The major European leagues' summer transfer window has entered its final week. This means that the largest clubs will be looking to make a mark in the market as soon as possible. You can find all the official deals and gossip here.
TOP STORY - Mbappe returns to Madrid with a second bid
According to Sky, Real Madrid has made a second offer for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Maappe at 170 million.
Leonardo, the PSG sporting director, confirmed Wednesday that France's giants rejected an initial offer from the French international. Sources told ESPN's Julien Laurens & Rodrigo Faez that it was worth 160m.
Madrid sources said that although negotiations are difficult, they still hope to convince PSG of a deal before the Aug. 31 transfer window closes. Other sources in France suggest that Los Blancos will need to increase their offer to $200m ($235m), to be able to complete the signing.
Sky reported Thursday that Madrid's second bid was for 170m. This is just 10m less then the transfer fee PSG will pay Monaco to sign Mbappe in 2018.
Mbappe still has one year on his PSG contract. He has rejected multiple offers for a new deal. The Ligue 1 club is at risk of losing him on a free transfer in 2022.
Leonardo stated Wednesday that Kylian Mbappe wanted to leave. "If he wishes to leave, we will not keep him. But it will be done according to our conditions."
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Laurens: Is PSG's Mbappe ready for a summer move towards Real Madrid?
LIVE BLOG
16.09 BST: Manchester City manager Pep guardiola has revealed that he will likely leave the club in 2023. He wants to be able to take a break from international football. What impact will this have on the Premier League champions' future transfer businesses?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss why Guardiola's transfer targets pointed to a Man City exit.
15.38 BST: Gareth Southgate expressed relief that Harry Kane's club future was resolved before England begins their preparations to qualify for the World Cup next month.
Kane said Wednesday that he would be staying at Tottenham, despite not being offered a move to Premier League champions Manchester City. Kane was a part of Tottenham's win over Wolves 1-0 on Sunday. He is expected to return on Thursday night when Spurs face Pacos de Ferreira in the Europa Conference League playoff second-leg.
Southgate stated earlier that Harry had been accepted into the squad for England's squad announcement. I expect him to play a significant part tonight. From our perspective, it seems that everything has been settled club-wise. He's clearly focused now, and I'm certain he is excited to get out on the pitch next week with Tottenham.
"I don’t know if there are other players who could possibly be on the move prior to we meet. This is often the case in September, too. However, Harry's situation is now settled. He looks set to become a Tottenham player, which is a great thing for Tottenham.
England will face Poland and Hungary on either side of the fixture against Andorra in Group I, with the finals in Qatar next year just 14 months away.
14.56 BST: Carlos Vela, the LAFC striker, suggested that a possible return to Europe may be possible at the end of this MLS season.
Vela, 32 years old, will be out of contract at year's end. The former Arsenal and Real Sociedad player admitted that he had thought about moving back across the Atlantic.
Vela said to TUDN that he misses Europe during Wednesday's MLS All-Star match against Liga MX. He was unable to play due to injury. "It's my final year here, and then we'll be able to see what happens." It could be [a return trip to Europe].
"First, I need to recover from this painful injury. As always, I will return to the team with a positive attitude and positivity.
- Carlisle - An All-Star match brought Liga MX and MLS closer together
14.19 BST: Barcelona is still interested in signing another forward before the transfer window closes. This was confirmed by multiple sources, including ESPN's Moises Lorenzo and Sam Marsden.
Sources say that Barca's financial precarity will make it difficult to negotiate a deal. However, the club is evaluating their options.
Coach Ronald Koeman publicly stated that he would like another attacker. Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay have arrived already this summer, but Lionel Messi has left for Paris Saint Germain. Barca also has Ousmane Dembele, Martin Braithwaite and Antoine Griezmann. Aguero, Dembele, and Ansu are all out with injuries.
Barca expects Ansu to return in September after nine months of Ansu being out with a knee injury. However, they don't want too much pressure on the 18 year-old. The club's recruiting team is looking for cheaper options or players on loan. This drastically reduces their selection of players.
Barca's cash crisis and LaLiga spending limits have made it difficult for them to register their new signings. Gerard Pique's pay reduction allowed them to register Eric Garcia and Memphis, while Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets saw their salaries drop. They should be able to register Aguero as well as any other potential arrivals this week, thanks to the reductions in Sergio Busquets' and Jordi Albi.
13.53 BST: Inter Milan, Serie A champions, have signed Joaquin Correa (Lazio) as Argentina's international forward.
Correa has signed a four year contract with the Nerazzurri. He was brought in by Nerazzurri on an initial loan agreement with an obligation to make it permanent.
The 27-year old scored 22 goals in three seasons at Lazio and was part of the Argentina team that won the Copa America this summer.
