Transfer news LIVE updates: Lemar wants Man Utd move, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea latest

TRANSFER NEWS is coming thick and fast as deadline day approaches - Express Sport takes you through the latest gossip and breaking news.

Jurgen Klopp's hilarious reaction to Philippe Coutinho question

Transfer news LIVE: Follow below for all the latest news and gossip

Friday August 25

Marseille eyeing Origi

10:30: Marseille are considering a swoop for Liverpool forward Divock Origi, reports claim.

It’s believed Origi, 22, is fearful of losing his place in Belgium’s World Cup squad having been reduced to a bit-part player at Anfield.

And he’s seriously considering his options.

According to Marseille Mercato, Origi is firmly on the Ligue 1 club’s radar with a bid worth £13.8million expected in the coming days.

Lemar wants United move

10:00: Monaco winger Thomas Lemar would prefer to join Manchester United over Arsenal, according to Duncan Castles.

Manchester United and Arsenal have both been tipped to lure Lemar away from Monte Carlo this transfer window.

And the Red Devils’ path to the winger was left clear yesterday with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger conceding defeat in his bid to land the 21-year-old. 

It represented a bitter blow to Arsenal fans, who had been hoping to see the 21-year-old move to the Emirates this summer.

But Castles says a Monaco contact has informed him Lemar would rather join United than their Premier League counterparts - and suggested it is why the Gunners have stopped pursing a deal. 

“I had a chat with a Monaco contact last night, asking where things stood, he said the Lemar deal was very much on the table as far as they’re concerned,” he told the Transfer Window podcast.

“It is a possibility he leaves if the transfer fee they’re looking for (60m) is met. 

“The interesting bit of information is I asked where Lemar would prefer to go, whether it’s Arsenal or Manchester United.

“And he was very clear. Lemar wants to go to Manchester United.”

Manchester United Transfer News: Thomas Lemar wants a move to Old TraffordGETTY

Manchester United Transfer News: Thomas Lemar wants a move to Old Trafford

Juventus want Gomes

09:34: Manchester United look set to miss out on a deal for Barcelona’s Andre Gomes.

Gomes has requested to leave Barcelona after struggling for form and game time last season.

But he won’t be heading to Old Trafford, as Juventus open talks over a deal for the 24-year-old.

Tuttosport claim Juve and Barca chiefs discussed a deal during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco yesterday.

Juve want to sign the player on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.

West Brom DONE DEAL

09:23: West Brom have signed Scotland winger Oliver Burke from RB Leipzig.

Burke has signed a five-year contract at the Baggies.

His transfer fee could eventually rise to as much as £15m.

Ajax snub Dolberg bid

09:00: Ajax have rejected a £46million bid from Monaco for their star playmaker Kasper Dolberg.

Ajax have already sold Davinson Sanchez to Tottenham and do not need the money.

Monaco appear set to lose Kylian Mbappe to PSG in a deal worth £168m.

They want a replacement forward but have seen an offer for Ajax’s Dolberg waved away by the Eredivisie giants.

Transfer News: Ajax have rejected a £46million bid from Monaco for Kasper DolbergGETTY

Transfer News: Ajax have rejected a £46million bid from Monaco for Kasper Dolberg

No Carvalho swoop

08:10: Arenal will NOT challenge for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, reports claim.

The Gunners have frequently been linked with the Portuguese international having extensively scouted him in his younger days.

But it’s London rivals West Ham who are leading the battle for his services with the Daily Star claiming they’re close to agreeing a £37.5million deal.

Asked whether Arsenal would make a last-gasp effort to hijack Slavan Bilic’s swoop, Football London reporter Charles Watts said: “His playing style is not that easy on the eye, so perhaps Wenger does’t feel he would fit in at Arsenal.

“But the fact he may well end up at West Ham tells its own story really. Despite plenty of big clubs looking at him, no-one made a move.”

Coutinho still on Barca radar

08.00: Philippe Coutinho remains on Barcelona’s radar even though they have agreed to pay £138million for Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele.

Liverpool are desperate to keep Coutinho and have rejected Barca’s third bid of £118m for the Brazilian.

Dortmund yesterday accepted Barca’s big-money offer for their attacking gem Dembele, who had gone on strike in the hope of securing a move to the Nou Camp.

There were claims suggesting Dembele’s arrival as a replacement for Neymar would end Barca’s interest in Coutinho.

But Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo report that is not the case.

In fact, Barca are now ready to push hard to land Coutinho with just seven days of the transfer window remaining.

Dembele deal done

07.00: Ousmane Dembele is set to join Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in a move that will make him the second most expensive player in the world.

