Transfer Talk: Paris Saint-Germain eye Kante deal

The summer transfer window is racing toward the Sept. 1 deadline, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: PSG monitoring Kante

Paris Saint-Germain entered this transfer window wanting to strengthen their midfield and that is still the case, despite the additions of Vitinha (€40 million) and Renato Sanches (€13m), as The Times reports that the Ligue 1 champions are monitoring the contract situation of Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.

Kante has only one year left on his contract with the Blues, and questions have arisen regarding the 31-year-old’s future.

Thomas Tuchel is keen for Kante to remain at Stamford Bridge past 2023, but indicated that injury concerns and his age will be considered when deciding the length and size of contract that will be put forward. Kante is currently the second-highest earner among the Chelsea squad and is set to be out for at least a month because of a hamstring injury.

PSG are long-term admirers of the all-action midfielder and attempted to sign him in 2018, when he eventually opted to sign a five-year extension with the Blues instead.

However, if Chelsea don’t agree a new deal with Kante by January, he would be able to begin discussing moves with overseas clubs.

Les Parisiens had also been linked with Manchester City‘s Bernardo Silva, but Pep Guardiola has insisted that the Portugal international will not be leaving the Etihad.

PSG are also close to bringing in Fabian Ruiz, with Calciomercato reporting that the deal will see Napoli receive €24m while the Spaniard will have a contract worth a net €5m per season until June 2027.

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21.10 BST: FC Augsburg are close to completing the signing of Fenerbahce forward Mergim Berisha, reports Sky Sport Deutschland, with the Bundesliga club wanting a loan with the option to make the deal permanent. There is already a verbal agreement between Berisha and the German outfit, while he is already in Augsburg for talks and to be prepared for a medical with negotiations between the two clubs still ongoing.

20.37 BST: Fabrizio Romano reports that Leicester City have opened talks with Stade de Reims about signing Wout Faes as a replacement for Chelsea-bound Wesley Fofana. The 24-year-old once-capped Belgium international is the priority for the Foxes rather than the only option, and negotiations are ongoing after Torino had an offer turned down weeks ago.

20.20 BST: United States international Sergino Dest is open to a move to Manchester United, but any move away from Barcelona before Thursday’s transfer deadline is dependent on several factors, sources have told ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens. The 21-year-old right-back has not been named in the squad for any of Barca’s three LaLiga games so far this season, with ESPN reporting that coach Xavi Hernandez has advised him to look for a new club. Read the full story.

20.04 BST: Lyon are very close to completing a move for 17-year-old Le Havre right-back Sael Kumbedi, according to Le Parisien, which adds that the Ligue 2 side will receive a transfer fee of around €1m. AS Monaco and AC Milan had also been interested in the U17 Euros winner but he was excited by Lyon’s project, meaning he will now replace Leo Dubois — following his move to Galatasaray — and provide backup for Malo Gusto.

19.31 BST: Bayer Leverkusen are looking into trying to bring in Inter Milan left-back Robin Gosens, reports Gianluca Di Marzio. The Bundesliga outfit is aiming to sign the Germany international on loan for €2m with a conditional obligation to make the deal permanent for a €28m transfer fee.

19.14 BST: Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea are in advanced negotiations with RB Leipzig over a deal for centre-back Josko Gvardiol. The Blues are said to have proposed a €90m transfer fee, and the 20-year-old Croatia international would remain at the Red Bull Arena on loan for the 2022-23 season.

18.58 BST: Leeds United are considering whether to revive their interest in Rangers winger Ryan Kent, according to the Mail. The Englishman has one year left on his contract and Leeds could move again, having been unsuccessful in both 2020 and 2021, although they could struggle again due to Rangers securing a place in the Champions League, where they will face Kent’s former club Liverpool.

18.25 BST: Nice have reached a €20m agreement to sign Stade Rennais forward Gaetan Laborde, reports Foot Mercato, which adds that personal terms have not yet been agreed and that Marseille are also interested. Amine Gouiri is set to move the other way in a €25m deal after Juventus were unable to bring him in.

