The summer transfer window is here, and there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Barca can sign Silva, keep De Jong?
Barcelona are planning on signing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva regardless of whether or not Frenkie de Jong leaves, according to Diario Sport.
Barca have spent over €150 million this summer on Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde, while Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie have arrived on free transfers. However, the Blaugrana's widely reported financial issues have put them in a race against time to be able to register all of their new signings for the start of LaLiga next weekend.
Nonetheless, Diario Sport claims that De Jong's departure is not essential to bringing in Silva, although it would require another fundraising effort by the club.
Barca have already executed three operations -- dubbed financial levers by the president Joan Laporta -- to raise the funds for their incoming players. A source confirmed to ESPN that Barca's financial team have known for several days now that a fourth financial lever is required.
Barcelona's ideal scenario regarding De Jong remains for the former Ajax midfielder to either leave or take a wage cut if he stays. De Jong wants to remain at Barcelona amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, and is not intent on lowering his salary.
As for Silva, City manager Pep Guardiola said earlier this week about the Portugal international that: "I want players to be happy. Of course I want Bernardo to be here but I don't know what is going to happen, honestly I don't know."
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LIVE BLOG
22.12 BST: Tottenham Hotspur are on the cusp of agreeing to a £21 million deal for Udinese left-back Destiny Udogie, according to the Daily Mail.
The 19-year-old Italian has attracted attention from several clubs as an up-and-coming full-back, but Spurs look to be first in line, closing in on a five-year contract that will allow him stay in Italy on loan.
21:40 BST: Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden looks set for a massive payday, per the Sun.
The new, six-year contract he is reportedly close to signing includes a £200,000-per-week base rate, as well as a hefty £3 million signing bonus, and another £3 million staggered over the course of the deal. Set pay hikes of around £25,000-per-week will eventually take raise his compensation to £350,000 per week, enough for an £18m haul in the final year of the contract.
That, of course, doesn't even include any performance bonuses he might be able to trigger. One such bonus is £150,000 if he makes the Ballon d'or shortlist, and another £300,000 if he wins. A similar bonus is on the line if he is named Premier League Player of the Year.
Those may be lofty bonuses, but others are for more achievable, like the bonus he'll earn for appearing in at least 60% of Man City's games next season.
Either way, it will be a much better contract than the one he is currently on, which reportedly includes a base pay of around £65,000.
20.50 BST: Liverpool are getting closer to signing midfielder Naby Keita to a contract extension, reports the Sun.
Although Keita has had an up-and-down time at Liverpool since joining from RB Leipzig for a reported £52.75 million, the Sun reports Jurgen Klopp would still like to keep the Guinea midfielder around because replacing him would be too expensive.
Keita missed Liverpool's season opener, a 2-2 draw to Fulham, due to illness.
20.01 BST: Minnesota United FC have acquired the discovery rights to midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez and signed him on loan through the rest of the 2022 season, per Reuters. Minnesota sent the Colorado Rapids $50,000 in 2022 general allocation money for his rights.
Gonzalez most recently played for Queretaro of Liga MX on loan from Club de Futbol Monterrey. Gonzalez originally signed with Monterrey in 2014 and made his pro debut in July 2017. He spent the 2021 season on loan with Necaxa, competing in six matches.
"For a young player, he's 23 years old, Gonzalez has played a lot of games and big games for Monterrey. I remember watching him in a (CONCACAF) Champions League game a couple of years ago and coming away thinking he was the best player on the field," Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath said.
"While the year or so have not gone the way he would have liked, there's no doubt there is a lot of talent there," Heath added. "We are hopeful he can resurrect his career here because a couple of years ago, he looked as though he was going to be one of the bright things of Mexican football."
19.31 BST: Another move involving a top Premier League team is up next, as Italian outlet La Repubblica believes Tottenham are talking to AS Roma about a potential move for Nicolo Zaniolo this summer.
Zaniolo, 23, is one of the top young Italian talents of this generation, though his ascent has been curtailed at various times by serious knee injuries and lengthy absences as a result. That said, Zaniolo would offer Spurs boss Antonio Conte another mercurial and clever player who can contribute on both sides of the ball and provide yet more depth to a team many are picking for a big season.
18.56 BST: Who else needs a striker? Well, Man United do, especially after Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Brighton to kick off their season. There's one name Cristiano Ronaldo's status uncertain, which is why Sky are reporting United's continued interest in the affordable Marko Arnautovic, formerly of West Ham among other stops.
We don't quite get it either.
18.11 BST: This is a transfer update of a different kind as the Daily Mail reports that the Premier League might come very close to, or surpass, its all-time record for transfer window spending. The present mark, £1.43 billion in 2017, is under threat as it was revealed the 20 teams have already spent an estimated £1.22bn this summer, with the likes of Erling Haaland (Dortmund to Man City), Marc Cucurella (Brighton to Chelsea), Darwin Nunez (Benfica to Liverpool) and Richarlison (Everton to Tottenham) pushing the figure above the billion mark.
