Today's Gossip: Lukaku Wants Chelsea Return; Plus The Latest On Fabinho, Mustafi & More
Manchester United are closing in on Monaco full-back Fabinho, Mustafi wants Arsenal, while Everton star Romelu Lukaku wants to return to C...
Manchester United are closing in on Monaco full-back Fabinho, Mustafi wants Arsenal, while Everton star Romelu Lukaku wants to return to Chelsea.
Lukaku Desperate For Chelsea Return
Chelsea are closing in on the transfer of former striker Romelu Lukaku after the Toffees reportedly accepted the Belgium star wants to leave.
The 23-year-old has been a target for Chelsea all summer, but new Everton boss Ronald Koeman was hopeful he could persuade Lukaku to stay on Merseyside with the aid of Farhad Moshiri's millions.
Koeman though has now given up on that and, according to the Daily Mirror the player is "determined" to return to Stamford Bridge.
One other Premier League club is believed to be interested in Lukaku but they have been told he has his "heart set on a return" to Chelsea.
The Blues have so far offered £57million for the player they sold to Everton for £28million two years ago but the asking price is believed to be closer to £75million.
Antonio Conte has already added Lukaku's Belgium team-mate Michy Batshuayi to his squad and is still confident of keeping Spain frontman Diego Costa, despite sustained interest from his former club Atletico Madrid.
United Close In On Fabinho
Manchester United are closing in on signing Monaco's Brazilian right-back Fabinho, say Globoesporte.
United have not afforded the move for the 22-year-old their full attention with the pursuit of Paul Pogba their priority but the report from Brazil claims they have been in preliminary discussions for the player.
The defender, who played under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, has been on United's radar all summer but with Pogba's deal inching closer they are set to finalise an offer for Fabinho.
AS Monaco will certainly not let the player go until after their Champions League qualifier 2nd leg with Fenerbahce, but may decide to hold onto him for even longer if they are able to progress to the next qualifying round.
The report claims Monaco want €30million for the player, including bonuses and United are expected to advance their talks for the player next week.
Mustafi Wants £25m Arsenal Move
There is no doubt that Arsene Wenger needs a new central defender, with Per Mertesacker ruled out for up to five months. There is also no doubt that Shkodran Mustafi is high on the list of possible targets. He is experienced, he has previously lived in England and he is still only 24.
Reports suggest that, while Mustafi has a £41.7m release clause, Valencia would be prepared to sell to Arsenal for a fee of £25m. Sorry Gabriel Paulista, but Wenger just doesn't fancy you.
According to the Daily Mirror, Mustafi is also up for the move. Darren Lewis writes that Mustafi is keen to work with Wenger and will push for a move to London.
That would make it £67m spent on five defenders since June 2014. None of the other four are currently first choice.
Everton Want Williams To Replace Stones
With Everton increasingly resigned to losing John Stones to Manchester City (Oh hey, who wants to read a piece about John Stones?), thoughts now turn to his replacement.
We've heard plenty about interest in Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, and now we're hearing about Ashley Williams.
Williams is part of the furniture at Swansea, but you do wonder whether he would like a fresh challenge somewhere.
Swansea City have failed to strengthen their squad so far this summer, and after Williams' performances at Euro 2016 his reputation is sky high.
The Daily Mirror report that Everton want Swansea's captain for a fee of around £10m, but make it £15m and they may make some headway. He truly would be an excellent replacement for Stones.
Matic Link To Juventus Continues
Corriere dello Sport claims that Juventus have made new contact with Chelsea for Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic.
The 27-year-old is on the bianconeri's hit-list to replace Paul Pogba but the Premier League side are digging their heels in to try to keep the player.
Only a few days ago, new boss Antonio Conte explained that the Serbian international was an integral part of his plans this season and that he had the potential to become one of the best midfielders in world football.
Despite having already signed N'Golo Kante from Leicester City, the Italian believes there is space for Matic in his squad.