17.52 BST: Fulham are set to sign winger Justin Kluivert from AS Roma with a deal in its final stages, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Cottagers are said to be on the verge of a completing a loan arrangement with an obligation to make the move permanent, with personal terms already agreed with the 23-year-old Netherlands international.

17.19 BST: Manchester United are exploring the possibility of signing Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest, reports Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth. The 21-year-old United States international has yet to make an appearance for Xavi Hernandez’s Blaugrana this season. If the former Ajax standout can be signed, the Red Devils will let Aaron Wan-Bissaka leave Old Trafford, with Crystal Palace and West Ham United said to be interested.

17.02 BST: Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson. The Premier League champions are nearing an agreement of a €17.5m transfer fee for the defender, who has a year left on his contract at the Westfalenstadion. Read the full story.

16.46 BST: The dominoes appear ready to fall, following Manchester United confirming the signing of Antony, as Ajax have opened negotiations with Sevilla for Lucas Ocampos to replace the Brazil international, and now Fabrizio Romano reports that the Andalusians are in talks with free agent Adnan Januzaj to fill the role that could be left by Ocampos. The 27-year-old Belgium international has spent the past five years with Real Sociedad, and if negotiations with Sevilla progress, he looks set to remain in LaLiga for the foreseeable future.

16.29 BST: Atletico Madrid have signed Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, the clubs announced on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Spain international spent 15 years in the Real Madrid system, and now returns to the Spanish capital after a two-year spell in north London.

🔴⚪ #WelcomeReguilón!

Agreement with @SpursOfficial over the loan of Sergio Reguilón until the end of the current season.

➡ https://t.co/I39U37RlUt pic.twitter.com/9y34Q6B9BK

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 30, 2022

16.13 BST: Doug McIntyre of FOX Sports confirms the report of Cope Mallorca’s Juan Carlos Taura, that former VfL Wolfsburg centre-back John Brooks has agreed terms with LaLiga outfit Mallorca and will undergo a medical on Wedneday. The 29-year-old is a free agent, and last represented the United States last September.

15.40 BST: Paris Saint-Germain are looking at signing two midfielders in the coming days.

Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz is reportedly set to put pen to paper on a five-year contract until 2027, with a €25m transfer fee.

And Valencia’s Carlos Soler is also set to sign for €18m, plus €3m add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano.

15.12 BST: Manchester City are close to an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for defender Manuel Akanji, says The Athletic.

Akanji, 27, has a contract which expires next season and has been linked with a move away all summer.

The report says that City are in talks over a €17.5m deal which will boost their defence.

14.48 BST: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says that he is still looking to sign a midfielder in this transfer window but maintained that it must be the “right” player.

“The closer we get to the last minute the more unlikely it gets, that’s how it is,” Klopp said in a news conference ahead of their match against Newcastle on Wednesday. “It’s difficult because there are for sure some players out there that would be the right ones, but they have different issues some of them are contracts, clubs don’t want to sell — these kinds of things.

“That’s how it is. We cannot force it. We will see. Thursday 11 p.m. [is the deadline], there is still time. But when it’s then over and we’ve signed or not signed [a player] then I’m really happy about that because we can stop thinking about it.”

When asked how much he would spend on a player, Klopp added: “I am not careful, we get told what is possible and what isn’t. That’s it. In this range we try to work it. There’s no criticism, we became champions in a season when we didn’t sign anyone. We have an existing team as well. All the players we have here we want to be here. I want to develop the club, the squad and be successful.”

14.30 BST: How might Man United use €95m new arrival Antony?

14.04 BST: Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey could be keen on a move to Eredivisie side Ajax, his father and agent Craig Butler told Football Transfers.

Bailey, 25, has started two of Aston Villa’s five games so far this season, as the club have struggled with three defeats from four in the Premier League.

The Jamaica international joined Aston Villa for £30m from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, but with Ajax looking to replace Man United-bound Antony, Bailey may consider a change.

“Currently the system at Aston Villa is not using wingers, which puts Leon in a difficult position and threatens to derail his personal goals and objectives,” Butler said. “We’re extremely big on loyalty in our academy, and we’re also cognisant that loyalty goes both ways. Many great players have come out of Ajax like Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] and so many others, and we are humbled by the interest shown and confidence they have displayed in his ability. That remains an important quality in a club for any player that wishes to achieve high goals.

