Transfer News LIVE updates: Barcelona dig at Liverpool, Man Utd claim, Chelsea battle

Transfer news LIVE: Follow below for updates on the latest gossip

Wednesday 6 September

Rooney set for talks

07:00: Wayne Rooney is set for a meeting with Ronald Koeman today over the incident that has landed the former England captain with a drink-driving charge.

Everton striker Rooney was arrested after being stopped by police near his home in Prestbury, Cheshire, early on Friday.

He has since been charged and will appear at Stockport magistrates court on September 18, the day after facing his former club Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

The outcome of the case will dictate whether Everton take any disciplinary action, although Koeman wants to speak to the forward to find out more about what happened.

Lukaku and Matic could have cost £200m

06:50: Jose Mourinho believes Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic would have been significantly more expensive if they’d signed later in the transfer window.

Manchester United signed Lukaku for £75million plus £15m in performance-related add-ons, while Matic cost £40m from Premier League champions Chelsea.

Eyebrows were raised when the pair arrived for a combined £130m, but Mourinho thinks they could have cost £200m if they were bought after Neymar’s world-record £199 million deal to Paris St-Germain.

"I think we were very clever," Mourinho told The Times.

"We thought that something could happen that could change the market forever. Normally the last part of the market is less expensive, but this season, after Neymar, everything changed —and changed for the worse in terms of prices.

“I think Lukaku on August 31 would have been £150m. Matic would have been £60m or £70m. Neymar changed everything. If the biggest transfer in history had still been Pogba, I think Philippe Coutinho would now be in Barcelona at £101m.

"People look to the £200m figure now.

“Now the players of £20m became £40m, the players of £40m became £60m and everything changed. Lukaku and Matic, now, would have cost us £200m in total.

“But because we did it in the first part of the summer, it was much less. I think we did well in financial terms and well in preparation terms, getting them before the season started. That is not crucial but it is important."

Mourinho title prediction

05:30 Jose Mourinho believes he needs three transfer windows to get Manchester United to where he wants them to be.

Mourinho spent close to £150million this summer on new transfers and his new look squad have made an impressive start to the campaign.

But the United boss believes he still needs more additions to get the Red Devils back to the summit of world football.

“We’re going to fight against very good teams, but we’re going to try,” Mourinho told The Times. 

“I have said three [summer] transfer windows is what I need to have the team I want to have, the team I think can bring Manchester United to the top of English football and to close the gap to the top of European football again, and I still think we need that third transfer window, but I’m not going to wait for the third transfer window to try to reach it.” 

Barcelona sly dig 

04:00 Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has used comments on Lionel Messi’s contract situation to aim a thinly veiled dig at Liverpool.

The La Liga giants failed in their attempts to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool this summer, despite the player making it clear he wanted the move.

The Reds stood firm and rejected three bids from Barcelona.

But Bartomeu has taken a dig at the Merseyside club for holding Coutinho against his will while commenting on Lionel Messi’s contract.

The Barcelona president insists he would never prevent a player from leaving if his desire is to do so.

“Not with Leo’s commitment to the club… Barca will never make a player stay if he tells us he wants to leave, as happens at other clubs in Europe,” Bartomeu told Diario Sport.

Sterling battle

02:00: Chelsea could face competition should they wish to sign Raheem Sterling in January, according to reports.

Sterling was discussed as an Arsenal target in the final weeks of the summer window.

City were interested in a player-plus-cash deal, as they wanted to land Alexis Sanchez.

On deadline day, the Gunners accepted a £60m bid for Sanchez before they pulled the plug, as they knew they wouldn’t have enough time to find a replacement for Sanchez.

And according to the Daily Telegraph, Arsenal and Chelsea could be encouraged to make a move for Sterling if City chase Sanchez again.

Van Dijk deal

22:41: Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk had a deal in place with two of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, according to journalist Gabriele Marcotti.