Dembele will join for £138m (€150) on a five-year deal and will help to replace Neymar who moved to PSG this summer.

Barca look to have finally secured one of their top targets this summer after failing to sign Hector Bellerin, Marco Verratti and Philippe Coutinho.

And L’Equipe claim the deal is all but complete.

Candreva blow

05:00: Chelsea are unlikely to get their hands on Antonio Candreva before the transfer window shuts, according to Italian journalist Niccolo Ceccarini.

Conte wants to provide competition for Victor Modes, and Candreva has been earmarked as a target.

Reports earlier this week indicated the Blues could have the 30-year-old Candreva if they pay £25million.

Candreva was on Chelsea’s radar in January and Conte tried to bring him in as a replacement for Oscar, who headed to China.

And Ceccarini has ruled out a last-minute successful swoop for Candreva by the west London outfit.

“He wants to stay unless there is a very important offer, which has not arrived at the moment,” he told Tutto Mercato Web Radio.

Liverpool's Howedes setback

03:10: Benedikt Howedes looks set to join Juventus instead of Liverpool, according to the club’s chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.

Howedes knows Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip well from their days spent together at Schalke.

But Marotta has confirmed Howedes is a serious target for the Bianconeri.

“We are looking for a defender who may play both to the centre and as wing-back," he said.

"Howedes is an option. Actually, he's a little more than an option.”

Ox chase

01:00: Arsenal could be forced to sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before the transfer window closes, with the player reportedly set to reject their latest contract offer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has already turned down a new deal worth £100,000 a week, and has attracted interest from rival Premier League clubs.

Chelsea are eager to land him before next Thursday's 11pm deadline and the club are considering raising their offer to £35million in order to land the England international.

And according to the Daily Mail, a new contract offer by the Gunners worth £180,000 a week has been proposed to Oxlade-Chamberlain, but he is set to rebuff it.

The north London outfit would loathe to lose the winger on a free transfer next summer, and the Mail add Liverpool are still in the hunt for his signature.

Thursday August 24

Klopp's Barca demands

23:15: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has requested Barcelona give him Sergi Roberto or Ivan Rakitic if they want to sign Philippe Coutinho.

And Spanish publication Diario Gol claim Jurgen Klopp will not give up his star man without getting a player in return.

The likes of Rafinha, Arda Turan and Andre Gomes are all said to have been offered to the Reds as part of a deal for Coutinho but the German boss is not interested.

Instead, Diario Gol claim Klopp wants Rakitic or Roberto.

Henry on Ibra

22:30: Thierry Henry isn't surprised to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic pitch up at Old Trafford again.

He told Sky Sports: “I'm not surprised, because if I was there [at Man Utd] I would want to keep a guy like Zlatan in and around the dressing room.

“Having him around (Romelu) Lukaku, having him around Marcus Rashford [is beneficial]. Rashford was talking about it last year, he knows how to get that dressing room together.”

AC Milan eye Rafinha

21:10: AC Milan are interested in making Rafinha their last major signing of the summer, according to Calciomercato. 

The Barcelona midfielder has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months.

The Brazilian wants regular football this term and is not guaranteed that at the Nou Camp.

Pique talks Coutinho and Dembele

19:40: Gerard Pique believes Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele are both doing everything they can to join Barcelona.

“I think players still want to join Barcelona, and they are showing that as is the case with Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele,” Pique told the Daily Mail.

“One by putting in a transfer request and the other with his actions at Dortmund. 

“It suggests that they are both delighted about the idea of coming; they want to come.”

Gerard PiqueGETTY

Barcelona News: Gerard Pique says Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele want to join

Coutinho not for sale

18:10: Liverpool will not sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona even for £150million, according to Sky Sports presenter Kaveh Solhekol

“We’ve been told Liverpool would not even sell him for £150million,” he said.  “Liverpool are standing firm.”

Chelsea's Houghton to Doncaster 

16:31: Chelsea midfielder Jordan Houghton will head back to Doncaster on loan next week.

“Houghton’s all done. It’s just been agreed now,” said Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson at his pre-match press conference.

“It won’t be completed until Wednesday but it’s done. The paperwork’s all completed, it’s gone to the Football League.

“We’re all absolutely delighted.

“He’ll probably join us around mid-September time.

“The last game he’s got pencilled in for Chelsea Under-23s is on September 18, the Monday night.

“That’s the last one he would play for them and then he would come with us. It’s the week of the cup match [with Arsenal] he’d be with us.”

Perisic hope remains

16:25: Manchester United are still in for Ivan Perisic even though a deal looks dead and buried.

United want a winger and Perisic has been targeted.