“At this time no one would be happy not being able to contribute significantly to their club’s victories, but more so when the club is not winning. So while this is my opinion and I have love and respect for such a historically great club as Villa, I’m not happy a fit and high-performing Leon is being sidelined. If things aren’t going to drastically change Ajax could be an option.”

13.37 BST: RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer won’t be allowed to leave this summer, says Fabrizio Romano.

Laimer, 25, has a contract which expires in 2023 and has seen Bayern Munich and Liverpool linked with him.

The Austria international could still leave if a club offers more than €30m, but that’s unlikely to happen and he may depart on a free transfer next year instead.

13.00 BST: Manchester United have agreed a fee to sign winger Antony from Ajax, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

Sources told ESPN the deal is worth an initial €95m with another €5m in add-ons, which will make the Brazil winger the second-most expensive transfer in United’s history behind Paul Pogba, who joined from Juventus for a then-world record €105m in 2016.

– Everything you need to know about Antony

The deal is subject to a medical, player terms being finalised and international clearance.

Antony will be reunited with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, who will complete his fifth signing of the summer after bringing in Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.

The 22-year-old will give United another option in attack after Anthony Martial suffered an Achilles’ tendon injury in the 2-1 win against Liverpool last week.

12.40 BST: Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has joined German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on loan.

Hudson-Odoi, 21, was an unused substitute in our last three Premier League fixtures but the Blues have an option to recall him in January if needed.

There is no option to sign the England international permanently included in the deal.

12.22 BST: Christian Pulisic is increasingly likely to stay at Chelsea as the club are reluctant to sanction a move for the United States international amid a frantic end to the transfer window, sources have told ESPN.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel is desperate for attacking reinforcements before Thursday’s transfer deadline and talks continue with Barcelona over striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Chelsea are also hopeful of signing England Under-21 winger Anthony Gordon but Everton have rejected at least two offers from Tuchel’s side.

The club’s success in strengthening their options over the next three days will have a knock-on effect for Pulisic.

Chelsea have told Callum Hudson-Odoi he can join Bayer Leverkusen on loan, while Hakim Ziyech is also in talks to leave, with Ajax hopeful of completing a deal.

But with Tuchel concerned about numbers in attacking areas following Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku‘s departures to RB Leipzig and Inter Milan respectively — the latter on loan — Chelsea are not prepared to let Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech and Pulisic all leave in the same window unless they are able to sign at least two new players this week.

12.00 BST: Should Chelsea make a move for Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

11.25 BST: Highly-rated Barcelona defender Mika Marmol has joined FC Andorra, who are owned by Gerard Pique, on a free transfer, the two clubs confirmed on Tuesday.

Barca maintain an option to bring Marmol — who has signed a two-year deal with Andorra — back to Camp Nou and will also be due 50% of any future transfer.

Marmol, 21, made his LaLiga debut for Barca as a second-half substitute in a goalless draw against Getafe in May. However, he has seen his path into the first team blocked this summer by the signings of Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde.

Andorra are in the second division of Spanish football after being promoted last season and are coached by Eder Sarabia, Quique Setien’s former No. 2 at Barcelona.

11.05 BST: Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is of interest to Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Monza, says Calciomercato.

Bakayoko, 28, is on a two-year loan at AC Milan — with an option to sign permanently in 2023 — but may be tempted by a return to England, even though his career at Stamford Bridge didn’t work out as he would have wanted.

10.18 BST: Liverpool have made a £42m offer to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, The Sun reports.

Caicedo, 20, is highly rated and Liverpool are keen to bring in a midfielder before the deadline.

Brighton manager Graham Potter has suggested that the bid will need to be increased, though, as he told reporters: “You’d probably get his boots for that from the chairman — maybe! £100m? They can try.”

09.50 BST: ICYMI – Former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani will join Valencia on free transfer, the Spanish club announced on Monday.

Cavani, 35, was available after his contract expired earlier in summer after spending the last two seasons at Old Trafford. The Uruguay international has agreed to sign a two-year contract.

