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LIVE Transfer Talk: Man City slap £137m pricetag on Bayern target Sane

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TOP STORY: City want monster fee for Sane

The Telegraph claims Manchester City have slapped a whopping £137 million price tag on German winger Leroy Sane, amid continued interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Reports in Germany suggest Bayern are preparing a bid of around £73m for the former Schalke man, but that is set to be swiftly rejected upon arrival at the Etihad Stadium. The report says that according to senior sources, City have neither received any formal bids for Sane, nor had any notification from the player that he wants to leave the Premier League champions.  

The development comes following comments from Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac, who this week said he was "confident" a deal was close. Bayern Munich, though, tweeted that reports in kicker that Sane had committed to Bayern were incorrect, contradicting their manager.

Pep Guardiola remains hopeful that Sane will sign an extension to his City contract, which expires in the summer of 2021, and told a news conference ahead of the Community Shield: "The player didn't tell me anything. No players have said they want to leave. That is the reality I have. He is our player. We want him to stay."

LIVE BLOG

23.30 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. Have a great weekend and enjoy the return of competitive football at last!

23.17 BST: What's next for Paulo Dybala?

The Daily Mail claims that the Argentine attacker, 25, has sought out teammate and former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo for advice regarding his current transfer situation. Reports in England have linked the Juventus star with a move to Old Trafford in a swap deal for Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. 

The Daily Mail says that Ronaldo is understood to have approved Dybala's move to Man United, citing that Dybala became a "champion" during his time in Turin. Dybala has a tough decision to make: Stay at Juve and compete for trophies alongside Ronaldo or go to United and become the face of the club's hopeful revival? Could a legend like Ronny's supportive words lend a hand to his former club? They sure can't hurt United's case...

22.50 BST: Why don't we take a few minutes to take care of a bit of Arsenal housekeeping.

Sky Sports News reports that the Gunners are increasingly confident an agreement can be reached with Celtic for left-back Kieran Tierney before the Aug. 8 Premier League deadline. Sky goes on to say a new and improved offer from Arsenal is expected to be made to the Scottish club in the coming days.

So far, Arsenal have had an initial bid of £15 million and a second £25m add-on based offer both rejected.

Regarding the club's centre-back search, Goal claims the Gunners have had a two-year loan proposal for Juventus' Daniele Rugani turned down. Rugani has a fan in new Old Lady boss Maurizio Sarri, who previously managed him at Empoli, and appears set to stay on in Turin.

Finally, veteran centre-back Laurent Koscielny, 33, continues to seek a move back to France. French outlet L'Equipe writes that Koscielny could be closer to getting his wish with Bordeaux having sent officials to England to have talks with the Arsenal board.

22.29 BST: Man United are busy trying to close the deal with Leicester's Harry Maguire but he may not be the only iron on the fire for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co.

Yahoo Sports Brazil claims that Man United have circled back to Ajax regarding David Neres and have even offered €50 million for the Brazilian winger. With United's move for Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes having stalled, this would make sense in principle, but Ajax have said they want to hold onto the 22-year-old for another year and would only sell him for upwards of €70m.

It figures to be a busy week ahead at Old Trafford.

22.03 BST: We tell you that we report on transfers from every corner of the globe so here is a deep cut from Africa.

Egyptian Premier League side Al Ittihad Alexandria have signed Ugandan record scorer Emmanuel Okwi from Tanzania's Simba SC.

The 26-year-old Okwi, who has scored 22 international goals for Uganda, including two at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, has signed a two-year contract with Al Ittihad.

21.38 BST: What has happened to Saido Berahino?

At 21, Berahino racked up 20 goals in 45 games for then-Premier League side West Brom but not much has gone right for him since. After a miserable time at Stoke, including some legal issues and weight trouble, Berahino resurfaced this summer with Burundi at the Africa Cup of Nations.

