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LIVE Transfer Talk: Real Madrid's plan to sign PSG's Mbappe aided by Varane transfer

Euro 2020 and the Copa America are over and the summer transfer window is open, leaving Europe's biggest clubs clear to make a splash in the market. Check out the latest gossip below, and see all official deals here.

TOP STORY: Varane deal part of Real's Mbappe plan

Raphael Varane's imminent deparature from Real Madrid to Manchester United could be part of a larger plan to bring Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe to the Bernabeu.

Sources have told ESPN's Rob Dawson that Madrid and United have agreed to deal for Varane's services with a transfer fee of approximately €41 million, plus add-ons totaling €8.2m.

Marca has now stated that Los Blancos are letting Varane go in order to get their finances in a state where they are able to make a move for fellow France star Mbappe. 

PSG will reportedly demand at least €180m if they listen to offers at all, despite Mbappe's contract expiring in 2022, with the player also expecting €20m-per-year in wages.

Varane's move to Old Trafford can help to ensure they are able to meet those figures. Madrid also shed €15m in salary after letting Sergio Ramos leave on a free transfer to join PSG.

Despite the departures of Varane and Ramos, Madrid are also not expected to sign new centre-backs. This means that Victor Chust, Mario Gila and Jesus Vallejo will be fighting for the spot behind newly arrived David Alaba, Nacho and Eder Militao in the pecking order.

It is also suggested that full-back Lucas Vazquez was kept on because his low wages make him a cheaper option than signing a new player, with Madrid not expected to make any other big signings this offseason.

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LIVE BLOG

21.22 BST: Fiorentina are in the market for a midfielder, Corriere dello Sport writes, and there are three names at the top of La Viola's list: 25-year-old Stefano Sensi of Internazionale, 25-year-old Arsenal outcast Lucas Torreira and 26-year-old Ellyes Skhiri of FC Cologne.

20.39 BST: Sport Bild reports that 32-year-old former Germany centre-back Jerome Boateng is in talks with Sevilla FC to move to Spain on a free transfer after his Bayern Munich contract expired this summer. With prized defender Jules Kounde seemingly on the verge of a move to Chelsea, the arrival of the 2014 World Cup winner could help soften the blow to Julen Lopetegui's backline.

19.56 BST: Thirty-two-year-old Shanghai Port forward Marko Arnautovic is in Bologna undergoing a medical, according to Corriere dello Sport, ahead of the Austria international signing a three-year contract with the Rossoblu.

19.32 BST: It's happening! Manchester United have announced that they have reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of 28-year-old centre-back Raphael Varane. The France international will join the Red Devils pending his medical and agreeing personal terms. Read the full story.

19.09 BST: The Colorado Rapids have traded for LAFC midfielder and MLS All-Star Mark-Anthony Kaye. The 26-year-old Canada international will move to Denver, along with LAFC's 2022 first-round SuperDraft selection, in exchange for $1m in General Allocation Money and an international roster slot.

18.26 BST: Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven on a five-year contract, it was announced on Tuesday. Read the full story.

17.43 BST: Things are moving rather quickly in West London. Less than four hours ago we brought you news of Chelsea opening negotiations with Sevilla over the transfer of 22-year-old centre-back Jules Kounde. Now, Fabrizio Romano has updated his initial report, stating that the France international has already agreed personal terms with the European champions, and the clubs are in "advanced talks to reach an agreement on payment/deal structure."

16.56 BST: FC Dallas striker Ricardo Pepi is the youngest player in MLS history to net a hat trick, and he's being linked with a move to Bologna.

16.13 BST: Sky Sports reports that "Manchester United will look to extend defender Axel Tuanzebe's contract before potentially allowing him to leave on loan this summer."

Tuanzebe, 23, has a deal which expires in 2022 but United have an option to extend it by another year.

Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly are all ahead of the youngster in the pecking order so it seems he will be allowed to leave on loan again, with Newcastle keen.

16.00 BST: La Liga champions Atletico Madrid  signed Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese and have now presented him.

15.47 BST: Returning Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said he expects "more responsibility" from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Allegri returned to Juve two years after leaving his position, having been succeeded first by Maurizio Sarri and then Andrea Pirlo.

Since Allegri's departure in 2019, experienced players such as Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli have moved on, and the ex-AC Milan boss is looking at Ronaldo and the other older players to step up.

"I spoke to Ronaldo, as well as other players yesterday," Allegri said at a news conference. "I told him that next season is an important one and that I'm happy to see him again. But also that he will have more responsibility than three years ago, when he joined a more experience squad. I expect, not only lots of goals from Ronaldo, but also the example of the experienced player he is."