13.33 BST: Arsenal manager MikelArteta has ruled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the club's summer roster.
ESPN's James Olley has been informed by sources that the Gunners want to sell several of their players after spending over 130m on new signings. There had been speculation that they would entertain offers for their top striker.
Aubameyang scored three goals on Wednesday as Arsenal defeated West Brom 6-0 in their Carabao Cup tie at The Hawthorns. (Stream the replay on ESPN+ in America) The same day, Manchester City's pursuit for Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane fell apart.
Sources tell ESPN City are still looking for a striker. Arteta was asked by reporters on Thursday if he was worried that they might move for Aubameyang. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, our player, will stay here.
12.58 PM BST: Harry Kane is reported to be angry at Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy over refusing negotiations with Manchester City regarding a possible transfer. He is now seeking a larger contract with a release clause.
Kane announced in a Wednesday social media post that he will remain at Spurs "this Summer" despite Levy telling him he wanted to leave. The Premier League champions are also preparing a bid. The announcement by the 28-year old ended a long-running saga that began when Kane believed he had made a verbal deal with Levy in which he would be allowed leave if a suitable offer was received.
Tottenham valued Kane at more than 150m. They were reluctant to negotiate with Kane, given that Kane still had three years on his 200,000-per-week contract. Kane is an important player for the team. Sources claimed that City was willing to offer 100m, and possibly include players in any deal. However, sources at both clubs denied making a formal offer.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Kane is angry and upset with Levy because he did not allow the clubs to negotiate over a possible transfer. The Times claims that Kane wants better terms to his contract, which expires 2024, at 400,000 per week and with an added release clause.
12.24 BST: Sources tell ESPN's James Olley that Chelsea is hopeful of closing a deal for Jules Kounde, Sevilla defender. As Kurt Zouma moves to West Ham United from Stamford Bridge as defender, they are close to a deal worth around 50m.
Although talks with Sevilla regarding Kounde have been ongoing for some while, Chelsea had to first offload a centre back before moving forward with a move. West Ham paid Zouma a fee of 29.2m (25m), but Zouma was reluctant to leave Stamford Bridge due to personal terms.
Zouma still has two years on his Chelsea contract. He has refused moves in the past to fight for his Chelsea place. Although he was not in Thomas Tuchel's Premier League game lineup, he did participate in their UEFA Super Cup victory over Villarreal.
ESPN sources said that Zouma requested a wage of around 120,000 per week, which is roughly double the amount he earns at Chelsea. This was in order to consider moving to West Ham.
Negotiations have moved forward positively, and Zouma had a medical on Thursday to ensure that all parties are close to an agreement. Although the deal isn't yet in place, Chelsea believes that Zouma will leave and they can continue their pursuit for Kounde before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
11.41 BST: Dimitar Berbatov, former Manchester star, suggests that Donny van der Beek considers leaving Old Trafford.
Van de Beek, who was linked to several European top clubs and signed for United in a 35m transfer last September, has only started four Premier League matches since his arrival at Old Trafford.
The Times reported this week, that Van de Beek's representatives were approached by clubs during the summer transfer window. However, Van de Beek said that he isn't willing to entertain any offers because he is committed to United's success. Berbatov is convinced that the Netherlands international must move in order to revive his career.
Berbatov stated that he doesn't believe Betfair will see Donny van der Beek play any more. It's a very strange, disappointing, and surprising situation. They spent about 35m on him, and that's a lot of money for a player who doesn't start many games. While I don't blame the player, it was one of the most disappointing transfers that I have ever seen.
"He is a very high quality player. It's not something I like when clubs just buy stuff. He's probably banging on the manager's doors and asking questions.
"I believe that Van de Beek should be forced to leave if he is unhappy. With Louis van Gaal as coach, his place in the national team could be at risk. Van Gaal is a disciplinarian who wants his players to play football.
10.56 PM (BST): According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele appear to be close to an agreement on a new contract.
According to the report, there was a breakthrough in negotiations with Dembele's camp. Barca will now focus on closing the deal after the transfer window closes next Wednesday.
Dembele, 24, has been sidelined since November after sustaining a knee injury while playing for France at Euro 2020. Talks about a contract extension were at a halt prior to this.
Barca believed that the forward wanted to terminate his contract and move for free next year, after his current terms expire. He also received a large signing fee.
But, his latest injury setback has dampened any interest from anywhere else for now. Lionel Messi's recent move to Paris Saint-Germain has increased Barca’s need to keep their top attackers at Camp Nou.
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10.13 GMT: Jack Wilshere, a former Arsenal and England midfielder, has said that he seriously considers retiring at 29 if he cannot find a new club.
Wilshere was a Gunners first-team player for almost 200 games during his decade with the club. However, he suffered a series of injuries that hampered his career.
