The coronavirus pandemic has made the summer transfer window uncertain, but here are the rumours floating around Europe's big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Arsenal 'very interested' in Dembele
Lyon's Moussa Dembele remains a target for a number of English clubs and Arsenal could table a bid for the striker if they lose one of their own this summer, reports Foot Mercato.
The Gunners are in the process of trying to extend the stays of both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, and should they fail to keep hold of one or both of them, then the North London club will reportedly raid Lyon. Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to overhaul his squad this summer, but he's keen to hang on to his strikeforce. However, with Aubameyang targeting silverware and Lacazette yearning for more first-team starts, Dembele could yet prove a key part of Arteta's jigsaw.
Dembele's contract expires in 2023; along with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are also interested.
LIVE BLOG
23.00 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. Goodnight!
22.42 BST: Man City to lose prized defender?
Barcelona are pushing hard to sign 19-year-old City centre-back Eric Garcia, who previously came through Barcelona's La Masia academy. Pep Guardiola remains confident, though, that City can hold on to the Spaniard.
"I'm confident he will stay but it's his decision. He knows we want him but it was the same with Leroy [Sane] and he didn't want to stay," said Guardiola.
"Eric knows, his agent knows and his family knows we want him."
Garcia has impressed during nine league appearances this season for City, and is a central figure for the Spain Under-21s.
22.09 BST: One more from MLS... as New England have reportedly acquired American defender Matt Polster from Scottish giants Rangers.
The Athletic's Paul Tenorio is reporting that the 27-year-old, who has one senior cap for the United States, will return home, with an initial $100,000 -- potential rising to $200K -- in General Allocation Money going to the Chicago Fire.
Multiple sources tell me the deal for Matt Polster from Rangers to New England is done. The Chicago Fire will receive $100k in GAM from NE as part of the deal, and that can increase to $200k based on performance metrics. #cf97 #cffc #NERevs
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) July 8, 2020
Polster played just nine times in his loan season in Glasgow, but previously had been a steady defender for Chicago between 2015-18.
21.33 BST: Earlier this week, MLS expansion club Austin FC made their first-ever signing in Paraguayan forward Rodney Redes.
Austin FC's next move? Well it could be current Monterrey and ex-Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen, according to Costa Rican media outlet Canal 6. The well-travelled Janssen, 26, has played for Tottenham, Fenerbahce and Monterrey since leading the Eredivisie in goals with AZ Alkmaar in 2016. The Netherlands international scored just two goals in 31 league games with Spurs, but has somewhat rediscovered his shooting boots with Monterrey, scoring 11 in 32 while helping Rayados to the 2019 Apertura title.
Janssen due to his relative youth would be a major get for Austin but he won't come cheap, with reports claiming he has a release clause between $18-20 million.
20.56 BST: Breakout Man United star Mason Greenwood isn't going anywhere but did he come close to leaving the club last year?
The Athletic's Andy Mitten revealed on Wednesday that Juventus were ready to offer Greenwood life-changing money to move to Turin in 2019 before United convinced the youngster to stay at Old Trafford. The 18-year-old has exploded for 15 goals so far this season and has quickly emerged as one of the best prospects in the Premier League.
Full marks to Juventus for projecting Greenwood's potential but we doubt that United were ever truly worried about losing their prized youngster.
20.02 BST: DONE DEAL. After announcing the signing of Hwang Hee-chan for Red Bull Salzburg earlier in the day, Leipzig have announced a second acquisition: Benjamin Henrichs from AS Monaco.
The Bundesliga club have added the German right-back initially on loan with an option to buy in 2021. Henrichs, 23, previously played three seasons at Bayer Leverkusen (2015-18), even earning three caps for Germany's senior side during that time frame. Henrichs played just 13 times last season for Monaco in Ligue 1 and is also capable of playing in midfield.
19.19 BST: DONE DEAL. The newest MLS expansion club, Charlotte, have announced they have made Spanish midfielder Sergio Ruiz the club's first-ever signing.
The 25-year-old, who captained Racing Santander this past season, scored seven goals and added six assists to help Racing earn promotion back to Spain's second division.
"We are laying down the foundations of a competitive and winning team, and Ruiz is the ideal player to start with," says Charlotte MLS Sporting Director Zoran Krneta. "We've been scouting him for several months. He is a natural leader and an intelligent, versatile midfielder, who will be joining Charlotte MLS in his prime. I'm very pleased that he has decided to join us."
Charlotte are set to debut in MLS in 2021.