15.22 BST: Montpellier have signed former Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Mamadou Sakho.

Sakho, 31, will return to Ligue 1 after eight years in England having been released by Crystal Palace this summer.

15.09 BST: Arsenal have asked about signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, says the Daily Telegraph.

Martinez, 23, was linked with a €100m move to Barcelona last season but didn't move on. The Argentina international is rated highly by the club but Inter's financial issues could force them into letting him go and the Gunners are keen.

The report states that manager Mikel Arteta "has looked at Martinez among a number of forwards in a position he wants to strengthen before the window closes on Aug 31."

14.55 BST: Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has been speaking to the media in preseason training.

Asked about rumours that Chelsea might be ready to offer €175m to sign him this summer, he said: "I haven't talked to my agent [Mino Raiola] in a month. You might have the answer. I hope they are just rumors because €175m would be a lot of money for one person."

14.16 BST: Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea have opened talks with Sevilla over the signing of centre-back Jules Kounde.

Kounde, 22, is reportedly keen to play Champions League football and the current holders Chelsea are looking to upgrade their defensive options.

The Frenchman has been rated at around €80m though, so negotiations won't be simple.

13.49 BST: Man United handed their manager a new three-year deal.

13.15 BST: Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard wants to sign for Arsenal, says Sport.

Odegaard, 22, impressed on loan at Arsenal last season and is now back at the Bernabeu to try and force his way into the first-team after years away from the club on various loan deals.

He has a new manager to impress in Carlo Ancelotti, but questions over his form and style of play arose in the friendly defeat to Rangers, so he's now made it clear he wants to head to London permanently.

The problem is, that could cost upwards of €60m, which is money that Arsenal just don't have.

12.34 BST: Eric Bailly will seek clarification over his future at Manchester United after they reached a deal with Real Madrid for Raphael Varane, sources have told ESPN's Rob Dawson.

United have agreed to pay a base fee of £34m for Varane, plus another £7m in add-ons. The 28-year-old is set to sign a four-year contract with the option of another year after undergoing a medical.

With the addition of Varane, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have seven centre-backs in his senior squad and sources have told ESPN that Bailly, in particular, is concerned his first team opportunities will be severely limited.

Playing time formed a central part of negotiations with the club which eventually ended in the Ivory Coast international signing a new long-term contract in April. After agreeing fresh terms, Bailly is contracted to United until 2024 with the option of another year.

Injuries and competition for places has restricted the 27-year-old, who is playing in the Olympics with alongside teammate Amad Diallo, to just 106 appearances in five years at Old Trafford following his £30m move from Villarreal in 2016. He featured 12 times in the Premier League last season.

12.02 BST: Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has joined Al-Duhail SC in Qatar for a fee of around £13m.

Alderweireld, 32, spent six seasons in north London after his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2015.

He posted a goodbye message to Tottenham fans on his social media.

11.49 BST: Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on a free transfer, says The Daily Mail.

Bettinelli, 29, spent last season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough but was then released by Fulham.

The goalkeeper will provide backup to Chelsea No. 1 Edouard Mendy, alongside Kepa Arrizabalaga, after turning down Aston Villa.

11.21 BST: Hertha BSC have signed former Man City striker Stevan Jovetic.

Jovetic, 31, was released by Monaco and signs on a free transfer, with a contract until 2023.

"I had really good conversations with the club, in particular with [head of sport] Fredi Bobic," he said. "I was really interested by this chance to come to Berlin right away. I'm now looking forward to this club, the city, my new teammates and the Bundesliga.

"I can't wait to get going and I want to help the side with my experience."

11.00 BST: Arsenal are looking to land Brighton centre-back Ben White for around £50m.

10.38 BST: Sao Paulo are confident of completing a loan deal for Dario Benedetto from Marseille ahead of next season, sources have told ESPN Brazil.

Valencia were also interested in the Argentinian forward but Sao Paulo officials believe that they are leading the race as the La Liga side have not made any progress with the 31-year-old in recent days. Sao Paulo are expected to have a meeting on Tuesday with all the parties involved to complete the deal.

10.04 BST: Barcelona are optimistic that midfielder Ilaix Moriba will soon sign a new deal to remain at the club, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Moriba's contract expires in June 2022 and Barca remain in talks with his representatives over an improved contract through June 2024. However, with both sides so far unable to reach an agreement, the Barcelona youth product has been demoted to train with the B-team during preseason and hasn't featured in either of Barca's first-team friendlies over the last week.

