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LIVE Transfer Talk: Chelsea launch robust bid for Dortmund's Jadon Sancho

The January transfer window might seem like a distant memory, but that doesn't mean the rumour mill has shut down! Speculation over summer moves is heating up, so check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.

TOP STORY: Chelsea launch £80m bid for Sancho

Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of Jadon Sancho by offering £80 million for the Borussia Dortmund winger, reports The Sun.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly a huge fan of the 21-year-old winger, and Chelsea are now expected to lead the race to sign the England international.

Sancho is set to leave Germany this summer and he has his heart set on a return to the Premier League.

Manchester United have been tracking Sancho for over a year, but as yet have been unable to match Dortmund's valuations.

Sancho is said to be a boyhood Chelsea fan and, though he wants to focus on a strong end to the season with Dortmund, he's keen to be nearer friends and family in England when the new season kicks off in August.

Dortmund are resigned to losing their talented winger, but are said to be hoping he has a successful Euro 2020 in an effort to recoup the best value for one of their biggest recent success stories.

Sancho has recovered from a slow start to the season and has scored eight goals and offered 13 assists for Edin Terzic's side.

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LIVE BLOG

22.00 BST: That will do it for the latest edition of our LIVE Transfer Talk blog. We hoped you enjoyed following along with us and remind you to check back shortly for the latest transfer rumours, reports and completed deals. Goodnight!

21.11 BST: NYCFC have signed Brazil youth international Talles Magno from Vasco da Gama on a five-year contract.

The forward, 18, will be classified as a Young Designated Player and joins after 61 first-team appearances for Vasco.

"We're delighted to bring Talles to New York City FC," sporting director David Lee said in a club statement. "He is a talented young player who has already amassed a significant amount of First Team minutes at a high level for someone his age and someone we believe has the potential to play at the highest levels of football. He was a key part of the Brazil U-17 team who went on to win the U-17 World Cup."

The highly-rated Magno, who has five goals in 07 appearances for Brazil's Under-17s, can play anywhere across the front line and joins Thiago Andrade as the second young Brazilian attacker to join NYCFC this window.

20.32 BST: North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are jockeying for position to sign Roma youngster Ebrima Darboe, Corriere dello Sport reports.

The 19-year-old only made his first-team debut a month ago but is highly-regarded and has already impressed in cameos against the likes of Manchester United, Lazio and Inter Milan.

It is said that Roma would need to be blown away by an offer in order to sell the Gambian, with new boss Jose Mourinho unlikely to help old club Tottenham.

19.59 BST: While Chelsea have been tipped to land Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskiy, the Sun indicates there will be plenty of competition.

The report lists Chelsea Inter and PSG as clubs interested in the Ukrainian, who has racked up eight goals and 12 assists in Serie A this season. The 28-year-old is known for his passing and ability to shoot from distance and is reportedly valued at €23 million by Atalanta.

19.02 BST: Could Edin Dzeko be the next European star bound for MLS?

Reports in Italy suggest that the Roma striker is set to move to the United States so that his daughter can attend college there. There is some confusion as to whether it is the LA Galaxy or LAFC that is chasing the Bosnian, but what a signing he would be.

LAFC, who have struggled for goals and have an open Designated Player spot, would seem the likelier suitor for the 35-year-old, who has won the Golden Boot in both the Bundesliga and Serie A during his career. Dzeko has been a prolific goalscorer wherever he has been, having scored 304 goals in 694 club appearances, and 59 in 114 for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

18.15 BST: Inter Milan loanee Joao Mario wants to stay in Portugal after helping Sporting Lisbon win their first title in 19 years, Esporte ao Minuto has learned.

The outlet claims that the 28-year-old midfielder is keen to make his move permanent, and has learned that Inter would accept €8 million fee for the player. Mario, who made 28 league appearances for the Lions this past season, would also likely have take a wage cut to remain in the capital.

When asked if he would stay, Mario recently replied: "I cannot say what will be necessary for the negotiations, but I see no problems in this matter. If both are available the parties, of course yes."

17.28 BST: Cardiff City have signed Republic of Ireland striker James Collins, who recently declined a new contract with Luton Town, to a two-year contract.

The move reunites the 30-year-old with former national team manager Mick McCarthy and ends a prolific four-year spell for Collins with the Hatters. Having been capped eight times for Ireland (two goals), Collins scored 10 goals in the Championship last season, after bagging 14 in his first season in the division the year before.

