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As it happenedended
7 years ago

Transfer news live: Arsenal linked with Julian Draxler, Liverpool firm on Philippe Coutinho, Diego Costa in Chelsea row

Follow the latest from the summer transfer window

Friday 18 August 2017 02:13 EDT
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Premier League transfer round-up: Sigurdsson finally signs for Everton

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Liverpool’s hopes of keeping Philippe Coutinho appear to hang in the balance heading into the final two weeks of the transfer window, with the Premier League club determined not to sell him and Spanish side Barcelona ready to ‘fight’ for his signature.

Coutinho has made it clear that he would like to join Barca and handed in a transfer request this time last week, albeit one that was immediately rejected.

Chelsea meanwhile have been told by unhappy striker Diego Costa that he will not come back to London to play for the club and wants to be sold to Atletico Madrid immediately as his stand-off with the club continues.

Tottenham, who face Chelsea this Sunday in their first Premier League encounter at Wembley Stadium, are close to completing their firs signing of the summer after agreeing a deal in principle for Ajax’s Davinson Sanchez, which will cost £28m and could rise to as much at £42m for the 21-year-old defender.

Arsenal are being tentatively linked with Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler, with conflicting reports emerging out of France over his future. The Germany international, who Arsenal have prior interest in, has apparently been told he can leave PSG, but others claim he remains one of Unai Emery's favoured players and is a part of his plans.

Finally, Manchester City are expected to make a second offer of around £22m for West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans, having already seen an £18m offer rejected for the former Manchester United centre-back.

Follow the live news below...

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7 years ago

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has confirmed that the club have rejected an offer, believed to be around £18m, from Manchester City for defender Jonny Evans, and has told the Premier League title contenders to ramp up the price if they want to land the former United centre-back.

Pulis said at this morning's press conference:

Jonny is one of our best players. We don't want to sell him and don't need to. It would have to be a very, very good offer.

Jack de Menezes18 August 2017 09:18
7 years ago
Jack de Menezes18 August 2017 10:23
7 years ago

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has offered an insight into why he believes the club have an advantage over their Premier League rivals, because other sides do not have the same team spirit that currently resides at Old Trafford.

Here's what he had to say:

Jack de Menezes18 August 2017 10:40
7 years ago
Jack de Menezes18 August 2017 11:26
7 years ago

Manager Mark Hughes is confident Stoke will offer on-loan Paris Saint-Germain frontman Jese Rodriguez the perfect platform to show why he is one of Europe's elite players.

The 24-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid, has signed for the Potters on a season-long loan just over a year after costing the French club almost £22million.

Jese failed to make an impact at PSG, scoring just once in Ligue 1 before a temporary switch to Las Palmas during the January transfer window.

The Stoke manager said at a press conference: "I think we can give him a platform here to really enjoy himself.

"Everyone is excited to see him play. He is an elite player, a top-level player and you don't get too many opportunities to bring players like him to the club, so when you do you should enjoy it."

Jack de Menezes18 August 2017 12:28
7 years ago

More on the Diego Costa story which refuses to goal away. For all our sake, hurry up and sign him Atletico...

Samuel Lovett18 August 2017 12:28
7 years ago

Diego Costa has urged Chelsea to lower their valuation of him as he attempts to force a return to Atletico Madrid this summer.

"I've demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them," he said in a recent interview with ESPN.

"But if Atletico and Chelsea don't come to an agreement and Atletico don't make a big effort, I can't keep on wanting to play for a club that isn't going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me.

"I know that this [big effort] will happen, but if it's to pay the amount that Chelsea want it won't be possible.

"What I know is that this offer Chelsea will get is bigger than what they paid [when they signed Costa from Atletico for £32 million in July 2014], so I've given them something back in all senses [sporting and financial]."

Jack de Menezes18 August 2017 12:29
7 years ago
Jack de Menezes18 August 2017 12:54
7 years ago

Jose Mourinho has admitted that Manchester United are unlikely to enter the transfer market again this summer, despite his desire for one more major signing.

Mourinho wanted new first-team arrivals at Old Trafford before the September deadline and has seen Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic come through the door so far.

The club have, however, been frustrated in their attempts to sign a wide player, with Internazionale unwilling to let go of Croatian winger Ivan Perisic.

Mourinho now expects there to be no further incomings this summer.

More below:

Samuel Lovett18 August 2017 15:09
7 years ago

Liverpool have rejected a third bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho, the latest over £110m with add-ons, as they continue to insist the playmaker is not for sale.

The 25-year-old last week submitted a formal transfer request as he attempts to push through a “dream move” to Camp Nou but that was followed by a statement from Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group that they would not sanction a deal.

READ MORE:

Jack Austin18 August 2017 16:41

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