Inter Milan want £48m for their star man and have offered him an improved contract.

But Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol says there is still hope a move can get done. 

“United want him, he wants to come to United and Inter want him to sign a new deal,” he said.

Rafinha to AC Milan

16:19: Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has agreed in principle to join AC Milan, according to reports.

Calciomercato claim Liverpool and Arsenal want to sign the midfielder.

But he will not move to the Premier League and instead looks set to head to Serie A.

According to the report, Rafinha is open to joining Milan and all that is required now is for the San Siro giants to agree terms with Barca.

Aston Villa keen on Wilshere

16:08: Steve Bruce wants Aston Villa to sign Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Bruce is keen to recruit more players before next Thursday’s transfer deadline.

He said: “The Jack Wilshere one – hey, who wouldn’t want Jack Wilshere?

“But I don’t know whether we’re capable of landing him and let’s not forget he’s only 25.”

Zlatan signs new Man Utd deal

14:25: Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has re-signed for Manchester United on a one-year deal.

The 35-year-old scored 28 goals for United during an impressive debut season before it was prematurely cut short by a knee ligament injury.

United did not offer Ibrahimovic a second year on his contract at the end of last season, but the club confirmed today that they have agreed a new deal with him.

The Sweden legend tweeted a picture of himself arm-wrestling with the devil, alongside the caption: “I UNITED it @ManUtd.”

His post has already been retweeted 14k times with a further 18k likes.

Zlatan IbrahimovicGETTY

Transfer News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to Manchester United

Pogba: We don’t fear anyone

14:00: Manchester United don’t need to fear any of their Premier League rivals, according to Paul Pogba.

The Frenchman, who’s netted twice in the opening two weeks, believes Jose Mourinho’s side are capable of lifting the Premier League crown.

"I'm pleased and happy that we have started really well, but it is not finished yet," Pogba told ESPN FC.

"The biggest challengers? We are our own rivals and we think about ourselves first. But we don't have to be scared of anyone in the league because we know we are a strong team as well. We know we can do great this season.”

Big spenders

13:40: Premier League spending in the current transfer window is already at an all-time record level, with a week remaining.

Figures released by Deloitte's Sports Business Group showed top-flight clubs had spent £1.17billion on players this summer by 9am on Thursday, breaking the record of £1.165m set last year.

That was already a 34 per cent rise on the previous record for a single window - and with time remaining this time around the numbers could rise to even more breathtaking levels. 

Campbell: No more loan deals

13:15: Arsenal outcast Joel Campbell insists he WON’T accept another loan deal away from the Emirates.

The Costa Rica striker joined Arsenal in 2011, and subsequently spent spells with five different European clubs.

But, according to the Guardian, Campbell has told officials within the club that won’t agree to another temporary move.

The 25-year-old has started training at Arsenal’s London Colney base after a serious knee injury, but he could find himself seeing very little first-team action unless he’s sold on a permanent basis.

Matip was close to joining Ajax

13:00: Liverpool could easily have missed out on centre-back Joel Matip.

The Reds snapped up the 26-year-old defender on a free transfer in July 2016 after his contract expired at Schalke.

But his career path could have taken a very different turn.

Ronald de Boer has revealed that Ajax were offered Matip but didn’t think he was good enough to succeed.

"Look at Joel Matip now. Ajax did not think he was good enough, but at Liverpool he plays every time. Jürgen Klopp sets him up for every match.

"He is not going backwards either, so that makes sense," De Boer told Metro.

Done Deal: Hull sign Arsenal’s Toral

12:50: Hull have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Jon Toral.

The 22-year-old playmaker has signed a three-year contract with the Tigers for an undisclosed fee.

Speaking after signing for the Tigers, Toral said: “This is a massive move for me, the biggest so far in my career, and I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m really happy to be here. I have experienced playing in the Championship before and it is a league that I enjoyed playing in. I want to use that experience now and to help this team achieve its aims.”

Parlour: Swap Sakho for VVD

12:40: Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour reckons Liverpool should offer Mamadou Sakho to Southampton as part of a deal to sign Virgil van Dijk.

“You look at the situation, Sakho went to Crystal Palace last year. He’s a defender who you could maybe throw in (to a deal),” Parlour said on talkSPORT.

“You could say ‘Saints we could have a swap deal’, Sakho for Van Dijk with a bit of money on top.

“This week there will be so may deals go through because people start panicking.

“Plenty of clubs want their business done early but others do it at the last minute. People give in. Selling players and bidding for players."

