villa have asked about Atletico Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri.
The 24-year-old former Italy U21 international only joined Atletico last summer from Atalanta. He made 26 appearances in La Liga and 47 overall.
Atletico would consider suitable offers if Ruggeri wished to pursue the move.
Villa want a replacement for Lucas Digne and had previously pursued Pervis Estupinan of AC Milan but Ruben Amorim wanted to have a closer look at him in pre-season before deciding on his future.
Villa have also made a check on the availability of Marseille winger Igor Paixao, who is also on Leeds United’s list.
Matteo Ruggeri in pre-season action against Manchester United’s Leny Yoro last weekend
Spurs look at Chelsea striker Jackson
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.
There has been no formal approach to open club-to-club talks yet, it is understood, but sources have confirmed to Daily Mail Sport that Spurs have the 25-year-old Senegalese under consideration.
Read more on this story HERE
KIERAN GILL
Norgaard heads north
Arsenal have given Christian Norgaard permission to have a medical with Everton, as reported by Daily Mail Sport.
The midfielder has not travelled with Arsenal’s squad to Dublin ahead of his proposed £7million move to Everton.
While Brazilians Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli are part of the squad in Dublin after returning post World Cup, players involved in the England, Spain, Norway and France squads are still off.
Christian Norgaard is undergoing a medical ahead of his move to Everton
Now bring on the Premier League, says Rushworth after Coventry move
Coventry have confirmed the £22.5million signing of goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Brighton.
Rushworth, who is represented by former Reading and Ireland winger now agent Stephen Hunt, spent last season on loan at Coventry, winning the Championship’s Golden Glove Award after keeping 17 clean sheets and helping the club get promoted to the Premier League as champions.
Newcastle United also showed interest in Rushworth, who has signed a five-year contract.
Rushworth said: ‘There’s so many emotions that I’ve got. I can finally relax knowing it’s done and that I’m back with the boys and at a club I loved being at.’
Carl Rushworth enjoyed a successful Championship campaign with Coventry
Rams raid Huddersfield for Iorpenda
Derby want midfielder Tom Iorpenda from Huddersfield.
The 21-year-old is keen to make the move to the Championship after an impressive season on loan with Notts County last time out, where he caught the eye of Derby staff.
He scored three goals and provided seven assists in his season in League Two helping Notts County to promotion via the play-offs.
Iorpenda, who started out at Brighton, won Notts County’s Players’ player of the season award, Fans’ player of the season award and Goal of the season to underline the impact he made.
Potts seals Belgium move
West Ham have confirmed the exit of Freddie Potts to Club Brugge.
As Daily Mail Sport reported over the weekend, the 22-year-old forward was joining the Belgian club after a medical in a £10.5m deal.
The Hammers said: ‘Everyone at West Ham United would like to sincerely thank Freddie for his hard work, commitment and all-round contribution and wish him every success in the future.’
Freddie Potts departs for Belgium with the best wishes of West Ham
Click below for all the transfer developments over the last few days…
MONDAY: Newcastle reject Arsenal bid for Bruno Guimaraes
SUNDAY: Chelsea seal deal for England’s Argentine nemesis
SATURDAY: Man United star becomes target for Spanish club
FRIDAY: Newcastle agree deal for goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek
THURSDAY: John Stones seals Inter Milan move
WEDNESDAY: Man City push for World Cup wonderkid amid doubts over Rodri’s future
TUESDAY: Man United open to offer for four academy graduates