After a recent trial with French side Nimes, there was hope that he was close to finding a home but Goal is reporting that the Ligue 1 club has elected not to sign the forward. The former England youth international is currently a free agent and is training with Belgian side Zulte Waregem as he looks for a new club.

21.17 BST: Over to the States for a moment where Norway striker Ola Kamara is close to a return to MLS with D.C. United, sources tell ESPN FC.

Kamara, 29, was one of the league's most prolific forwards between 2016-18, scoring 48 goals in 90 games during spells with the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy. The Norway international left for China and Shenzhen FC in February but it has not gone well, Kamara having yet to score for the club.

Kamara, who has scored seven goals in 17 games for Norway, would join a D.C. attack that currently boasts Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta and U.S. international Paul Arriola.

20.48 BST: Tottenham have made two signings this summer -- two more than they made all of last year! -- in Tanguy Ndombele and Jack Clarke but Daniel Levy may not be done just yet.

The Daily Mail understands that Spurs are closing in on a £30 million move for Fulham whiz kid Ryan Sessegnon. The versatile Sessegnon, 19, has been a Spurs target for almost two years now and can play as either as a full-back, midfielder or winger. Sessegnon scored 15 goals to help the Cottagers to promotion to the Premier League in 2017-18 but, like many of his teammates, never got settled last season after jumping up to the top flight.

Sessegnon is expected to be left out of Fulham's squad for their Championship opener on Saturday vs. Barnsley, another sign that things may be progressing on a deal with Spurs.

With less than a week until the Premier League transfer deadline, Tottenham are also still in discussions with Real Betis for Giovani Lo Celso and Sporting Lisbon for Bruno Fernandes.

20.25 BST: Wolves already have eight Portuguese players on their books so what is two more...

The club have announced they have signed a pair of Portuguese youngsters in Neto (19) and Jordao (20) from Lazio. Both have penned contracts through 2024, with left-footed wide player Neto a Portugal Under-20 international and midfielder Jordao an Under-21 international.

The Portuguese influence at the Molineux continues to grow.

20.06 BST: The deals are coming thick and fast today! 

We discussed Everton's interest in Mainz midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin earlier and now that move is official. The Merseyside club have announced they have signed the 23-year-old defensive midfielder to a five-year contract at Goodison Park.

The Ivory Coast international will reportedly cost between £25-27.5 million and is expected to replace Idrissa Gueye, who joined PSG earlier this summer. It has been a productive summer at Everton. Is Moise Kean next?

19.40 BST: Don't look now but Newcastle are spending money!

After agreeing to a loan deal with Eintracht Frankfurt for left-back Jetro Willems, the Magpies have completed a second move of the day in signing winger Allan Saint-Maximin from Nice, for a reported initial £16m.

The France Under-21 international arrives on Tyneside after two seasons playing in the French Riviera and should serve as a replacement for Ayoze Perez, who moved to Leicester earlier in the window. Saint-Maximin, 22, managed six goals and five assists last season for Nice and has become famous for his trademark Gucci headband.

I wonder what Rafa Benitez is thinking right now...

19.05 BST: Sheffield United have their striker in Oli McBurnie but what is next for Chris Wilder and the Blades?

Football Insider reports that Sheffield are set to turn their focus to signing Leicester City defensive midfielder Daniel Amartey.

Wilder is looking for a defensive midfielder to sure up the middle for his newly-promoted side and the 24-year-old Ghana international would fit the bill.The 2015-16 Premier League winner has made over 60 appearances for Leicester and is also capable of playing centre-back.

18.31 BST: Newcastle have announced they have added Netherlands left-back Jetro Willems on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 25-year-old left-back has played the last two seasons in Germany, following six successful years with PSV in his native Holland. Willems, who has been capped 22 times for the Netherlands, becomes Steve Bruce's second major signing since taking over at Newcastle, following striker Joelinton's £40 million move from Hoffenheim.

Newcastle may not be done either as reports indicate they are close to finalising a permanent transfer for Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin.