On Twitter, a follower put it to him: "I lost count of how many people said VVD would be joining Liverpool… or Chelsea… or Arsenal…"

To which Marcotti replied: "He had a deal in place with two of those clubs… but sometimes stuff happens, as you saw…"

De Gea talks with Ramos

22:40: David De Gea has reportedly called on Sergio Ramos to help facilitate a move to Real Madrid.

De Gea is thought to be keen on plying his trade at the Bernabeu in the near future though, and Spanish publication Diario Gol claim he is taking matters into his own hands.

The goalkeeper is currently on international duty with Spain and has asked Madrid captain Ramos to help facilitate a move to capital. 

The report claims Madrid president Florentino Perez wanted to bring the 26-year-old to the Bernabeu this summer but Zinedine Zidane blocked a move.

Zidane has put faith in Keylor Navas once again but could pursue De Gea after the 2018 World Cup.

Silva's registration rejected

21:39: FIFA have reportedly rejected Adrien Silva’s late move from Sporting Lisbon to Leicester City.

Leicester made a late move for Silva on transfer deadline day as the replacement for £35million Chelsea new boy Danny Drinkwater.

The Foxes requested a two-hour extension to get the deal over the line and were confident they submitted the required paperwork in time.

However, Portuguese outlet A Bola claim his Premier League registration was completed too late.

Barca snubbed Dybala deal

19:49: Barcelona rejected the option of signing Juventus forward Paulo Dybala twice in the summer as they focused all their attention on Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

That is according to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, who claim Barcelona were offered Dybala on two separate occasions.

But Barca turned down the option to bring the Juventus man to the Nou Camp in order to try and sign Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona made three bids to land the Brazil international, the last offer understood to be worth £118million.

Coutinho handed in a transfer request at Anfield to force through a move to Barca - but Liverpool stood firm and resisted any approach.

Real Madrid wary of Rodriguez repeat

16:45: Real Madrid are worried they may struggle to offload Gareth Bale this summer.

Real had to fight to offload James Rodriguez, with Europe's elite snubbing a deal.

And Don Balon are worried Bale's stock could plummet over the forthcoming season.

Consequently, that would do their chances of getting rid of the Wales international no favours. 

Hazard causing Asensio mistrust

15.40: Real Madrid star Marco Asensio does not trust Los Blancos coaches.

That's according to Spanish outlet Diario Gol.

The Spain international is supposedly aware they want to sign Chelsea star Eden Hazard.

And Asensio is therefore reluctant to take his starting spot for granted.

Coutinho was "never" leaving

15.20: Liverpool were never going to let Philippe Coutinho join Barcelona this summer, according to former Reds managing director Christian Purslow.

Purslow says it would have sent out the wrong message if Coutinho was sold less than a year after he signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool.

“I never thought there was any prospect of Liverpool selling Coutinho this summer,” Purslow said on Sky Sports.

“Coutinho is the star player in a team that is on the up, a team now that is financially now tremendously well run, well capitalised under Fenway ownership, with the new stadium expansion, with a manager who is in the absolute elite top three or four coaches, highly ambitious. 

“It would have sent a terrible signal about the priorities of that club if they sold their star player.”

Three-way battle for Rafinha

14.45: Barcelona midfielder Rafinha is reportedly a January target for Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham, according to reports in Spain.

He was linked with a move away from the Nou Camp this summer but a long-term knee injury put paid to his exit.

However, the midfielder has been working hard to get back to full fitness and is targeting a January move.

And according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the 24-year-old is attracting attention from Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Nevin lauds Chelsea business

13.45: Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta were absolutely essential signings for Chelsea, according to Pat Nevin.

“There was some concern from fans as the window closed at 11pm on Thursday,” Nevin wrote in his Chelsea column.

“Especially as I sat on the sofa at Chelsea TV pretty convinced that we had Danny Drinkwater but it couldn’t be announced until all the loose ends were neatly tied up.

“I felt we absolutely needed to get that one over the line along with the Zappacosta deal to give us options.”

