TOTTENHAM are expected to make an improved bid for WEST HAM forward Mohammed Kudus before the end of this week.
West Ham turned down a £50million proposal for Kudus from Spurs early last week and have not received any new offers since . They had expected a bigger bid from Chelsea but Ghana star Kudus has made it clear he wants to join Spurs.
The Hammers need to sell, but are willing to accept below the player’s release clause of £85m, with Tottenham looking to reach a compromise of around £60-£65m.
Meanwhile, West Ham have been working on defensive reinforcements, with talks ongoing over Slavia Prague wing back El Hadji Malick Diouf, who was a target for Crystal Palace and Brighton last season.
Girona centre back Arnau Martinez is another West Ham are discussing. The 22-year-old has a £12.8m release clause and can also play at right back.
West Ham are looking to offload Morocco centre back Nayef Aguerd, who has failed to settle in London since joining for £30m from Rennes three years ago. He has interest from Marseille, Sunderland, Roma and Real Sociedad, where he spent last season on loan.
Mohammed Kudus scored and was sent off for West Ham against Tottenham last season
Senegal wing back El Hadji Malick Diouf is on West Ham’s radar
Newcastle eye centre backs and snap up ex-Liverpool wonderkid
Should Marseille prevail in the race for Aguerd, it may give NEWCASTLE hope in their pursuit of the French club’s Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi. As it stands talks for the 26-year-old, as with their other option Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini, are at an impasse.
Newcastle have even considered going back for CRYSTAL PALACE centre back Marc Guehi, though his focus is on a move to LIVERPOOL if they should proceed in talks. CHELSEA also remain attentive to Guehi’s situation.
Newcastle expect to finalise the signing of former Liverpool prospect Isaac Moran after he agreed to join Eddie Howe’s set-up. The teenage midfielder was spotted at Newcastle’s training ground at the end of last week.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on Newcastle’s list as they consider forward options and could also come into MANCHESTER UNITED‘s thinking should one of their forwards depart. The 28-year-old free agent, who has 11 caps for England and scored 71 goals for Everton across 274 appearances, also has tentative interest from Italy, but a decision on his future is expected to unfold later in the window.
Leonardo Balerdi (right) is a major target for Newcastle, but talks over the Marseille centre back are at an impasse
Arsenal hopeful of new Nwaneri deal
ARSENAL are hopeful of securing a new deal for Ethan Nwaneri, despite failing to reach a solution in talks so far.
Chelsea lead a number of clubs interested in the 18-year-old Gunners academy graduate, but Arsenal are optimistic an agreement can be found. Nwaneri, who won the Under-21 Euros with England this summer, broke through into Arsenal’s first team last season, playing 37 times and scoring nine goals.
An Arsenal delegation is continuing talks in Portugal for Viktor Gyokeres. The Gunners tried to finalise terms on Sunday, but Sporting CP wanted more of the offer weighted towards a guaranteed sum up front. Arsenal had offered around £56m with a further £13m in add-ons.
Ethan Nwaneri has a year left to run on his Arsenal contract and talks are ongoing
Viktor Gyokeres is very keen to seal a move to Arsenal from Sporting CP this summer
Former Coventry, Brighton and Swansea striker Gyokeres has appealed to Sporting president Frederico Varandas to let him join Arsenal, as the 27-year-old pushes to achieve his dream move.
Arsenal continue to discuss a structured deal for Eberechi Eze at Palace, which could yet include a player going the other way. They also want a winger, with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke high on their list, while Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman could also come into contention.
Arsenal remain keen on BLACKBURN ROVERS prospect Igor Tyjon, but have been rebuffed in their approaches for the 17-year-old forward so far. Southport-born Tyjon came through the Rochdale academy and made his first two senior appearances for Blackburn last season. He has represented England and Poland at youth level.
Revealed: Branthwaite’s Everton release clause
EVERTON may have wrapped up a new five-year contract for defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but Mail Sport understands there is an exit clause of more than £70m that can be triggered from next summer.
Everton manager David Moyes has played a crucial role in convincing the 23-year-old to stay and he is now among the club’s highest earners, but remains ambitious to play Champions League football.
Everton hope new addition Thierno Barry will help propel them towards that goal. The Villarreal striker flew in on Tuesday and despite reporting a little ‘jet lag’ proceeded to have his medical. The France Under-21 international will join for £27m plus bonuses.
Everton have parked the idea of adding BRIGHTON defender Adam Webster for £10m after Michael Keane agreed a new contract, but have asked about ASTON VILLA captain John McGinn, although a deal for the Scotland midfielder is deemed unlikely.
Thierno Barry is joining Everton from Villarreal for £27m plus bonuses
Roma eye Premier League duo
ROMA have enquired about Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.
The Italian side have registered interest and are understood to be exploring a potential loan with an option to buy.
Talks have yet to develop for the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland international, but Roma are one of a number of clubs weighing up an offer. Ferguson failed to make the desired impact on loan in a struggling West Ham side last season, but that hasn’t put off suitors alert to his potential.