18.09 BST: Return of the Mak!

Chelsea have announced that former defensive midfielder Claude Makelele has returned to the club to work with the youth players and loanees. The 46-year-old, two-time Premier League winner, will be a technical mentor to Chelsea's youngsters, working under former teammate and new Blues boss Frank Lampard.

"I am very happy to come back home," said Makelele. "This club gave me a lot and now I want to give back and help the young Chelsea players dreaming of a career in football."

17.42 BST: Another twist in the Leroy Sane transfer tug of war?

One of Germany's largest newspapers Suddeutsche Zeitung is claiming that Sane has opted to move to Bayern and that a deal is in the closing stages. The report goes on to say a record-breaking fee and record salary are being discussed. 

This report comes a day after Bayern refuted a story from kicker that a deal was done and the Telegraph claimed City had put a £137 million price tag on the Germany international. Silly season at its best.

17.11 BST: England underage international Reece Oxford is off to Germany on a permanent basis.

Oxford, 20, has signed a four-year contract with Augsburg, who he spent last season on loan with, after two previous loan spells in Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach. The seventh-youngest player to ever debut in the Premier League at 16 years, 7 months and 24 days old, for one reason or another, Oxford's career at West Ham just never really got off the ground. 

"I'm delighted to have joined Augsburg on a permanent basis. I felt very comfortable in the city during my loan spell last season and would like to step the next step in my development here in the Bundesliga," said Oxford to the club's official website.

Oxford is one of a series of youth England internationals who have gone to Germany in search of consistent playing time, alongside the likes of Jadon Sancho, Ademola Lookman, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe.

16.43 BST: Done deal. Hull City have announced they have signed midfielder George Honeyman from Sunderland.

The move ends a 15-year spell for Honeyman at boyhood club Sunderland, who he joined aged 10. Honeyman, now 24, captained the Black Cats last season and joins Hull after 97 first-team appearances with Sunderland.

16.14 BST: Juventus' Paulo Dybala to Man United seems to be gathering pace, especially after Romelu Lukaku was left out of the club's ICC game against Milan tomorrow.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is in London for talks but there's a few issues.

- La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Dybala's agent Jorge Antun is demanding a €15m fee as part of the deal. Which United are NOT happy about.

- Dybala reportedly wants Champions League football (which United can't offer) and Le10 Sport claims he's waiting for PSG to enter the bidding.

15.36 BST: And ESPN has been told that Manchester United reached a breakthrough over Maguire with Leicester on Friday morning.

United have agreed a world record fee for a defender -- around £80 million plus add-ons -- to prise Maguire away from the King Power Stadium. The 26-year-old is set to undergo a medical before signing a five-year contract in the next few days and will be eligible to make his United debut against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Aug. 11.

15.26 BST: The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Harry Maguire from Leicester to Man United is a done deal. £85m.

15.17 BST: Burnley have signed goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell from Leeds United.

15.06 BST: The Evening Standard reports that Tottenham are keen to sign an alternative to Christian Eriksen, just in case the Denmark international leaves after the Premier League deadline has passed.

The report reads: "The club have sent a delegation to Portugal to explore the possibility of signing Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes, while they remain in talks with Real Betis for playmaker Giovani Lo Celso."

14.37 BST: Barcelona have reached an agreement to sell Malcom to Zenit Saint Petersburg for an initial fee of €40m just one year after signing the Brazilian from Bordeaux.

Malcom, 22, has agreed a five-year deal with Zenit who could eventually pay Barca up to €5m more in add-ons with the Catalans maintaining a percentage of any future sale.

Sources have told ESPN FC there was also interest in Malcom from China, Italy and England without materialising into a firm offer, clearing the way for Zenit to make their move.

14.23 BST: Reports in Italy claim that Lecce have turned down a chance to sign Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Ochoa, 31, is on the list of possible replacements after Club America announced the sale of Agustin Marchesin to Porto on Wednesday.