17.33 BST: Here's a stunner involving another big Chelsea outgoing, as Sky in Germany report that Timo Werner, who famously signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge in 2020, is set to return to former club RB Leipzig on a permanent transfer just two years later.
Werner, 26, scored 90 goals and added 40 assists in four years at Leipzig prior to his Premier League move, only to struggle to find his place in the Blues' attack, with just 10 Premier League goals in 56 appearances. His goals did help lead Chelsea to a remarkable Champions League title in 2020 over Manchester City, but this represents a bid to regain form and confidence ahead of this winter's World Cup. And why not go back to the club that made him a household name?
16.50 BST: Real Madrid flop Reinier Jesus is "in limbo," Diario AS reports, as he trains alone awaiting a decision on his future.
Reinier, signed for €30m from Flamengo in 2020, is not part of Madrid's plans for either the first team, or B-team Castilla, having spent the last two years on a disappointing loan at Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian came close to joining Benfica on loan before talks broke down over the details of the move, while Real Valladolid cannot currently fit him within their salary cap.
16.06 BST: AS Roma have denied reports that they are interested in signed Eric Bailly from Manchester United.
On Saturday, reports claimed that Jose Mourinho was looking to sign the centre-back on loan with the option to make the deal permanent for a transfer fee of €7m.
But Il Messaggero says that Roma are denying all links with a move for the 28-year-old, even though the club do need another central defender.
15.21 BST: Diego Simeone had planned to have four forwards in his Atletico Madrid squad this season, Cadena SER reports, but has ended up with five, with Alvaro Morata, Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann, Matheus Cunha and Angel Correa all competing for places.
Morata is the extra man, having been expected to join Juventus this summer after a two-year loan there before the Serie A club decided not to exercise their right to make the deal permanent.
Despite that, Atletico won't have any problems meeting their LaLiga-imposed squad salary cap for next season, the radio station says, but would need to move a player on before making any incoming signings.
4⃣ 🧩 Simeone había planificado la temporada con cuatro delanteros y no cinco
— El Larguero (@ellarguero) August 6, 2022
🔴⚪️ El Atlético de Madrid es viable económicamente y está adaptado al límite salarial del equipo
👋 Se tendría que ir un jugador para ir al mercado
💬 Lo cuenta @PedroFullanaSER pic.twitter.com/kjql4ss90t
14.39 BST: Could Manchester United really be in for Marko Arnautovic? The first rumours surfaced on Saturday, with suggestions that United had made a transfer offer worth €6-8m for the former Stoke and West Ham striker.
Tuttomercatoweb now reports that the 33-year-old has asked to leave Bologna, though technical director Giovanni Sartori says there is no chance the player will be allowed to go.
Arnautovic scored 15 goals for Bologna last season.
14.02 BST: Diego Costa's move to Rayo Vallecano is "imminent" and the former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea forward could be presented later this week, according to Diario AS.
Costa, 33, has been without a club since leaving Atletico Mineiro in Brazil in January.
He previously played for Rayo on loan in the 2011-12 season, scoring 10 goals in 16 appearances, and will now form a veteran strike duo alongside Radamel Falcao.
13.15 BST: We have a DONE DEAL! Bournemouth have completed the signing of Barcelona goalkeeper Neto on a free transfer, the Premier League side confirmed on Sunday.
Neto, 33, has penned a one-year deal with the Cherries to become their fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Joe Rothwell, Ryan Fredericks and Marcus Tavernier.
The Brazilian, who has also previously played for Valencia and Juventus, among others, had 12 months to run on his contract at Camp Nou but Barca were happy to let him leave for free as they continue their drive to reduce their wage bill.
Neto will provide competition for Mark Travers, who started on Saturday as Bournemouth began the season with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
Barca will not sign a replacement for Neto, who made just 21 appearances in three years with the club, with academy graduate Inaki Pena set to be Marc-Andre ter Stegen's deputy this season.
AFC Bournemouth are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced goalkeeper Neto on a free transfer from Barcelona ✍️
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 7, 2022
12.31 BST: Sevilla have "reached a preliminary agreement" to sign the former Real Madrid midfielder Isco on a free transfer, the club announced on Sunday.
🤝 Principio de acuerdo con @isco_alarcon para su fichaje por el #SevillaFC. ⚪️🔴🔝#WeareSevilla #NuncaTeRindas
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) August 7, 2022
Isco, 30, who is a free agent after his contract at Madrid expired last month, will take a medical on Monday before signing a two-year contract.
The Spain international spent nine seasons at the Bernabeu, winning five Champions Leagues and three league titles, but played a reduced role in recent years, starting just three games in LaLiga last season.
In a post on Instagram in May, he said he had "had a great time (at Real Madrid) and nobody can take that away from me."
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui knows Isco well, having coached him while in charge of Spain from 2016 to 2018 and then during his brief, three-month stint at Madrid.
11.55 BST: Calciomercato reports that Alexis Sanchez has now agreed to terminate his Inter Milan contract in order to complete a move to Marseille.