Valencia won the race to sign the veteran against Real Sociedad, who are still in the market looking for a replacement for Swedish forward Alexander Isak who joined Newcastle for €70m.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker was at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium to see his new team lose to Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Monday.

09.14 BST: Bournemouth manager Scott Parker was sacked by the newly-promoted Premier League club on Tuesday, three days after they were beaten 9-0 by Liverpool at Anfield.

The rout was Bournemouth’s third defeat in a row in the league after being beaten 4-0 by Manchester City and 3-0 by Arsenal.

“I would like to place on record my gratitude to Scott and his team for their efforts during their time with us,” the club’s owner Maxim Demin said in statement. “However, in order for us to keep progressing as a team and a club as a whole, it is unconditional that we are aligned in our strategy to run the club sustainably.”

08.47 BST: Tottenham Hotspur have announced the permanent signing of centre-back Cristian Romero from Atalanta.

Romero, 24, joined Tottenham on loan last season and has now agreed a deal to stay at the North London club until 2027. Sources had told ESPN the deal would be completed for €55m.

The Argentina international made 30 appearances last campaign as he helped Spurs to qualify for the Champions League via a fourth-place finish.

Romero was also a key part of the Argentina side who won the Copa America last year and has 11 caps for his country.

08.37 BST: Chelsea will look to bring in new recruits before the transfer window closes on Sept. 1 but will make do with the existing squad if they have to, manager Thomas Tuchel has said.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Southampton, Tuchel said he was fully focused on his side’s opponents as they look to make it three victories from five games after beating Leicester City 2-1 last time out.

“Right now we could need more players in some positions but it’s close to the end of the transfer window and when Sept. 1 comes I will be a happy coach no matter what happens,” Tuchel told a news conference. “I will try to find solutions and not think about what could have happened.”

Chelsea’s summer signings have included Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, while they have also been linked with Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

“All that matters is the reality and the moment now… and what will matter at Southampton is to find a way to win, step up individually and push the team. This is what we will do whether players come or not,” Tuchel added.

– Olley: Sterling saves Chelsea vs. Leicester, but they still need a striker

08.00 BST: Manchester United are close to signing goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from Newcastle, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.

Dubravka is set to move to Old Trafford on loan with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old Slovakia international will become Erik ten Hag’s sixth signing of the summer after Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Antony.

Dubravka will provide competition for senior goalkeepers David de Gea and Tom Heaton. De Gea has started all four games so far this season but came in for criticism following his performance in the 4-0 defeat at Brentford.

Ten Hag has been keen to add another goalkeeper to his squad after allowing Dean Henderson to join Nottingham Forest on loan for the season.

Sources have told ESPN the deal for Dubravka, who still has three years on his contract at Newcastle, includes an option to make the move permanent, but not an obligation.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)

– The Athletic reports that Chelsea are having second thoughts about signing Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang because of his age and expected high wages, while the Blues would want to include performance-based incentives in the fee. They are still keen to bring in his teammate Frenkie de Jong, though, and could be the Dutchman’s most likely destination if he leaves Barcelona — even if he will be staying as things stand.

– Arsenal and Everton are among the various clubs looking at Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners have explored the required conditions on the player’s side, while the Toffees had a verbal proposal of €30m turned down by the Ukrainian club.

– Fulham are negotiating with Lyon in an attempt to sign midfielder Houssem Aouar, according to L’Equipe. There has also been an offer from Benfica after Aouar reacted negatively to the prospect of joining Nice, while Nottingham Forest couldn’t reach an agreement with Lyon.

– West Ham United and Crystal Palace have made offers for Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, reports The Athletic. However, the Red Devils have turned down both as they don’t want to let the 24-year-old leave, partly because a replacement would need to be found if he did depart.

– Mauro Icardi has been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain all summer, and L’Equipe has added a new name that is looking at the Argentine. It reports that while Galatasaray remain in discussions with PSG about a loan with the option to make the deal permanent, Trabzonspor have enquired about a possible transfer — an opportunity that has been put to the side by Icardi’s entourage for the moment.

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