Antonio Conte continues to showboat about his ability to get Tottenham to spend money on players of all ages, with the Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi the latest target on his radar. The 29-year-old Ukraine international is also of interest to – but, of course – Nottingham Forest, but Malinovskyi is thought to be keen on a move to Spurs, possibly on an initial season’s loan with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.
Talking of Forest, they are at least reported to be closing in on Houssem Aouar of Lyon but the clubs are yet to agree for a fee for the 24-year-old midfielder, who has one France cap.
Barcelona and Manchester United may exhibit the air of decadent fallen giants but they’re still absolute titans of transfer tittle-tattle, and, try as we might, we can’t keep them away from the Mill. Barça’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has kept us busy this summer, and the latest soundings are that Chelsea is his preferred next destination, but the Catalan club would want €27m minimum for him.
The obligatory daily roundup of Manchester United gossip leads off with talk of a whopping £110m bid for João Félix, but Atlético Madrid are determined to hang on to the 22-year-old Portugal star. A more realistic target is Christian Pulisic, whom Chelsea are happy to let go, with the Times suggesting the American could move to Old Trafford on a season-long loan. Oh, and United have also targeted the Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 74, though Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Switzerland international Yann Sommer may be a likelier goalkeeping target.
With all these potential incomings, at least some players will have to ship out, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be on his way back to Crystal Palace for £10m, particularly if United succeed in landing Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier. But the word “if” has put in a hell of a shift in Old Trafford transfer stories this summer.
Meanwhile RB Leipzig are reportedly keen on luring Naby Keïta away from Liverpool, with Sky Sports Germany reporting that the Guinea midfielder is unhappy with his situation at Anfield. Liverpool still want the 27-year-old to sign a new deal though, so the Bundesliga club may have to be persistent.
Willian still pines for the Premier League, apparently. The Daily Mail reports that the 34-year-old Brazilian winger, recently released by Corinthians, could be in line for a move to Fulham, who can snap him up on a free.
West Ham are reported to be keen on the Lens midfielder Seko Fofana, though Leeds have also been linked. The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international is valued at £29m.
And Southampton and Newcastle are competing over the young Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos. The 21-year-old Portuguese is also on Leeds’ radar and is valued at around £25m.