The journal also states that the bianconeri are still considering moves for Belgian international Axel Witsel and PSG's Blaise Matuidi.
Witsel has been heavily linked with a move to Everton but the player himself is believed to prefer a switch to Turin having already sent an sms to his current club Zenit St Petersburg explaining this.
Matuidi may become surplus to requirements under new coach Unai Emery in the French capital with Manchester United also making enquiries as to his availability.
Arsenal will make an improved £35m bid for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, 25, after having an initial £29.3m offer rejected by the French club. (Daily Telegraph)
Arsenal are also interested in signing Torino full-back Bruno Peres, 26, with the club wanting £16.9m for the player. (Gazzetta World)
Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen, 24, has turned down a new contract as he wants a significant rise on his current £30,000-a-week deal. (Evening Standard)
Swansea have made an offer for Sevilla striker Fernando Llorente, 31, after Bafetimbi Gomis joined Marseille on a season-long loan to leave the Swans without a recognised striker. (Daily Mail)
Leicester City are ready to offer a new £100,000-a-week contract to playmaker Riyad Mahrez, 25, who is believed to be a target for Arsenal. (Daily Express)
The Paul Pogba deal will be finalised early next week (Various). Final details are being put in place before the 23-year-old becomes the most expensive player in football history.
Roma have turned their attentions to Spurs defender Federico Fazio (Corriere dello Sport). The giallorossi has the 29-year-old on a two-man shortlist alongside FC Twente's Hakim Ziyech
Napoli look to have won the race with Roma to sign Bologna midfielder Amadou Diawara (Gazzetta dello Sport). The highly-rated 18-year-old was set to head to the capital but now the vesuviani are in pole-position to take him.
Milan are pushing to sign Chelsea wide-man Juan Cuadrado (Tuttosport). The 28-year-old Colombian wants to return to Serie A after his loan-spell at Juventus.
Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva will take a pay cut in order to complete his move to Inter (Corriere dello Sport).
Aston Villa are likely to sell Senegal international Idrissa Gana, 26, to Everton in a £7.1m deal this weekend. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 19, could leave the club on loan after having discussions about his future at Old Trafford. (Manchester Evening News)
AC Milan want to take Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj on loan, with a view to a permanent switch in 12 months' time. (La Gazetta dello Sport)
Everton have not made a bid for Sunderland defender Lamine Kone, 27, despite reports suggesting a £14m offer has been made. (Sunderland Echo)
The Toffees are interested in signing Swansea defender Ashley Williams, 31, who could cost up to £10m. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester City are reluctant to meet Everton's £50m valuation of defender John Stones, 22, with their preferred price being around £40m. (Guardian)
City goalkeeper Angus Gunn, 20, who made three penalty saves in a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund, wants to stay at the club and fight for his place under new boss Pep Guardiola. (Manchester Evening News)
West Brom striker Saido Berahino, 22, is willing to stay at the club until his contract runs out next summer and leave on a free transfer to join a club in Europe. (ESPN)
Newcastle have had an approach rejected by Championship rivals Brighton for winger Anthony Knockaert, 24, who could cost up to £10m. (TEAMtalk)
Mauro Icardi will boycott Inter Milan in order to force through a move to Arsenal. (Sun)
Real Madrid will turn their attentions to Chelsea's Nemanja Matic and PSG's Marco Verratti after missing out on Paul Pogba (Sun)
West Ham have had a £7m bid rejected for Hull City left-back Andrew Robertson, 22. (Sky Sports)
Galatasaray want to sign Manchester City defender Jason Denayer, 21, and Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, 29. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester City will confirm Argentina international Sergio Aguero, 28, has signed a new contract before the start of the season. (Daily Mail)
News transfer gist
Nigeria's Online Sports Magazine: Today's Gossip: Lukaku Wants Chelsea Return; Plus The Latest On Fabinho, Mustafi & More
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