Chalobah should have stayed - Wilkins

12.40: Chelsea should have kept Nathaniel Chalobah instead of signing Tiemoue Bakayoko in the summer transfer window, according to pundit and former Chelsea midfielder and coach Ray Wilkins.

Bakayoko joined the Blues from Monaco for £40million in July, just two days after Chalobah completed a £6million move to Watford.

“When you think what we’ve lost, we’ve lost Nathaniel Chalobah for £6million,” Wilkins said on Sky Sports.

“I can’t see the difference between the £40million that we paid for Bakayoko, I don’t see that £34million difference, I really can’t.”

Bartomeu on Coutinho

12:35: Barcelona chief Josep Maria Bartomeu has hinted they could resurrect their interest in Philippe Coutinho in January.

Barcelona failed to convince Liverpool to sell Coutinho in the transfer window, seeing bids as high as £118million rejected.

Coutinho remains intent on joining the Spanish side with reports describing the Brazilian as 'crestfallen' at having to stay at Liverpool.

And when asked whether Coutinho might arrive in the new year, Bartomeu told Mundo Deportivo: "I'm not talking about names. We'll see."

Bartomeu on Messi contract

11:50: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has played down fears Lionel Messi could leave claiming the contract extension is "all agreed and signed".

He told Diario Sport: "It's all agreed and signed. There are three contracts.

"One with the Messi Foundation, which is signed with the president of the Foundation and the player's brother. There's an image rights contract with Messi, which his father has signed, who is the administrator of his company, and the employment contract, which his father has signed, who has the power to do so."

Barnes happy Coutinho stays

11.30: Liverpool legend John Barnes initially thought Philippe Coutinho was going to join Barcelona this summer but has praised his former club for standing firm and refusing to sell.

Barnes says he was initially surprised Liverpool turned down over £100million for Coutinho but reckons Reds manager Jurgen Klopp would have had a big influence in stopping him leaving the club.

“Who could have thought Liverpool could have turned down a bid of £140million for a footballer?” Barnes said on Sky Sports.

“Initially I did (think he would go) but towards the end I was with Liverpool. 

“The good thing about Liverpool is that Jurgen Klopp is in complete control of everything at the club.”

Matic worst decision ever - Wilkins

11.15: Chelsea allowing Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United this summer was the worst transfer decision of all time, according to pundit Ray Wilkins.

Wilkins believes Matic has not only strengthened United but has also helped Paul Pogba have more influence in midfield.

“It’s the worst I’ve ever seen, if I can say,” he said on Sky Sports.

“I just could not see that for the life of me, why would we let Nemanja go there? 

“He’s been outstanding for us and you’ve seen in the short period that he’s been there how he’s allowed Pogba to basically do what he wants.”

Tense Ronaldo and Mourinho relationship

11:00: Manchester United are not interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo due to his 'tense relationship' with Jose Mourinho.

That is according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

He wrote in Spanish newspaper AS: "Manchester United does not want Cristiano Ronaldo. 

"For some time, since the departure of David Moyes, the English [side] have not considered signing the Portuguese. 

"It is not just the tense relationship with Jose Mourinho: the Reds consider that the players for whom they must bet for sports and commercial reasons are others."

Barca's Coutinho frustration

10.00: Barcelona sporting director Josep Maria Bartomeu has vented his frustration at not being able to sign Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

“We would have liked to bring Coutinho to strengthen centre of the field and help the front,” he told Spanish newspaper Sport.

“We said no because of the market prices.

“He would have been the icing on the cake to have a better team but the team is good enough and very competitive.”

Draxler never considered exit

09.45: Julian Draxler claims he never thought about leaving PSG last month.

Draxler’s future was in doubt after the signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

He was linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

But the German insists he is looking forward to the competition for places and the project in Paris.

“I only played two games for a short time [on the pitch] in Paris, but I came back to training four weeks later than other players because of the Confederations Cup,” Draxler told RTL. “That’s something which is forgotten about in the media sometimes.