18.36 BST: It took a few years but Bayern finally have gotten their man in Leroy Sane.
The German club paid £49 million for the winger but Bild's Christian Falk reports that Man City originally wanted to do a swap deal that would have seen Kingsley Coman land at the Etihad. Falk adds that Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic rejected the proposal, as Bayern also value Coman and want to keep him in the fold.
Update @LeroySane19: still in the final negotiations Txiki Begiristain tried to make a swap deal Sané/Kingsley Coman for @ManCity. But Salihamidzic refused @SPORTBILD
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) July 8, 2020
City's interest in Coman makes perfect sense, as the 24-year-old not only would have been a like-for-like replacement for Sane but Coman also can boast he has won a league title in every one of his nine professional seasons!
17.41 BST: Ex-Liverpool ace Daniel Sturridge has been without a club since March but the striker has recently provided a hint at his potential next move.
Still just 30, Sturridge has told L'Equipe he would not be opposed to a move to either Ligue 1 or Major League Soccer. The England international, who once scored 21 Premier League goals in 29 games, last played for Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, where he had scored seven goals in 16 games before having his contract terminated for violating betting regulations.
17.00 BST: Borussia Dortmund have set a deadline of Aug. 10 for Manchester United to sign Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
16.14 BST: Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Manchester United don't want to send Alexis Sanchez out on loan again, they want him gone for good.
Inter Milan, who have Sanchez on loan this season, are "considering his position" but can't afford to pay his reported £500,000-a-week wages.
So even if United can find a buyer for Sanchez, he'll have to take a pay cut.
15.34 BST: Carlos Tevez has reached a verbal agreement to continue at Boca Juniors for a further year. The Argentinian forward's deal had expired last month.
Tevez, 36, turned down Boca's initial proposal of a one-year contract extension, with an option to extend the deal for a further six months. The former Manchester United and Manchester City forward will sign a one-year deal that includes an exit clause six months into the contract.
Tevez is in his third spell at Boca and announced his plan to donate all of his wages from the new contract to charity. He scored nine goals, including one that gave Boca the league title against Gimnasia y Esgrima in March, in 17 league appearances to help his team win the league title.
14.41 BST: Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has a €111m release clause, which Barcelona can't afford. How can they sign him then?
14.30 BST: RB Leipzig have announced the signing of FC Salzburg forward Hee-Chan Hwang on a five-year deal for around €9m.
The South Korean said: "I'm excited for the new challenge at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga! I want to help the team continue to be as successful as possible and achieve this young club's ambitious goals.
"I want to take my next step as a professional here in Leipzig. On top of that, I want to score as many goals as possible."
13.59 BST: Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has hit back at Lyon chief Juninho after he claimed that Neymar joined the Ligue 1 champions "because of money."
Neymar, 28, signed for PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for a world record €222m transfer fee and has won three consecutive league titles in the French capital.
"I don't understand why [Jean-Michel] Aulas talks so much about PSG, and Juninho now talks about PSG and Neymar," Leonardo told RMC Sport. "It would be better to talk about their club. We are not talking about Lyon's situation and I ask OL not to talk about our players and our club."
13.36 BST: Barcelona have reassured Antoine Griezmann that he has a future at the club in a meeting with the forward's camp this week, sources have told ESPN's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.
Griezmann, 29, was not in the meeting, but his sister, Maud, who also acts his agent, was among those present following a difficult few weeks for the Barca player.
The France international was left on the bench last week for the third time in four games when Barca drew with his former side Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou. He was eventually brought on in second-half stoppage time, having previously been a substitute in the draws against Sevilla and Celta Vigo, too.
12.58 BST: Australia women's goalkeeper Lydia Williams has joined Arsenal from Melbourne City FC.
Williams, 32, joins up with compatriots Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord in north London and she told the club website: "To be given an opportunity to come over and play with some of the best players in the world is really exciting. I remember watching Arsenal as a young kid, so It's amazing to be a part of this team. I can't wait to meet all of my teammates."
12.35 BST: Chelsea are pushing ahead with a deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz after the forward indicated he wants to move to Stamford Bridge this summer, sources have told ESPN's James Olley.
Frank Lampard's side are yet to agree a fee for the 21-year-old but remain hopeful they can drive down the £90m asking price given Havertz has indicated he does not want to stay at the Bundesliga club for another season.
12.12 BST: Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has reportedly held talks with Barcelona over a move this summer.
