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Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd vs Arsenal scrap, Celtic deal close, Tottenham plot two moves
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool updates as well as the latest gossip from all over the world.
Nicolas Pepe is 'very good fit' for Manchester United says pundit
Transfer news LIVE: Friday June 14
- Manchester United have identified Arsenal target Nicolas Pepe as a potential signing
- Chelsea have struck a deal with Juventus for Maurizio Sarri to head to Turin
- Liverpool have been linked with Nabil Fekir - but they might not reignite their interest
- Celtic are set to wrap up a transfer in the 24 hours as Neil Lennon starts spending
17:30 UPDATE: Celtic statement
Celtic have issued a bizarre transfer statement over their move for Motherwell’s David Turnbull, claiming they are yet to agree a deal.
They tweeted: "#CelticFC was pleased to agree a record-breaking fee with Motherwell FC for David Turnbull and we have quickly followed this up with a fantastic offer to the player through his agent.
"Currently, we have been unable to come to an agreement with the player’s agent.
"#CelticFC is content that it has made a magnificent offer and it is now up to the agent and player to decide if the player wants to join Celtic.
"If not, we move on."
15:45 UPDATE: Wan-Bissaka move on?
Man Utd target Aaron Wan-Bissaka reportedly favours a move to Old Trafford this summer.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to strengthen his squad during this transfer window.
Defence is likely to be a priority and right-back perhaps even more so following the departure of Antonio Valencia.
Crystal Palace star Wan-Bissaka is a target with the 21-year-old having impressed in the Premier League.
But while Palace won’t consider an offer of less than £50million for the defender, Sky Sports News claim Wan-Bissaka favours a move to United.
He has not put a transfer request in at Selhurst Park though and it’s claimed he is not agitating for a move.
A bid of £40m has already been rejected by Palace and United are believed to be preparing a second bid but Palace are under no pressure to sell with Wan-Bissaka contracted at the club until 2022.
14:20 UPDATE: Leicester transfer plan
Leicester have identified James Tarkowski as a potential replacement for in-demand defender Harry Maguire.
Tarkowski has thrived since moving back to north to join Sean Dyche at Burnley three-and-a-half years ago.
And his performances at Turf Moor have seen him identified as a target for if Maguire jumps ship.
The Mirror reckon Leicester have eyed the centre-back after Manchester United and Manchester City earmarked Maguire.
13:25 UPDATE: Mino Raiola ban thrown out
Mina Raiola is free to conduct transfer business this summer after his worldwide ban was overturned.
The super agent, who represents Paul Pogba and Matthijs de Ligt, has successfully appealed his suspension.
And that might grease the wheels as the continent’s biggest clubs look to bolster their squads.
Pogba and De Ligt, linked with moves away from Manchester United and Ajax respectively, will have taken note of the decision.
12:20 UPDATE: Sean Longstaff latest
Newcastle better get prepared for a Manchester United bid for Sean Longstaff with Old Trafford chiefs optimistic about their chances of sealing a deal.
The midfielder has caught Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s eye as the Norwegian looks to rebuild United from the ground up.
And the Mirror reckon Ed Woodward and the United board are ready to make their interest in Longstaff concrete.
Longstaff is expected to cost around £25m if a deal goes through, substantially less than other midfield targets United have eyed.
12:05 UPDATE: West Ham done deal
West Ham have signed Pablo Fornals from Villarreal and the £24m playmaker is delighted to be heading to east London.
"I’m very happy to be part of West Ham. I feel very good, very happy and very grateful for the opportunity that has been provided to me," Fornals said.
"I want the club to continue giving opportunities to young and ambitious people, people who want to do well for the long term. I know about the loyal fans and the beautiful stadium.
"The fans fill the stadium every weekend and that is something admirable, especially with the passion with which football is lived there. I think it is important."
11:25 UPDATE: Awkward Real Madrid moment
Eden Hazard has revealed he will not be donning his favoured No 10 shirt now he has swapped Chelsea for Real Madrid.
"I've talked to [Luka] Modric through [Mateo] Kovacic," Hazard said on Thursday.
"I jokingly asked him if he could leave me No 10, he said: 'no, I have to find another number'."
Hazard could be set to inherit Cristiano Ronaldo’s old No 7 shirt, which is currently worn by Mariano Diaz.
10:10 UPDATE: Gareth Bale decision
Manchester United are no longer interested in bringing Gareth Bale back to the Premier League from Real Madrid.
Bale is set to leave the Bernabeu having fallen back down the pecking order since Zinedine Zidane's return.