"He's been on an upward trajectory all his career, going from the lower leagues to the Championship and he's kept scoring goals," McCarthy told the club's website.

"I like when they've come up the hard way, coming through the school of hard knocks to keep progressing and getting to a higher standard.

"He's ended up an international footballer through all of that and that's due to his hard work, diligence and ability to score goals.

"He's got a great scoring record. He's durable, he's tough and he'll be one of us. I'm delighted to have him."

16.40 BST: Minnesota United have signed winger Franco Fragapane from Argentine side CA Talleres.

Fragapane, 27, has four goals in 18 appearances for Talleres this season and came through the Boca Juniors' academy as a youth.

"This was a no-brainer. Franco is a bundle of energy, he's got an incredible work rate. This is something we have targeted as we have brought players in," head coach Adrian Heath said in a club statement.

"Similar to Robin Lod and Emanuel Reynoso, he's someone who can play multiple positions, which over the course of a season, having that versatility is hugely beneficial. We primarily see him playing on the left-hand side and coming in on his right. He can dribble, he can run with the ball, he can play with other players.

"From everyone we have spoken to who has worked with him or played with him, they all say the same thing: that he's an incredible person off the field and on the field he gives whatever it takes to help the team win."

16.33 BST: Barcelona president Joan Laporta said a "cycle has ended" at the club and warned big decisions will be made as a "renewal process" begins in the coming weeks.

Laporta, who was elected for a second spell as president in March, also slammed the way Ronald Koeman's side have chucked away the league title in recent weeks as "incomprehensible."

Barca had their fate in their own hands five games ago, but have won just once since then and will end the season outside the top two for the first time since 2007-08.

"I always said we'd assess the team at the end of the season in terms of performances and results," Laporta told reporters on Tuesday at an event organised by Diario Sport. "We won the Copa del Rey, which we are proud of, but we were knocked out of the Champions League early and have lost La Liga incomprehensibly from my point of view.

"A cycle has come to an end and we are working on a renewal process. From next week, you will see several decisions which must be taken. We have to work hard to build a competitive team to win league titles and Champions Leagues. When I speak of a cycle coming to an end or about renovation work, it's because it's what I believe must be done."

16.17 BST: Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has told the club he wants to leave this summer, sources have told ESPN, but where could the England captain move to?

Sources have told ESPN that Kane would prefer to remain in the Premier League. But will chairman Daniel Levy be prepared to sell to a rival club? Will another club in England be able to afford the £150m it may take to convince Spurs to sell?

Kane, who has three years left on his contract, has grown frustrated over a lack of silverware at Tottenham, and the chance of Champions League football next season is nothing more than a faint hope. Sources told ESPN that the England striker wants a quick resolution to this situation, a desire borne from a belief that Levy will honour an agreement to look more favourably at a transfer this summer after Kane asked to leave last year as well. He will be 28 at the start of next season, and believes he must move on to make the most of his prime years as a striker.

But will he move to Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG? Or will he stay at Spurs? Our writers bring you the lowdown.

15.05 BST: Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski remains a Chelsea target and the Blues have already made first contact, says Sky Germany.

Lewandowski, 32, is set to beat Gerd Muller's all-time record of 40 goals in one season after pulling level with the former Bayern and Germany attacker last weekend.

However, the Poland captain has been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena, where he is under contract until 2023. Sources have told ESPN earlier this month that Chelsea and Manchester City are among the clubs chasing €60m-rated Lewandowski and while Bayern have said they will not let him go, rumours have been persistent.

Lewandowski reportedly wants another shot at winning the Champions League. And, according to Sport Bild, he is far from impressed with the club's transfer policy in recent seasons.

14.32 BST: Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has ruled out any chance of a departure for Joao Felix this summer.

Felix, 21, was Atletico's most expensive signing when he joined from Benfica in a €126m move in the summer of 2019 following Antoine Griezmann's departure. The Portugal international has scored 10 goals for the club this season as they are one game away from winning La Liga, but he has yet to reach his full potential at Atletico.

"There are no options, none whatsoever that he leaves," Cerezo said. "He has to adapt and possibility the day that he makes that leap, he will become of the most important players in the planet. Players are not machines; they have good and bad days."