Liverpool Transfer News: Ray Parlour thinks Liverpool should swap Sakho for VVDGETTY

Liverpool Transfer News: Ray Parlour thinks Liverpool should swap Sakho for VVD

Done Deal: Huddersfield sign Hadergjonaj

12:20: Huddersfield have strengthened their squad with the signing of right-back Florent Hadergjonaj from Ingolstadt.

The 23-year-old Switzerland international signs on a season-long loan from the Bundesliga 2 side, although the Premier League newcomers have the option to buy him at the end of the season.

Huddersfield boss David Wagner told his club's official website: "It was important in this window that we found a real competitor for the right-back position and in Florent we have exactly the right player."

'Van Dijk in talks with Arsenal' claim

12.09: Arsenal have met Virgil van Dijk to discuss a switch to the Emirates, it’s been claimed today.

James Dodd, a journalist from Fox Sports News, says conversations have been held between Arsenal, Van Dijk and his representatives over a possible move.

Dodd, who follows Arsenal, tweeted: “#AFC have met with Van Dijk & his reps but I'm fairly sure all the big PL clubs have. I guess Saints would rather sell to us than Liverpool.”

The news will be a hammer blow to Liverpool who have been chasing the Dutchman all summer.

AC confident of Costa capture

11:50: AC Milan are confident of signing Diego Costa this summer because the Chelsea striker needs to leave Stamford Bridge to earn a place at the 2018 World Cup.

Costa has already snubbed interest from Milan in a bid to force a move to Atletico Madrid.

But Atletico cannot field any new signings until January because of a FIFA-imposed transfer ban.

And Corriere dello Sport claim Milan believe Atletico’s embargo puts them in the hot seat to land Costa before deadline day.

Barca president plots talks

11:30: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is planning to speak to his Liverpool counterparts over a deal for Philippe Coutinho when they meet for the Champions League draw in Monaco today.

Liverpool beat Hoffenheim 6-3 on aggregate to book their place in today’s 5pm group stage draw.

Delegates from all 24 Champions League clubs will descend on the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and Bartomeu hopes he will be able to speak to officials from Liverpool as Barcelona wait to discover their opponents.

That is according to Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo, who claim Bartomeu will also seek out Borussia Dortmund’s chiefs to discuss a deal for Ousmane Dembele.

Done Deal: Leeds sign Jay-Roy Grot

11:25: Leeds United have signed striker Jay-Roy Grot.

Grot, 19, has signed a four-year deal at the Championship side.

“I am very happy, this is such a big club and this is a big step in my career, I am delighted to signed for Leeds United,” he told the club’s official website.

“It was been my dream to play in England and so to do that at a club like Leeds is really exciting.”

Messi to Man City?

11:00: Lionel Messi’s father is reportedly in talks with Manchester City over a STUNNING move away from Barcelona.

In recent days, reports have said Messi could even be about to turn his back on Barcelona.

The 30-year-old wants Galactic names and a guarantee they will rival Real Madrid for the world’s biggest honours - something he has not yet been given.

And The Sun say Messi’s dad is in talks with Manchester City over a move to the Etihad next summer.

Jorge Messi supposedly met City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain and discussed the prospect of his son reuniting with Pep Guardiola in England.

Everton searching for a striker

10:45: Everton manager Ronald Koeman says the club are still searching for a new striker.

Koeman has made no secret of his desire to sign a left-sided centre-back and forward to replace Romelu Lukaku.

“We are working on that," he said.

“We know we have ten days to go but there is no more update on that today."

Wenger: Lemar deal is dead

10:30: Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal’s bid to sign Thomas Lemar is over.

Lemar was Arsenal’s top summer target following the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette.

Arsenal made three bids for Lemar but wouldn’t go as high as Monaco’s £50m asking price.

And now Wenger admits the deal is dead due to Monaco’s position.

“It’s dead because Monaco has closed the door definitely,” he said. 

“They’re still on cases like Mbappe and Fabinho."

Zaha will NOT be rushed back

10:15: Crystal Palace will not rush injured winger Wilfried Zaha back into action, according to Frank de Boer.

The 24-year-old, who scored seven league goals and provided 11 assists to win Palace's Player of the Year last season, sustained a knee injury during their 3-0 defeat to Huddersfield in the opening league game of the season.

De Boer said: “Wilf is a very robust player, the first couple of days are very important to have a rest and, from now on, I think he's going to start rehab.

"We don't know how long it will take. The risk is that you start too early, that he can have a setback, so we are going to see and don't put a time on it right now."

Januzaj takes aim at LVG

09:45: Adnan Januzaj has taken a swipe at former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

Januzaj, 22, struggled to make an impression at Old Trafford during the Dutchman’s tenure before being sold to Real Sociedad earlier this summer.