L'Equipe claims Barcelona are keen to bring in the 21-year-old Frenchman, who has recently fallen out with manager Mikel Arteta, while Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are also interested in him.
Arsenal are looking for at least £36m for a player they bought for just £7m in 2018.
11.43 BST: West Ham are reportedly eyeing moves for Manchester United pair Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard.
The Independent says that former United boss David Moyes is ready to make an attempt to sign the duo if West Ham stay in the Premier League.
But they face competition as Newcastle have been linked with Jones, while Roma, West Brom and Everton are also interested in Lingard.
11.25 BST: Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a double swoop for Tottenham pair Tanguy Ndombele and Ryan Sessegnon, according to the Standard.
Ndombele has said he won't play for Jose Mourinho again, per ESPN sources, while Sessegnon is struggling to assert himself in the squad after moving from Fulham last summer.
The Telegraph reports that Spurs are ready to offer Sessegnon out on loan.
10.53 BST: Kai Havertz is set to inform Bayer Leverkusen he wants to leave the club this summer, Sport Bild reports. The outlet claims that at least one club, believed to be Chelsea, are willing to pay the €100m transfer fee the German club is holding out for.
Real Madrid are also reported to be interested in Havertz, but would not need to free more funds by offloading players before offering the Germany international a contract. However, the Bundesliga side have yet to concede that the 21-year-old midfielder will depart.
"We hope that Kai will play for us for another season, but there is nothing news," Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said, adding that they plan to finish the Europa League in August with the entire squad, including Havertz.
10.36 BST: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has played down suggestions he told Nathan Ake that Manchester United are looking to sign a new centre-back this summer.
Solskjaer and Ake were seen in conversation after the final whistle of United's 5-2 win over Bournemouth on Saturday with the Norwegian reportedly telling him "we need a left-footed centre-back, so keep going."
But speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Solskjaer was quick to dodge the question about the Dutchman, saying: "I've got seven centre-backs. I don't know where that's come from. We're fine."
10.11 BST: Chelsea midfielder Jorginho hasn't started a game for the club since the restart and has been linked with a move to Juventus. ESPN Brasil's Natalie Gedra spoke to the Italian after Chelsea's 3-2 win over Crystal Palace and asked him why he thinks he hasn't played much recently.
"I also do not understand," he said. "In reality, it is his [Frank Lampard] decision. It is the manager's decision and we need to accept and work hard to be able to have opportunities and be able to contribute to the team, which is the most important thing. I am doing my part. I am training hard. I will do everything to be ready to contribute to the team if he [Lampard] needs me. I want to continue on this path.
Asked if there was a possibility that he could leave for Juventus next season, after rumours of a deal being agreed, he replied: "Nothing came to me. In the end, many rumours come out, but nothing came to me. I do not know if there was a conversation between the clubs. I honestly do not know. But the most important thing for me is to finish the season strong with Chelsea and qualify for the next Champions League, which is our main goal."
09.40 BST: Pep Guardiola has hinted that John Stones could be allowed to leave Manchester City.
Stones has struggled with injuries this season and has not started a Premier League game since January. He is set to start against Newcastle on Wednesday but Guardiola said a decision on his long-term future will be made at the end of the campaign.
"On the transfer market we speak at the end of the season," Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday. "I've said many times, I'm more than delighted with John as a person, as a professional, everything. What I want is the best for him. We'll speak at the end of the season about what is going to happen."
Stones, who arrived in a £47.5m deal from Everton in 2016, has been linked with a return to Goodison Park.
09.18 BST: West Ham are determined to keep Declan Rice this summer despite growing interest from Chelsea, sources have told ESPN.
The Blues are committed to a significant overhaul of their squad this summer as they pursue deals for Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz and Leicester City's Ben Chilwell having already signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
Head coach Frank Lampard is prioritising other areas of the team aside from centre-back but now recognises a need to strengthen in that area given Chelsea's poor defensive record this season. The Blues have conceded 46 goals this term. Of teams in the top half of the table, only Burnley have let in as many.
Rice is predominantly playing as a holding midfielder for the Hammers but Lampard is keen on reverting the 21-year-old to the central defensive position he occupied earlier in his career, given his ability on the ball would enable him to play out from the back effectively.
08.53 BST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted he could leave Italy once his contract with AC Milan expires this summer.
Sky Italia reported the AC Milan forward as telling DAZN after Tuesday's 4-2 win over Juventus (stream the replay on ESPN+ in the US): "We'll see, we'll see. There is a month still to enjoy myself, but there is a strange situation going on, and we are not in control of that.