13.58 BST: Chelsea manager Emma Hayes is set to sign a contract extension with the club, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Hayes, who joined Chelsea in 2012 from the Chicago Red Stars, is the most successful manager in Women's Super League history after winning her fourth title with the club this season. Her contract was set to expire this summer and the Telegraph is reporting that a deal wasn't signed sooner as both parties wanted to focus on the season rather than negotiations.

Alongside winning the WSL title, Hayes led Chelsea to their first Champions League final but they suffered a bruising 4-0 defeat to Spanish champions Barcelona on Sunday. The London side could still win the domestic Treble, however, with the league and Continental Cup already under their belts and the FA Cup still ongoing.

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13.15 BST: This summer, Lionel Messi could leave Barcelona after nearly 20 years filled with trophies, personal accolades and so many goals. But is his history there enough reason to stay? We chart his incredible career so far at Camp Nou to see how we got here, and whether or not he will decide it's time to move on.

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12.41 BST: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has refused to rule out signing a striker in the summer despite Edinson Cavani's decision to stay at Old Trafford for another year.

Solskjaer was asked about his plans for the transfer window after sources told ESPN's James Olley that Tottenham centre-forward Harry Kane is determined to leave the club at the end of the season.

Cavani has signed a one-year contract extension but Solskjaer says there could be room for another striker in his squad.

"Of course I can't [rule out signing a striker]," said Solskjaer following the 1-1 draw with Fulham on Tuesday. "Yeah, Edi signed but how many good strikers have we had at this club?

"I can't say we're not signing a striker, of course not. Because we're building towards a better squad, we're top three two years on the bounce but not where we want to be. Hopefully we end up with a stronger squad when we start next season and be more consistent to challenge the one in front of us."

Sources have told ESPN that Kane is looking to leave Tottenham with United, Manchester City and Chelsea all interested but asked about the England captain's future specifically, Solskjaer would not be drawn.

"I can't comment on other teams' players and what's being speculated and said," Solskjaer said. "I want to show the respect Tottenham deserve as well not to talk about other teams' players."

11.59 BST: Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed he would jump at the opportunity to have Antoine Griezmann back in the squad.

Griezmann has failed to live up to expectations since joining Barcelona from Atletico in the summer of 2019 in a €120m fee.

Local reports claim Barca will consider letting the France international leave this summer in order to raise funds and ease their wage bill.

Asked if Griezmann could return to Atletico, Cerezo said: "He is a magnificent player. I hope so but I don't think Barca will want to sell Griezmann. I think any team would go crazy for wanting Griezmann. With us, he had magnificent seasons and I think from a football standpoint, he established himself at Atletico Madrid."

11.16 BST: Chelsea are monitoring the contract situation of Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix, according to Sky.

Lacroix, 21, has started 34 matches for Wolfsburg this season following his summer move from Sochaux, scoring two goals.

The Frenchman has a contract at Wolfsburg that runs until 2024, although Sky reports that he recently rejected the offer of an extension, leading Chelsea to take more of an interest as coach Thomas Tuchel looks to sign defensive reinforcements.

10.29 BST: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said David Luiz's impending departure from the club "hurts."

Sources have told ESPN's James Olley that Luiz will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season after talks ended without an agreement over an extension. Although Arsenal have suggested they made the decision to end his involvement with the club, sources close to Luiz have told ESPN he in fact chose to walk away. ESPN Brasil reports that Flamengo are keen to sign the 34-year-old.

Luiz has made a total of 73 appearances for Arsenal since joining for them for £8 million from Chelsea in 2019. He was considered an influential figure in the dressing room, having won four major trophies at Stamford Bridge, including the Premier League and Champions League.

"He is a player who has won everything in football and has earned every right to do so through who he is as a player and as a person," Arteta said at a news conference on Tuesday. "I had the privilege to work with him for 18 months. I really enjoyed it. I think we got on really good. I think we had some great moments together.

"He's been really helpful, someone who we really like and appreciate so much. So I say thank you to him and wish him the best of luck in his next chapter because I'm sure, knowing David, that he will have many more to come as player and in the future somehow related to the game.

"When you get to know the person, his background, where he was raised in Brazil and what he's done. To get to this point is remarkable. You understand a lot of things happen for a reason and it's not just an ability, a quality or a determination. It's many other factors. I've really enjoyed and learnt from him. He's been very helpful every time with the team and I feel sadness as well because you get attached to the players emotionally.

