Transfer information LIVE: United set to signal Ugarte as Chelsea linked with Toney
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Liverpool completed their first transfer of the summer yesterday, signing Giorgi Mamardashvili – who won’t join the squad until next year. They are still chasing Federico Chiesa to add to Arne Slot’s side for this term, but it remains Chelsea who are involved in the most deals and speculation, both incoming and outgoing.
Enzo Maresca’s outfit are trying to offload Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, among others, while yesterday were linked with a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney. Meanwhile, a Jadon Sanco swap deal is still possible too, with Man United keen on Sterling and having got their main piece of business all-but wrapped up with Manuel Ugarte close to signing.
Additionally on Tuesday, Arsenal landed Mikel Merino, Man City sold Joao Cancelo and Spurs sent Manor Solomon on loan to Leeds in another busy few hours as transfer deadline day draws closer – and Wednesday is likely to bring much more of the same.
Follow the latest transfer news and updates in today’s live blog below:
Forest make move for Ajax forward Brian Brobbey
Brian Brobbey is the new name on the Nottingham Forest scattergun target range, as the fourth recent forward they’ve made a move for – according to the Mirror.
Having been turned down by Santiago Gimenez, seemingly beaten to Eddie Nketiah by Crystal Palace and rejected in a bid for Yoane Wissa, they are now targeting the Ajax attacker as an alternative to Chris Wood.
One might draw the conclusion they don’t precisely know what type of forward they actually want.
Man United sell Mejbri to Burnley
Manchester United have sold midfielder Hannibal Mejbri to Burnley for an initial £5.4m.
That fee could rise to £9.4m including add-ons while United have a high sell-on clause, initially set at 50 percent, and a buyback clause if they want to bring the Tunisia international back to Old Trafford.
Mejbri’s departure will help fund United’s signing of Manuel Ugarte after they agreed a £42.3m fee with Paris Saint-Germain, which could rise to £50.7m.
United have also agreed to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli for £25m as they are allowing two other midfielders to go while landing their top target in the department this summer. When Ugarte arrives and McTominay goes, United will have spent around £200m this summer but brought in almost £100m.
Mejbri also continues United’s trend of cashing in on young fringe players this summer, with winger Facundo Pellistri joining Panathinaikos, centre-back Willy Kambwala going to Villarreal and left-back Alvaro Fernandez moving to Benfica.
Everton want Orel Mangala on loan
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala could be coming back to the Premier League, with Everton keen to do a loan deal with Lyon.
The 26-year-old is slated for a medical soon, as Sean Dyche looks to arrest a dismal start to the season.
They did win in the EFL Cup last night, mind.
Scott McTominay flies to Naples for medical
Scott McTominay appears set to seal his switch to Napoli today – Sky Sports report that the Manchester United midfielder is on his way to Naples for a medical.
Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo makes permanent move to Al Hilal
Another significant move completed yesterday evening was Joao Cancelo’s permanent exit from Manchester City – the Portugal full-back will call Al Hilal home this season after completing a £21.1m transfer.
“I would like to wish everyone at City continued success in the future,” Cancelo, 30, said. “I had many very special moments during my time here at this great club.
“I would like to thank my team-mates, the coaches, all the staff at City and the fans for everything during my time here.”
Who is Mikel Merino? The ‘strong and positive character’ who could be a perfect for Arsenal
Perhaps the biggest deal completed yesterday was Mikel Merino’s long-mentioned move to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s summer-long pursuit of his namesake reaching fruition to bolster his midfield options. Here’s why the Spain international could be a perfect fit:
Wolves switch goalkeeper target after missing Ramsdale
Wolves’ move for Aaron Ramsdale fell through yesterday over fears the deal was too expensive – but they have swiftly moved on.
Sam Johnstone is their target now and it will be a permanent deal for £10m according to the Telegraph, which might in turn mean Jose Sa leaves before deadline day.
The Molineux club could meanwhile sell Daniel Podence for £7m to Olympicas and have had a £20m bid for Luca Koleosho rejected by Burnley.
One which is on the verge of completion:
Bilal El Khannouss is having a medical today ahead of completing his £19m transfer from Genk to Leicester.
The Morocco international was part of the bronze-medal winning side at the Olympics in Paris this summer and won Young Player of the Year last season in Belgium.
Liverpool working to sign £12.6m Chiesa
Liverpool are now fully pushing ahead to sign Federico Chiesa, reports David Ornstein of the Athletic, with the winger set for a €15m (£12.6m) switch.
There’s still no clarification over whether talks have taken place individually, but given he’s out of the Juventus squad right now and not in Thiago Motta’s plans, it appears there’s a clear path to completing the deal.
A four-year contract is on the agenda for the 26-year-old.
Ivan Toney latest as Chelsea chase deal
Let’s start with the latest on Ivan Toney. Sky Sports are reporting that Chelsea have made an official offer, citing his “relatively low wages” and scoring record as traits they were keen on as they seek a goalscoring No9.
However, they and the Mail both say that Chelsea cannot match the wages on offer to Toney from the Saudi Pro League – where he has a £400,000 offer on the table.
Clearly there’s still work to do for a transfer fee too, as Toney has only one year left on his deal but the Bees were holding out for £60m.