Asked about Van Gaal, he told AS: "I do not want to talk about him, because everyone knows there were difficulties with him.

“We did not have the best relationship, everyone knows. It was not easy, it's very frustrating and difficult when you find something like that."

Sanchez available for Liverpool clash

09:00: Alexis Sanchez could feature against Liverpool on Sunday, according to Arsene Wenger.

The Chilean international has missed Arsenal’s opening two fixtures with Leicester and Stoke, but Wenger insists the contract rebel is available for selection.

He told reporters: “Sanchez has worked very hard to be back and he is available.

“We have to make that decision. Overall he looks in a good shape, he has worked very hard. I don’t think he is too much disturbed by all the noises. Players at that level are used to it.

“He is very focused. He is happy. We just want to focus as a team and not look too much at the individual contracts of the team.”

Chelsea favourites for Llorente

08:30: Chelsea are leading the race to sign Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente.

TribalFootball claim the coveted playmaker is considering his options with potential first-team opportunities at a premium.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are reported to have received 35 offers from across Europe for Llorente, but have resisted the urge to sell.

Pundit Miguel Angel Diaz revealed the interest on Spanish radio show El Partidazo, he said: “Marcos Llorente, who is one of the pearls of Real Madrid and who played on loan at Alaves last year, has had around 35 teams that have been interested in him, including Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona.

"All Primera teams, except Athletic (Bilbao), have been interested in him. There have been offers from several countries, he is a very coveted player."

Manchester City Transfer Manchester City are interested in Lionel MessiGETTY

Manchester City Transfer Manchester City are interested in Lionel Messi

Messi to Man City

07:45: The Sun say Lionel Messi's dad is in talks with Manchester City over a move away from Barcelona.

Jorge Messi supposedly met with Txiki Begiristain and discussed a move to England.

Messi Jnr is considering his options with Barcelona struggling.

The Catalan giants have so far been thwarted in their bids to sign Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.

Klopp hints at more deals

07.30: Jurgen Klopp has hinted Liverpool could do more transfer business having secured their place in the Champions League group stages.

Liverpool overcame Hoffenheim last night and are in this evening’s draw.

And Klopp hinted he could be back in the transfer market.

"It's [Champions League qualification] a big influence on the transfer market, especially if we do it more often," he said.

"I said I think before the game, if you talk to a player, they really often [mention it]... especially players we talk to. We don't have to talk to players which are not better than our players because it's difficult to find.

"I know a few people think differently, but we do a lot of work and it's not that easy to find 20 players in this position that are better, 20 players in that position that are better. But if you talk to them, they say if you would play in the Champions League, it would be really interesting because the club is great, the manager is not too bad and all that stuff."

Messi promised Dybala

07.15: Lionel Messi has reportedly been told the club will sign Juventus hitman Paulo Dybala if Joan Laporta succeeds Josep Maria Bartomeu as president.

Barcelona are aiming to wrap up signings with moves for Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele in the works.

However, the Catalan giants are struggling to lure names to the Nou Camp.

The money is there - they pocketed £198million from Neymar’s departure to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain - but the La Liga giants have struggled to get their business over the line.

Lionel Messi looks visibly frustrated on the pitch, and reports in Spain have suggested the Argentina international may even quit if Barcelona fail to sign a Galactic name.

And Diario Gol say that the 29-year-old has been promised the signing of Dybala by Laporta if he becomes president again.

Chelsea make Ox bid

07.00: Chelsea have made a bid for Arsenal ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The winger is set to hold talks with Arsene Wenger today over his future.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 24, has one year left on his contract and is wanted by Chelsea and Liverpool.

And the Blues want three English players for a combined total of £100m, according to the Telegraph.

Chelsea have offered £35m for Oxlade-Chamberlain and are also hoping to sign Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater before deadline day.

Coutinho to make public message

6.45: Philippe Coutinho is weighing up a public statement in a bid to force an exit from Liverpool.

Barcelona are set to make a fourth bid of £138m for the playmaker and Coutinho is desperate to seal his dream move before the window shuts.

However Liverpool are adamant he will not be sold and have already rejected three bids.

And Liverpool plan to reject the fourth and will refuse to sell so close to the end of the transfer window.

Rose to United

06.30: Danny Rose is set to hold talks with Tottenham with Manchester United and Chelsea interested in a deal for the left-back.

Rose gave an explosive interview earlier this month when he complained about Tottenham’s salary structure and transfer policy.

And he will sit down with the club to discuss his future.

He was forced to apologise for the timing of his comments and was fined by the club, and Chelsea and United are waiting to see the outcome of the talks before making a move.

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