"I don't know if the fans have seen me live for the last time. It could well be, yes. Why? Read between the lines ... It's strange playing behind closed doors. If San Siro had been a full house, it would've been wonderful tonight.
"I am really enjoying myself at Milan, as I went to America, I got injured, I wanted to feel alive. I'm 38 years old. I don't have the physique that I had, but I am smart about it. I don't try to do the same things I did when I was 20.
"If I don't make the difference, then I don't like that. I am not here to be a mascot. I am here to help my teammates, club and fans."
08.26 BST: Javi Martinez is set to leave Bayern Munich this summer following eight highly successful years at the club, according to Suddeutsche Zeitung.
The Spanish midfielder was the key signing for the Bavarians in 2012 as they embarked on their Treble-winning 2012-13 season under Jupp Heynckes.
But at 31 and following a season with just 1,006 minutes over 23 appearances in all competitions, the 2010 World Cup winner is reportedly prepared to say goodbye to Munich.
It remains unclear where Martinez, who in a recent interview with Marca said that he was "open to anything", is headed. He did not rule out a return to Athletic Bilbao, the club where he spent the formative years of his career.
08.00 BST: Manchester City and Juventus have moved ahead of Barcelona in pursuit of Wolves winger Adama Traore, sources have told ESPN, with the 24-year-old set to spark a summer transfer battle if Nuno Espirito Santo's team fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Traore, who moved to Wolves from Middlesbrough in an £18m deal in August 2018, has become one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season. He has scored four goals and registered nine assists -- second only to City's Kevin De Bruyne this term -- as the Molineux side have maintained a push for Champions League qualification.
Sources have told ESPN that, with three years left to run on his Wolves contract, Traore would remain at Molineux next season if the club can clinch a Champions League spot either through the Premier League or by winning the Europa League.
But if they miss out, Juventus and City are prepared to make a move for Traore this summer, with Barcelona having made it clear that they will only attempt to sign the player in 12 months time due to a necessity to focus on outgoings from Camp Nou at the end of this season.
City are in the market for a winger to replace Leroy Sane, who completed an initial €49m move to Bayern Munich last week.
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)
Camavinga's future reliant on Rennes' Euro hopes
Real Madrid continue to express interest in Rennes youngster Eduardo Camavinga and, although the French club have stated on numerous occasions that he won't be sold, their ability to keep the 17-year-old may hinge on whether they quality for the Champions League.
That's according to L'Equipe, which reports that even though Rennes president Nicolas Holveck has repeatedly said he wouldn't sell the midfielder, the player himself is having doubts about his future. The report suggests that Rennes' ability to qualify for the Champions League next season could prove pivotal in what the player decides to do next.
Although he has remained committed to Rennes, Camavinga is only signed through 2021-22, and there's a growing fear that he could leave next summer for a considerably smaller fee. Holveck may decide to cash in this summer should Rennes only qualify for the Europa League and, if that's the case, you can guarantee Real Madrid will be first in line with a bid.
Inter try to hijack Napoli's Osimhen bid
ESPN sources reported last week that Napoli were closing in on the signature of Lille forward Victor Osimhen, but Le10 Sport writes that it's another Italian club who may prove to be the Nigeria international's final destination.
The report states that Napoli and Lille are close to an €80m deal for the 21-year-old, but that Internazionale has bid the same amount in hopes of persuading him to move to San Siro rather than San Paolo. At one point, before Napoli's offer, the Nerazzurri had the highest bid for Osimhen, but their latest effort to recruit the forward is described as a "last-ditch" attempt to get their man -- an operation whose hopes are "slim," according to the report.
Osimhen has scored 18 goals and added six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions. With a contract that has another four years to run, Lille will be able to name their price before parting with their prized possession.
Tap-ins
- West Ham United and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, reports Belgian outlet DH. The forward hasn't featured for the Blues since February and his contract comes to an end next year, meaning Chelsea would prefer to sell him for a fee this summer rather than lose him on a free in 12 months' time.
- RB Leipzig have identified Werder Bremen forward Milot Rashica as the man to replace Chelsea-bound Timo Werner and had been in "advanced" talks over a €15m deal. However, Bild writes that with Werder avoiding relegation and the 24-year-old having two years left to run on his contract, the asking price has jumped to €25m, a figure Leipzig reportedly can't afford, allowing Napoli and AC Milan the chance to swoop in for the Kosovo international.