It’s that time of the year again – the transfer window is now open until September 1 and it’s sure to be a busy period as clubs look to make big signings ahead of the new season.
Here are today’s latest developments from Simon Jones and the Daily Mail Sport team…
Newcastle target training separately
Lille coach Davide Ancelotti has confirmed Newcastle United target Mathias Fernandez-Pardo is training separately as he awaits a move to the Premier League.
Ancelotti said: ‘We made the decision that he wouldn’t train with the group until the end of the transfer window and until his situation is resolved.’
Newcastle are offering around £30m for the 21-year-old Belgium forward.
Lille coach Davide Ancelotti has confirmed Newcastle United target Mathias Fernandez-Pardo is training separately
Chelsea reach agreement over Ahanor… Honest!
Chelsea have reached agreement with Atalanta to sign Italy international defender Honest Ahanor.
The two clubs have struck a fee of £40million with personal terms in place on a long-term contract.
The 18-year-old has been given permission to travel for a medical and complete a move to Stamford Bridge. He is expected to go out on loan, as reported in yesterday’s Daily Mail Sport.
Marmoush completes Spurs switch
Omar Marmoush has joined Tottenham on a season-long loan from Manchester City, following team-mate Savio to north London.
MATT BARLOW
Villa ramp up Leao pursuit
Aston Villa have sent a delegation to Milan to negotiate the loan signing of Rafael Leao, who also has an offer from Galatasaray.
The Villa party were expected to hold talks today with AC Milan, with super agent Jorge Mendes involved in proceedings.
Leao would cost an initial £6.9million loan fee which would become a £37m deal next summer if certain conditions are met.
Rafael Leao is being pursued by Aston Villa and Galatasaray this summer
Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins is expected in Riyadh on Friday to complete his £51m move to Al Hilal.
Daily Mail Sport understands the England forward is due to be presented by the Saudi club as their latest signing in the next 24 hours.
TOM COLLOMOSSE
Ndiaye pursuit latest
Manchester City appreciate Iliman Ndiaye but he has three years left on contract at Everton and is valued around £80m.
Arsenal are also among his admirers while he has already turned down Al Hilal as he wanted to remain in the Premier League.
Seelt seals Swans deal
Sunderland defender Jenson Seelt is joining Swansea on a season-long loan deal. The 23-year-old centre-back has agreed a new four-year deal with Sunderland before making the move to Wales.
Zirkzee’s Italian job
Manchester United are in talks with Fiorentina over the potential loan and sale of striker Joshua Zirkzee.
The Italian club are willing to offer a £4m loan fee with buy option for the 25-year-old and talks are ongoing.
Zirkzee has also had interest from Juventus, Napoli and a check call from Aston Villa as interest becomes more serious towards the close of the window.
Palacios heading to Ipswich
Ipswich are finalising paperwork for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios who has completed his medical ahead of a £23.5m move.
If all goes to plan, he could be confirmed in the next 24 hours, with Ipswich set to pay £19.4m plus add-ons.
Hornets buzzing around Lascelles
Watford are in talks to sign Jamaal Lascelles.
The 32-year-old former Newcastle United captain was at Leicester City last season in a short term contract and is available as a free agent.
Delap signs for Forest
Liam Delap has sealed a £45million move to Nottingham Forest and could make his debut against Liverpool this weekend.
Despite a poor season at Chelsea, Forest have chosen to focus on Delap’s strong campaign for Ipswich and handed Chelsea an instant £15m profit – even though Delap scored only three goals for the Blues.
Liam Delap has joined Forest after a difficult spell with Chelsea
Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been desperate for a mobile No9 to allow Igor Jesus to operate in a different role.
Delap will be expected to make an instant impact after Forest lost twice at home to Leeds in the space of four days.
TOM COLLOMOSSE
Tractor Boys keen on Tammy
Ipswich are in talks to sign Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham on loan.
Villa are signing Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and have made approaches for Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta and Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane while also making an offer for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao.
Abraham signed for Villa for £18m in January scored three goals in four starts and 13 substitute appearances.
Ipswich want to strengthen several positions before the deadline.
Elliott eyeing Italian escape
Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott is attracting interest from Italian sides Napoli and Lazio.
The 23-year-old suffered a disappointing loan at Aston Villa last season stymied by the fact the deal became an obligation to buy at £35m if he made ten appearances.
Unai Emery chose not to select him after a handful of games and admitted that it affected the England U21 international.