Sanchez, 33, is surplus to requirements at the Serie A club despite having one year remaining on his deal, but other clubs have found it difficult to sign the Chile international due to terms in the contract -- worth €7m a year.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United forward has now agreed to rip up the last year of his agreement, which will allow him to move to the Ligue 1 club once he has settled a tax issue in Italy. His Marseille deal will reportedly be worth €3m per season.
11.11 BST: Another update on Fabian Ruiz, who seems set to join Paris Saint-Germain despite interest from Manchester United and West Ham United.
Ruiz, 26, has moved into the final year of his contract and Napoli are desperate to agree a deal to prevent the midfielder from leaving on a free transfer next summer.
The Spain international, who began his career at Real Betis before moving to Italy, is set to join PSG in a deal worth €25m including add-ons, according to Corriere dello Sport. He was left out of Saturday's preseason friendly against Espanyol as a move nears.
But transfer specialist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the two Premier League clubs have not given up hope of signing Ruiz, but PSG are most definitely in pole position as they look to replace Georginio Wijnaldum, who has moved to AS Roma on loan.
10.30 BST: Sport Bild reporter Christian Falk says that Bayern Munich have received no transfer offer for Leroy Sane from Manchester United, and that the Bundesliga champions want him to stay.
Sane, 26, was only named as a substitute for Bayern's 6-1 opening-day win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday evening, and a report in the Daily Mirror on Saturday said that United were hoping to take the forward back to Manchester.
The Germany international made his name at Manchester City, spending four years at the club and winning the Premier League title twice. He joined Bayern two years ago in a deal worth up to €60m.
True✅ Bayern don't want to sell @leroy_sane Til now Bayern and the Agency of Sané have no offer of @ManUtd @BILD_Sport #BayernInsider
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) August 7, 2022
09.42 BST: How about a little Frenkie de Jong round-up? As usual, there's a few updates across the media to what is seemingly a never-ending saga!
First, in Sport, a report says that Chelsea will try to include Marcos Alonso as a makeweight in a deal that would take the Dutch midfielder to London. It seems a strange one, because Alonso agreed terms with Barca a long time ago, so it has always been a case of how the transfer is actually structured. Part of a De Jong agreement or not, the 31-year-old is still expected to head to Camp Nou.
"He has asked us to leave and we have reached an agreement", Tuchel said of Alonso on Saturday evening after their win at Everton. "It wouldn't make much sense to have put him on the field today."
Second, we go to the Sunday Express. The paper says that Manchester United are also prepared to throw a player into the mix, namely Donny van de Beek. Whether Barca would want Van de Beek is most definitely up for discussion. Seems ... unlikely.
And finally to Goal, which reports that United could turn their attentions to Napoli star Fabian Ruiz if their interest in De Jong isn't successful.
09.00 BST: Former Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who last week signed for Serie B side Como, says he hopes Lionel Messi plays for Barcelona again before he retires.
Messi, 35, scored two late goals in Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 win over Clermont Foot on Saturday evening as he began his second season at the capital club.
Last month Barca present Joan Laporta said Messi's "chapter" at the club is "not over" and considers it his responsibility to ensure the forward has a "more beautiful ending" at the Camp Nou. And now Fabregas has said he hopes that is as a player.
"As a Barcelona fan, I hope and I wish that Messi returns to Barcelona," Fabregas said. "He has one year left of his contract in Paris. I would love it if he returned. It is a dream that the club and all the fans have, but I speak to you as a fan of Barcelona."
- Fabregas: London, Barcelona, Monaco and now Lake Como
PAPER GOSSIP
- Callum Hudson-Odoi could leave Chelsea in search of more game time, reports Fabrizio Romano, with the academy graduate not even included on the bench in the club's opening-day win against Everton on Saturday. Southampton are pushing to sign him on loan while Leicester City have also been discussed, with the final decision being down to the player himself.
- West Ham United are looking into the possibility of signing free agent Dan-Axel Zagadou, claims The Sun. AS Roma and Internazionale have also considered offering the centre-back a contract since his time with Borussia Dortmund ended in the summer.
- More than 20 clubs across Europe have made offers to take Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho on loan, according to The Mirror. The Red Devils are yet to decide whether to let the 18-year-old leave temporarily to gain first-team experience or manage his development within the club and make a call on a potential loan in January.
- Feyenoord centre-back Marcos Senesi will fly to England tomorrow to sign a contract with AFC Bournemouth, reports Fabrizio Romano, who adds that the transfer is worth €15m plus add-ons for the Dutch club and the contract will last four years. This comes as another boost for Scott Parker after the Cherries marked their return to the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.
-- Juventus are having problems offloading Daniele Rugani due to the centre-back's demands, according to Calciomercato. He wants €3m-per-year and to stay in Italy, which is proving an issue as Galatasaray are the only club to have offered those wages so far. Sampdoria will reportedly offer €1.5m and ask Juventus to pay the other half.