"One is the player and we have to get the maximum out of him, and then it's the person. And when it gets to this stage it's tough and it hurts because that relationship now is going to be going away, at least in this space and not seeing him every day. Again, I have to say thank you to him."

09.42 BST: Villarreal coach Unai Emery wants his star player Pau Torres to continue his career in Spain.

The Spanish centre-back has made 32 league appearances for the Yellow Submarine this season and helped the team reach the Europa League final.

Pau, 24, is a target of top European clubs including Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain and is expected to leave Villarreal this summer. Real Madrid are also monitoring Torres as a possible signing should Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos leave the club this summer.

"With my experience, having been in the Premier League, at PSG and in Spain, I see Pau playing at a big club next," Emery said. "I see him playing in a big club. I hope that if he takes that leap, it's in Spain, in Barcelona or Real Madrid. I would like that. I would like for his career to continue in Spain."

Villarreal would hope to receive a €65m transfer fee for Torres, who has a contract until June 2024

09.00 BST: Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez has rejected a role to become Brazil's assistant manager ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, sources have told ESPN Brasil.

Xavi, who coaches Qatari club Al Sadd, was approached by the Brazilian football federation to be Tite's "right hand man" ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Spanish outlet AS was first to report the news, which added that Xavi was "surprised" with the offer. That report also added that the plan was for Xavi to take over for Tite after the World Cup.

A source said that despite the interest in Xavi, the talks were "preliminary" and that no contract or financial details were negotiated.

Xavi recently extended his contract at Al Sadd through 2023, where he has been manager since 2019. The former midfield great joined the team as a player in 2015 after 17 trophy-laden years with Barca, becoming head coach after hanging up his boots. Last month he led the team to the Qatari domestic league title while remaining unbeaten.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Nick Judd)

- Defeated FA Cup finalists Chelsea are believed to be keeping an eye on Wolfsburg centre-back Maxence Lacroix, according to Sky Germany's Max Bielefeld. He believes Chelsea officials have made contact with the 21-year-old's representatives. Lacroix has recently turned down Wolfsburg's new contract offers, and though the club would like to keep him, they may be forced to settle for recouping a fee of around €30m.

- Sky Sports believes a bidding war is about to start for Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who they believe could be heading for the Old Trafford exit door this summer. David de Gea was preferred to Henderson for United's 1-1 draw with Fulham on Tuesday, with Henderson's long run as United's No.1 seemingly at an end. It remains to be seen who will now start for United in the Europa League final against Villarreal next week, but the 24-year-old's future now hangs in the balance. Sky believes a host of top clubs look set to battle it out for his signature, with Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund all said to be interested.

- Uruguayan outlet Trepasos have followed last week's claim that Manchester United are interested in signing Mauro Arambarri by suggesting the Red Devils are about to make an offer in the next few days. The 25-year-old midfielder is seen as an alternative to Declan Rice in the defensive midfield position, and at a fraction of the price. Arambarri's contract at Spanish side Getafe runs out in 2023, and he could be available for around just over £20m.

- Arsenal midfielder Willian is eyeing a move to Florida as part of as an Inter Miami CF summer recruitment drive, according to the Sun. Miami boss Phil Neville is deciding to move on from Rodolfo Pizarro to make way for the 32-year-old Brazilian, who has had a torrid time at Arsenal since joining from Chelsea last summer. The sticking point could be Willian's wages, but Miami are keen to add a player they see as a marquee signing.

- Arsenal could make a move for Barcelona's outgoing goalkeeper Neto as the Londoners look to replace Bernd Leno for the new season. That's from Mundo Deportivo, which adds that Brazilian Neto is contracted to the Catalan club until 2023 but it is widely believed he'll play his last game, against Eibar at the weekend. The 31-year-old joined Barca from Valencia in 2019 and while Arsenal failed with a loan move in January, they're hoping to experience more joy by returning with a more permanent solution this summer.

- Sources have told ESPN Brasil that Arsenal's David Luiz is on Flamengo's radar. The Brazilian giants are keeping a keen eye on the 34-year-old centre-back, whose deal with the Gunners expires in June, and are expected to make a move once Gerson's transfer to Marseille is finalised.