“The 90 minutes [against Norway] have been very, very important for me. I also sent a sign to Paris that they can bank on me.

“I am greatly looking forward to playing with [Neymar and Mbappe] — but, if players are bought for €222m or €180m, they have an advantage on paper.

“But I am confident — that’s why I didn’t think about leaving Paris.”

Alderweireld saga

09.30: Manchester City and Chelsea have been informed of the stalemate in contract talks between Toby Alderweireld and Tottenham.

Alderweireld’s agent has come out this week claiming the defender either needed a new contract or a transfer.

The comments follow Danny Rose’s explosive interview claiming he was underpaid and would not hesitate to move on if he wasn’t given what he was worth.

And the Belgium defender’s situation has been noted by Manchester and Chelsea, two sides who looked to strengthen at the back this summer.

Alderweireld was joined in Tottenham’s defence by club-record signing Davinson Sanchez this summer.

The young Dutch defender is understood to now earn more money than Alderweireld.

The 28-year-old earns around £50,000 a week and is under contract until 2019.

Tottenham have the option to extend his deal but that would trigger a £25m release clause to become active in 2019.

And the Telegraph claim Chelsea and City are two of the clubs to have been informed of the situation.

Can battle

08.45: Liverpool face a battle to keep hold of midfielder Emre Can with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly entering the battle for his signature.

Can is out of contract in the summer and is on Juventus’ radar, but reports in Italy claim the Serie A champions are bracing themselves for competition from Chelsea and United.

Can has impressed already this season, putting on a huge display in the 4-0 win over Arsenal.

But Jurgen Klopp has so far been unable to convince Can to sign a contract extension.

Juventus made a move of the 23-year-old during the summer transfer window and Express Sport understands they will make another approach next summer.

He can begin discussions on a pre-contract agreement from January and Juventus will steal a march on the competition if they hold talks then.

But if they fail to agree a deal then they could face competition from Chelsea and Manchester United.

Tuttosport claim the Premier League duo are keen on the German and could make moves in the summer.

Belotti battle

07.35: Chelsea tried to rival Manchester United for Torino striker Andrea Belotti last month.

That is according to journalist Mark Ogden who claimed the Blues had him in their sights as a third-striker option.

"[Alvaro] Morata on bench for Spain. Belotti, the third CF on Utd and Chelsea’s list, starts for Italy,” he tweeted.

Belotti has started the 2017/18 season brightly and has already scored three times in three appearances and provided one assist for Torino.

Monday September 4

Sanchez over Man City disappointment

21:42: Alexis Sanchez is back to his old self after getting over his failed move from Arsenal to Manchester City on deadline day.

Sanchez was fuming a deal to switch clubs on Thursday fell through late on.

The player was visibly furious during Chile’s shock 3-0 defeat to Paraguay, which kicked off almost immediately after the transfer window closed.

But Sanchez has not let the disappointment hang over him.

According to Chilean newspaper El Mercurio, the 28-year-old was back to his chirpy best during training today ahead of his country’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia tomorrow (9pm).

Coutinho withdrawal threat

20:35: Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho is considering NOT playing in the Champions League group stage as a protest against his failed move to Barcelona, claim reports in Spain.

That is according to Spanish newspaper SPORT, who claim Coutinho is considering not playing in Europe despite being named in Liverpool’s squad for the Champions League.

They claim Coutinho is worried Barca won’t want to sign him in January if he is cup-tied from playing in the Champions League.

Should the player get a run-out in the group stage for Liverpool he would be ineligible to play for another club in the same Champions League campaign.

De Gea in dream land at United

11.00: David de Gea insists it’s a dream to be at Manchester United.

De Gea has been linked with a move to Real Madrid over the past few years.

But he claims he is happy to be where he is.

"Of course, you feel really proud when people think this about you," De Gea told MUTV.