The 18-year-old attracted the attention of several clubs in Europe after he exploded onto Barca's first-team scene towards the end of last season, scoring or assisting in each of his first three appearances in La Liga and running out 18 times in total for Ronald Koeman's side.

Moriba, who was born in Guinea but represents Spain internationally, revealed this week he has been a victim of racist abuse on social media as contract negotiations with the Catalan club drag on. Both parties are expected to meet on Tuesday in the hope that a deal can be reached in time for him to join the first team on Wednesday when Barca travel to Germany to continue their preseason.

09.51 BST: Netherlands forward Donyell Malen is moving closer to sealing his transfer from PSV to Borussia Dortmund.

In fact, Dortmund just tweeted: "PSV Eindhoven has given official permission for Donyell Malen to take part in BVB training. There are still details to be clarified between the player and PSV, afterwards the transfer can finally be fully announced."

09.25 BST: Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus for preseason training on Monday ahead of the 2021-22 campaign with his future at the club still unclear.

The Portugal captain arrived at Juve's Continassa sports complex at 8:30 a.m. CET and was later seen entering the club's J-Medical centre located in Turin where flocks of fans waited to greet him ahead of undergoing the routine medical check-ups.

Ronaldo, 36, had been on holiday since Portugal's Euro 2020 defeat to Belgium at the round of 16 on June 27. The former Real Madrid star becomes a free agent next summer and his immediate future had been the subject of speculation with sources having told ESPN that his representatives were gauging interest from some of Europe's top clubs.

Juve vice-president Pavel Nedved said after Saturday's preason 3-1 win over Cesena that Ronaldo would honour his contract. Ronaldo, who has not openly spoken about his future at the club, will reunite with Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri later on Monday and the two are set to sit down to discuss the upcoming season. Allegri was in charge when Ronaldo arrived from Real Madrid in 2018 and returned to Juve to replace Andrea Pirlo in May.

08.42 BST: Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar have settled a number of long-running legal disputes out of court, the Catalan club have confirmed.

Barca did not specify the details of the agreement, nor did they reveal which issues had remained unsettled prior to Monday's agreement. Neymar's €222m move to PSG in 2017 had led to several court cases between the two parties, with Neymar demanding Barca pay him an unpaid renewal bonus and the club responding by suing him for breach of contract.

"Barcelona have ended out of court in amicable fashion the various labour and civil litigation cases that were open with the Brazilian player Neymar," the Blaugrana said in a statement on Monday. "As such, a transactional agreement between the club and the player has been signed to end the legal cases that were pending between the two parties."

08.00 BST: ICYMI -- Tottenham signed winger Bryan Gil from Sevilla on a five-year contract on Monday, with Erik Lamela leaving the north London club to join Sevilla on a three-year deal.

Gil enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Eibar last season and is on international duty with Spain at the Tokyo Olympics. The 20-year-old has also enjoyed success in his short career, helping the Spain Under-19 side win the 2019 European Championship.

Gil's arrival means that Lamela ends his eight-year spell at the Premier League club after making 257 appearances and scoring 37 goals. The Argentina international will remembered for his outstanding rabona strikes against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League (2014) and against bitter rivals Arsenal last season.

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PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)

- According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham Hotspur are working on a deal to sign Cristian Romero, who spent last season on loan at Atalanta from Juventus. It is stated that the Argentine centre-back is their priority, with no deal yet being agreed on a €55m fee. Their back-up is to open talks around signing Bologna's Takehiro Tomiyasu, Fiorentina's Nikola Milenkovic and Chelsea's Kurt Zouma for a similar combined fee.

-- Benfica have been linked with Santos frontman Kaio Jorge, but Calciomercato reports that the Portuguese outfit are not alone, as Juventus and AC Milan are both showing interest in the 19-year-old, whose contract comes to an end in December of this year.

- AC Milan and Lazio are both looking to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt on loan with a right to make the deal permanent, as has been reported by Calciomercato. The San Siro side sees the German as a replacement for Hakan Calhanoglu, who is now at their rivals Internazionale.

- Inter Milan are looking at AS Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibe as an option to fill the void left by Achraf Hakimi's departure to PSG, according to Foot Mercato. It is suggested that the Ligue 1 outfit want €7m for him, while Inter are also looking at Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, Arsenal's Hector Bellerin and AS Roma's Alessandro Florenzi.

- 16-year-old striker Iker Bravo has decided to leave Barcelona, as has been reported by Diario Sport. There are a whole host of clubs across Europe who are interested in the youngster, with Juventus, Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt all named.

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