However, sources told ESPN earlier this summer that the Standard Liege keeper's goal was to remain in Europe this summer and that is unlikely to have changed.

13.46 BST: Vincent Kompany has wasted little time in raiding England for players now that he's back at Anderlecht.

The former Manchester City defender, now player-manager at his former club Anderlecht, has been eyeing Leeds striker Kemar Roofe, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Roofe would cost around £7m, having finished the season as the club's top goalscorer, scoring 15 times in 34 games.

13.23 BST: Barcelona could be set to offload Philippe Coutinho.

SPORT reports that: "Barca do have an official offer on the table for Coutinho and the player is aware of that. It would allow him to keep earning the same wage but the club needs to weigh up other options. The main idea is to sell Coutinho this summer but they would also be open to a loan with an obligation to buy for the summer of 2020."

13.10 BST: Derby County have signed Poland Under-21 international Krystian Bielik from Arsenal for a reported fee of £9.5m.

12.50 BST: Spurs are reportedly ready to offer £25m plus add-ons for Fulham full-back/winger Ryan Sessegnon, says the Daily Express.

They've also offered up midfielder Josh Onomah or winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou as part of the deal.

However, the Championship side want around £45m, even though the 19-year-old only has one year left on his contract.

12.11 BST: Oli McBurnie will be joining Sheffield United from Swansea for around £20m

A statement from the club read: "The Blades have significantly smashed the club's transfer record to ensure that August 2019 will be regarded as a momentous month in the history of SUFC. It can now be reported that United's bid to secure the services of striker Oli McBurnie has been successful."

12.09 BST: Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul has admitted Antoine Griezmann's departure has caused problems for the club.

Griezmann left for a €120m transfer to Barcelona, with Atletico later formally complaining to La Liga over the move as they claim they are still owed a further €80m.

Saul told Cadena Cope: "He was already deciding to leave, but he surprised me. He was a very important player at Atletico Madrid and that he has left has made it complicated."

11.48 BST: Everton are closing in on a move for Mainz midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin, says Sky Sports.

After losing Idrissa Gueye to PSG for €32m, Everton need a replacement in defensive midfield and the Ivory Coast international fits the bill at around £25m.

11.23 BST: Some words from Kylian Mbappe on his and Neymar's future at PSG.

11.11 BST: Real Betis have been brilliant in the transfer market in recent years and could be ready to sign Arkadiusz Milik as he has failed to negotiate a contract extension with Napoli, says Corriere dello Sport.

Milik, 25, has suffered two serious knee injuries but is still a class act and Betis are salivating at the prospect of him linking up with former Lyon skipper Nabil Fekir.

10.25 BST: Bordeaux forward Francois Kamano is attracting the interest of Liverpool, says the Sun, and they could make a £20m move before next week's deadline.

The club need backup in the attacking department and the Guinea international, 23, is cheap option to provide it. It's also possible that his international teammate Naby Keita might have played a part in recommending him to Liverpool. 

10.04 BST: Manchester United might have something to say about this but Corriere dello Sport reports that Juventus are still open to a Paulo Dybala-Mauro Icardi swap deal.

United want to swap Romelu Lukaku for Dybala, but the player himself has yet to decide on his future.

09.28 BST: Atletico Madrid attacker Angel Correa has discussed personal terms with AC Milan, but the two clubs are yet to come to an agreement on a fee for the Argentina international, according to Sky Italia.

Sky says that Milan directors Zvonomir Boban and Frederic Massara met with Correa's agent Augustin Jimenez to discuss personal terms on Thursday - and that the player "strongly wishes" for the move to happen, although a final agreement was not reached.

The report says that Milan are willing to pay €40m plus extras for the 24-year-old, who has slipped down the pecking order at the Wanda Metropolitano. But Atletico are still holding out for €50m for a player they signed from San Lorenzo back in 2015.