Napoli and Lazio are interested in moves for Harvey Elliott
He made just nine appearances and scored one goal last season though still finished with a Europa League winners medal albeit as an unused substitute.
Though interest is expected over the next four days, Liverpool have still to receive a formal enquiry for Elliott.
Barcola nearing Liverpool switch
Liverpool are closing on a deal worth £120million for Paris Saint Germain forward Bradley Barcola.
The deal is still to be completed but negotiations are continuing on a £100m fee with £20m in add-ons.
Read the full story here.
Tigers chasing Thomas
Hull have made a revised bid for Stoke ‘crossing machine’ Sorba Thomas. The Tigers have already had a £7m offer rejected for the Wales international winger with Stoke looking for around £10m.
Thomas was Stoke player of the year and made it into the divisional team of the year last season, contributing 13 assists, 10 goals, plus a couple of forced own goals.
Indeed, analysts identified that 26-year-old Thomas supplied 410 crosses in his 45 league matches. The next highest in the Championship was Millwall’s Femi Azeez with 294.
He added to his tally last night as Stoke took on Hull in the Carabao Cup only to lose on penalties.
Afterwards Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic, quizzed on his interest, said: ‘I know everything about Sorba Thomas from the Championship, he’s a difference maker, and he’s a very good player.’
Hull have also enquired about Fabio Carvalho at Brentford but they want the midfielder to stay.
The Premier League new boys have agreed to sign Union Berlin forward Ilyas Ansah for around £21m. The Germany Under-21 international is undergoing a medical today.
The Tigers are also discussing a loan for Roma striker Robinio Vaz, 19.
Hull close on Nice star
Nice forward Mohamed Ali Cho has completed his Hull medical.
The former Everton and Paris Saint Germain prospect, 22, can play anywhere across the front line. The deal is worth up to £15.4m.
Celtic consider Johnstone move
Celtic are understood to be considering a move for experienced Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as they assess their options following their disastrous exit from the Champions League.
The Scottish champions suffered one of the most damaging European defeats in their recent history on Tuesday night, incredibly surrendering a four-goal aggregate advantage to lose 5-4 to LASK and miss out on the Champions League league phase for a second successive season. Johnstone has emerged as a potential option.
The 33-year-old England international is at Wolves but his future at Molineux is increasingly uncertain following the club’s relegation to the Championship and subsequent changes to their goalkeeping department.
Johnstone underwent shoulder surgery towards the end of last season, which ruled him out of the final matches of the campaign and disrupted his pre-season. However, he has been back training for several weeks, has regained full movement in the shoulder and is effectively back to full fitness.
Despite his return to fitness, there are significant doubts over whether Johnstone features in new Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto’s long-term plans.
Jose Sa returned to the side following his involvement at the World Cup, while Wolves have moved to agree a £1.3million deal for Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Joao Virginia and are in talks to bring back John Ruddy, another indication that the goalkeeping order at Molineux is changing.
Although Dan Bentley has recently departed for Coventry City, Wolves have openly spoken about wanting another goalkeeper and would be willing to allow Johnstone to leave.
The arrival of Virginia leaves Johnstone facing an uncertain battle for football and little evidence of a long-term future at Wolves, potentially opening the door for Celtic.
Johnstone would bring considerable experience to Celtic Park. The former Manchester United academy goalkeeper has made more than 350 senior appearances during spells with West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Wolves, while he has also represented England at senior level.
At 33, he could offer Celtic an experienced and proven presence at a time when the club are looking for greater stability following the extraordinary collapse against LASK.
With the transfer deadline approaching and Johnstone now nearing complete match fitness, it could be a situation that develops quickly.
Celtic need a response after their Champions League humiliation and Johnstone needs regular football. A move to Glasgow could potentially suit both parties.
Wanted man Morato
Nottingham Forest defender Morato is wanted by Roma on loan. Forest are looking at Fiorentina right back Dodo after Celta Vigo halted talks for Javi Rueda.
Saints explore Ward-Prowse return
Southampton are exploring a deal to bring Hammers midfielder James Ward-Prowse back to St Mary’s. They have already agreed a £3.8m deal with Augsburg for defender Keven Schlotterbeck.
The 29-year old centre back underwent a medical yesterday.
WEDNESDAY: Chelsea in talks over £36m-rated Atalanta teenager
TUESDAY: Nottingham Forest close in £45m deal for Liam Delap
MONDAY: Aston Villa in touch with AC Milan over Rafael Leao