Roma have also considered MANCHESTER UNITED‘s Rasmus Hojlund, but the Dane is not looking to leave Old Trafford unless he is pushed. INTER MILAN also remain in the background for the 22-year-old.
Roma have enquired about Evan Ferguson, who failed to make an impact on loan at West Ham last season
Forest’s hunt for wingers
NOTTINGHAM FOREST want two new wingers after selling Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United.
Mail Sport‘s Craig Hope broke news of the breakthrough in negotiations on Monday between Newcastle and Forest over the £52m sale of Elanga, who is changing agents at the end of this month.
Forest have already tried for LYON winger Malick Fofana, who has also attracted enquiries from Chelsea and BAYERN MUNICH. Despite agreeing a fee with Lyon, Forest were unable to reach agreement with the 20-year-old.
However, they have returned to former target PSV EINDHOVEN winger Johan Bakayoko. The 22-year-old also has interest from BOURNEMOUTH, Palace and Everton.
Forest could yet lose Morgan Gibbs-White this summer. Although a move to Manchester City fell through, other suitors remain in the background for the England international.
Forest are back in for PSV winger Johan Bakayoko (right), who also has interest from Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Everton
Juve strike for Saint
JUVENTUS are among the clubs showing interest in SOUTHAMPTON prospect Leo Rodella, who has decided to leave the club.
The 16-year-old midfielder, who has an Italian passport, has turned down the offer of a contract and is evaluating offers from abroad. Chelsea, meanwhile, are moving for Saints prospect Lewis Day. The centre back will be a first year scholar next season.
Gonzalez’s future already murky
MANCHESTER CITY will take stock of the situation surrounding Nico Gonzalez as he struggles to secure a regular place in Pep Guardiola’s starting team.
The 23-year-old joined in February from Porto for £50m, but has yet to make an impact. The return to fitness of Rodri and further additions have only added to the competition, so City may consider offers in the coming weeks. But for now they say he is part of their plans and he will try and work his way into contention.
Nico Gonzalez has only been at Manchester City for five months, but the club are already considering his future
Jack Grealish’s future has still to be determined, despite numerous clubs showing interest in the England international. An initial loan where he will play regularly still seems the more likely option in the build-up to the World Cup.
City are unlikely to pursue a deal for Inter Milan’s Dutch wing-back Denzel Dumfries, who has a £21.5m release clause active until the middle of this month. The clause must be paid in one go, but the 29-year-old is keen to stay at Inter as it stands. Newcastle’s England full back Tino Livramento remains an option for City, but is considerably more expensive.
Blades make run for Barry
ASTON VILLA forward Louie Barry has returned to first team training after his move to HULL CITY fell through last week.
Manager Unai Emery wants to take a closer look at the 22-year-old as he assesses his forward options, particularly with background interest building in Ollie Watkins. A number of Championship clubs remain keen to take Barry on loan, with SHEFFIELD UNITED among the front-runners. The Blades are managed by Ruben Selles, who had Barry on loan at Hull City last season.
Three Liverpool stars attracting major interest
Liverpool are awaiting a fresh approach from BARCELONA for winger Luis Diaz.
There is still some doubt whether the Spanish side can come up with the necessary finance for the Colombian and, as reported last week, Liverpool have no desire to sell unless a substantial offer is made.
Bayern Munich, who were rebuffed last week after a phone call from sporting director Max Eberl, will monitor developments too after losing Jamal Musiala to a broken fibula. Bayern also have Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku on their radar.
Liverpool are standing firm in their valuation of striker Darwin Nunez amid offers from NAPOLI. Midfielder Tyler Morton continues to attract interest from AJAX and West Ham, who are also both keen on Southampton midfielder Shea Charles as an alternative.
Liverpool are standing firm in their valuation of striker Darwin Nunez amid offers from Napoli
Sunderland and Leeds wrap up deals
SUNDERLAND have signed left back Reinildo Mandava on a free transfer after his release from ATLETICO MADRID. Belgian winger Chemsdine Talbi also landed in the North East on Tuesday ahead of his move to the Black Cats for £19.5m from CLUB BRUGGE.
LEEDS UNITED have signed Lille left back Gabriel Gudmundsson in a deal worth £10million. The Sweden international, 26, flew to Leeds from Lille on Sunday and will be the club’s fourth signing of the summer, following Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw. Goalkeepers Lucas Perri, of Lyon, and Mainz’s Robin Zentner are also on Leeds’ shortlist.
Bournemouth winger Marcus Tavernier has emerged as a potential target for BESIKTAS and FENERBAHCE. Bournemouth left back Noa Boutin is attracting interest from League One and League Two clubs including LINCOLN CITY.
Tottenham have agreed to loan striker Alejo Veliz, 21, to Argentina’s Rosario Central. They have also confirmed the signing of defender Kota Takai from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale on a five-year deal, for a fee understood to be around £5m.