Transfer news live: Philippe Coutinho nearing Liverpool exit, Chelsea want Danny Rose, Kylian Mbappe to PSG
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Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona are closing in on Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho with reports in Spain claiming the deal could be done by the end of the week in a move that would see the Brazilian replace his compatriot Neymar.
Barca wanted to sign Coutinho before Neymar left the Nou Camp, and the latter’s £200m Nou Camp exit has triggered serious interest in the Liverpool attacking midfielder. The Reds are determined to hold on to their prized asset, but could bow to a bid in the region of £120m.
Manchester United appear to have ended their interest in Gareth Bale, with the Welsh international featuring in Real Madrid’s 2-1 Uefa Super Cup victory over Jose Mourinho’s side on Tuesday. The United manager confirmed earlier in the week that he would “fight” to sign Bale if he didn’t feature, but after starting the match in Skopje, Mourinho admitted it was “game over”.
Chelsea are being heavily linked with moves for Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tottenham defender Danny Rose as Antonio Conte continues to search for reinforcement to help increase his squad size.
Finally, Paris Saint-Germain are ready to make one last attempt to sign Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez with an £80m offer expected to arrive at the Emirates, with the Parisians looking to beat Manchester City to the Chile international.
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Arsene Wenger has confirmed Alexis Sanchez will miss Arsenal's Premier League opener against Leicester through injury.
The Chilean, who only returned to first-team training last week, suffered an abdominal strain on Sunday morning and will be out for what is expected to be a couple of weeks.
Wenger confirmed the news and also revealed he has a number of other injury concerns ahead of the game on Friday night.
Philippe Coutinho will have to start a "war" to leave Liverpool, according to former club captain Steven Gerrard. With Barcelona offering an attractive proposition to the Brazilian, Gerrard - who of course is Liverpool's Under-18's manager - believes it is a "very, very difficult situation" for both club and player.
Here's his thoughts:
After securing most of their transfer business early in the summer, Manchester City have gone somewhat under the radar over the last few weeks. However, there are still issues to iron out if they are to go one step further and wrestle back the Premier League title, with Pep Guardiola looking to bounce back from last season's trophyless campaign.
Mark Critchley looks at what needs fixing in the next few weeks:
BREAKING
Hull City have announced the free transfer of Sebastian Larsson on a one-year contract, with the former Arsenal academy product joining the Championship club after leaving fellow-relegated side Sunderland in the summer.
Jose Mourinho praised debutant Nemanja Matic's display and the way Manchester United's new boys continue to settle into his "amazing group".
Despite having only played 45 minutes for the club in last week's friendly against Sampdoria, the £35million signing impressed throughout the whole match in sweltering Macedonia.
"I think he played really well," Mourinho said. "I think in the moments where they were moving more the ball, of course it was difficult for us in the midfield.
"But in good moments he was really good and especially in our dominance in the second half after the 2-0.
"In our period of dominance he was what we want him to be: to move the ball in a simple way, to give balance to the team, to start building from the back.
"He is a player with great experience, many years at the highest level and good experience, good stability."
Rafael Benitez admitted he is "not happy" with Newcastle's transfer business so far as they prepare to make their Premier League return this weekend.
"I am not happy but at the same time for me it's a challenge," he said on Sky Sports. "I try to do my best."
Benitez said inflated prices in the transfer market were a big part of the problem, but also said the Magpies were paying the price for making a slow start to the summer.
"It is very hard, the prices are crazy," he said. "We missed some targets at the beginning and we're paying for that. Hopefully we can find solutions and bring what we need. It's not what you want, it's what you need."
It's the news that no United, Arsenal, Chelsea or any other Premier League fan wanted to hear. With Isco in the final year of his current contract, hopes were high that the Spaniard would be gracing the UK's pitches on a regular basis in the very near future. But that looks a long way off after he confirmed that a new contract with Real Madrid is "very close", scuppering any chance of a summer move to the Premier League.
Here's the full story:
Deal reached for former Tottenham forward:
Fenerbahce have agreed a deal to sign former Tottenham forward Roberto Soldado for a fee believed to be in the region of €8m (£7.2m).
The 32-year-old spent two relatively dry seasons in England before moving back to Spain in the summer of 2015.
Should he agree to personal terms and pass a medical in Istanbul, he will link up with former Premier League stars Robin van Persie and Martin Skrtel in ahead of the new Super Lig season which begins this weekend.
DONE DEAL
Watford have announced the signing of striker Andre Gray from Burnley for a club-record fee on a five-year deal.
The 26-year-old moves to Vicarage Road after two years at the Clarets.
Gray found the net 33 times during two seasons with Burnley, including nine goals in 26 top-flight starts during 2016/17.
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