09.17 BST: Bristol City defender Adam Webster could be set to swap the Championship for the Premier League.

Sky Sports say Brighton have agreed a £22m deal with Bristol. The move could have a knock-on effect as Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk has been touted as the replacement for Harry Maguire at Leicester should he join Man United.

09.07 BST: Juventus forward Moise Kean is set to join Everton in a £30m deal, reports the Telegraph.

Kean, 19, is one of Europe's most highly-rated young players.

08.35 BST: Real Madrid are chasing Ajax's Donny van de Beek as their 'Plan B' midfield signing this summer, according to the covers of both Marca and AS on Friday morning.

Madrid have let midfielders Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente and Mateo Kovacic leave this summer without yet signing any replacements -- with coach Zinedine Zidane wanting to bring in Paul Pogba but Manchester United reluctant to sell a player they value at over £150m.

Both of the Spanish capital's sports dailies say the difficulty of signing Pogba has led the Bernabeu's transfer chiefs to turn back to Van de Beek, who impressed in Ajax's run to the Champions League semifinals last season, knocking out Madrid along the way.

Ajax are asking €60m for van de Beek, say AS, while Marca says Madrid are impressed by the 22-year-old's mix of physical attributes and goal scoring.

08.00 BST: Veteran Brazilian right back Dani Alves has signed a free transfer deal to play for Sao Paulo FC.

The club announced the move on Thursday in a video with the 36-year-old former Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain defender. Brazilian media reports the deal is valid until the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"I could have chosen anywhere to play, but I chose to return to Brazil," the right-back said.

PAPER TALK (by James Capps)

Spurs steal in on Bruno as United talks stall

Tottenham Hotspur have opened talks with Sporting Lisbon over a deal for Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, according to The Mirror.

The news comes following reports that talks between Spurs and Real Betis over a deal for Giovani Lo Celso failed to find a breakthrough, and Mauricio Pochettino's side have now decided to switch their attention to the highly-rated Portugal international Fernandes.

The 24-year-old scored 23 goals for club and country during the 2018-19 season, leading to widespread speculation that he could be set for a move to Manchester United. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side now prioritizing a move for Leicester City's Harry Maguire, though, an opening has emerged for Spurs to enter negotiations.

The north Londoners have already added Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele to their ranks, and reports claim a fee of around £45m is required to lure Fernandes to the Champions League runner-up.

Brazilian makeweight in City bid for Cancelo

Reports in Calciomercato claim Manchester City have offered Brazilian right-back Danilo as a makeweight in a cash-plus-player offer for Juventus counterpart Joao Cancelo.

The Premier League champions baulked at Juve's €60m valuation of the Portugal international earlier in the summer, but have now returned with an offer that would potentially see 28-year-old Danilo head to the Serie A champions as part of the deal.

Calciomercato claims City value Danilo at around €30 million, although Maurizio Sarri's Juventus reckon the former Real Madrid man is worth much less than that, so negotiations are set to continue regarding the amount of cash that will change hands in the deal.

Despite a promising start to life in Turin following his move from Valencia last summer, Cancelo has struggled with injuries and form in his maiden season at the club, and is believed to be open to a move to the Premier League.

Tap Ins

- After losing out to Arsenal on a deal to bring Lille winger Nicholas Pepe to the club, Napoli have switched their attention to PSV Eindhoven star Hirving Lozano, according to reports at Calciomercato. The Italian publication claims talks between the Serie A runners-up and Lozano's agent Mino Raiola have intensified in the past few hours.

- Boca Juniors will make a move for Girona's Cristhian Stuani if they fail with a bid for Tigres striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, according to Marca. Uruguay international Stuani is a wanted man after scoring 40 goals in 62 Girona games, after signing from Middlesbrough in 2017.

- Sky Sports News claims Newcastle United are "very close" to agreeing a deal to bring Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin to St James' Park. The 22-year-old is set to cost Steve Bruce's side an initial £16.5m, with an additional £3.5m being made up in bonuses.

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