He joined West Ham in 2018, and spent two-and a half seasons there, before he finished last season at Championship club Bournemouth.
Wilshere is still a free agent, and he said that he might retire before his 30th birthday next January.
He told The Athletic, "Yeah that crosses my mind quite often." When you're training at a club, every day you wake up thinking, "Right, I have to train hard today. I have to show my manager that I am ready for the weekend. I don't have this.
"So, I wake up in the mornings and think, 'Right. I need to train somewhere.' Normally it's alone... Okay, so I was training with a team in pre-season, but that's over now. It's back to me getting up in the morning, working out on my own and finding the motivation. The question that I am asking myself is "What's the point?"
"When I was leaving West Ham, and I was trying find somewhere, I thought, "Right, it will come, it will come." It's not happening right now. So now, I wake up thinking "I need to train right now, but why?" "I want to join a club, but it's not going to happen."
09.27 BST. Manchester City manager Pep guardiola will likely leave the Premier League champions in 2023 as he wants to be able to enjoy a break before he ventures into international football, he stated on Wednesday.
Guardiola signed a new contract at City in November 2020 and indicated that it would likely be his last before he leaves the Premier League side.
Marca, the Spanish newspaper, quoted Guardiola as saying that "the next step will be to a national team if there is a chance." "After seven years with this club, I think it's time to take a break. After being here for so many years, I'll need to take a break and reflect on what we have done.
"If I have the chance to coach a national soccer team during the process of stopping, I would be happy." I would like to be a coach at the European Championship, Copa America, or World Cup. That would be something I'd love to do.
08.44 BST. Paris Saint-Germain sporting Director Leonardo stated that Kylian Mbappe wanted to leave the club. He also confirmed that Real Madrid had rejected the offer of the France international.
Sources claimed that Rodrigo Faez and Julien Laurens of ESPN reported Wednesday that Madrid rejected their 160 million offer to sign the 22 year-old, but they were optimistic about reaching a deal before the transfer window closes Aug 31.
Leonardo stated Wednesday that Kylian Mbappe wanted to leave. "If he wishes to leave, we will not keep him. But, it will be done according to our conditions.
"We have had many conversations with Kylian, and he always repeats the same thing. Kylian has always said that he wouldn't leave the club for a free transfer.
Mbappe still has one year on his PSG contract. He has declined multiple offers to renew it, so the Ligue 1 club is at risk of losing him on a free transfer in 2022.
08.00 BST: Manchester United won't be able to secure Eduardo Camavinga and Saul Niguez until they raise money through letting players go, ESPN sources said.
Rennes are open for Camavinga to be sold, as he has one year remaining on his contract. This is the last week of the transfer window. Atletico Madrid has informed Saul that he can leave if they offer him a deal, while Chelsea is in discussions with the LaLiga champions about a season-long loan, with the option of signing a permanent contract for the midfielder.
United is still interested in both, but United has prioritised right-back reinforcements over midfield reinforcements ahead of the Aug. 31, deadline. Any move will depend on Old Trafford players leaving Old Trafford. Club bosses believe that this is becoming increasingly unlikely as the window closes.
PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis
According to AS, there is a possibility that Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santato might be reunited avec Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Trore. According to AS, the Portuguese boss moved from Molineux in Portugal to North London where he has already teamed up with Matt Doherty, a former Wolves player. Spurs are looking for a loan that will obligate the 25-year old to sign the deal. This would be 46m.
According to Calciomercato, AC Milan still has the option of AC Milan acquiring Mexico winger Jesus "Tecatito” Corona from FC Porto. However, the move is still complicated due to the asking price of the Portuguese giants. Sevilla FC was also rumoured previously to be interested. Romain Faivre, a Brest star, could join Milan if Milan fail to make the deal.
West Ham United is trying to sign Chelsea centreback Kurt Zouma. However, the move is complicated and difficult, according to Sky Sports. The clubs have negotiated a fee of around 25m, but this was in addition to personal terms.
- Domenico Berardi wants to make a move to Atalanta, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport. Sassuolo want to keep the winger but Berardi, who saw Manuel Locatelli leave Juventus and join Juventus, is looking for a new challenge.
According to Calciomercato, AC Milan is hoping to sign Bordeaux midfielder Yacine Adler. The AC Milan are looking to sign the Frenchman for less than 10 million, while the Ligue 1 side wants 15m. Milan believes that the 21-year old is someone who can be invested in the future, even though they are looking for a better deal.
Sky Sports reports that Wolves are looking for a centre-back and are interested in Marseille's Duje Car-Car. The fee will be in the region 17m. Fabrizio Romano claims that they are also interested in Lille's Sven Botman and Sevilla is also considering the Dutchman.
