Friday's transfer news: Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool latest with Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Isco updates
All of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals from around the continent as the deadline fast approaches
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and more all remain active in the market with just a week remaining, so welcome to our live coverage of today’s latest transfer news, gossip and done deals as we bring you the very latest rumours from around the continent.
It still remains uncertain whether Manchester United will sign up Sporting Lisbon skipper Bruno Fernandes as both clubs haggle over a fee, with Sporting holding out for as much as £68m in total, while United appear reluctant to go north of £50m. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale was linked with a loan back to Tottenham, but that has been dismissed by the Welsh forward’s agent. Spurs still look keen to buy though, with Willian Jose the next man in after Gedson Fernandes. Chelsea, too, are active and seemingly keeping Frank Lampard on edge despite their transfer ban being lifted since before the window open. No additions to the first team have been made, with Wolves, at least, and feasibly many other sides closing in on the Blues in fourth in what promises to be a frantic race to qualify for the Champions League.
At the other end of tha table you will have Newcastle, Brighton, Burnley, Aston Villa and West Ham all trying to remain out of the relegation zone and Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich City all looking for that one move to put them over the top and escape the fall to the Championship. Undoubtedly now, a week out, momentum will start to pick up, so stick with us and follow all of the latest transfer news, gossip and done deals live below.
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United and Chelsea have both been linked with Dinamo and Spain star Dani Olmo. There could also be some big moves across Europe. Real Madrid have been linked with a £68m move for Timo Werner, as well as Flamengo wonder kid Reinier, while Arsenal have turned their eyes to RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano as a long-term target.
Arteta on the Matviyenko rumours
I'm not going to be discussing any links publicly. It's true that at the back we've been short but there are other positions. At the moment I am 50-50 [on anyone coming in].
Arteta on signing players before deadline
At the moment, I am 50/50 [about bringing anyone in] because this transfer window is very, very complicated.
I only want to bring somebody in if I'm really convinced that he can really improve the level that we have.
I'm not going to be discussing any transfer links publicly. It's something that we are trying to do internally and when we have news we will communicate with you guys.
We've been looking at different positions. Obviously, since I joined we lost Calum [Chambers to a knee injury] and we had other circumstances and injuries in those positions so it's true that at the back we've been short.
"But there are other positions as well, depending on what happens in the market, that we might need to assess.
Manchester United
Where to start? There is obviously major surgery to be done, but realistically, this late in the window, what can United expect? Well, Bruno Fernandes just needs to be done, you’ve come this far, stop squabbling over pennies. Matias Vecino, of Inter Milan, could be a smarter choice if the faith in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is truly waning. Jude Bellingham, the Birmingham prodigy, will contribute little for the remainder of the season, but the 16-year-old would be a smart buy as he continues to break out in the Championship for the Blues. Up top, to pick up the slack left by Rashford, United may privately regret missing out on Erling Haaland, who went to Borussia Dortmund after United baulked at agent demands. Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente are underwhelming short-term options, with Moussa Dembele an excellent immediate and long-term option, who comes with a huge price tag. Simply put, Ed Woodward must frantically bring in a couple of signings to give United a chance of a top-four finish.
Newcastle
A smarter club than most want to admit and savvy in the market without spending huge sums, Nabil Bentaleb has arrived already from Schalke. A wide player is wanted by Steve Bruce, with Valentino Lazaro an option after Inter signed Victor Moses and Ashley Young. But a new centre-forward is where the Magpies will be especially keen to strengthen given Joelinton has really struggled to settle. Emmanuel Dennis from Club Brugge and veteran Glenn Murray are both options. While rumours have died down in the last few weeks, Adam Lallana was linked at the beginning of the window and could be a target when his contract expires this summer.
Newcastle complete loan for Lazaro
"I'm very happy to be here and can't wait to meet all my team mates, get out on the training pitch and hopefully get a lot of victories in the future," Lazaro said.
"I've only heard great things about the club. I've had good talks with the coach so I feel very happy to be here now. Those conversations convinced me that this is the right place for me to come."
West Ham have had a £10m bid for Nottingham Forest's Matty Cash rejected.
The Athletic's Dan Taylor reports AC Milan have also made a bid of £15m.
The Championship club rate the right-sided player much higher than the Hammers' opening offer.
Norwich
Desperate for some inspiration to make a late dash for survival, Norwich could move for another forward or attacking midfield. Napoli’s Amin Younes could arrive on loan, to increase the Canaries’ creativity alongside Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell, while Rayo’s Adrian Embarba is another option reportedly. Lukas Rupp has signed though, the German centre-midfielder joins from Hoffenheim after featuring just seven times in the first half of the season in the Bundesliga. And Rupp is joined through the door by Hertha Berlin loanee Ondrej Duda.
Sheffield United
Chris Wilder has worked wonders this season and may look to add depth before the end of the window to avoid a sharp drop-off in the final months. Long term, Kyle Walker has been offered a return to Bramall Lane by Wilder, while Dean Henderson can only stay on another season-long loan, as the manager admits he could not afford a permanent deal. Striker Tyrese Campbell or midfielder Josh Brownhill have been linked, with the former out of contract at Stoke this summer and the latter available if his £7m buy-out clause at Bristol City is met. Signing either would likely use up all the remainder of the budget for the Blades after signing Jack Robinson and Jack Rodwell earlier this month.
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