The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.
Spurs priced out of Martial move
After Tottenham demanded more than £55 million for Toby Alderweireld, Manchester United responded in kind by quoting the North London club “silly prices” for Anthony Martial.
According to the Manchester Evenings News, Spurs have made initial enquiries over the want-away forward, but are now embroiled in a standoff as United wait for progress in their pursuit of Alderweireld.
Martial’s agent, Philippe Lamboley, confirmed that the Frenchman wants to leave Old Trafford earlier in June, with Jose Mourinho eyeing Willian and Gareth Bale as potential replacements.
Martial has been linked with a move to Juventus, but Spurs could tie up a deal for the 22-year-old if they relax their asking price for Alderweireld before August’s transfer deadline.
Mourinho is known to be a keen admirer of the Belgian defender, and will be even more desperate to sign him after one of United’s alternative options, Milan Skriniar, insisted he’s staying at Inter Milan, as the Daily Star reports.
Chelsea in pole position for Alisson
Despite strong interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, Chelsea have muscled their way to the front of the queue for Roma goalkeeper Alisson.
The Metro reports the Blues are close to agreeing a €70m fee for the 25-year-old, who is currently on World Cup duty with Brazil.
With Thibaut Courtois dragging his heels over a new deal at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have been forced into the market this summer to find a replacement. Once Alisson is on board, they will look to sell the Belgium No. 1, who is a target for Real Madrid ahead of his contract expiring next summer.
Arsenal close to double swoop
Arsenal have enjoyed a busy start to the transfer window as they close in on the signings of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Lucas Torreira to complete Unai Emery’s rebuilding plans.
After the Gunners snapped up Stephan Lichtsteiner and Bernd Leno earlier in June, the Daily Star reports that Sokratis will fly in next week to put pen to paper on a £17m switch from Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, a £26m move for Torreira is also progressing, despite the midfielder’s involvement in Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.
Along with their pursuit of new recruits, the Gunners have confirmed contract extensions for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny, with Aaron Ramsey expected to follow suit.
There was no new contract for Jack Wilshere, of course, but Talksport says the England man has found a new club. After rejecting West Ham’s overtures, Wilshere is expected to be unveiled at Fenerbahce on Monday.
Tap-ins
– Everton set their sights on Celtic’s Kieran Tierney as a long-term replacement for Leighton Baines, reports the Daily Mirror. Tierney is also a target for Man United and Spurs as Brendan Rodgers faces a battle to hold on to the 21-year-old.
– Alvaro Morata is planning to quit Chelsea after a difficult first year that saw him score only one Premier League goal in 2018 and miss out on a place in Spain’s World Cup squad. According to The Sun, the Blues will demand £70m for the striker after shelling out a club-record £58m fee last summer.
– The Sun also says that Watford have angered West Brom by offering just £1m for goalkeeper Ben Foster. The Baggies are holding out for closer to £10m for their No. 1, who is keen for a fresh challenge.
– Australia’s A-League appears set to lose perhaps its greatest striker to Japan, with Besart Berisha set to leave Melbourne Victory to join Sanfrecce Hiroshima, according to the AAP.
Matthew Stanger covers European football for ESPN and is the editor of The Set Pieces. Twitter: @MatthewStanger
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