"It’s really good, but I like to keep my focus, keep working hard and doing my best.

"To be fair, when you are really young, you don’t think about the future too much, you just want to play with your friends.

“When you get older, you start to dream about being there, about being at a top team.

“So of course it’s a dream to be at a team like Manchester United."

Mbappe message

18:00: Kylian Mbappe has sent a message to Monaco fans after he moved to PSG on deadline day.

"I know that a few of you don't understand my choice and that you're angry and I understand that," Mbappe wrote on Twitter.

"You can be angry, hate me or boo me but you can never stop me from loving you because the truth is there - I love you."

Dembele wanted Real Madrid move

14.50: Ousmane Dembele ‘went crazy’ when he found out Real Madrid wanted to sign him, reports say.

Barcelona signed Dembele from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund following Neymar’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain last month.

The 20-year-old rejected a Nou Camp move 12 months ago but has signed on the dotted line for a fee of £97million - making him the world's second most-expensive player.

Yet Spanish outlet Don Balon claims Dembele was not always so optimistic about a move to Ernesto Valverde's team.

Instead, he was in favour of a move to Barcelona’s fierce La Liga rivals Real Madrid.

It is said Dembele entered talks with Los Blancos about a Bernabeu transfer.

But, in a crushing blow, Zinedine Zidane pulled out of a move.

Arsenal statement of ambtion

12.30: Ivan Gazidis claims keeping Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil was a clear statement of Arsenal’s ambitions.

The duo remain at Arsenal despite their contracts running out at the end of the season - making both likely to leave for free or for a cut price in January.

But the chief executive says: “It was a clear statement of our ambitions and should help refute suggestions we are just about the money. 

“That is simply nonsense.”

Although Arsenal sold Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for £35m to Liverpool, Gazidis believes the club is in great shape.

He said: “At the end of the window, reviewing all activity, we have once again improved the quality and depth of our squad.”

Arsenal transfer revelation

10:55: BBC Sport reporter David Ornstein has given an explosive account of Arsenal transfer business following the closure of the window.

Arsenal made just two signings - Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette - saw several players leave including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, moves for Thomas Lemar fail and manager Arsene Wenger received a barrage of criticism. 

He claims Hector Bellerin returned from under-21 duty with Spain and told Wenger he wanted to leave, no contract talks with Ozil have taken place since March and that Wenger 'did not hold back' in a face-to-face meeting with Oxlade-Chamberlain, when he discovered he wanted to leave.

Coutinho upset after failed Barcelona move

09:30: Philippe Coutinho was left ‘crestfallen’ by his failed move to Barcelona.

That’s according to Catalan newspaper Sport.

The Brazil international was known to be desperate to secure a move to Catalonia.

But Liverpool managed to hold firm and keep their star asset.

That, supposedly, has left the 25-year-old devastated.  

Griezmann to Manchester United or Barcelona

09:10: Antoine Griezmann reportedly wants to leave Atletico Madrid despite agreeing to stay beyond the summer.

Spanish outlet Don Balon says the France international will accept offers from Manchester United and Barcelona.

Jose Mourinho’s side tried hard to sign Griezmann before Atletico’s transfer ban ended their hopes of a summer deal.

And their loss could be Barcelona’s gain with Ernesto Valverde still keen to reinforce his side’s attack.

Has Eden Hazard dropped an exit hint?

08:50: Chelsea star Eden Hazard was linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout the summer.

And, though a move to La Liga failed to happen, the Belgium international seems open to the idea.

“At the moment I'm good in England,” he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

“I play in one of the best teams, but yes, the Spanish League is special.

“Why not one day? Of course, for the moment I'm here.”

Welcome to Express Sport’s transfer blog

08:30: That was quite a transfer window, wasn’t it?

It will be one known for the moves that fell through rather than the ones that did.

There was no Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, no Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool and no Antoine Griezmann to Manchester United.

But, despite that, news continues to come in thick and fast so stay tuned for all the latest.