Sky Sports say, though, that United will not be his next destination because Old Trafford bosses have changed tact.
United now want young up-and-coming players, rather than established stars, as they look to reach the top again.
08:55 UPDATE: Christopher Jullien to Celtic update
Celtic might be forced to battle La Liga side Celta Vigo as they look to take prime target Christopher Jullien to Glasgow from Toulouse.
Neil Lennon is eager to prise the giant defender away, but Celta have been monitoring him for some time and Spanish sources indicate they are plotting a £5.3m raid.
Toulouse, though, have slapped a whopping £10m price tag on the 26-year-old, who has two years left to run on his current deal.
Celtic’s need for a centre-back has increased with Dedryck Boyata leaving for Hertha Berlin on a free transfer.
08:45 UPDATE: Man Utd make Newcastle decision
Manchester United want Sean Longstaff but will only launch a raid on Newcastle when their defence is sorted out.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants young and hungry British players to take the Red Devils back to the top table of European football.
And, while Longstaff is an option following his breakthrough at Newcastle, the United manager will wait to secure a deal.
The London Evening Standard reckon United are eager to snap up a centre-back before they make any more moves.
08:35 UPDATE: Man City transfer raid backed
Manchester City should snap up Manchester United target Matthijs de Ligt, claims ESPN FC pundit Alejandro Moreno.
"It would make sense from Manchester City’s perspective because we have now determined that Pep Guardiola doesn’t think much of John Stones," Moreno said.
"There’s been plenty of opportunities to play John Stones and he is essentially saying ‘thanks but no thanks’.
"Vincent Kompany, he’s gone, leaves a huge hole right there in the centre-back position.
"He would be ideal, a guy that can actually play with the ball at his feet. Young guy, up and coming, a lot of potential."
08:25 UPDATE: Arsenal chase new target
Arsenal have identified Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha as a potential replacement for Petr Cech, according to reports in Italy.
Cech played the final game of a storied career in last month’s Europa League final and is set to return to Chelsea in a non-playing role.
Unai Emery needs an experienced goalkeeper to provide competition for current No 1 Bernd Leno, especially with David Ospina unlikely to return from a loan at Napoli.
Corriere Della Sera reckon Arsenal have therefore targeted Strakosha, who is also in Tottenham’s sights and was previously linked with Liverpool.
08:10 UPDATE: Tottenham target two midfielders
Tottenham are ready to spend big this summer to sign both Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso.
Express Sport understands Spurs, Manchester United and Manchester City are chasing Lyon midfielder Ndombele.
And the Daily Star claim Daniel Levy is prepared to splash some serious cash to bring the Frenchman to the Premier League.
Lo Celso, who recently signed for Real Betis on a permanent basis, will remain a target even if Tottenham get Ndombele.
07:55 UPDATE: Celtic deal close
Celtic are poised to wrap up a deal for David Turnbull within the next 24 hours, Express Sport understands.
The Hoops had been worried rival bids may come in for the Motherwell star, who enjoyed a stellar breakout season.
However, they are now primed to snap up the 19-year-old midfielder in a £3m move to kick off their summer spending.
Celtic are also in for Bolton prodigy Luca Connell, who has likewise been targeted by newly-promoted Norwich.
07:25 UPDATE: Nabil Fekir to Liverpool update
Liverpool are NOT set to resurrect a move for Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir, according to reports.
Claims in France suggested the Reds will use next month’s friendly against the Ligue 1 giants to discuss a deal.
However, the Press Association reckon Liverpool no longer regard Fekir as a potential target.
Liverpool are likely to sign a No 10 this summer, though, having never really replace Philippe Coutinho.
06:55 UPDATE: Chelsea agreement
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is finally set to seal his return to Italy with reigning champions Juventus.
The Serie A giants have lined up the Europa League-winning coach to succeed Massimiliano Allegri.
And news emerging from his home country on Thursday night indicated Juventus have agreed to pay around £10m for him.
Chelsea have a six-man shortlist to replace Sarri, with Allegri, Frank Lampard and Steve Holland among the candidates.
06:25 UPDATE: Man Utd want Arsenal target
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is interested in adding Nicolas Pepe to his squad, reports claim.
Express Sport understands Arsenal had the Lille forward watched as he helped them seal Champions League qualification.
The London Evening Standard, though, reckon United could make a move for the Ivory Coast international.
Solskjaer has already snapped up Daniel James from Swansea, but Pepe would add an extra level of class to his attack.